October through December Fun

Best times are those shared with family!


Hayden awaits Santa on the Polar Express.

I'm SO excited!

Cliff is coming home!

Cliff has made a miraculous recovery from his lung surgery. He is coming home tomorrow from the hospital cancer free!! He has been a real inspiration to us all. I am amazed at his strength and determination. This "bump in the road" has been an eye opener for us all. With great family and support all things are possible. Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, and "connections"! Everything went so smoothly and just as it was meant to be. It's going to be a Very Merry Christmas. Love you all...

Good times in NYC and Boston

We spent the week strolling through New York City and Boston. We had a great time, despite the cold and the occassional down pour! The Yankees game, Carnegie Deli, countless desserts and Sam Adams Brewery were just a few of the highlights of our trip. We fell in love with both cities and can't wait to go back.

Sometimes You Need to Hit Something!

Today Sheree and I put the hurt on a car (and ourselves) in honor of our beloved Aunt Maresa. Cancer affects everyone, no one is spared anymore. All we can do is hold closely those we love and give back in honor of those we've lost. We miss you Aunt Maresa! "Strike a pose!"

Our day with Dew

Cinnamon rolls, trains, and merry go rounds. What more can you ask for? Well, there was also cheese on a stick and later there will be Chipotle. I guess there's always more...

Turks and Caicos

Welcome 2009!

We kicked off the New Year low key this year. We stayed put in Gilbert and hung with family and friends. We ventured out to Queen Creek and visited Schnepf Farms this weekend with the Ragusas. We all had a great time being kids down on the farm. We wish everyone a Happy and healthy 2009!

Christmas Loot Update

Today I stocked up on some toys for the hospital toy closet. Here's a look at some of "your" gifts. I felt like a kid myself finding things I thought they might like. I think it's good to tap into your inner child at least once a week! I already have the itch to put up our tree so I can see toys under it. Every day would be like Christmas morning.

Here's wishing you all kid like cheer!

Happy Spooky Boo Boos!

Christmas Wish List

I decided that this year for Christmas I want to do something different. Christmas is always a lot of pressure for everyone. This year I just want to spend time with family, eating good food and enjoying eachothers company. No gifts please!! I'm donating gifts to this great organization in everyone's name. Check it out if you want to know where your gift is going!!
http://andreascloset.org/

Choices

Everyday when I'm walking into the hospital I ask for strength to get me through the day. I tell myself at that time and throughout the day to stay positive and always make the right choice. Some days are more stressful than others. Sometimes the pressure gets the best of me and I loose sight of the importance of choosing my attitude. For me, it's always about the patient, not the doctor's, time crunches,etc... Not about my life and the "problems" that cause me stress. I check that at the door. Some days I'm exhausted, overwhelmed, and I come to work run down with a negative attitude. It never fails that on these days, at some point I will encounter a patient that puts me in check. By that, I mean, their story makes my "issues" seem so small.

Yesterday I took care of a 12 year old boy, Aaron, who was getting a spinal surgery. He was born with spina bifida and scoliosis. He is paralyzed from the waist down and is wheelchair bound. His surgery was geared at relieving some of his pain in his upper back. He came in last Friday to get a tour of the unit. I met him that day and had a "feeling" I would take care of him on Monday. I was right. He was very nervous when I went into his room the morning of surgery. He told the child life specialist he was afraid he would die. He spent 10 hours in the operating room. He lost all the blood volume in his body. His anesthesiologist saved his life by stopping the surgery. He came from the ICU today for the surgery to be completed. He is in the OR as I type. I pray he makes it through.

There are things in my life right now that cause aggravation,irritation,frustration. Things that I LET get me stressed out and agitated. Things that are insignificant compared to what this boy and his family are going through right now. I am blessed to only have these minimal causes of stress in my life. And I am blessed that I get daily reminders of just how trivial they are.
I write this to vent, I write this remind myself in the future, and I write this to remind each of you that life is precious, please do not waste it being focused on the negatives. Realize that someone next to you is struggling more than you. Be thankful for your gifts and your life. Embrace your family and those around you.

EWW WEE

Tonight I went on a scorpion hunt and found this unlucky guy. I believe he was the same fool that made me spill my trash last night in the garage. His bad karma ended him up on the bottom of Justin's shoe. Hopefully the karma I just created won't be nearly as bad. Ugh, these things give me the heebie jeebies!!

New Kitchen Gadget

I finally found a use for one of our dug up rose garden bricks ---- in the kitchen! I love panini sandwiches and have always wanted to try to make one at home, however I lack the proper and expensive equipment to do so. So, in tough economic times like these I remembered a simple solution. I tried out the brick wrapped in foil technique tonight and it worked great! Afterwards I didn't have some huge appliance to cram into an already overfilled cabinet. I just brought it back outside to it's resting place until next time. Visit Waters Family Recipe Blog for recipe and more pictures!