Dollar by Dollar

I don't know Katie.

I do know, however, that I feel strangely drawn to help a sister out. You can (and please do!) read all about her situation HERE, but essentially she has no funds to finish her final year of college. She has started an ingenious mission to try and raise the tuition cost not covered by grants and scholarships. From all I've read and heard from my friends who know Katie well, this girl is awesome.

Therefore, I'm asking each and every one of you reading this to give as little as just $1. We can all spare a few bucks.

Dollar By Dollar from Katie Dwyer on Vimeo.

http://raisefundsforschool.wordpress.com/

Community

Life has been interesting as of late. So much good with a touch of anxiety. The main thing that has been blessing me has been the abundance of family and community. This is exactly what I was anticipating when we moved back. Not only have I been spending some much needed time with my favorite friends from forever and ever, but Phillip and I have been connecting with, and growing deeper in our relationships with, some others in the 509 community while also meeting so many new people.

Lake lounging, adapting to townie life, laughter, worship, fireworks, a good friend's wedding, diners, Cedar Point, drinks, running, prepping for my best friend's wedding (!!!), biking all over town, evening hikes with new friends, and, of course, ice cream.

The anxiety? Being jobless for an indefinite amount of time. I've interviewed for my dream job in Labor and Delivery at the new Parkview Regional Medical Center and I have a follow-up peer interview on Monday. So, prayers por favor!  For now, I'm sticking to accomplishing my matron of honor duties, embracing my free time, and not worrying about what I can't control.

Impact, part 2

A few months ago I shared a letter Phillip had received from a student in the youth ministry at New Life. Well, the same kid wrote Phill another letter, recently. I'm so proud of my husband. Something about his silent, yet strong, demeanor resonates with some of these kids in a way I can't believe. They love him. I love him!

Hey Phill,

Thanks for the help through my tough time through this week. I know I may not show it often, but you are like, one of my biggest inspirations and role models here at New Life. I can't thank you enough for all the advice and help you've given me through all the weeks spent together. In all seriousness, I really don't hate you :) I notice sometimes I can be a  really big jerk if you're having an 'off-day' or I can seem to set you off. I'm sorry if that's the case. I'm having a different outlook on the way I act from now on to everybody. I can honestly say that I never, ever want you to leave New Life. I hope you end up staying. You're a super rad kid and I hope to still know you (words I can't decipher) still go out to lunch w/you even if you do leave. All in all, you are an important person in my life. Considering, I never really had a real brother. haha. But thanks for any advice or anything else in this past year. It means a lot to me. Keep doing what you do! You're good at it! God is doing something! As a brother in Christ. I <3 you. PS-Grow the stache. It's only right...

Don't you love the PS? Ha! This kid truly is awesome, too. He's a student leader so he spends a lot of additional time around the church, with Phill particularly. He's tugging at this home-sick girl's heartstrings with the "never, ever want you to leave" stuff!

Now, I will leave you with this awesomeness:

Monday

There hasn't been too much happening around here lately. I apologize (<<I always put two 'p's in that word!) for the quietness around the blog as of late. There's been work, movie watching, and a little fun thrown in, too.

First, I'm going to insist you all go HERE and watch this video of some of our amazing Velocity students performing their skit. They did this in youth service a few weeks ago, but this past weekend they were asked to perform in all three main services. The subject matter is rather difficult to swallow, but I'm so proud of them. I can't watch it without crying due to the song, the lyrics, and the awesome kids.

Speaking of youth, I have some pictures from the final night of the Velocity series "The Battle Within".

It. Was. Hilarious.

There was an ongoing fight skit between Mortimer (aka Brian) and The Tolleson Terror (aka Steve) throughout the series which culminated on this final night. Brian, dressed as you see below, was talking and jerking with a Harry Caray influence, while Steve, New Life's lead pastor, was all ridiculous in his bearded get-up. It was great and the kids were loving it. Actually, Missy and I were probably laughing the loudest.

Phill created the whole boxing ring theme you see in the background complete with ceiling drop down mic!

Velocity worship.

On St. Patrick's Day the man and I went to a Reds vs. Indians spring training game (ahem, Reds win!, cough, ahem...).

Finally, Thursday night arrived. The night we had been anticipating for weeks, nay, MONTHS!

(This may or may not be my iPhone lock screen wallpaper)

THE HUNGER GAMES!!! 

Phill wore his homemade bad-ass shirt (it looks awesome, right?!)and I wore my Katniss get up braid, cargo pants, boots and all. I was the Girl On Fire. Boom. It was pretty awesome.

THEN! Friday, I had the pleasure of meeting some great ladies I know from technology alone. Isn't that great?! Yay for Internet and Instagram friends and brunch!

Missing a few ladies from this pic. Aren't they lovely?

Finally, due to the awesome Internet relationship of myself and Mandy, Phill and I went to Jester'Z Improv for some laughyoufaceoffness on Saturday night.

Apparently more happened in this week than I originally eluded to at the beginning of this post. 

Woops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happenings

This week is, so far, shaping up to be a good one. I worked Saturday and Sunday, but Sunday was a bit special because even though I have yet to take the preceptor class, I was given a new hire to precept for the day. This adds to the ego boost I've been receiving at work, lately. I haven't shared much, because it's embarrassing...in a good way?...but a little over a week ago we had {what everyone thought was} a real deal JCAHO survey. STRESS EVERYWHERE TO THE MAXIMUM. Basically, this means everything has to be in tip-top shape. All things need to be in the appropriate places, and everyone needs to know everything ever made known ever. Because they can talk to you! And talk to me they did. Of course, they would choose one of my patients to do a chart review. Therefore, they chatted with me, with my supervisor present, and had me go through the chart while asking me some questions. They informed me, too, that they were simply the mock crowd to prepare us for the real JCAHO peeps.

Basically, they told me I did very well. Yay! After this, my supervisor would not stop talking about it and praising me to everyone she encountered. This, of course, makes me feel super awesome, but super red-faced whenever it's brought up.

Yesterday, I had the day off and since it was President's Day Phillip had the day off, too! We went over to our friends Justin and Heather's home for lunch, which turned into an all day awesome affair. Tasty food, sweet treats, games, and HIMYM. We had a super fun time. Also, I took this video of Margot dancing:

Another important tidbit about Sunday: IT WAS MY BROSTER'S {aka brother's} BIRTHDAY! He's all of 24 years old now. What makes this even better is that I get to see him in exactly one week! My aunt will be in Arizona all next week, Trey flies in on Tuesday, and then Mom joins the party on Thursday! I'm pumped.

This kid is super fantastically awesome.

He's a pretty good dude.
I love my brother!

Have a great week!

Instagram Holiday {Finally}

Are you ready for it? Are you ready?! Instagram unleashed!

Waiting to leave! Excited!

Margot gets antsy in airports

Home sweet home

These girls are the absolute best

I am so blessed with the BEST FRIENDS in the whole wide world

Oscar

My well-behaved little miss in the backseat

Cole and Nina playing

Grandma and Grandpa Kimball's house

Cole watching his video message sent from SANTA! ;-)

Uncle Phillip and Cole playing

Pooped pup

Bow :-D

Festive Margot

Making herself right at home

Oprie feast!

You know it's an Oprie gathering when...

Christmas eve attire

The church for Jake's wedding. So pretty!

So sweet.

At the wedding. We're just old married folks now! 3+ years woohoo!

Boys...and Corey's stache.

Boys at breakfast!

My maid of honor, my BFF

Now, for your viewing pleasure, my dear friends and their talents:

Next up, a special little number from the Ross wedding reception:

Lastly, my melodic mother:

{PS-I started uploading these videos yesterday at 6PM, kept at it late into the night, and resumed uploading again tonight after work so you better watch them}

I'm Alive

This little blog space of the Internet has been quite silent as of late, huh? I think of it often and realize I should update, but then decide I have nothing substantial to say! At some point {tomorrow?!} I plan to unleash the fury of Instagram photos taken over our holiday vacation {procrastination queen right here!}, but that's really about all I have.

Phillip is working. I am working. On my days off I sleep in late, exercise,  and watch Parenthood. Phillip started an ultimate frisbee conditioning program last week that seems pretty tough!

We're watching Brian and Sarah's dog, Henry, again this week while they're in Nashville visiting family. Margot + Henry = crazy dog town.

Anyway, I'll do my best to do more interesting things in my life and let you know about 'em ;-)

In the mean time, watch this video and cry due to its heart-wrenchingness.

I'll Be Home for Christmas

For my friends and family back home in the Midwest...we'll be seeing you soon!

{Please excuse...well...basically everything about this video. The hair, the face, the lighting...Forgiven? Thanks!}

YouTube Clips of the Week!

So every Sunday night, at Velocity, the service ends with a 'YouTube Clip of the Week". More often than not, the leaders find them hysterical and the kids are left wondering what the frickety-frack {yup, said it} just happened.  Phillip is responsible for finding these videos, so you can imagine he's stumbled across some real gems. Phill and I were just watching, and dying over, these next few videos! They're short, promise.

If your sense of humor is anything like mine, you'll probably laugh out loud.

Now, I'm kinda embarrassed that you're all gonna be like, "Ummmmm...how is this funny???"

JUST GO WITH IT, OKAY?!

Thanks, Chuck Testa. Thanks.

Ok, these next two go together. Soooo funny!

"I just think you suck."

OUTTAKES!

I seriously just want to watch this little lady all day. I just keep thinking how I wouldn't mind her being my patient one bit. Except she probably would be the type to not have her home med list. She probably just knows what the pills look like. PEOPLE OF THE WORLD! KEEP A LIST OF YOUR HOME MEDICATIONS {including vitamins and herbs!} WITH DOSAGES AND HOW OFTEN/WHEN YOU TAKE THEM AND CARRY IT WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES! You never know when you might have to go to the hospital where the hospital doctor has to order your medications or else you won't get them. And you want them to be ordered just like you take them at home, right? 

Okay.

Stepping off my soapbox now...

End of Sedona, Beginning of Vacation #2!

View from our balcony anniversary dinner

I love him so much. I am such a blessed woman.

 

Jerome, AZ aka "The Hills Have Eyes". Ok, only joking.

Studly McGee. He's MINE, ladies.

"What's up? I've been sweating for 9 weeks straight!"

Inside a kaleidoscope! Isn't this awesome?

Tuzigoot National Monument

Wiping sweat from my face

In other news...

WE'RE FLYING HOME IN 2 DAYS!!!

All you Indiana friends and family, I hope to see you all at the party on Thursday! 

Check the Facebook event for more details :-)

Plus, there's this lovely video!