Family

So we were actually able to get a shot of all our family (all that were in MD that is...we missed hannah's fam, and Rissa!)

Favorite time of year...

This time of year is definitely a special time of year for us.  The time frame between Thanksgiving and New Years was always so special growing up.  My parents had many traditions and we made so many fun memories growing up. But this time of year is special for another reason too, almost one year ago I became Mrs. Lewis.  The last couple days as we were celebrating Thanksgiving it was so much fun to think back to last year at this time.  I remember it so well, the craziness of school, planning a wedding, and getting ready for the Holidays.  I think I have partly forgotten the craziness, and mainly remember the butterflies and the excitement of becoming Lew's wife.  It's hard to believe that here we are, almost at our one year anniversary, now making some of our own traditions and memories.  And this time of year wouldn't be complete without school craziness, but this week has been a nice little break, I got a full week off!

Yesterday we spent the day at my parents and had a lot of fun eating lots of good food, and spending time with all our family (except Hannah's family, and Rissa...we missed you all!!)  Here are a few cute pictures from yesterday ( I couldn't take too many because my camera battery was dying and I forgot to charge the battery, but I did get lots of Gianna though!)

The order of the pictures are kind of random, I couldn't get blogger to sort them...

Mommy and Gianna

Sitting on the stool... (she loved this little stool, she kept climbing up on it!)

"Meema" and Gianna

Playing..

Playing Frisbee with Dad

Then today we followed in one of my family's traditions and went to Pine Valley Farms to cut down our first tree...well my Dad really did the cutting, but picking it out was a family effort.   Once we found the right one we loaded it up and brought it home.  What seemed like an "easy" task wasn't quite as easy as we thought, but it was fun none-the-less.  I had to laugh as we were trying to get it to stand up straight for the tenth time...my parents made it look so easy all those years ;)  We finally got it up and added the lights and decorations, then spent a little while trying to clean the needles off of the floor.  But let me just say this, the work was worth it.  Having the tree up made our little place feel so cozy, and the smell is amazing!  Then after the tree was up, and some yummy left overs were eaten, we started a new little tradition... a Christmas movie marathon.  Right now I'm watching home alone 2, with my sleepy husband passed out beside me (he was out after the 2nd one!)

Here are a few captured moments in the process of putting up the tree...

Finally got it inside...now where to put it?

Lew trying to snip away some of the branches so it will fit in the stand

Finally got it standing and the decorations are on...

Life as it is...

So there hasn't been much time for updating at our place. Between school being super busy and a plethora of interviews my time has been consumed, my sweet Lew has been compensating well by doing a lot around the house and being my "cheerleader" when I need it ;)

I do have one big update now though... I got a job!  I decided to work at University of MD Medical Center in the Pediatric ICU.  It was a funny process because originally I wasn't sure about anything...where I wanted to work, or what specialty I wanted...but after I interviewed and got to talk to the nurse manager I just had complete clarity that the PICU at UMMC was exactly where God wanted me to be.  So Lew and I are very excited about it.  I will start in February.  

I only have 2 more days of class, where did the time go!  I have two more days and 2 more exams then I'm done.  Then the month of January will be time to relax and prepare for the boards (although from what I hear...those 2 don't really go together!) But I will attempt to relax some when I can.

I have a few Thanksgiving recipes I wanted to post this week...those will be coming soon!

To My Long Lost Friend

Dear Warm Weather,

I haven't seen you around in a while. To be honest, I miss you. In October we had this talk, and I thoughts things were going to change. You gave me the impression that you were going to be around for a while. This year was supposed to be different, I know that every year you leave to make way for fall and winter, but I like you better, I've always liked you better.

Please don't mistake my glances into the closet at sweaters as a secret desire for you to away. Just because I find fleece comfortable does not mean that I wanted you to go away.

I thought we had something special going, I like being warm and you like creating high temperatures. Some people may try to put you down and accuse you of something called, "global warming," but you don't have to listen to them. They're all just haters. Warm weather, everyone loves you. You're so bright people have to wear shades around you!

Warm weather, there might have been times I sat inside in the AC, but please know that I never took you for granted. Where you ever you go warm weather, whatever you do, I will be right here waiting for you. You may leave me for a season, but I will be here, enduring the cold, waiting for you to come back.

Love,
Lew

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)

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

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.

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!

Sweet Little Naomi...

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

Here is the beautiful girl:

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...

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.

Butlers Orchard

I had the opportunity to go pick apples and raspberries with my sister-in-law Priscila and my friend Deanna. Their kids are sooo cute. It provided many opportunities for taking pictures ;)

Here are a few:

Cute little Bryan was mesmerized by Gianna..it was quite cute!

Little Gianna trying to get some berries

I love this picture of the two of them!

Deanna and Bryan picking berries

Yum...apparently his fist was quite tasty!

Expectations

I have really enjoyed reading a blog recently called Holy Experience. It belongs to a mother of 6 who is an amazing writer and many times I am refreshed and encouraged by her perspective. Here is an excerpt of something I read there today that encouraged me SO VERY MUCH!

“Expectations kill relationship.”

I’ll never forget where I was standing, what the color of the sky was, when Mama said those words.

The words reverberate inside of me, and ring true, sure. When I expect something, demand something, presume, anticipate, await something, I fail to be to grateful for what is. I smother the gift of what simply is, in my stampeding expectation for what I proudly, arrogantly, wrongly think should be. My expectations of what kind of life God should give snuffs out my gratitude for the life He has given.

Read the rest here.

(Also I have been tagged to post some recipes....will do that soon!)

My Anthem

As I meditating on Scripture this morning I was amazed by God's unending nearness and presence that He has blessed me with because of His favor and was inspired to write down this prayer that I prayed. What a sweet truth that as sinners who deserve wrath, the cross has made a way for God to come to us in love.

“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus” 1 Tim 5:21

Dear Lord,

I praise you, my God, for this truth. My God is a living God who is in all places at all times. Nothing happens with out your awareness or intended purpose. My life is in submission to your authority which is a blessing because I need you to lead me and guide me. Let this be my anthem, before me stands the One that was crucified for my sins and rose from the dead so that I may triumph over sin. Allow me to never forget Christ nearness to me. Increase my desire for your nearness so that I can live for you. As I continually bask in your presence let my heart overflow with gratefulness for paying my ransom. Let the nail scarred hands and feet remind me that my life is a living sacrifice for you, my lord.

Just for fun

I had Priscila and Rachel over for lunch today and got to take a lot of fun pictures of Gianna. Hard to believe how fast she's growing ;)

Here's a few just for fun:

Check out those teeth ;)




Checkin out the bookshelf. She seemed to be interested in the theology books


Cute chubby toes ;)

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.

Commentaries

I haven't done a "weekend read" post in a while, but I did want to post about a different kind of read. If anyone takes a look at my Amazon wishlist, it is obvious that one of my favorites read is Bible commentaries. I have recently created the goal of studying all of the Bible with a commentary and this is also includes owning a different commentary on each book of the Bible. My collection has steadily been growing one great aid in this endeavor is buying used on Amazon.com. A website that I recently discovered is Bookfinder.com which will find the cheapest prices for books online.

Some of the commentary series that I would recommend are

The Bible Speaks Today - Section by section exposition with analysis of context and verses. Easy to find application and very accessible. This series is a fairly new and have all been written in my lifetime. A bonus about this series is that it covers every book of the Bible.
Crossway Classic Commentaries - This is quickly become one of my favorite commentary series. It includes commentaries written by Calvin, Luther and Hodge but modified from their original language for easier comprehension. Unlike the Bible Speaks Today this includes verse by verse exposition, which I prefer because it makes it easier to follow along with the text. The only downside to this series is that it isn't available for every book of the Bible.

Essential commentaries that are not in a series:

Anything by James Montgomery Boice - I only have his series on Genesis and the Minor Prophets, but I definitely plan to add others to my collection. His commentaries are a verse by verse exposition, but they read like a sermon and are very nourishing for my soul.
Treasury of David - It's a verse by verse exposition of the Psalms by Spurgeon! Really, does anything else need to be said?
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible - Let's say you are not like me and only wish to own one commentary, this is the commentary to own. From Genesis to Revelations this commentary is a verse by verse exposition with detailed explanation of passages in a devotional format that is very practical. Even if you do plan on owning many commentaries this is a great one to start your library with.
J.C. Ryle's exposition of the Gospels - I recently got this set when I was honored at a small group leader's retreat. I have yet to really dig into it, but from what I've read in it as I've skimmed different sections, it definitely has potential to become one of my favorites. Ryle is very practical and instructive in these writings that deal section by section with the gospel's. He uncovers sins and points to grace with each page.

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 ;)