DesignedToMove.org

As a soon-to-be pediatric nurse and future mother, I can't help but be passionate about the Designed to Move campaign.  For the first time in history, this generation is expected to die five years younger than their parents. Chronic disease is on the rise, obesity is out of control and kids spend more time playing video games than they do being active. It's about time that we make a change.

Parent and caregivers have the responsibility to model and encourage active lifestyles. Watch the video below and click HERE to learn more about the campaign and what you can do to help brake the cycle of inactivity, obesity and chronic disease.

designedtomove.org

bittersweet

I'm not one for bittersweet chocolates... I'm more of a milk chocolate girl. I find myself viewing life with that same perspective. I really like the sweet stuff but I could leave the bitterness.

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Today Ross and I mourn, along with many others, for a beautiful, innocent life that was peacefully taken into eternity with our Heavenly Father. While we are so at peace knowing Natalie is free of pain, our hearts ache for her family as they mourn the loss of such a young life.

Just yesterday, Ross and I attended a prayer gathering for Natalie. We laid hands upon her, kneeled at the cross and shed more than a few tears. How grateful we are for those few precious moments we shared with her and our LORD. We were honored and blessed to have known Natalie and we anxiously await the day when she will greet us at heaven's gates.

Today as the news of her passing sank into our hearts, we dreamt of what it will be like to see Natalie in heaven. Our guess is that she will be in charge of heaven's zoo, looking after all of the animals. She loved animals and she enjoyed pretending to be a baby tiger or puppy. Until that day when we meet Natalie again, Ross and I vow to be even more grateful for each day and to never let the memory of Natalie fade from our hearts.

To learn more about Natalie and her story, you can read her family's blog HERE.

In their post today, Natalie's parents referenced Psalm 16 verses 9-11. I too, find them to be fitting in this time. The book of Psalms has brought much comfort to the family during Natalie's illness.


⁹                          Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; 

my body also will rest secure, 

because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, 

nor will you let your faithful one see decay. 

You make known to me the path of life; 

you will fill me with joy in your presence, 

with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

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An Almost Nurse - Part 2

I began this series back in September and haven't touched it since. As the school year began, I was overwhelmed with the realization that in less than a year I would (hopefully) be a licensed nurse. Now, as I look ahead to next October, I see even more changes to come. If all things go as planned, Ross and I could be married, living in Chicago, both working full time. Talk about growing up.

I like the way that Jess Lively talked about growing up in her post HERE. Below is an excerpt that struck a chord with me...

"While I waited (very) impatiently for this move and the general life transitions I’ve had lately, I now find myself in a completely new life. I thought that I would feel resplendent. Triumphant. Confident. I had designed my life with such great intention that I was able to take the steps needed to craft the life I always imagined. But though the fairy tale came true, the reality is that I am now in uncharted waters... Though I dreamed of this moment in time for the past three months incessantly, I look around myself and say “how did I get here?” I have a lot of growing to do."

I am anxiously awaiting the transitions to adulthood, married life, motherhood, etc. As Jess says, though, these transitions bring us into uncharted waters. We dream, wish and hope for so many years. Then one day we are actually living it and wondering, "How the heck did I get here?" and "What in the world am I supposed to do now?"

As many of my married friends would attest, it's something you muddle through. No number of self-help books or hours spent planning can prepare us for the changes that are to come.

Life is the ultimate example of on-the-job-training.
That's supposed to be the fun part right?

Daily Dose of Inspiration

Ross and I have been dialoging a lot lately about our future goals, ambitions and priorities. We are hoping to realign our perspectives with where God is calling us both as individuals and as a couple. The following images really spoke to me as we continue to discern God's mission for our lives.

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Skype, Smiles and Success

Ross and I had a Skype date this morning. Look how happy we are to see each other!

Smiles & Coffee

We were feeling very grown up because this was a pre-planned Skype date to discuss future-y stuff like goals, finances, academics, etc. We talked for about TWO hours and didn't quite get to everything our discussion list. We plan to finish the convo tonight. We made some HUGE progress and had some majorly effective communication. Growing up is scary/tough stuff but having a partner to go through it all with makes it way more fun.

Happy Wednesday to you all! I'm off to the office and so is Ross.
Wow, we really are adults.