Summer in Full Swing

It's already July and some days I wonder how it is that time seems to go by so fast. It felt like summer began in April because of the heat... of course I'm pregnant so everything feels hot! Yes, we are expecting our second baby... It's a BOY! Malia constantly talks about her baby brother and often gives my belly hugs and kisses. She's thrilled to be a big sister! Now we just have to wait for his arrival which will be sometime mid September. 

 29 Weeks Pregnant

Malia likes to stand by me for pictures!

So this summer is a hot one. Not to mention that the temperatures have been extremely hot too!

Summer began when we went to Connecticut to celebrate Malia's 3rd birthday with her great-grandma Ruth (who turned older on the same day). 

Malia and Great-Grandma Ruth 

We spent a week in Connecticut visiting Chris' grandparents and other family relatives while trying to escape some of the summer heat. Sadly even when it rained there it got humid because it was so hot! But we enjoyed exploring the Hartford Children's Museum, the Carosel Museum, walking to the lake by the house, and playing with neighbor kids. Malia also got to play with her cousins Camryn and Cody, which she loved! Overall we had a wonderful trip and enjoyed the time we got to spend with family, but we were happy to get home and rest in our own beds. 

However, arriving home was not as restful as we had planned. Throughout May I had been on a heart medication to control what's called supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Basically my heart would race between 160-190 beats per minute. This is something I've had my entire life, but it was first mis-diagnosed as epilepsy. So we discovered at the beginning of May after my first trip to the Emergency Department that I have had this heart arrhythmia my entire life. So after being seen for the second time in the ER in May, I had a follow up with my cardiologist after we got back from Connecticut, and after a long discussion with him and my OB doctor, they decided the safest course of action for both the baby and me was to stop the medication (which my body was not responding to) and go ahead with surgery. This decision was taking into account the many other times I had gone into SVT, and my heart would not stop racing as well as other health factors. 

So June started off with having a catheter ablation procedure on my heart. Obviously being pregnant, I was scared, but thankfully since the procedure I have been feeling better than I did before! Hopefully I won't have to deal with any more svt's! During the procedure I knew the baby was safe because I could feel him moving the entire time! He's an active little guy! 

Three weeks after surgery, Colorado Springs experienced a major wildfire that started in Waldo Canyon. Sadly this fire grew rapidly and on Tuesday June 26, we had to be evacuated from our home. The weather changed and with it came a 65 mile an our gust of wind that sent the fire up over the canyon and into a neighborhood close to ours. The sky turned a blood red orange and ash began falling on our property. Below is a picture I took from Malia's bedroom Window (sorry about the flash).

We safely evacuated our home and stayed at our friends home for the remainder of the week. It was difficult to be away, but I can't imagine how difficult it was for the families who had to leave their homes for much longer, and some who have no homes to return to. As we drove out of our Rockrimmon neighborhood and looked back toward the mountains we could see the fires on the hillside. The view brought me to tears. There are no words to describe the deep sadness I felt as I saw our beautiful mountains on fire. The very same mountains I often look at and give thanks to God for the   amazing beauty I get to look at everyday. 

It's been a little over a week since we evacuated our home, and thankfully the fire become more contained by our firefighters every day. We are thankful to be home, and to have a home still standing since so many families lost their homes. We are fortunate and blessed. 

Since returning home, it's been a busy week of getting many things ready for my upcoming ordination. Yes, next Saturday July 14 at 2pm is my ordination in the Presbyterian Church (USA). I'm amazed this day is almost here. It's been a long journey, and I'm excited to see that a new adventure will begin following this ordination. Who knows where God will lead me in ministry and lead us as a family. 

Summer has been in full swing since it first began, and we still have a couple of months to go! Hopefully after my ordination we will have a few weeks of quiet as we prepare for the arrival of our son. Life never has a dull moment. 

New Beginnings

With every new year comes new beginnings. But the beginning of this year felt a little shaky when I realized I had no job because I had resigned from my former chaplain position at the end of December. Over the years I have come to know that I am the type of person who does not always handle change with ease. I am a worrier, and I stress when I can't see what the change brings. I often tell myself that I need to let my worrying go because there is no need to stress over things I can't control. I'm slowly learning. 

So I began January jobless, except for being full time mom to Malia, which is a joy and I love being mom. But I also know that I love my ministry, and I love working as a chaplain and having time out of the home to talk with other adults and thrive in an environment that I feel God has equipped me for. It was about mid January that I interviewed at Memorial Hospital, although I did have two pre-interviews before this formal one. I left the interview excited about the new possibilites and the idea of starting in a fresh work environment. Shortly after the interview I was offered a chaplain position at the hosptial and I was thrilled to accept it. I'm working part time (really per diem with two regular scheduled days) which has been a perfect fit. 

In Feburary when I began work, Malia also started pre-school at a new school that is affiliated with the hospital. So while I go to work, she goes to school. The picture below is Malia and I in her classroom her first day at the new school. 

Malia and I at her new school

She has adjusted really well in the new environment. One very exciting thing is that she has said "good-bye" to the pull ups and is 99% toilet trained! Of course there are the occasional accidents. She has made a lot of new friends in her class, loves creating when given an art project, and really enjoys playing in the music and movement room. She feels right at home in her new school, and each day that we drive up to it she says, "my school house." Seeing her adjust to the new changes has definitely helped me to adjust as well. 

One of the big adjustments for me at the new hospital, is that this is the hospital where Chris and I were taken to after our car accident in 2009. I even work with one of the chaplains who came to visit us in our hospital room. I wasn't sure how I would handle going back to this hospital, since I haven't really been there since our accident or in the neighborhood of the hospital (which was close to the sight of our accident), but I feel at home there. The first time I walked through the Emergency Department, I realized that the only thing I recognized was the ceiling of the ambulance bay entry. Fortunately I don't recognize the rooms, even though the memories of the accident and that day are still fresh in my mind. The one place in the hospital that I did get chocked up walking by was our hospital room on the sixth floor of the orthopedic unit. Seeing the room brought back so many memoires of the accident and how it changed our lives. It was an emotional walk by when I saw our room, but it was also good to be seeing it from a new perspective. Seeing it from the other side, knowing that my family survived the accident and we are once again living our lives. 

So this year has brought surprising new beginnings. After our car accident in 2009, I didn't know if I could do hospital chaplaincy, but I continued down that path of ministry and now just a few years later I'm working in that very hospital. I love my new job, and I love that as a family we have adjusted to the new changes. This year has been off to a good start. I'm grateful for the new beginning, and I'm excited to see what more God will do in our lives in this year to come. 

2011 Review

So I realize that is's already 2012 and it's been a long time since I've updated this blog. So I've decided to try and get back into the habbit of writing here again. 

2011 was quite the year for us. I completed my Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) residency at Penrose St. Francis Health System. I biked my first 45 mile Ride for the Cure, and I did my first sprint triathlon. I think after all that CPE I needed a good physical outlet! It was a fun adventure. 

Chris began construction on a wood fire brick oven in our back yard. He started brewing beer and so far has made five batches, six if you include the root beer (but that was in 2012). The biggest accomplishment was finally finishing the last class for his Master of Theology. He taught two different film series at church and also did a half day presentation for the CPE students in the Denver metro area (this includes Colorado Springs in case anyone is wondering). 

Malia's year was filled with many firsts. She had her first camping trip with her best friend Amalia Roberts. Of course the rest of the Robert's family came too which was fun! She had her first 10 hour car trip to New Mexico to visit her grandparents, and her first trip to the Oregon coast. She was also baptized Covenant Presbyterian Church in August. 

2011 was filled with many adventures, some which included trips out of town. In November we had two trips. One unexpected trip to Oregon to see my grandma when she was in the hospital and one at the end of November to spend Thanksgiving in New Mexico with my parents. 

Oregon was fun because part of our trip was spent going to the Oregon coast. This was Chris, and Malia's first time to the Oregon coast so it was especially fun for me since I spent many childhood days along the Oregon coast. Our friend Julie spent the weekend with us in Seaside, and we also traveled to Cannon Beach, and Tillamook. It was a fun weekend of beach and yummy cheese!

Cannon Beach, Oregon

Malia commanding the waves

Haystack Rock (This was in the movie Goonies)

Malia on a walk

Tillamook Cheese Factory

After Oregon we returned home for two days before we drove 10 hours to my parents home in New Mexico for Thanksgiving. It was a long drive but Malia did amazing! We were exhausted from all the traveling, but it was a beautiful weekend filled with fun. We spent Thanksgiving with my parents friends in their community (about 40 people total), and then had a second Thanksgiving dinner the next day with just family. We played at the playground, went to the dog park, and Malia took her tricycle to ride in my parents neighborhood. 

Chris and I at the playground

Malia hanging on the monkey bars

Malia stopping for a moment on the bridge

Now that 2011 has come to a close, we enter a new year with many new and exciting adventures ahead of us. 

The Home Stretch

I can't believe it's almost been one year since I began my CPE Residency journey. I've made it to the home stretch, one week to go. Hopefully then I will have and make time to blog again. It's been quite the journey. I'm exhausted, excited, sad, and thrilled to be finishing up. I promised God one year of residency, now I'm wondering what HE has for me next. Soon I'll know, or at least continue on this journey that's ahead of me.

Summer Fun

Chris and I recently returned from the Dominican Republic where we celebrated our 6th anniversary (1 week early) and also celebrated our friend's Jason and Stephani's wedding on June 10, 2011.
It was a beautiful beach wedding in Puerto Plata, DR. It was a fun week of gathering with old college friends, telling stories, laughing, lounging, and simply having a good time. While we were there we went to the 27 Falls National Park, and hiked up to the top of the falls and then jumped and slided down to the bottom. It was so much fun!! Definitely one of the ways I love to vacation.

While we were there we also got to meet up with our friend Jessica Ensing, who is now teaching English at a Christian School in Jarabaoca, DR. The picture below was taken at Jimenoa Falls 2. We had a great time meeting up with Jess and learning about the many awesome things God is doing in her life. I feel like it's rare that I get the chance to see how God has been at work in the lives of my former youth group students as they have gone off to college, graduated, and taken new adventures in their lives. I am blessed to continue to have Jessica in my life and see how God is using her to touch the lives of others.
It was definitely an adventure for Chris and I to get to Jarabaoca to see Jess. It was a 2.5 hour bus and taxi ride from Puerto Plata, and our Spanish was a bit rusty! But thankfully we made it and felt like we really got a chance to see the country side of the Dominican Republic... something we didn't really get to see while staying in Puerto Plata.

All in all we had a fun adventure together. It was the first time we had left Malia with her Grandma Nelson, and Great grandma Yuriko, but even she had a fun mini vacation at home without mom and dad. It was great to get away, but we sure missed Malia!

So now we are home. No major trips planned for the remainder of the summer. I have two months left of my CPE residency so I continue to pray that God will keep me going strong so I can finish well. It's been a crazy but rewarding year in many ways. Obviously I have not blogged much about it... hmmm... between motherhood, and full time work, it has been a tough year. God has given me a lot of insight as to the direction of ministy He is calling me, and I've learned a lot about myself in the process. But I'll save those thoughts for another day!

Malia's Room

We finally finished decorating Malia's bedroom. At lest for the most part... we still have to paint over the white spots that we covered some holes with... and then we'll be done! But in the meantime Malia loves the look of her room and so do we! We had so much fun decorating it and we were so thankful that Uncle Andrew could help us finish painting!

CPE Residency

I am officially a Chaplain Resident at the Penrose - St. Francis Health System. That means I'm a chaplain at Penrose Hospital (pictured below) and at St. Francis Medical Center. So far my first week of work has been filled with orientation and lots of technical things that come with training in a new facility. Next week I will be on rotations and able to visit with patients again, which I am very excited about!

Beginning this new job has been both exciting and somewhat sad. Exciting because it's a ministry that I love, but sad because I no longer spend my days playing with Malia. Thankfully we are all adjusting to this new time. Malia has done amazing at our friend Bridget's house (she spends four days a week there) and she had a great first day at the Hope Academy Montessori School (one day a week). When I picked her up from Hope Academy the teacher told me she did great and was so happy throughout the day. Before we left she was already making new friends and sharing the book she had in front of her with another little kid. The picture below is Malia sitting at the table in her little chair.

I definitely had a much harder time leaving her at the school than she had with us leaving. When we left she was already climbing on the stair structure and exploring the new things around her. Although she's doing great, I think it will still take her a little time to fully adjust. In September my rotation time is from 1:00pm - 9:30pm at St. Francis Medical Center, so I'm thankful that I will be able to spend the mornings with Malia, but sad that I won't be home for her bedtime. Chris has already said they will come eat at the hospital cafeteria with me for dinner some evenings! So I'm already looking forward to those evenings.

I really feel blessed to be starting this year of residency. I know there will be tough moments both in the ministry and in adjustments to my home life, but I feel confident that this is where God desires me to be. I am thankful for all He has done to get me this far, and pray He will continue to strengthen me, lead me, and even carry me in my weaknesses. I know God will show me amazing things during this year of residency.