My blogging skills are SO LAME. I am the first to admit it. For me, if I'm on a blog, I'm checking to see what my niece, Anna Kate is up to. Lately, she sports a jean jacket, totes a baby doll and is taking her first steps. But I digress.. this picture here was taken over Labor Day weekend when all my college buddies got together for a little reunion at VA beach. Our lives have changed since the under-grad days, but with great ease, we picked up where we left off. These girls are so fun!! I'm thankful for how they still show me grace and make me want to know the Lord better, even as the years go by.

This is my niece Anna Kate. She LOVES dogs and saying "ooooo". She also loves when her dad (my brother Mark) hides behind a chair and then rushes up to her on the floor pretending to "get her". Her face produces the most amazing synthesis of terror and delight... I seem to recall similar memories with my own Dad as a child.

DAY ONE: CHAMP & THE SHOCK COLLAR

on our run this morning, champ and i had our first go at using the shock collar. he's been pulling so much lately at the leash when he sees other dogs, that i fear losing control and not being able to run with him anymore. so this is for his own good. but man. i hated doing it. the way he jumped and even yelped was so sad. but as the bible tells us (and my dad faithfully quoted often during my childhood), "foolishness is bound up in the heart of the child, but the rod of discipline will drive it away."

yes, i treat my dog like a human.

ps. no pictures these days since i dont have a camera

i have strep

just fyi, when you start feeling like you are going to pass out at work and you can't swallow, it might be strep throat. go have a swab done to be sure. then get meds.

i hate primary care

JUSTICE LIVING

im reading this book for the second time through-- its called Just Courage by Gary A. Haugen, the president of the International Justice Mission. I love this quote from the book: "We can't lead others in loving God if we arent leading them in loving their neighbors". the quote is based on 1 John 4:20-21 "And He has given us this command:Whoever loves God must also love his brother". The author goes on to say that for those neighbors around the world who are suffering injustice, we can't say that we love them if we do not draw near and seek justice on their behalf. i've heard it said before, that we are called to this very thing: justice living. God, grant the wisdom, opportunities, and obedience to live out this calling.

Christmas with the Sallades

We enjoyed 4 days in PA with my family over Christmas. The undoubted highlight was meeting Anna Kate. She is 6 weeks old now, smiling and charming everyone she's around. She really is amazing... advanced, if I may say so!  We also had the chance to enjoy Champ, Molly (Mark & Jenn's Cockapoo), and Penny (my parents' Vizsla tearing through the house for 3 days non-stop. When Anna Kate developed a skin rash after Champ licked her face from chin to forehead, we decided to keep the pups under tighter reign... but they sure did have a good time!! We had a wonderful visit. I don't yet have pictures from our visit with the Ropers, but be sure that there will be lots of pics of our other two nieces, Mary & Sarah, once those pictures surface.
The SUNSHINE in our lives....

Catch up.

So lots has happened since I last posted. I'll do a quick run down to catch anyone up who reads this eloquent blog: 

I started my first job as a nurse practitioner at Rainbow Kids Clinic on September 29th. I'm so very thankful for a job and even more thankful for the pediatrician I work with. He is completely gracious and committed to my growth as a provider while still giving me great freedom to develop my own practitioner skills... I never feel as though I'm pestering him with my questions. Highlights so far have been: a child's perplexing limp solved when a large toy was found in her shoe, a toddler's discolored palate solved when the leaf was peeled off the roof of her mouth, getting barfed on 12+ times, children coughing DIRECTLY into my mouth, and many other laughable moments. I have been learning much about trusting the Lord with each of these patients as I've struggled with feeling like "I have to fix everyone's problems". The more I realize I can't even fix my own problems, the more I realize it is the Lord of all who will change hearts and lives for his glory. In that truth, I can rest and be content doing my job.

On November 13th, my favorite sister turned 18.

On November 14th, my older brother Mark and his wife Jenn had a baby girl. Anna Kate has dazzled us all with her every expression and movement. We praise God for her life and health. What does He have planned for her life?!

For Thanksgiving, Paul and I were in Richmond with the Roper family. We had a wonderful time together... dominated by playing with our other two precious nieces, Mary (3 1/2) and Sarah (9 months). I fear that Paul and I won't like our own children very much (should we be blessed with them) since the bar has been set so high by our sibling's children. Ah well.. We are thankful to be sure.

On the 20th of this month, Paul, Champ, and I will begin the Christmas trek. Stopping first in Richmond for a few days with the Ropers and then on to Wyomissing PA for the second part of the holiday. We are beyond excited for this trip and the time we will have to spend with our favorite people in the whole world.

Done for now. pictures another time.