Already that time…

I was informed that it is snowing just for me.  I can't believe it is already time for me to go home for Christmas.  This last rotation went by so quickly.  I really enjoyed working with Dr. Ferguson and staff.  I found out that I really like family medicine.  But I am ready to go home for a while.  It will be great to see everyone soon.  I am scrambling to get my laundry done, apartment cleaned, and clothes packed (sparingly, of course, with all the strict checking baggage rules).  Sounds like Amie and Mat have already done a lot of work for mom on the kitchen floor.  I'm sure they are excited to have another supervisor around...haha!  I'm sure I will be talked into helping out.  I can't wait to see all the kids!  I hope I don't freeze, though.  Better have an extra blanket for me, mom.

and the parties continue...

       

The holidays are just filled with parties, parties, parties!!  Here are some pictures from Mistletoe Mania, Jay's Christmas party, Hartford Ward Christmas party, and John at a birthday breakfast.  Riding on the boat around Dobson Ranch was pretty dang fun, even if I almost capsized us.  Don't tell the Bishop!

what's wrong with my brain these days??

The other day I decided to go to the mall.  I thought it was a good idea.  I need some new tanks/undershirts and thought that the Fiesta Mall would have a kiosk with such items.  I went and parked at my usual place.  That seems to be the logical thing to do, right?  I did my shopping.  Upstairs.  Downstairs.  Upstairs, again.  Finally I had walked what felt like 20 miles and decided I had seen all the shops.  I preceded to what I thought was my exit and walked outside.  Hmmm, that didn't look familiar.  I was sure I parked from an upstairs location.  I continued on until I had exited all the upstairs doors.  Finally, I went downstairs and started checking the exits.  Nothing was familiar.  I then decided that I should try to locate myself by becoming oriented with the outside of the building and going from there.  I thought I found the correct crossroads according to the outside shopping stores and restaurants but to no avail.  I decided to just pick one that seemed to be in the right location, and started walking.  Once halfway around the building I found my car.  What a day!!  The best part; however, was when I was walking with my forlorn facial expression and some guy passes me and says "Hey, it looks like you dropped (of course, I have turned my head to see what I could have possibly dropped) your smile!"  Lame, but it did get me to smile!

We all know what a klutz I am.  Well, today has been no exception.  I stepped out my front door and totally tripped on my outside rug.  Then as I was walking up the stairs to pick up my mail, I fell again.  I must be missing something in my diet.  Any suggestions??

Plus, don't even get me started on the most outrageous things I've come up with at clinic.  My preceptor will ask me the most basic questions like "What are the target organs of Diabetes?"  My response, "The eyes, vasculature, and the kidneys."  Duh, what part of the vasculature is most important? The heart!  How could I forget the heart.  Or when he asks the cause of stasis dermatitis and I respond with "Pooling of the blood." Dr. Ferguson says, "Well, yes, Sarah, but what causes the darkening of the skin?" I give a blank stare.  "What does RBCs break down into?" Another duh, iron.  It does feel good when I pose a question from my textbook to Dr. Ferguson and the other students, though, and I am the only one that knows the answer.  That doesn't happened too often, though.

Holiday Festivities

 

I decided I should have some sort of Christmas decor.  This tree is all we're gonna get.  I love the red and silver ornaments.  I bought some clips to hang the ornaments thinking they were so cute until I had to tie each of them on individually because they were just ribbon.  The bows do look good, though.

 

The kids had a fun time at the park, especially when I kept making them take pictures.  This a cute one of them play on the train.

 

Oscar's favorite activity was playing in the sand!

 

We sure had a fun time swinging!!

 

What great facial expressions!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanksgiving was great!  I loved having Mom, Marlene, Oscar, Lily, and Henry down to visit us from UT.  We missed a few of our loved ones, but grateful for those who could come.  Mary Ann and JP were great hosts.  Mary Ann was very creative with her pumpkin place settings, and the meal was delicious.  JP was nice and let us girls go out and see "Twilight" while he watched all the kids. It was nice to spend some family time together.

My day at the Temple

 

I went to the Mesa Temple while mom was in town.  It was a very special day and I'm grateful she was able to come with me.  When we came out we were unexpectedly surprised that it had been raining.  So we took a few different pictures in hopes for a good one!

 

 

 

This is me in efforts to keep my hair out of my face from the dang wind!

The Sants came to visit

 

 

My friends, Kim and Josh, came down from Morenci to do a session at the Temple.  It worked out that I could watch their kids so they could go together.  Colt, MaKayla, Alexia and I had a pretty good afternoon.  They were bored of me by the end of the day, though.  It's hard to keep kids entertained when you aren't equipped with kid supplies.  I tried my best and hopefully they didn't hate it.

Temple Lights

On Thursday a friend invited me to do baptisms for the dead at the temple.  I'm all excited and rearrange my evening so that I can go.  Perfect opportunity for me to feel the Spirit while I'm in preparation for my talk and temple day.  I show up at 545 and get ushered around all the youth that is present that night.  I speak with one of the sisters who informs me that it is a Stake Temple day and I wouldn't be able to do baptisms for another 2 hours.  Hmm, I thought to myself, what do I do?  I already pushed by my schedule back, so I guess I will just wait for my friends to come and then make an executive decision together.  They showed up and tried to work their magic, but to no avail.  That's a first: we were booted out of the temple!  Well, technically they said we could come back just a little later.  As we exited we saw about 25 young men head over from the visitors center towards us.  We definitely would have a little wait if we stayed.  Since we all had other plans we couldn't stay to do the baptisms later.  However, the Christmas Lights had been turned on, so we decided to walk around the temple.  It was pretty dang cool to see all the lights and not be freezing!  Plus, it was a good time spent with some friends.  There is something amazing about being on temple grounds.  I hope all you Arizonian's are able to make it over to see the lights this holiday season.