Tuesday, October 30, 2007

My quick recap...

I'm back. I had so much fun with my sister's family and miss them already! But I am happy to be back with my love ;) My sister and her husband have a lot going on with moving into their new home, a newborn, and a toddler...but they amaze me. With all that they had going on I felt like I was home with them! I will do a more in depth post with more pictures sometime soon, but here is a really quick video to recap with pictures I took during my time. They are mostly pictures of my new niece Naomi Joy..as well as pictures of Isaiah and a few from the pumpkin patch.
Here they are: (the pictures do repeat a few times throughout, but only to allow the song to finish)

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

who says all mergers turn out bad...

Mark it down, on the seven month and five day mark I was awarded my first performance based salary increase at my job.

It's crazy to think that with the merger there were a lot of people anxious about their future with the company. With all of the rumors, there were a couple of times when I felt anxious. My department made the team and with the reorganization that followed there was a budget increase. Needless to say, I was definitely shocked when my boss came to me today and told me that he got approval from HR to use part of the budget increase to increase my salary because of my hard work and contributions to the team. Oh yeah buddy!

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." James 1:17

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

A few thoughts....

Just wanted to post once before I head out to NC to visit my sisters family (can't wait to see my new little niece Naomi!!)

Lew already posted this, but I wanted to thank everyone for your prayers about school! I completed OB and did better than I expected. This class was one of the most challenging yet and I am in some ways happy to be done ;) On another note I am now working my way through leadership/management and pediatrics. This class already seems like its going to be a little bit simpler than the last so I am glad that I chose to take this one second. It's really hard to believe that after December 17th I will be done! We have a pinning ceremony following that and then it's on the the boards! If you guys can continue to pray for the job search. So far I have been contacted by John Hopkins and University of Maryland Medical Center, both of which would be "first" choices for me. I am hoping to get a position in the Pediatric intensive care unit, so please pray God would continue to open doors for me.


On another note please pray for the people in San Diego, specifically our sister church in San Diego. My sister-in-law's family have been evacuated along with most of the members of their church. Please pray for them as they seek to encourage and care for each other as well as care for those around them. You can get updates on Rachel's father's blog.

Friday, October 19, 2007

Life is good

Free pizza day at work
+
Free wing stop tonight with other godly singles care group leaders
=
A very happy Lew


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Laura just took her last final and did very well
+
Laura will soon have an interview at Johns Hopkins Hospital in the pediatrics department
=
A very happy Laura

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I used to like reading the Dilbert comic strip and found some amusement from it. Now I LOVE reading the dilbert comic strip and am greatly amused by it as I wonder how the author knows my co-workers.

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Speaking of comic strips, there a new biography on Charles Schultz that sounds very interesting.

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If you haven't bought the new Shane & Shane CD, buy it now. Without a doubt one of the best CD's that I have heard in a long while. There are so many songs that are just amazing, one of my favorites is "Vision of You"

Come meet us, King Jesus.
Oh wind of change blow through this temple.
Sweet spirit of God, come and mend our hearts.
For all we have are songs. Unless you come.

Awaken what's inside of me.
Tune my heart to all You are in me.
Even though you're here, God come.
May the vision of You be the death of me.
and even though You've given everything.
Jesus come!

Come free us, King Jesus.
Its the only way that freedom is given.
From you and you alone in the work You've already done.
All we have are songs, unless You come.

Awaken what's inside of me.
Tune my heart to all You are in me.
Even though you're here, God come.
May the vision of You be the death of me.
and even though You've given everything.
Jesus come!

Here we are, Lord, in this place.
Crying out for Your embrace.
To hear Your voice more than songs.

Awaken what's inside of me.
Tune my heart to all You are in me.
Even though you're here, God come.
May the vision of You be the death of me.
and even though You've given everything.
Jesus come!


Another great song on that CD is Psalm 62. So honest and filled with truth.

He's the only one strong enough to lean my heaviness against.
The weight of all my sin falling on a rock.
Leaning on a fortress.
Oh the wall of God.
He won't move.

On God I rest my salvation.
My fortress shall not be shaken.
My mighty rock and my glorious.
I lay my head upon His chest.

Oh I am calling out.
Oh my soul, oh my stubborn soul.
Won't you wait on Him.
Wait in the guilt. Even in your fear.
Oh your God is here to lean on.
He won't move.

He has spoken. Hear his voice:
"I have come for the broken."
So all ye weary come and rest.

On God I rest my salvation.
My fortress shall not be shaken.
My mighty rock and my glorious.
I lay my head upon His chest.
Why am I telling you all of these lyrics? Just go out and buy the CD now!

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Definitely more to tell, but why talk about life when you can live it!

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Sweet Little Naomi...

Hannah and Naomi are home now and doing very well ;)

Here is the beautiful girl:






Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Welcome little one...


Let the "girliness" begin!

My sister Hannah delivered her healthy baby girl today at 4:12 pm.

Welcome to the world Naomi Swetland 6 pounds 10 ounces;)
(Born after only 8 hours of labor and 2 pushes I must add!)

Mother and baby are doing fantastic! Pictures coming soon...

Saturday, October 06, 2007

Happy Fall...

I love EVERYTHING about fall ;) It is most definitely my favorite season of them all. I also love the food in fall. So even though the weather has been interesting for this time of year (too hot for October!) I have been resorting to my fall menu...just because!

I'm finally getting to my recipes...I will post two out of four this time, and then post a few more as I am able.

Apple Cheddar Soup


This is a new one we tried recently...but it was soooo good I had to pass it on. I got the recipe from BHG. It is definitely my new favorite fall soup.

Ingredients:
  • 1/2 C finely chopped onion
  • 1 Tbsp. butter
  • 2 Medium baking potatoes peeled and diced
  • 2 C apple cider
  • 1/2 teas. dried thyme
  • 1/2 teas. salt
  • dash cayenne pepper
  • 1 Medium cooking apple peeled and coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 C milk
  • 2 Tbsp. all purpose flour
  • 4 oz. sharp cheddar cheese shredded (1 Cup)
  • 1 apple freshly sliced for dipping (optional)
Directions:
In large pan cook onion in hot butter until tender (med.high heat) Stir in potatoes, cider, thyme, salt, and cayenne pepper. Bring to boil and reduce heat (med low). Simmer 15 minutes covered. Add chopped apples, simmer covered about 5 min. or until potato is tender. In small bowl mix milk and flour. Stir into soup. Slowly add cheese, whisking into soup until cheese is melted. Divide into soup dishes and top with sliced apple.

YUM!



Pork and Squash Stew

I posted this one once before...but I'm gonna post it again, it's one of our favorites!!

Ingredients:
  • 1 Pound Pork Shoulder
  • 3 tbsp. Flour
  • 4 teas. Oil divided (I used Canola)
  • 3 C coarsely chopped onion
  • 2 1/4 C sliced carrot
  • 1/2 teas. dried rosemary
  • 1/2 teas. salt
  • 1/4 teas. pepper
  • 1 (12 oz) can of beer
  • 2 cups peeled cubed butternut squash (about 1 pound)
  • 2 teas. chopped fresh parsley
Directions
Trim fat from pork, cut into cubes. Set aside. Place flour in ziplock plastic bag. Add pork, shake to coat. Discard flour. Heat 2 teas. oil in nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Brown pork on all sides (about 8 minutes), then remove and set aside. Add remaining 2 teas. oil to pan, add onion and carrot; saute 5 minutes or until onion is tender. Add pork, beer, rosemary, salt, and pepper to skillet. Bring to boil; cover, reduce and simmer 30 minutes. Add squash; cover simmer 25 more minutes until squash is tender. Sprinkle with parsley.

We usually serve over Risotto or you can just serve over plain rice...or by itself ;)

You can also substitute the pork for Beef cubes if you'd like.

Oh and I need to tag someone right?
The rules:
1. Let others know who tagged you (Hannah)
2. Start with 4 recipes you especially like
3. Tag 4 other people and notify them that they have been tagged:
Beka, Mama (yes mom you can do this!), Renee, and Cherai
4. Those who are tagged should post these rules and their 4 recipes.