The PSQ

THE POSTAGE STAMP

-Happily Forever After-

Winter Quarterly Report

January 13, 2010

Happy 2010!

Those of you that have been to visit P & K should understand why we've decided to (*ahem* lovingly, of course) call this place "The Postage Stamp"--it's a studio apt-sized house. But it fits our needs well enough for now...Its been awhile since I, well...I believe an update on our comings and goings is in order. Some news is happy, some news is sad, and some news...well we'll just have to wait and see how it all turns out, right?

My Turkey doth O'erflow

There is no other way to spend the National Holiday of Thanksgiving than spending time with family eating, visiting, looking at the Black Friday ads (K's first Black Friday Experience) and lounging were on the agenda for the day. Thanksgiving Day on the other side of the mountain (in Huntsville) with P's whole family/extended family was a superb idea. The sun was shining, the company was great, food was plentiful and Grandma K's homemade pies, (a pie lover's dream) ranging from fresh berry to classic pumpkin, pecan, lemon meringue, banana cream and warm apple pie-just to name a few-were absolutely heavenly. "They're amazing. The best pies in the state, for sure. Like her license plate says, it's: PI2DI4." 'Nuff said P, 'nuff said.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

After some heavy thinking, K has recently made quite a few life-changing decisions. "I just wasn't happy where I was at, and chose to take a leap of faith," she said. "It's amazing that choices can feel so right when it just may not make a whole lotta sense-like deciding to jump into the world of Nursing, when its always been on the list of things you thought you didn't want to. I've learned to watch what I say I'm never gonna do-it inevitably seems I end up pointed down that path; i.e. I was never going to serve a mission, live in UT, marry a Utahn...and look at me now-that list of 'never gonnas' got checked off reeeal quick."

With this shift in plans, K hurried to find out all the requirements for application into a nursing program. She bravely bit the bullet and signed up for a "75 hours in 3 week" CNA class-all while maintaining her job at the bank. Although she nearly went crazy, she passed with flying colors and is currently in the process of finishing her application before the deadline in 2 days. Yikes!

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum

Christmas was a real treat for K this year-she got to spend an entire week away from the bank, aka "the Firm". Ah, yes, the sweet sound of relaxation while on a paid vacation. P was definitely the jealous one. After K finished her last clinical session for her CNA class Saturday nite, she and P made a midnight journey to her parents home in WA. They made good time on dry but foggy roads, driving in shifts from 10:15pm to 6:45am. Just in time to take a nap and go to church. Hooray! They spent the next few days just relaxing, doing a little shopping, and having family fun (as you can see from the family pic contained above, which is compliments of Costco).

A New Resolution

You would think this little family could stay away from the Hospital for at least a year. Forever would be preferable. Or just until they have a kid. Someday. Whatever comes first, right? But at least this time it wasn't an emergency visit like the last time was. This was a planned inguinal hernia repair/surgery, an outpatient procedure. His surgeon? He's got this procedure down. Amazing. He is recovering nicely and now only has 3 nearly invisible scars on his tummy-reminders of a laproscopic surgery, along with Dr's restrictions on his work capabilities. Nothing but cashiering for him for 2 more weeks! K laughs and teases P she has already made his most important resolution ever for him, "No hospital visits for you in the coming year!" P couldn't agree more.

What in the World will K do Next?

After dealing with too-much-drama-to-explain-safely-in-a-public-blog at work, K left "the Firm" on December 31. Because it felt like the right thing to do. She worries a little about finances. Otherwise it has been complete bliss--ish. To be finished with that chapter in her life feels good. What're her plans now? "I just took the CNA State Certification tests today and yesterday. Now I just have to wait for the results to post next week and if I passed (fingers crossed) I have a few hospital CNA positions I've got my eyes on." She's also taking a full load of classes-human physiology, Microbiology and Chemistry 1110, along with helping tutor P in Physics. What in the world will K do next? Well, its anyone's guess...She seems to be headed in the right direction (we hope).

The Sun Still Shines in San Jorge

With only minutes to spare, K an P arrived in St. George to celebrate their second New Year's Eve as a married couple. "It was a last minute decision," P said "But after a five month absence, we're excited to be here." Excitement dulled quite sharply on the first day of the year, when it was discovered that K and P's beloved dogs, Bella and Jango, were missing. Search parties were sent out, canvassing the entire neighborhood and surrounding areas. Many tears were shed when one pup was was found lying on the main road, victim of a hit-and-run. The other has yet to be found. It has been said that we "hope and pray for the best, and leave the rest to the Lord," which is what the couple strives to do. They send thanks to the quick response and much-needed support from friends and family in the area.

In other news from SanJorge, one the couple's good friends, the "O" family, made a big decision to move their little family far up north to the land they call the Idaho-Washington border. "We plan on visiting the famed 'yellow house' soon-the next time we visit K's family," P stated with a smile. "Probably sometime after I finish this semester, if taking 18 credits doesn't kill me first...I don't know how fantastic of an idea it was to work full time while taking Physics 1010, Chemistry 1010 and my T-TEN automotive classes. For my wife's sake, I hope I survive!"

Parting is Such Sweet, Sweet Sorrow

In closing this edition of The Postage Stamp, K would like to share with you a quote from the inspired author, Catherine Ponder:

..

....

"Many things will catch your eye,

but only a few will catch your heart.

Pursue those."

....

..

May you see more clearly this year with your heart.

Though sometimes the end result isn't clear,

I've found it rarely to be unfruitful.

Many times the heart is wiser than the mind.

Especially when that heart is filled with the Spirit of our Lord.

.............

This is the resolution of K this year

(among a long list of other goals.

but that is up for discussion another day).

May you see the miracles the Lord sends your way!