Keeping Busy

Well, it's hard to believe it's already half way through February! Rusty and I have been very busy already this year. At the end of January we enjoyed a visit from our friend Kara from Tennessee. Since we are all working people it was a short visit but we hope to go up for our own short visit soon! Here is a picture of us sunbathing in January....oh how I love Florida!

Rusty's grandfather was recently hospitalized for a heart attack. He was flight lifted to ORMC, not Florida Hospital where I work. Working in a cardiac ICU, of course I was right up there nosing my way into things making sure he was getting the best care. After repairing the blockages with several stents, he suffered a small stroke! The nurses at ORMC were great and his care was excellent there. He is home now and doing well. It was nice to see how everyone came together during his week in the hospital.

Each Sunday night Rusty and I are attending FPU (Financial Peace University) at a local church. Our friends Mike and Michelle urged us to come to this 13 week course on financial management. The class discusses basic concepts of paying off and staying out of debt, building an emergency fund and building long term wealth. Some things we knew and were doing, some things we knew and weren't doing and others things we have learned have helped us tremendously. It has been great for not only our finances but also our marriage. Opening the lines of communication about money has really decreased stress and increased our feelings of teamwork!

During the past few months the economy was worrisome but not overly so. It was always just a news story on TV. This week Rusty had a mandatory meeting at work and we were almost certain he would be laid off. Luckily, Rusty still has a job but has had to take a 10% pay cut from an already decreased income. Later that day there were many people that did lose their job. Everyday, I am more and more thankful for my job. No matter how hard of a day I had, I can rest knowing I HAVE a job that many do not.

Lastly, we attended a wedding of a friend of mine from nursing school, Erika. It was a beautiful wedding and we had a great time. I was also glad to have the company of my friend Boni and her husband otherwise we wouldn't have known anyone there! Here is a picture of us at the reception near the beach!

Finally...a cold day in January

Not much happening this month. Right now I am enjoying a day off sitting in front of my friend Michelle's fireplace. Really one of the few days in Florida to enjoy one! I am watching her baby Michael, while she sleeps after a long night of work. I am feeling surprisingly capable...haha. I have 5 close friends who are either pregnant or have just had babies (Happy Birthday Kaitlyn!). So, there will be plenty of babysitting opportunities in my future!

Also of importance, my dad came for a visit early this month and stayed for a week. We had a great time and it was kind of fun to play grown up and have a place to offer your dad to stay! We spent a lot of time visiting family while he was here and really just relaxing! In March we will be visiting him!

Rusty is eagerly awaiting next week since he will be taking some vacation time. It's one of those, use it or lose it deals. He plans to clean up the garage but I have some time off next week too so I think we'll end up just goofing off! Kara comes into town at the end of next week so that should also be a lot of fun. That's all for now!

Happy New Year!

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and a great 2009. Also, I finally have a picture of our house painted! I also placed it in the before and after folder so we can track our progress!

More Paige Photography...

Check out Layla's picture folder again...I have added some of Paige's photos...so cute!

Christmas

Here's Layla helping Rusty put up the lights.

This year was an unusual year for us at Christmas. First, we happily got our house painted..yay! So there wasn't much done in the way of lights at our house. Second, I had to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, oh the joys of nursing. But that didn't stop the celebrating!

Early Christmas week Rusty and I spent some time with his family over dinner. We also attended a Christmas party hosted by our friend Rachel. On Christmas Eve after work Rusty and I opened our presents to each other which were modest...our gifts this year were Layla and painting our house! Christmas night we had Paige and Nolan over for a scary movie and then last night Mom cooked us a big Christmas dinner and we opened presents there.



At Rachel's Christmas party with Michael and Michelle!

All in all, Christmas was different this year but I was humbled by the fact that there was no one for me to visit in the hospital and that all of my immediate family is in good health.

Reindeer 5K at Fort DeSoto

Mid-December we camped at Fort DeSoto in Tampa for our annual Reindeer 5K Run. We were joined by Paige, Grant, Savanah and Savanah's cousin Sean. Once again, it was a very cold and windy weekend...how convenient. Actually, it worked out for the best because we moved from our inside, no-view campsite to, pretty much the best campsite ever made! We then had a spot right on the water with a beautiful view of the sunsets!

The 5K was another story. I was unable to run due to my continuing knee problems. Rusty stayed by my side for support, never mind the very cold, long run he didn't mind avoiding! So, Grant, Paige, Sean and Savanah were our runners!

Unlike other camping trips, we did no cooking! We were lucky enough to have Savanah as our guide to St. Pete again. We visited our favorite Mexican restaurant, Carmelita's and Savanah's parents had a BBQ for us on Sunday before returning home...yum!

This would be our last time seeing Savanah for awhile since she is off for a Transatlantic crossing with her parents in their boat...such fun! That will last December-early February. After that, she returns for another year in Austin with the Americorps...!

Savanah comes to visit!

Our friend Savanah is home for the holidays from Texas! She came to visit a few days and joined us at Crash-a-Rama and the UCF game! Really enjoyed having her here!! Check out the photos!

Next weekend we are off to the Reindeer Run at Fort Desoto for our annual 5K!