Bubbers turns ONE!!!!

Well, this may not exactly be our best picture ever but it was the only one that I got with the birthday boy. As you can see, he wasn't exactly thrilled about the hat. I can't believe that he is already a year old. Man, how time flies!
As some of you may have heard me state on numerous occasions as it is also one of my favorite quotes listed on facebook, I truly believe that live is too short to not live it with intention. I have uttered those words to myself SO many times over the years that it is unbelievable to me how often I in fact, do quite the opposite. There have been quite a few situations lately in which I have realized how true those words are. Time does fly by and before you know it relationships, goals, hopes, promises....they all fly right on by with it. When we live life just to get by or just to "go through the motions "(thank you Dad for that quote!), we miss out on all that life really is supposed to be.

I just have really been hit hard with how important it is to be genuine and intentional lately. My relationships with my family, friends and God are so much more rewarding when this is the case and I find that life is so much more fulfilling and fun and it sets the groundwork for days and months to come. Just something I have been pondering.

Funny story for you. Well, at least I think it's pretty funny. The other morning one of my co-workers who is in charge of inventory alerted me to the fact that we were missing two full bottles of Xanax XR. Now for those of you who don't know what this drug is I am guessing one of these options might be true about you 1.) You've never seen an episode of ER, Grey's anatomy or House MD 2.) You don't watch a lot of movies 3.) You've never struggled with anxiety or being antsy (highly medical term). Anyways, my coworker was just curious about a couple of things and was not indeed asking me if I had stolen said medications. Later in the day I was walking around the pharmacy like a chicken with my head cut off (as always), laughing and being very sarcastic with my co-workers (as always)...when the pharmacy manager stopped me and asked "Hey Abbie, I was just wondering...what gives you all of your energy and joy? You are just always so happy and energetic and I was wondering what you did to stay that way ALL the time?" I have to tell you guys, the first thing that popped into my head was "Is this a test? Is he quizzing me to see if I admit to taking the Xanax??" I looked at him and in a very thought-out response said "Uh, I don't know. It's just the way I am." I'm pretty sure I am no longer a suspect!

Also, just to let you know. Bubbers is Elijah's nickname given by my mom. I really feel sorry for the poor kid, and am praying that another cooler nickname comes soon as I don't want to be responsible for him having to take Xanax some day.

A funny thing happened...

So, the other day I was sitting at my desk at work....now I know most of you know I do not have a desk job...but last week I did. I must say I do not know how people can sit all day, kudos to you if you can and not want to rip your back apart at the end of the week. Anywho, I was sitting at my desk in our outpatient pharmacy. My job was to intake prescriptions and let patients know how long their wait would be. Now, this is the perfect time to clear something up for those of you who are wondering why it takes so long when you go into the pharmacy. We do not as you may think, take your prescription grab a bottle off of the shelf and "slap a label on it". I can't tell you how many times I have heard this. It does take time to input the prescription, decipher the doctor's writing, bill the insurance, fill the order and have a pharmacist verify that you are indeed getting the antibiotic prescribed and not some sort of hormone pills. Anyways, that is a long story for another day.
I was sitting at my desk typing away when I looked out into the lobby. Our lobby is shared with the transplant clinic which is across the hall. This last week the lobby was full to quite full ALL week. As I looked out at the chairs about 15 feet away from me I saw a man who didn't look too good. His wife was sitting with him and a couple of nurses were asking him questions like "do you know your name?", "what street do you live on?" and "do you find it annoying that I am asking you these questions?"...anyways he was responding and they were giving him some V8 and crackers to try and get some food in his system. Next thing I know, he is completely passed out in his chair, and falling to the floor. There is all of a sudden a plethora of nurses around him with the crash cart and they are all working together to bring him back. I see all of these machines, they are talking to him and one nurse is taking his pulse. They are for the most part calm as I am sure this is a daily occurrence. One nurse starts to poke him in the arm for some reason as if she was going to take blood. A few minutes later the man opens his eyes, looks over at that very nurse and says "what your doing, hurts like hell!". She is turn says "you really scared us there, we're just trying to help you." He says, "I understand that, I just want you to know, what you're doing hurts like hell."
Now, please understand that I do not find it funny that this man has passed out. I feel so much sympathy for what I can't even imagine he has been through or will go through as a result of his transplant. I just love his reaction upon coming to. The nurses I am sure have dealt with some pretty scary situations but I know if I were the one he would have said that to...I would have burst into tears. Sometimes being a nurse can be a thankless job and I just want to say to all of the nurses out there....thank you for what you do, even if it hurts like hell!

That's right!!!

Life's about choices.

Life is about choices. The day in which this picture was taken, I made the wrong choice. You see, after 25 years of being pasty white I know that I have the tendency to burn. Not only the tendency...but the possibility of me burning when the sun is out, is about as likely as the possibility of tomorrow being February 15th. It will happen.

That being said, this was day one on our cruise and I wore a lot of sunscreen from there on out. I had a great time and think cruises are in fact wonderful. I have been home for a week now and Jada is just starting to forgive me for leaving her.

I won't make this post a novel as I usually do. Tomorrow pitchers and catchers report to spring training...and I can't wait to hear about baseball all day...every day!!! Happy Valentine's day to you too. For those of you booing because it is a "Hallmark holiday"...I say boo to you. You can choose not to spend a lot and you can choose to celebrate your love everyday if you want, but I see nothing wrong with a little reminder once yearly to love one another. That is all.

One of those days!

Two Saturdays ago I had one of those days. My plans consisted of hanging out all morning, going to get my oil changed, meeting Em to go get our hair did, and then I was supposed to go to 2 parties that night. I know, I know...I am such a party animal right?

Well as my Saturday progressed, I was running late and decided to nix the idea of getting the oil changed. The problem with that thought process was that I had not changed the oil in my car since I bought it last April. Now in the past that decision would have been bad but not as bad as now when I have a car worth more than $500. I had put 10,000 miles on my car without an oil change and with the -60 degree weather and the fact that I was now 7,000 miles overdue for a change, the oil change should have been top priority.

My dad had been on my case for months to go get it done. I decided to do other things. Now, on that Saturday as I flew out of the house to go get my hair did, I went to start my car and there were some strange noises coming out of it. Then the check engine light came on and it died. I knew at that moment that I had waited too long. Too be honest I knew WAY before that moment, but it took the realization that I had blown my engine up and was going to have to get a new one (I think that's what happens when you don't get the oil changed), to realize that I had pushed the limits and there would be consequences. I prayed the whole way to getting my oil changed that God would grant me the grace with my car that I was completely undeserving of. I vowed (which I don't do lightly as I know a broken one is not a good idea) to get my oil changed regularly from now on. Well, so far so good. The oil has been changed and at the rate with which I drive it will be 3 weeks before I have to get it changed again:)

In comes the picture of the frying pans. I don't know if you are like me, but why is it that we sometimes have to get hit over the head with something to get it. I've always thought I was pretty good at learning from others examples and listening to what God is telling me....obviously not. I had warning signs with my car and I have warning signs in life. Usually it isn't until some consequence happens that causes me to come to a screeching halt that I finally realize "Oh, so that's what God has been trying to say." That week was a good one for God and I. There were a lot of tears (I'm no longer talking just about the car) and there was a definite reconnection that I haven't felt in some time. I feel God's hands guiding my life so strongly these days and I couldn't be more thankful.

There have been some pretty hard moments. Moments where I question the promises he has given me. Moments where I have thought going on my own would be easier than the feelings I was experiencing. Moments where I lost hope. I know, deep down and now on the surface....he is working in my life. Waiting is hard, but knowing and truly believing that it will be worth it is amazing. Feeling his love for me, his joy over my growth and his hope for my future will sustain me. I am thankful for the people he has placed in my life that help me through and most definitely for the ones that pray for me so diligently. I am thankful for the examples of grace, perseverance and love he has given to me.

Sorry to babble but when my Savior is at work in my life and in the lives of those around me, I just want to talk about it. May you feel His presence this week. May you know the plans He has for you are great and may you acknowledge that you need to relinquish the power to him. May you feel hope, trust and joy for what is to come.

A new day.

Last Saturday I was able to go to my parent's church and volunteer for Feed My Starving Children. It is a local charity that has a worldwide impact. I wasn't feeling the greatest as I hurt my neck really bad last week on the way into work (long story). I had been excited to go volunteer but the morning of, I was having second thoughts because of my neck. When I got there, I saw a video of some of the lives that were impacted by FMSC and what exactly their mission was. Now I have been to Haiti...twice. I have seen true poverty and it has changed my life. Maybe I should say it altered my life...for a time. I remember having little children stare at us as we "missionaries" ate our meals. We packed our own food from home and as we grumbled about having to eat these Dinty Moore's or Instant oatmeal or beef jerky make-shift meals, I saw little children who probably hadn't eaten a real meal in weeks, months or even years. We were told not to share with the children because they didn't want to encourage begging.

One story I will never forget is when one of the guys that was with our team decided to give a little boy his leftovers. Later that week when we went out to evangelize we saw that little boy, inside his house heating up those leftovers in a little can..to feed to his family. That was probably the only food they would have that day and it was less than a couple of bites of what we normally consume in glutinous amounts daily.

So anyways, back on track. At the church there were stations set up. The workers from FMSC explained the different parts that made up the meals and how to do each job. For the next 2 hours I watched (and helped..a little) as these volunteers...most of whom were children, enjoyed packing these meals. It was so much fun and so valuable. In the end we made over 13,000 meals and got to pray over them before they were loaded on a truck. Each meal costs $1 and contains Rice, Soy, Meat and Veggies....all of which are valuable to the malnourished children's growth. Each package provides 6 meals. Six meals for $1....THAT IS AMAZING!! If you want to learn more about Feed My Starving Children go to http://www.fmsc.org/ . I know I will be doing more with this organization as hunger is such a prevalent issue all over the world. I also know that once again I was reminded of all that I waste,take for granted and need to be thankful for. Again, I believe my life was altered and now I must fight to make sure I don't forget.

26 days!!!!

Only 26 more days until I am cruising the beautiful Caribbean! I can't wait. I am a little sad though as I leave Super Bowl Sunday and am not too sure I am going to be able to watch for the first time in who knows how long...OH WELL!!