Delivering babies...and life

Life has dramatically changed the past few weeks, probably very evident by my lack of updating(and for some of you phone calls that haven't been returned!)...and that usually means one thing: school is consuming a majority of my time.

Yup the forgetfulness of everything important except medical terminology and all things clinical has begun...and even that has been more of a challenge this semester ;) The long summer break definitely made it a little harder for me to get back into school mode and not only that, but this is our last semester!! Hard to believe that graduation is right around the corner. Either way this semester has had a very exciting start! Yesterday was our first full clinical day in Labor and Delivery...what an amazing experience it was [right Maureen! ;)]. My friend Glenda and I had the opportunity to go right into a C-section and see a little boy come into this world and there are no words to put with this experience, it's just quite miraculous. We had the opportunity to do the babies first assessments, give it's first medications, get it's first weight, and take him on his first elevator ride ;) It was such a great experience. We also had the opportunity to spend most of the afternoon with the other Mom's recovering from their C-sections and there were so many cute little babies only a few hours old to ooh and ahh over. So, when I came home after our long day Lew got an earful about the whole experience....and how maybe I could see myself being this kind of nurse...we'll see ;)

In other news our two good friends Mark and Brandy got married this past Saturday! It was such a precious wedding. These two are very special to us and it was a joy to be a part of their special day. Here are some pictures:

This was how Mark looked as Brandy was walking down the isle. Priceless.
Isn't she beautiful! She was smiling at him in this picture ;)

Cutting the cake
My love and I. He was a groomsman, doesn't he look so handsome in his tux ;)

Well that's really all I have time for now. I do have a few recipes that I may (or may not!) post in the next couple days.

Finally pictures...

Here are a few from our trip. We had such a great time in North Carolina with my sister's family! Thank you guys for letting us stay with you for a whole week!! We love you guys ;)

(some of the pictures uploaded a little blurry..not sure why and can't seem to fix it.)

Group kisses

Lots of play time with "Unc Woo" (Uncle Lew)

Glorious bubbles ;) He loves them

He looks mesmerized in this picture!

so cute.

Little boxer

Playing his little piano

Tickle time!

Cute little laugh!

My sweet love and I. I love you so much babe. What a joy it is to be your wife ;)

Playing House

Lew and I had a great time babysitting our niece Gianna this weekend! She is so much fun to be around and we had fun taking lots of pictures ;) The funniest part was at one point we were at the park playing with Gianna running around like enthusiastic "parents" pushing her on the swings, sliding down the slide, pushing the stroller and as I looked around I saw Lew holding the leash with Lizzie (who happens to love Gianna) and the thought sunk it: wow, I bet this is what it feels like to have a family! After we fed Gianna, read her some bedtime stories, sang her a little song and put her down to bed Lew and I went downstairs put our feet up and relaxed with Lizzie. Lew and I both agreed that it was fun to play house for the night....and that God's definitely continuing to grow our desire for children. We still plan to wait for a little while longer....but it's the sweet times we get with our niece and nephew (2 more on the way!) that we are reminded of how much we can't wait to be parents.


Enjoy some cute photos from last night: ( I know there's a lot...she's just too cute to resist!)

I don't know about you two...

Actually Uncle Lew, your an alright guy!

We're number 1!

Hey guys come check out my stroller...

Isn't it so nice..

Check out the treads on these tires. Now that's quality...

and see this Uncle Lew, this is a basket for my Mom to put stuff in....

See, look at all this space! It can even fit me ;)

Peek-a-boo!

Here, catch!

Come here puppy, there's room for both of us up here

Uncle Lew I think you can push me higher than this...

Yeah, that's a little better....higher Uncle Lew!

Woohoo! Thats what I'm talking about ;)

Dinner time!

Hello?...Aunt Laura, Uncle Lew....I'm hungry

Hello!!!!?? Guys I think it's my dinner time....

Hmm....Maybe this will give them a hint

I'm back and are we ever busy!

I'm back from camp....and still recovering! It was a crazy week for Rissa and I, but by God's grace we made it through with no AC and being outside (yes in the 112 degree heat index) for more than 6 hours a day. Even though there were some challenges God blessed our week and we have many memories of the sweet children we were able to work with. Unfortunately all we have are memories, due to confidentiality we weren't able to take any pictures during the week since the camp was a medical camp. But I doubt I'll ever forget the faces of the children we encountered!

On another note as soon as I got back I basically slept ;) It had been a looooong week. Then our weekend plans kicked into high gear. Saturday morning was Gianna's 1st Birthday party and then after that was a baby shower for Hannah who was here for the weekend with Enoch and Isaiah. We had so much fun getting to spend this weekend with them! I totally forgot to take pictures of Hannah's shower (I cant believe I did that!) but here are a bunch from Gianna's party:

Mommy, Daddy with the birthday girl and Grandpa and Grandma
I think someone else was taking a picture at the same time ;)

Mom doing what she does best: entertaining the kiddos

The hula dancer with Dada

What a cutie pie!

Her beautiful birthday cake that Momma and Dada made

Little buddy ;) He's gotten so big!

Isaiah with Aunt Laura

Swinging....with one shoe ;)

Here is a short video clip of Gianna dancing. I tried to get a better one but with all the kids it was hard to get a good shot without someone jumping in the way. But here is the cutie pie dressed in her cute hula skirt!





And in other news... Meet our little buddy Prince. Isn't he pretty! Yes folks this is our first step towards preparing for parenthood. We thought we'd start small ;)


Thats all for now. I am trying some new summer recipes this week so depending on how they turn out I may post a few.

To Camp Rainbow I Go!

It's hard to believe the day has come and Rissa and I leave for Camp Rainbow today, we come back next Friday. The children actually don't come until Monday, so most of this weekend is just orientation and team development. Please pray that God would use us in the lives of these children, most who either have HIV/AIDS, or have an immediate family member with HIV/AIDS. This is a Christian outreach, and we are very excited for it!

Also pray for sweet Lew and I...it's our first week apart since we've been married!!

I will miss you so much love!! Thanks for making this happen and for all your encouragement and support! I LOVE YOU!

More Summer Happenings

These past few weeks have been fairly laid back...but I believe that won't last for long! Soon I will be going away to be a counselor for a week at Camp Rainbow, my first time going away without my sweet husband since we got married :( . And then my sister Hannah, brother-in-law Enoch, and nephew Isaiah will be vising from North Carolina where we will be able to celebrate by having a shower for her little girl due in October. My niece Gianna is turning 1. My sweet little sister is leaving for her sophomore year of college to Hungary where she will be studying for the fall. Lew and I are going to venture down to NC for almost a week at the end of August to visit my sisters family some more....and then, you gussed it, my last semester of Nursing School begins the day after we get back from NC! So, the rest of this summer is going to begin to fly by for us!

But here are a few things we've been able to enjoy over the last week or so (while the pace is still slow):

Last week my parents went to the beach so Lew and I stayed at their home (the home I was raised in) and watched their 2 dogs Tiny & Webster. We actually enjoyed it very much. The dogs were very well behaved, contrary to popular belief! It was fun to have dogs for the week ;)

Tiny is the tan on top of the chair, she likes to look out the window. Webster aka "Webby" is the one lying in the chair. He is so sweet, I actually got him when he was a puppy...so I tend to favor him a little ;)

This is Webby giving me "hugs"... so sweet!


Then last Friday was Lew's summer flex day (every other week he only works a half day on Friday). This has been such a blessing for the summer and Lew has been trying to find creative ways for us to use that time. So last Friday we went to the Spy museum in DC. It was very interesting!

Us outside of the Museum.

After that we went to G Street Fabrics in Rockville to find some sewing stuff. Lew is such a patient man ;) He stuck by my side as I took my time picking out fabric, thread, and buttons... I love you sweet pea!!

Lew capturing me "hard at work" once again.

The finished product:

This bag

I used a pattern as a guide but altered it a little. I would say my biggest problem is I want to finish a project in one sitting.....well I would say this was not a "one sitting project"! I was up until 1am trying to finish it while me sweet husband sat by my side reading and keeping me company. By the time I got to the base I was so tired that we'll just say my sewing by hand was....a little sloppy! So I will probably re-do the base when I get a chance. But all in all it was a fun project and I think I will try to make another bag soon!

More Summer pictures soon....