March 2015

Looking back, winter/early spring 2015 was kind of rough. It was Lent, and definitely felt like a penitential season! In March of 2015, I was on wards, which was hard to have back-to-back with my February PICU month. However, at least the kids weren't as sick as in the PICU, and I got to work with some great attending physicians. Even though the hours were long (6:30 am to 7/7:30 pm), I still enjoyed it. Aaron was on ICU Nights, which is a stressful month. They don't have attending physicians on at night, so Aaron was running the ICU, which is a lot of responsibility. He learned a lot and enjoyed it well enough, though. We hated being on opposite schedules - we were like ships in the night. It wasn't an easy month.

Julia adjusted to life in a back brace in March. We were in awe of how adaptable and brave she was throughout the process. Julia's sunny disposition and eternal zest for life really motivated us and filled us up when we were weary.

Fun times at the park with Daddy.

Julia makes friends wherever she goes!

Epic Frozen hat from her Gee Mary!

Adorable and hilarious class picture!

At the library!

On a rare day off all together, we visited the new botanical garden. The state extension service brought out all kinds of fun insects for us to explore. 

What life would be like with a compound eye ;-)

Maggot art!

Sarah was a big winner at the spring art show!

Award winner!

Aaron took Julia to an Easter egg hunt at a local park one day that I was working.

February 2015 Photos

I already wrote about February 2015. As I said in my prior post, Aaron was on teaching service, which has ridiculously long hours, especially in the wintertime. We missed him and often didn't see him until late, late at night. I was on PICU, which was hard in so many ways. There are long call shifts that last ~30 hours (6 am to 12 pm), which is physically, mentally, and emotionally draining. In the PICU, some of the kids are so, so sick, and it's sad to see them suffering and the pain their family endures. Julia got sick at the end of January with the flu, and honestly spent the rest of the month gaining back her strength and energy. We also had the stress of learning the severity of her scoliosis and the start of her months in a Boston brace. And, worst of all, one of my fellow residents, a good friend of mine, died unexpectedly. To put it mildly, February 2015 was full of heartbreak and stress, illness and despair. But, you know what? God is good. Even in our darkest times, He is a light. He gives us each other to have and to hold. He gives us times of laughter and affection. He makes His presence known.

Here are some of the photos from February 2015. May they serve as a testament to the presence of Christ even in the midst of pain and suffering.

From the end of January - Julia's visit to pre-op prior to her MRI with anesthesia. She was so brave and good!

Waiting for her MRI. Such a trooper. 

A rare smile from my sick baby during her long illness. 

One evening between fevers, I took Julia to the school park in our neighborhood for some fresh air on an unusually warm day in January.  

Kids are so resilient.

My dad came to bring the little patient some ice cream. She hardly ate any... which is super unusual for her (she is Aaron's daughter, after all!). 

I found some flower Aaron's mom sent me in Julia's room one evening... she took them for her own! 

Finally feeling better! Playing Barbies on February 8th. 

We went out one day to play with silly string. We needed some silly times that month!

A glorious day off for both Aaron and me. We took Julia to the family free day at the local art museum. This was definitely a highlight of the month. 

These two. <3 

My little Valentine, proud of her Valentine. 

Praise God for sunshine.

Aaron's family came to visit one weekend, which was a nice lift to our spirits. 

Fooling around at a Mexican restaurant. 

The cousins always wanted to be sitting on the same lap! :-)

Chocolate taste testing one evening with friends. Delicious. 

Such love and affection <3 

Silly goose!

Fun times at the movies with Papa and Gee! We went to see Paddington Bear, which was really great. 

Enjoying some time at one of our favorite parks!

I am so blessed to be this girl's mama. What would I do without her? Such a ray of sunshine and goodness in my life.

My view from the PICU one day as it started snowing!

Lacy lady!

My awesome PICU team with the mail my teammate's mom sent us. 

We were all so tickled!

Before the tears started... this was when Julia got her brace. She was so brave throughout the whole ordeal. 

Enjoying some brace-free time in the snow the weekend Julia got her brace.

These two always have such fun!

Trying to get me!

Pure joy.

Get that hood up, girl!

Our attempts at using the lid of the sandbox for a sled were largely unsuccessful... haha!