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Monday, 19 May 2008
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A Tribute.
What an exciting year - get married, move to Chicago, new job, new friends, looong winter. A lot has happened that I'd like to pay tribute:
1) June 2nd: Get married to my high school sweetheart, a dream come true! Then learn to live with the man I love, which was somewhat of an adjustment after living with my twin sis since day numero uno - but we have created our own lil home in which we love to spend time with one another (laying on the couch and watching Lifetime movies being at the top of John's list.)
2) July 17th: Interview @ Rush University Medical Center - and get hired on the neuro ICU! I work with amazing women who are all so motivated (a majority going back to school to get their masters - and are not content with simply doing what their job asks - above and beyond!) Rory was my preceptor, and an incredible one at that. She truly embraces what it means to be a nurse, and my favorite part, will stand up to any doctor or surgeon if she thinks her patients deserves better care. She continues to be my mentor as I am still learning on the unit - my newest role, charge nurse!
3) July 21st: Jean Schaffer gets married to the love of her life, Evan Sherfick. I was blessed to be a part of their big day as a bridesmaid. Now they are expecting an addition to their family, a lil boy! Life can change so incredibly in a short year...
4) July 27th: Fly to NYC to visit Johnny. He had training for his position at HOLT Chicago in NYC - with hotel room paid for (how could I pass on this offer??) Kelly, his sis, soon followed suit - and we had a blast. From Mama Mexico's to shopping Times Square & Chinatown. And this time, no food poisoning! (Last visit to NYC, I somehow got food poisoning from lasagna from Planet Hollywood.... does not make for a pretty picture.)
5) August 20th: Start at Rush. I had a nice month and a half off from work to setup our River North apartment (that we'll soon be leaving - come get a fab view of the city - soon it will be of I94 & I290.)
6) October 20th: John's dad gets married AND Sarah gets engaged to the love of her life, Trey! What a big day. And the icing on the cake - we surprised our closest girlfriends about the engagement at Abra's annual birthday party. I couldn't be happier for the wedded couple-to-be!
7) November 16th: My girlies come visit me in Chicago while John is on a fishing trip with his Pappaw and cousins. I have the best girlfriends around - since middle school! You just can't find friends like them anywhere. They brave the beginning of the looong winter with me as we shop and eat fabulous Chicago food - Quartino's & Japonais, mmmmm.
8) December 21-23: Celebrate Christmas with the Halls & Laughlins, the first of many many holidays to be shared. Thankfully all are in Bloomington, making life a little easier. Unfortunately we had to spend the actual holiday in Chicago since it was my holiday to work. But always have so much fun with family. As Jen & Charlie Laughlin are expecting their first child in January, my older sis (Stacey) finds out she's pregnant! Just the beginning of the expansion of our families - what a blessing (and how appropriate to celebrate on Christmas!)
9) New Year's: Sarah & Trey come up from Indianapolis to spend the holiday with us, as well as Troy, Katie, and Jennie. We have a fabulous time drinking wine and playing Catch Phrase. A last minute decision to go to Carol's (seriously the countriest, most little town pub you'll find in Chicago) ends the night for me. We entered, we ordered, we left.
10) January 7th: Begin MSN (Masters of Science in Nursing) classes @ Rush. Yes, for the next 3 years I will be taking classes in hopes to obtain my FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner). Not a bad gig since the hospital pays tuition (but beware, the taxes add up!) I envy my husband and twin sis whom already have their masters. I look forward to the day I don't have to work holidays or weekends, and not to mention, have my own patient load.
11) January 31st: Our nephew, Rice Charles Laughlin, is born. So beautiful and perfect. He's the highlight of all the family visits now. I'm so lucky to be an Auntie!
12) February 2nd: Leave for Naples, FL. A must get-a-away with the winter being so cold and bitter in Chicago. Turns out to be the coldest in a decade and the snowiest in 25 years. Our timing is impeccable. Sarah and Troy join us for some fun in the sun. Frisbee on the beach and grouper in the stomach. Doesn't get much better.
13) March 14th: Throw a surprise birthday party for John, turning 25! He made it quite difficult when not cooperating with my pre-party plans, but somehow we pulled it off (Thanks Sudin!), with a little suspicion from John. He was surprised by his nearest and dearest with a keg (filled with green beer, Happy St Patty's!) to top it off. Definitely a memorable night.
14) April 3rd: Find out Stacey is having a BOY! Attending the sonogram was nothing less than a privilege. Seeing your nephew on screen for the first time and hearing the heartbeat - wow. Nothing like the under the legs shot that proves he is in fact a boy! Lil' Nathan Cade is very photogenic - he even waved hello to us, all caught on film. A tearful and very happy moment for all attended.
15) May 3rd: Celebrate Stacey's graduation from IU Speech & Hearing, as well as her 30th birthday (on the 13th of May). What a big year for her - graduation, 30, baby. I'm so so happy for her. The leaps and bounds she has made in her lifetime are astronomical, and not to mention the lives she helped. The proudest lil sis around. We celebrated by eating at Siam House and making brunch the next day with family, and of course gifts. My favorite - a onsie that states "Don't mess with my Aunt - She's a Nurse."
16) May 16th: Go to Cincinnati to celebrate Kelly's graduation from Xavier's Nursing program. We all enjoyed BBQ @ Montgomery Inn and then John and I joined Kelly and Martin for some karaoke at their apt. Always a good time with Kell & Milton (er, I mean Martin).
17) And here I am, May 19th, about to move to a loft in the West Loop. Undertaking graduate classes. Awaiting the arrival of my second nephew. And not to mention Abra's arrival, scheduled to be somewhere around Sarah's wedding (Nov. 1) - so happy for her and Andrew, two amazing people eagerly awaiting the challenges parenthood brings. And approaching my one year anniversary with John. One year passes so quickly! I'm truly blessed to have my husband by my side through thick and thin (so cliché but so true). I look forward to what the next year brings, with one of my hopes being a milder winter in Chicago. Otherwise I welcome the weddings, babies, and memories to come!!
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