September/October 2015

We've been traveling like crazy and are finally getting around to updating things online. 

Elysian Games 2015

Jaime was supposed to compete in the Elysian games which is a large crossfit competition downtown but we got held up in Houston on our way home from the Dominican Republic (delayed a whole day)...so that sucked but we made the best of it. I made sure to e-mail the airline and we ended up getting some BOMB travel vouchers (cha ching). We still stopped by the crossfit event to cheer our friends and say hi to Jaime's team. 

Eating out

Sadly we couldn't last long after returning home without making a stop to Din Thai Fung and Morton's. Check out that dessert! Cherries Jubilee...YUMMM. We also went to brunch at Brasstracks which is one of our favorite places to go eat. There's a DJ that spins hip hop music on the weekends and environment of the restaurant is really laid back. Jaime snapped this pic of me during breakfast. At any given moment there's a 95% chance I'm either smiling, laughing, or both when I'm around him. The other 5% I'm probably sleeping.

Saying goodbye to Izzy

We said goodbye to little Iz who is headed out to Tegucigalpa, Honduras on her mission. She gave a beautiful talk in church in front of her family, friends and community. We are really proud of her desire to dedicate a year and a half of her life to serving others. She has always been wise beyond her years and even though she is bite size, she touches other's hearts with her radiant smile and sweet spirit. She is loved and respected by all who know her (like I seriously don't think there's one person on the planet that dislikes her). I got a little teary eyed saying goodbye to Izzy in the airport. I couldn't even go to college in another state because I wanted to be a phone call or car ride away from her. I remember being little and praying every night for a little sister. I promised that I would do everything within my power to love her, take care of her and be an example if I was given a sister. I still take that promise very seriously...but as my Dad says, sometimes you have to let go and let God. I'll just have to pretend like she's on a year and a half long vacation.....

Harborivew

I've been grinding out my shifts at Harborview and having some fun with my co-workers on the side. I recently passed my one year mark of being nurse (kinda surreal). I work at Harborview Medical Center on the Burn ICU and Pediatric Trauma Unit. I started as a nursing assistant during my sophomore year at UW in 2010. I was fortunate to be hired on as a new grad shortly after graduating from UW in 2014...I just can't seem to stay away from "the zoo." People call it that because it can be a little crazy around here. Harborview is the level one trauma center for 5 main states...so one can only imagine the cases we see. Anyhow, I really love the people I work with. They have become my family and have helped nurture me into my profession. I also love the diverse patient population we serve at HMC. I love that I am constantly challenged by patients with multiple acute and chronic diagnoses, from different religions, cultures, demographics, financial backgrounds, etc. It's hard to explain exactly what we do as nurses because we are so much more than just a nurse for our patients and families. There are definitely days when I leave work with tears in my eyes and all I can do is go home and hug my husband wishing there really was more I could do. We see patients at the beginning and end of their life through some of the most heartbreaking and tragic events whether they are fires, motor vehicle crashes, devastating falls, heart attacks, tumors, abscesses, infections, etc. In the end, I always count my blessings and try to remember to be grateful for my health, education, family, faith and ability to work. I can't express enough how rewarding it is to work alongside people who sacrifice so much others. I have always loved that nursing is a team oriented field. I truly have found my passion and am so grateful I get to do what I love. 

 

Battle on Admiral

Jaime and I competed in our first crossfit competition together as a couple. I was pretty nervous because I didn't have a team of 4 with another female competitor to back me up. We did alright! I have to admit it's always nice to know if I crap out Jaime can pick up my slack. He always good at reminding me to slow down and pace because I tend to freak out and go 110% without realizing I have 20 minutes of work. The highlight of the competition was that my parents showed up to cheer us on. They have always been so supportive whether its biddy soccer, school scholarship banquets, choir shows, young women's recognition at church or my now crossfit. I really value their love and support and am so grateful for having parents who make a significant effort to "show up" and be physically present. When I think of the major milestones in my life or moments where it really mattered to look around and see the people that matter most, they have always been there. 

Maraea came to visit

I finally got to link up with Maraea when she was in town. We go back to middle school and every time we see each other we pick up where we left off. She's always been so supportive of my goals and "leaps of faith" and it means a lot to have her in my life. After we stopped by the club to say hi to Osiris and danced for a bit. I'll admit I feel kinda like a granny in the club now a days.

 

 

Family over for dinner

We got to have Jaime's family over for dinner and he cooked the most amazing pork buns. Seriously, he has a talent for cooking. He finds recipes he loves and figures out how to make a healthier version at a pretty good cost too. I'm slowly learning his tips and tricks....but I may just learn extremely slow so he can continue doing most of the cooking. P.s. bad hair day for both of us....

Mariners Game with Duy

We finally made it out to a Mariner game with Duy and his friend. Jaime used to go all the time with his Dad when we was a kid and he said he hopes to continue this tradition with his kids someday. I always tease him that he has all this gear he won't let me donate so it was nice that we finally got to wear it. After we went to this really good restaurant called Super Six in Columbia City.