Oktoberfest '09

I LOVE the fall! I do! It is my favorite time of the year. I love pulling out winter clothes and getting to wear hats, scarves, gloves, boots, sweaters and coats! I love autumn colors and the changing of the leaves! I love pumpkins and scarecrows -- I love the decor and the smell of hay! I love it all! And not to mention, all the fun family adventures that come around this time of year!

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Well, we enjoyed our first fall adventure on Sunday afternoon. We finally took a break from the craziness of this move and headed to Lebanon for Oktoberfest. This has turned out to be an annual tradition for us, and I really do love it! Zachary had a great time playing in the kiddo area - and Eli slept most the afternoon! I walked around and visited all the craft booths and Nathan got some of that smoked bbq that he loves so much. It was great!

Our Little Family Picture
The Barnes Boys

I know, they are adorable!

Fun on the Slides...

We've got more adventures planned in the upcoming weeks -- so check back for more updates. Plus - I'll finally get some pics up here of the new place! Love to you all!

Sacred Work

As I was packing up my scrapbooking room today - I came across a book that I had to read during my senior year of nursing school. In this book is a paragraph that I quoted in my presidential speech at graduation. But in reading it today, it once again reminded me of the main reason that chose nursing as a career - to care for others. You can read the rest of my speech here, but below is the paragraph I am referring to. I comes from the book Sacred Work by Erie Chapman.

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“In charitable care giving, your “boss” is the person you serve. The people you serve, by the way, are not customers. They don’t come in to buy a shirt or dress, they come to you in deep need. They have cancer, or heart disease, or have come for your help in delivering a baby. They are the raped, the abused, the homeless, the ignored. They are you mothers and brothers and sisters and children. They come to you because they are suffering in body and soul, and they are calling out to you for help. They are the voice of humanity in distress. They are not asking you to fill their shopping bags but to tend to the cry of their hearts. They need service far beyond customer-focused politeness. They need loving service from people who see their work as sacred.”

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I pray that I never lose sight of that...

Very Quick Update...

Long time, no post!! I think three weeks is my new record! Well, there has been so much going on in the Barnes household that I haven't really had time to do anything! So here are some quick updates...
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On the Family -- We are all doing great! I've been sick the past two weeks -- don't worry, its not the flu! I went to the doctor on Friday after being sick for a week - but it turned out only to be a respiratory infection, tonsillitis and an ear infection all at the same time! Yuck! But, I'm starting to feel better...little by little. :)
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Okay, the new house... Moving day is getting closer and I am up to my ears with boxes!! The "building" part of the house is no where close to being done -- so Zachary and Eli get to share a room for a while. But we will get there -- This all just happened so fast! But we are very thankful because we know that it was a blessing from God that we sold the house that fast! So no complaints here! I did finally buy a new camera, and I love it!! So maybe I'll get some updated pics on here pretty soon.
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Zachary...he is just the best little man there is! There really isn't anything new to tell about him; he is just being himself. He is super excited about Halloween -- I won't ruin the surprise and tell about his costume, yet! :) He is still hilarious with some of his comments...I swear that he isn't really four...I think he is already an adult! :) I'll quote you a few...
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In regards to me teasing him about his costume not coming in the mail until AFTER Halloween...What are we gonna do then?? He responds...
"Mommy, we don't need to have that 'combersatune' right now. We will talk about that one later."
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In regards to a mouse in the house...I know, gross. He said: "Mommy I know that boys are supposed to help girls with this kind of stuff, but I ain't coming near that thing! Daddy can do it when he gets home!"
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Love me some Zachary!
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Eli...now where to start with that one! :) He will be six months old next week! He is trying to sit up, but he is still a little lazy when it comes to holding his head up for long periods of time, so he hasn't mastered the balance thing yet. He doesn't really like baby food -- in fact, it makes him MAD when you try to give it to him! He wants the bottle and that's all! He still hasn't found his thumb, so I think he will be a "binky baby" which should make it easier to break the habit later! He is absolutely adorable -- even though he still cries A LOT! :) He has the best little smile and dimples that I've ever seen -- and Nathan and I couldn't be prouder!

Wendi & Brian

Wendi & Brian

October 3, 2009

Wendi, one of my closest and dearest friends got married on October 3rd! Congrats girl! Zachary and I were both asked to be in the wedding, which was very sweet. Zachary did WONDERFUL and I was so proud of him! He has been the ring-bearer in weddings before, but I am always very thankful to get through it without a big show! You never know with a four year old little boy!! :)

Unfortunately for me, I got a "bug" from work on Thursday night and woke up feeling awful on Friday. I slept most of the day on Saturday and got up to head out to the wedding around one. And while I am still getting over it all, I am very thankful that I could make it to the wedding! Running a fever and all! :)

Nathan came too -- with Eli in tow. And to our surprise, Eli didn't cry during the ceremony! Thank God! That child can pitch some fits, let me tell you! :) But somehow, he remained happy for the whole hour!

Anyway - due to my feeling awful at the time, I didn't get many pics - in fact, Zachary took the majority of them! But I thought that I would post what I do have. I'll post some updated pics of the boys next, but for now...here are the wedding pictures!

Our Boys...
The cake was beautiful -- and very tasty!

The flowers were beautiful too!

Zachary and his "Aunt Wendi"

The Bride and Groom