American Girls

On my road trip home, we made a stop by my cousins’ house just across the Oregon border in Washington.  When I was there I spotted a doll that looked vaguely familiar to me.  My heart began to warm inside.  I spied with my eye an American Girl doll, McKenna one of the dolls of the year.  I felt somewhat aged (although I am 18 years older) as I was not up to date with “dolls of the year”.

Me, Molly, Abbie, McKenna

 

Abbie was going to come up for Christmas, and I promised her that we Molly (from the WWII era) and McKenna (from today) would have a play date.   I’m not sure who was more excited, as I reached into my closet to grab Molly’s clothing trunk.

I have such fond memories of playing with my doll, who travelled with me on vacations, attending birthday parties for Molly’s friends, furniture made by my dad, and clothes homemade by my mom and aunt.  I attended an American girl fashion show, listened to Addy’s (Civil War era) story at the bookstore.

It was such a joy to play with Abbie, as we dressed our dolls in their jammies, winter coats, and then their party dresses.  Molly says, thanks for coming over McKenna!

Molly - Look a Like Doll ( I never named her!) - McKenna

California

California - it's been good, and thanks for the memories!

2009
- The first Twilight movie was in the theaters.
- President Obama was inaugurated
- I was about to start grad school


And in the in between, I was blessed with amazing roommates who taught me about grad school, life after graduating, and life lessons. Classmates who were there every step of the way, from testing, to playing basketball, to many memories made.

There were beaches, hikes, line dancing, trips to Arizona, football games, frozen yogurt, late night talks, basketball playing, studying, Vegas, conferences, Bible study, Girls night out, running, baking, baseball games, Disneyland. The list could go on. How does one sum up four years of life? Other then with thanksgiving, living in California has been one experience I will cherish in my memory bank.

2012:
- the last installment of Twilight is in theaters
- President Obama was elected for a second term
- I have been practicing as a PT for ONE year!!!
- I met my future hubby, and am about to start a new chapter

Eucharisteo Part III

So, I lagged in posting this, mostly because of a crazy work week, and preparing to go home, for the Thanksgiving holiday. The holiday that I have been practicing on celebrating the month leading up to it. Giving thanks, just as Jesus did.

14 - for the Wednesday night Bible study group. For learning to be filled with more then just faith, but with action. The book of James.

15 -

Thankful for God's provisions and the power of prayer.
Revelation of Himself.
Grandpa.
Pick ups from the airport.
Telephone calls.















16 - Todd's love and support. Homemade Dinners.

17 - Saturday's without class. I enjoyed the residency program, and learned lots, but it is nice to have my weekend's back.


18 - church family. worship songs.

19 - new beginnings and new days.

20 - Family. New sisters. Time.

21 - The best day of all. The day where all day is about giving thanks, and recognizing blessings.

Eucharisteo (part 2)

Week 2 of November and I found it difficult (mostly because of my attitude), to find it fun to give thanks. But I kept plugging along, because to give thanks is what Christ did, and if I want to keep striving towards him, I too must give thanks.

8th: For rain drop, and changing seasons. Fall means pumpkin cupcakes, yummy and delicious.

9th: My wonderful Momma, who is so thoughtful and clever. She has always been encouraging to me in my faith, studies and relationships. She has been sending neat little packages to Todd and I to open - games I grew up with, ways to save for our future and introducing Todd to the UW family that we are =)

10th: sunshine, plaid shirts and Katie

Katie and I met through PT school, and she was in the class above me. We ran many miles together (although she runs WAY more then I do). She helped pass along advice, kept me sane, and helped me to enjoy California.

11th - I have been so blessed to have many wonderful roommates during school. But today I'm thankful for Katrina! We get along so well together, know how to have fun and support each other. I'm kinda nervous that my next roommate is going to be a BOY (sorry Todd). I will miss the long girlie talks that we both have. In fact Katrina and I were commenting that we wouldn't mind if we all could just live together forever ; )

Todd - Me - Carlos - Katrina

12th - JOBS! JOBS! JOBS!! Thankful for the Lord's goodness as I relied on him. I have a job for when I move back to Washington! I will be working for a clinic where I did an internship at. Thankful for my Uncle who recommended them, for my teacher who allowed me to go there, and for the staff who made my time there enjoyable.

13th - My patients who so bless me and humble me. Who I not only teach, but learn from. My education, and mentors who are helping me to grow into becoming a better physical therapist to serve those who are in need.

Eucharisteo (Part 1)

"Thanksgiving, giving thanks in everything , prepares the way that God might show us His fullest, salvation in Christ.
The act of sacrificing thank offerings to God - even for the bread and cup of cost, for cancer and crucifixion - this prepares the way for God to show us His fullest salvation from bitter, angry, resentful lives and from all sin that esranges us from Him. At the Eucharist, Christ breaks His heart to heal ours - Christ, the complete accomplishment of our salvation. And the miracle of eucharisteo never ends: thanksgiving is what precedes the miracle of that salvation being fully worked out in our lives. Thanksgiving - giving thanks in everything - is what prepares the way for salvation's whole restoration. Our salvation is not fully realized in a life until the life realizes the need to give thanks. In everything?

From 1000 Gifts, By Ann Voskamp


My list of Eucaristeo in preparation for Thanksgiving

1st- Unfortunately, I don't have the picture proof to go along with this.
Starting off my morning with afro pictures with co-workers. Thankful to have fun in the workplace
Ending my day with dinner with Nick, a good friend from PT school.

2nd: Going to my desk after seeing a few patients, and finding Peanut Butter M&M's on my keyboard!

3rd: Loving life, sunshine and great people! Thankful for my DPT family that helped me through PT school, helping me to grow personally and professionally.

Dinner with my soon-to-be in-laws - thankful that they have so welcomed me into their family, for raising a kind and caring son, and sharing him with me.

4th: For the extra hour of sleep last night, that allowed me to get up earlier then normal, and share coffee and thoughts with my roomie.

5th: getting enagagement photos from Jeff, Text message of encouragement from Emily

6th: Lunch date with Todd! Every few weeks, I volunteer at a clinic in Venice. Todd works off the freeway on my return to work for the afternoon. He is so thoughtful, and has lunch ordered and waiting for me when I get there.

7th: Phew, a day off in the middle of the week feels so good, to accomplish housework, homework, and a nice run in the sun!

Street Signs

Street Sign of the Future:

SO EXCITED to marry this man in 2-7-5 days! We were out and about this weekend and after driving by the sign, I made sure to capture the photo opportunity. I'm more attatched to my current last name then I thought, but I'm working on embracing a new last name, and what will be my new identity as a wife!

San Francisco

I'm back! After quite the hiatus, I have decided to return to the blogging world. I didn't stop because I thought my life was boring, but got busy and forgot. But then I realized how fun it was to go back, and read about my life, and what I found important/interesting. It was like going back and re-discovering an old diary, which I never kept, because I was always to worried about being embarrassed later in life. So here we go. Rather then catch up on life, I'm jut going to pick up right where I am. This last weekend, I got visit with an old college roommate Tracy, we went from being suite mates in the dorm, to housemates, to sharing a room again for one quarter. She lives up in San Francisco, and Todd and I went to stay with her and her boyfriend. We also got to meet up with Brandi (a former Rockette as well) and her husband who have also moved to the bay area. Here are a few pictures from the weekend.

Todd and I ate Peju

Me - Brandi - Tracy Wine Tasting

Climbing the wine barrels

Re-take of a photo 4 years ago

Pier 39