Traditions

Since we have moved to Illinois I have felt like we have just spent our time getting used to being here and adjusting to everything new. We haven't had many traditions for just the two of us for things like birthdays and holidays. I decided a few weeks ago that I wanted to start some traditions. Last year I also worked the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving so this year Brett again cooked a big meal while I slept :) I think I like that tradition :) We also went out and braved a few shopping places Thursday night. We really didn't have anything that we wanted to get that was majorly on sale. We mostly just wanted to see the craziness of people. Not sure we'll keep that as part of a tradition though. We didn't go to bed until 5 am on Friday. One thing we decided on was going and picking out a Christmas tree and decorating it on the day after Thanksgiving. We had gotten a coupon in the mail for a tree nursery here in town so Friday afternoon we went and checked it out. We picked out this cute little Scotch Pine tree. Brett kept looking at the really big ones and I kept saying, it is too big! I think we are both happy with the way it looks in the living room. It could be a little taller maybe - but the taller ones are also bigger around. Every time I look at it I think that it is a fake tree it just looks so perfect. Definitely a tradition I believe we will keep.

Tonight we are wrapping presents (taking a break currently) while we watch The Princess Bride. Such a great movie with great lines. Also a tradition we will be keeping. I want to have traditions that are ours so if we have kids some day that we can continue those traditions with them. I have 4 more weeks of work left (12 shifts) before we go back to Iowa! Looking forward to seeing family and friends again.

The past couple weeks work has been going quite well. I really enjoy the nurses I work with at night. Everyone is so quick to help out and I know if I need it they will take care of my patients in the same way I would. It has been good to have a few good night shifts to make up for the not so good ones that pop up.

And with that: I'll end with a few pictures before I go eat some leftover cherry pie.

Note: sweatpants and sweatshirt make me look larger than I actually am :) hehehe. Brett insisted on having a picture with me in it - so that's what we got.