Tuesday, December 29, 2009
pictures
Just a few picts from the weekend. We had such a good time, but were glad to get home, too. Thursday is the big move to Central City! Pray for good weather and a packing fairy to come in to this place tonight to finish loading boxes! More later. . . 
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Merry Christmas!
Wow! What a white Christmas it was!! I hope, if you're reading this, that you're safe, sound, and warm, and if you're like the rest of us, you're enjoying some extra time with family and/or friends. On Wednesday, the 23rd, I finished my last day of resident clinic and buzzed out a little early. We knew that if we didn't get out of Omaha Wednesday evening, we'd likely be snowed in for a few days. We packed the car hurriedly and set out to the west. It took an extra hour, but we made it safely to Arcadia. Logan was a trooper once again, and tolerated the trip very well. By the time we got to Grammie and Papa's, he was ready to kick around on the floor and tell them all about the trip.
We were lucky the weather held out long enough to enjoy a beautiful Christmas Eve service at the church with Dale's family (and the rest of the congregation, of course!). I know many people's plans were derailed, permitting them from worshipping together on that most holy night. We enjoyed celebrating Christmas day with the Sells, complete with B-I-L Alex, who flew in from Salt Lake. We had a beautiful day, blessed with great food, laughter, and love. We exchanged gifts (and received great stuff for the house--hooray!)
The weather hasn't yet cooperated for us to venture to Lindsay to share Christmas with my family. I'm trying to make the most of the extra free time--snuck in a nap, snacked a little here and there, played an extra game of footsie with Logan and Knight, and even snuck in a little bit of study for my board exam. Until further notice, we're in a holding pattern. We are so grateful, however, that we're warm and surrounded by loving family.
Christmas snuck up on us this year, and I didn't get all of my cards out. My apologies. Know that you're all in our thoughts and prayers this season. What year it's been! We have a new appreciation for some of the emotions young, scared Mary must have been experiencing on that cold night thousands of years ago when she gave birth to the tiny babe in the manger. Thanks for sticking in there with us, your fellowship is sustaining. We wish each and every of you richest blessings in 2010.
(I promise to post pictures soon. . . as soon as I get to my own computer).
We were lucky the weather held out long enough to enjoy a beautiful Christmas Eve service at the church with Dale's family (and the rest of the congregation, of course!). I know many people's plans were derailed, permitting them from worshipping together on that most holy night. We enjoyed celebrating Christmas day with the Sells, complete with B-I-L Alex, who flew in from Salt Lake. We had a beautiful day, blessed with great food, laughter, and love. We exchanged gifts (and received great stuff for the house--hooray!)
The weather hasn't yet cooperated for us to venture to Lindsay to share Christmas with my family. I'm trying to make the most of the extra free time--snuck in a nap, snacked a little here and there, played an extra game of footsie with Logan and Knight, and even snuck in a little bit of study for my board exam. Until further notice, we're in a holding pattern. We are so grateful, however, that we're warm and surrounded by loving family.
Christmas snuck up on us this year, and I didn't get all of my cards out. My apologies. Know that you're all in our thoughts and prayers this season. What year it's been! We have a new appreciation for some of the emotions young, scared Mary must have been experiencing on that cold night thousands of years ago when she gave birth to the tiny babe in the manger. Thanks for sticking in there with us, your fellowship is sustaining. We wish each and every of you richest blessings in 2010.
(I promise to post pictures soon. . . as soon as I get to my own computer).
Friday, December 18, 2009
*sigh*
This is such a busy time of year for everyone, and we are no exception. Things are moving along so quickly, however, that I felt the need to sit and type on this blog and process a few thoughts. So I apologize in advance if this comes out as sheer randomness. I hate the word "busy" and I hate using it to describe the events of our life. Everyone's busy. No one sits around eating snack cakes wondering what to do next.
What's new with us? We're doing great. Logan is growing and growing. He smiles and giggles and is tons of fun. We're so excited to hang out with family next week (YIKES!) I've never ever been this far behind with Christmas cards. I'm thinking we'll forego the letter this year (if anyone wants to know what happened this year, the highlights are all documented here). I always find it so hard to capture a years' worth of events on a piece of paper. So I'm not going to this time. I think I'm just about done with the shopping. I have a few things to pick up, but I should be able to walk in, grab what I need, and leave. . . now I just need the time to do it.
I desperately tried to pick a moving date for us. Dale would like to plan and recruit help, and I'm in complete denial that we're leaving and think we can sneak out on some random Tuesday, and that no one will know we're gone. So I'm thinking about the 31st. It's symbolic, isn't it? We'll begin a new chapter on the very first day of the year. Don't get me wrong, I'm SO excited for the changes that are on the horizon for us. We've said a couple of random "farewells" here in Omaha, and my patients are cramming in one last appointment, which is really cute. I'm a terrible "goodbye-sayer" and there have been plenty of tears already.
I am frequently humbled by my job. This morning was no exception. We had a patient (92 years young) who got critically ill very quickly overnight. We hastened to recruit the appropriate help and instinctively did everything we could to help her. She has no immediate family, so a distant relative, who checks in on her (she still lives at home) arrived at the hospital right after we called him. He called a priest and had Last Rights administered. As we moved along, proceeding with lifesaving measures, her few family members spoke and asked us to stop. They said she's been asking to die for a few years. . . each Christmas for a few years, in fact. Their gesture would be interpreted in a number of different ways by different people. I thought it was noble. I learned more about this family in just a few short critical minutes than I will know about patients I'll take care of for years. I think they gave her the best Christmas present ever. She gets to go home to Jesus where she will celebrate Christmas every day.
I am on call again tomorrow (for the last time!) in the hospital. I hope its good to me. I'm still recovering a bit from our whirlwind last night. I'm going to try to sneak in a nap this afternoon. If you hung in with me through this whole post, thank you. I'm trying to clear my brain as much as I'm able so that I can enjoy the true spirit of Christmas when we celebrate in a few short days.
What's new with us? We're doing great. Logan is growing and growing. He smiles and giggles and is tons of fun. We're so excited to hang out with family next week (YIKES!) I've never ever been this far behind with Christmas cards. I'm thinking we'll forego the letter this year (if anyone wants to know what happened this year, the highlights are all documented here). I always find it so hard to capture a years' worth of events on a piece of paper. So I'm not going to this time. I think I'm just about done with the shopping. I have a few things to pick up, but I should be able to walk in, grab what I need, and leave. . . now I just need the time to do it.
I desperately tried to pick a moving date for us. Dale would like to plan and recruit help, and I'm in complete denial that we're leaving and think we can sneak out on some random Tuesday, and that no one will know we're gone. So I'm thinking about the 31st. It's symbolic, isn't it? We'll begin a new chapter on the very first day of the year. Don't get me wrong, I'm SO excited for the changes that are on the horizon for us. We've said a couple of random "farewells" here in Omaha, and my patients are cramming in one last appointment, which is really cute. I'm a terrible "goodbye-sayer" and there have been plenty of tears already.
I am frequently humbled by my job. This morning was no exception. We had a patient (92 years young) who got critically ill very quickly overnight. We hastened to recruit the appropriate help and instinctively did everything we could to help her. She has no immediate family, so a distant relative, who checks in on her (she still lives at home) arrived at the hospital right after we called him. He called a priest and had Last Rights administered. As we moved along, proceeding with lifesaving measures, her few family members spoke and asked us to stop. They said she's been asking to die for a few years. . . each Christmas for a few years, in fact. Their gesture would be interpreted in a number of different ways by different people. I thought it was noble. I learned more about this family in just a few short critical minutes than I will know about patients I'll take care of for years. I think they gave her the best Christmas present ever. She gets to go home to Jesus where she will celebrate Christmas every day.
I am on call again tomorrow (for the last time!) in the hospital. I hope its good to me. I'm still recovering a bit from our whirlwind last night. I'm going to try to sneak in a nap this afternoon. If you hung in with me through this whole post, thank you. I'm trying to clear my brain as much as I'm able so that I can enjoy the true spirit of Christmas when we celebrate in a few short days.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!!
Our apologies for the long wait for a post. Funny thing is we think we are busy now and it's just the beginning of this crazy month! Michelle has had a very long week with work, calls, taking care of us boys, and other responsibilities. Logan and mom went to bed early tonight so you are stuck with me. The blessings continue in the family. Prayers for Duane are doing the job as we knew they would. Thanks to everyone and God who is so good. From Omaha last week he moved to a Norfolk rehabilitation unit that he checked out of today. He seemed pretty excited about getting snowed in on the farm for a day or two with Elaine! Chad and Curtis have been helping get the house better equipped for dad. By the way the whole family was in Norfolk Sunday afternoon to visit Duane. Grandpa had a great time with his three grandkids and all four of his kids around to celebrate his progress. It was like an early Christmas! As expected Duane is working hard on therapy and learning to use a walker. Pain is an issue but he seems to feel better every day. Please pray for patience and healing.
In Omaha our little man grows and grows. We love it as he wakes up with all kinds of smiles every morning. Daycare is going well. Logan has been fighting a little cold but seldom complains. Mom and dad are blessed with such a beautiful, patient, young, man! This evening he rested as we completed most of our Christmas shopping at the mall. He does a lot of talking and cooing, is amazed with the magic things called his hands, and makes us melt when he sucks on his thumb. Sleeping is going much better too as he wakes only once to eat during the night and settles quickly afterward.
Dad's excited about Tuesday. Omaha schools are closed so Mosaic is too. The boys will hunker down, stay inside, and do some snuggling. We wish mom could stay too but her patients need her great care. I better start packing some things as well as moving time is approaching quickly. Safety and love to all in the storm this week. Thanks for putting up with me and checking on the Sells. Hope to see you all soon.
Love,
Logan, Michelle, and Dale
In Omaha our little man grows and grows. We love it as he wakes up with all kinds of smiles every morning. Daycare is going well. Logan has been fighting a little cold but seldom complains. Mom and dad are blessed with such a beautiful, patient, young, man! This evening he rested as we completed most of our Christmas shopping at the mall. He does a lot of talking and cooing, is amazed with the magic things called his hands, and makes us melt when he sucks on his thumb. Sleeping is going much better too as he wakes only once to eat during the night and settles quickly afterward.
Dad's excited about Tuesday. Omaha schools are closed so Mosaic is too. The boys will hunker down, stay inside, and do some snuggling. We wish mom could stay too but her patients need her great care. I better start packing some things as well as moving time is approaching quickly. Safety and love to all in the storm this week. Thanks for putting up with me and checking on the Sells. Hope to see you all soon.
Love,
Logan, Michelle, and Dale
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
the looooooong road
to recovery has begun. Surgery went well and thus far everything looks great. He's up and out of bed today, so he's officially on the road to recovery. Thanks for your prayers. Now we're looking for extra patience for each of us (its not a strong point for any of us). We're hoping for a trip home in the next day or so.
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