Deck: Day 5

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Well, it's not 100% complete but it sure is close! It has been an exhausting week for Ryan. He hasn't done this much physical labor since the last time my Dad was in town and they built the scrapbook room!
Ryan can't stop gazing out the window after they stop for the night. He'll sit down for 5 minutes then stand up and say, "okay, I can't stand it...I need to look at it again!" It is quite humorous. It should be finished today. And if it isn't well, then Ryan will be finishing it on his own because Mom and Dad are leaving to drive back home tomorrow.
As for this week, it has been a lot of fun. Mom and I have done plenty of shopping. I actually feel a little shopped out if that is possible. Kara and Ian came over on Friday and Saturday so that Ian could help on the deck. While the men slave away outside Kara, Mom and I have enjoyed a couple leisurely days shopping, scrapbooking, and the occasional game of dominoes. It has been a very enjoyable 4 days off.
But alas, I must return to work. I'm actually looking forward to it. I feel a bit unneeded and unmissed since no one ever called. Not really....it was nice not to think about pharmacy for a few days!
Until next year, when I'll provide pictures of our wonderful completed cedar masterpiece....
have a happy and safe new years eve!

Look who's in Texas!

Mom & Dad have arrived safely after 18 hours of driving from Indiana! They were very proud of themselves as they were able to find the way to the house without calling for directions!
I still had to work yesterday from 2-10 so Ryan entertained by cooking (huge) Ribeye steaks on the grill and taking them on an evening trip to Lowe's. {good times}

Today, well-today is my first of 4 days off in a row. {fabulous}I finished up some cards in the morning, then headed out with Mom to run some much needed errands. Errands that I have put off for way too long (I hadn't picked up the dry cleaning in almost 3 weeks!) We accomplished a lot and had fun in the process. Hobby Lobby and Banana Rebuplic had good sales going on. Love it! Tomorrow we plan to head to the outlet malls while the guys continue to slave away on the deck. Which is coming along nicely. Below is a picture of it around 12 noon today (Wednesday):
Okay, so there isn't much of a deck yet....but it's coming!

I am loving, loving, loving, being off work for 4 days straight! {serisouly-I'm loving it} I have so much planned. I just might have to get up early every day to get it all done ;)
Seriously!

P.S. Thanks to all who prayed for me last week...I'm doing so much better.

Surrender

One of the most powerful songs I have ever heard is Surrender by Barlow Girl. Powerful in its truth.
"I know of course what I should do...
that I can't hold these dreams forever.
If I give them now to You-
will You take them away forever?
Or can I dream again?"

Answered prayer?

My heart aches. As much as I trust the Lord, it saddens me that His plan doesn't include children right now. I cannot lie...it is hard to have so many people around me pregnant. I would do anything to not let it bother me. It has become serious baggage for me. I am losing friends because of it.
I prayed and asked God yesterday how to overcome these feelings to jealousy, doubt, and selfishness-I think he gave me an answer today.
I found out today that another close friend is pregnant with twins. As I (quickly) scanned the email on my Blackberry this morning at work, I about got sick. Little did I know (because I stopped reading the email at "twins!") there are serious complications associated with the pregnancy. My jealousy turned to humility. It is not ironic that someone close to me told me this today. The day after I spent hours worrying, crying, and praying about how to overcome my sadness and stop letting it control my life.
Please pray for this friend and for her twins.

Happiness at work

I will probably eat these words later (like Jan 2, 2007) but I am so happy to be at the Medical Walgreens. It is truly a different place than it was 4 months ago. It has been so enjoyable lately I find myself laughing and smiling while I'm there (crazy, I know!)
Sunday we had our staff Christmas party at my house. We had a great time exchanging gifts and doing what we do best-talking about Walgreens. My staff totally took me off guard by giving me a (costly) Salon/Spa gift certificate. I was humbled by their generousity and honored by there thoughtfulness. I left work so many days in the beginning wondering if what I was doing was making anything better. I hope this means that it has at least made everyone enjoy their job a bit more! I am so thankful for the lessons God has helped me learn throughout my time in this store. It has not been easy, but it has been worth it. Below is our group picture taken Sunday.
Other than good times at work, I've been doing lots of Alpha Xi Delta and SBR Card business. I've been thinking about doing some Christmas shopping....thinking about making my own Christmas cards.... thinking about what I'll do for the party I'm hosting on Sunday afternoon...lots of thoughts-not a whole lot of action. Maybe tomorrow, it is the best day of the week-my day off work! Who knows, maybe I'll get crazy and throw a scrapbook challenge in the mix tomorrow!

(seerss esslee) adv.

I had a wonderful message written to post 10 minutes ago. Then I attempted to open photoshop and my computer crashed. That sucks.

It's been a crazy week. I've had ups and downs. From feeling useful and appreciated to feeling interrogated and judged. I've felt the wonderful comfort from one friend, and the lack of support and understanding by another. I have laughed, I have cried, I have been ecstatic, I have been appauled, I have felt strong, and I have felt weak. But I am amazed at how easy it is to see the Lord in every day to day situation when I look. I feel His presence all around me at it makes me happy. I am happy to be busy, happy to be childless, happy to be at Medical (seriously?), happy to be action taker, happy to involved, happy to be awake, happy to be off tomorrow, happy to be an Alpha Xi, happy to be inspired, happy to be His.