Cousin Pictures in Annapolis

My cousins minus Chris and Reese in Annapolis


Rachel and Nolie


Julie and Steve


Andrew and me


Chris and Cameron


Rachel and me


Kiersten, Cameron, Reese, and Annika

Comings and Goings

Rach, I know you hate the old update blogs on normal mundane life but I feel it's necessary for the Christmas break. SO, you can grin and bear it or you can just check out. Your choice. Here's where you tune out...

Christmas in Waco was very different. We didn't abide by any of our traditions- no cornish game hens, no Christmas decorations, no angel tree, no fudge, no fire while we opened gifts, Chris wasn't Santa on Christmas Eve (we open gifts Christmas Eve and Chris always has to hand out gifts but Adam took on the responsibility this year), we didn't go to the Lowder's or the Hobbs', and we were 30 minutes late to church. I will say the late to church was an accident. Dad was sure it started at 6:30.Oops. It was a good Christmas. Just very different (I feel like I should add the words funky and whimsical here because Mom always uses those three words together).

On the road again. My Mom's mom passed away and we had a funeral for her on December 26th in Annapolis. She died a couple weeks earlier and we planned to have a family only service after Christmas. It was a very good service at my cousins' church. I'm so glad I went and my family did a fabulous job putting it together.

In Annapolis we got to spend quite a bit of time with aunts, uncles, and cousins. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful family. I didn't get to spend the time with them when they were in Waco as I would have liked to. I know I can't be the only to feel that way. You have all your family there for your wedding and you can't spend any time with them because every person you love is there at one time. The joys and woes. Anyway, Annapolis was fabulous. We ate, hung out, talked, drank wine, laughed, and cried. Allie, Anna, Kiersten, and I got pedicures yesterday afternoon too. I was telling my aunt Jenny it is so fun to be with cousins now. There is a much smaller age difference between 20 and 27 than there is between 12 and 19. I love getting to know them and hanging out on a friend level. Again, my family rocks. Every last one of them is fun to be around and I would like them even if we didn't share blood. That says a lot.

Now, here I sit at my computer in my PJs watching reruns of the Real Housewives of Atlanta and wishing I were still there. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Texas

We made it. Adam, Colby, and I are safely in Waco. Yes! The trip was good and fairly uneventful. We left yesterday when I got off work at 7 and drove to Jackson, MS. We stayed at a very nice Residence Inn there (thanks Drew!). I had never stayed and one and they are so nice. Really more like apartments. Awesome.

Colby just totally concs out in the car. He starts sleeping when we leave and basically doesn't wake up until we stop with the occational licking with his AWFUL breath. He just likes to remind us he's there. He's a great car rider. I love having an undistracted Adam all to myself in the car. He can't check fantasy football or watch football or research football. He's just with me. I absolutely love it and maybe even like driving now- well Adam doing the driving. I'm so blessed to truly enjoy my husband.

Rachel and Chris fly in tomorrow morning so we're trying to see who draws the short straw and has to go back to Dallas to get them- sorry Rachel and Chris! It's just really hard to get back in the car. It's wonderful to be home. Mom has been gone basically since Thanksgiving with the deaths of her mom then brother-in-law and chemo of the other brother-in-law and Vail trip. I know she enjoys being so mobile and able to be where she is needed but it's exhausting. All that to say, our house isn't decorated for Christmas yet and she started shopping today. Hopefully I can get some decorating done tomorrow so we at least get somewhat in the Christmas spirit. I feel as though it has snuck up on us through all our travels.

We look forward to the togetherness that will come in the next couple of days. Merry Christmas!

For your viewing enjoyment...

i'm not sure this will work but here goes nothing. barrett hedges, adam's carson-newman friend, is filming. as you can see, i look awful. try to remember we had 14 inches of new snow. so hard to ski and not fall!!!
FYI- "Adam is the Sasquatch looking bundle of arms and legs and Sarah is the cute skier in the prestine white jacket and powder blue helmet!" (Adam's sentence)



barrett: "Nice."
adam: "Here comes the wife."
sarah: "I don't want to be filmed!"
barrett: "I'm sorry. You're doin' good."

Nine o'clock bedtime

Adam and I just enjoyed a fabulous pizza dinner at Pazzo's. Not much better. For sure not in the way of pizza. Today is our last day here before we fly out tomorrow. We brought dad to the airport this morning, watched movies in the afternoon, and snowshoed after that. I took pictures and will share them when we get home. Wonderful vacation day. This is what vacation is all about. It's nine o'clock and I'm headed to bed. I don't know what Vail does to me but my bed just starts whispering my name at about 7:45 then it is full blown "COME TO BED NOW SARAH" by 9:00. Incredible. I absolutely love it! I was asleep by 9:15 yesterday and plan to be very close to that tonight. In Atlanta I can't sleep before about 11:30. It's just so easy here. I wake up refreshed and ready for the day. I would love to take back this early to bed tradition to Atlanta but I just don't know if it will happen. As for tonight, sweet dreams.

Vail

Well, it's been a rough trip. We lost our second family member on my mom's side in less than a month. Vail started as a family vacation with my mom getting in Wednesday, Adam and me on Thursday, Dad on Saturday, Rachel on Sunday, and Chris on Tuesday. Now, Adam and I will be alone tomorrow. I tried to get there but my partner could not cover me and I don't get bereavement for an uncle. Sucks. I think I should get bereavement for whoever I feel I need to go to a funeral for. Major downside to working. Mom and I spent a very long day Saturday planning how everyone was going to get there. At one time we had flights ready and on hold for all 6 of us. As time went on and more and more realism set in, we're sending three. It is going to be 48 degrees below zero tomorrow but my dad is making the trek anyway. He should and he wants to. My uncle was a good man and will be dearly missed. Mom and Rachel are stuck in Minneapolis with my Auntie Emily. Hopefully they will get to Grand Forks tomorrow. The rest of the family has made it safely to the negative degree Drayton, ND. So, we continue to hope and pray Mom, Rachel, and Dad and other people still traveling can get there safely. Dad has to drive from Fargo tomorrow in zero visibility. I told him he needs to have major winter gear in the car. If he gets stranded he could die in not much time at all if he's not properly prepared. All these logisitics to say please pray for my family. It is been a really hard last year or so. We have lost too many too early. I will update on skiing and Vail later. It just doesn't seem appropriate now.

Thor's Thunder 149 Falls to King Friday 172

My day has come. Praise the Lord!!! Fantasy football has come to a devastating end for Adam. I do have to hear about it all night tonight but at least I know there is a finish line to run towards. I thought this day would never come. Alas, I made it. I get my husband back. I no longer have to listen to 10 minute dialogues about how he should have gotten Adrian Peterson and Chris stole him from Drew out from under him and if only he would have started Peyton and not traded him he would win. If only, if only, if only. It's over. I will no longer have to interrupt him with my own story lines from the Hills just so he can get a minor understanding of what I go through. It is finished. It couldn't have come soon enough.

My King- I seriously love this

"That's My King"

The late Dr. S. M. Lockeridge, a pastor from San Diego, California
said these words in a sermon in Detroit in 1976:

My King was born King. The Bible says He's a Seven Way King. He's the King of the Jews - that's an Ethnic King. He's the King of Israel - that's a National King. He's the King of righteousness. He's the King of the ages. He's the King of Heaven. He's the King of glory. He's the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords. Now that's my King.

Well, I wonder if you know Him. Do you know Him? Don't try to mislead me. Do you know my King? David said the Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork. My King is the only one of whom there are no means of measure that can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of the shore of His supplies. No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing.

He's enduringly strong. He's entirely sincere. He's eternally steadfast. He's immortally graceful. He's imperially powerful. He's impartially merciful. That's my King. He's God's Son. He's the sinner's saviour. He's the centerpiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He's honest. He's unique. He's unparalleled. He's unprecedented. He's supreme. He's pre-eminent. He's the grandest idea in literature. He's the highest personality in philosophy. He's the supreme problem in higher criticism. He's the fundamental doctrine of historic theology. He's the carnal necessity of spiritual religion. That's my King.

He's the miracle of the age. He's the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him. He's the only one able to supply all our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak. He's available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He's the Almighty God who guides and keeps all his people. He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharged debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek. That's my King.

Do you know Him? Well, my King is a King of knowledge. He's the wellspring of wisdom. He's the doorway of deliverance. He's the pathway of peace. He's the roadway of righteousness. He's the highway of holiness. He's the gateway of glory. He's the master of the mighty. He's the captain of the conquerors. He's the head of the heroes. He's the leader of the legislatures. He's the overseer of the overcomers. He's the governor of governors. He's the prince of princes. He's the King of kings and He's the Lord of lords. That's my King.

His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you . . . but He's indescribable. That's my King. He's incomprehensible, He's invincible, and He is irresistible.

I'm coming to tell you this, that the heavens of heavens can't contain Him, let alone some man explain Him. You can't get Him out of your mind. You can't get Him off of your hands. You can't outlive Him and you can't live without Him. The Pharisees couldn't stand Him, but they found out they couldn't stop Him. Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him. The witnesses couldn't get their testimonies to agree about Him. Herod couldn't kill Him. Death couldn't handle Him and the grave couldn't hold Him. That's my King.

He always has been and He always will be. I'm talking about the fact that He had no predecessor and He'll have no successor. There's nobody before Him and there'll be nobody after Him. You can't impeach Him and He's not going to resign. That's my King! That's my King!

Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory. Well, all the power belongs to my King. We're around here talking about black power and white power and green power, but in the end all that matters is God's power. Thine is the power. Yeah. And the glory. We try to get prestige and honor and glory for ourselves, but the glory is all His. Yes. Thine is the Kingdom and the power and glory, forever and ever and ever and ever. How long is that? Forever and ever and ever and ever. . . And when you get through with all of the ever's, then . . .Amen!

This is a good reminder for me. I get so wrapped up in Christmas that it's easy to forget the purpose.

A Pharmacist's Guide to Patient Etiquette

This was published in the Pharmacy Times with some editing by me. Seriously, my tech and I kept this list in the pharmacy one day just to see. We almost peed our pants when we read it. These things are sooooo true. I wish they weren't. We fill about 80 prescriptions a day. We had almost 50 tally marks! You would be amazed. Obviously this will not be as funny if you don't know much about pharmacy. If you do know about pharmacy, prepare to nod to everyone stinkin one of these! Sorry it's kind of long...

1. Be sure to stare at the pharmacist while your prescriptions are being filled. Staring at the pharmacist makes him or her work faster.

2. Never remember the name of the medications you are taking. By calling it "the little white pill," you are sure to receive the correct medication.

3. When calling in 8 prescriptions or more, always arrive at the pharmacy to pick them up within 10 minutes of calling. It's okay to hurry pharmacists. If they make a mistake, it won't kill you or anything.

4. Feel free to ask the pharmacy staff for the exact price of your prescription before it is filled. The staff should know every co-pay for every insurance plan.

6. Be sure to get upset about the co-pay. The co-pay is set on the whim of the pharmacist and has nothing to do with your insurance company [and the plan you chose to buy --Sarah].

9. Upon calling in a refill for a maintenance medication without refills, always question why the doctor has to be called when you've taken the medication for years. It is only a myth that prescription medications have to be ordered by medical doctors.

10. Always question why the insurance company does not want you to get your Synthroid 10 days too soon. After all, you pay $5 for it, so it's not like it costs more than that.

11. Over-the-counter displays are put there in order to entertain your children. Please encourage them to play with any item and even open one or two.

12. Make sure you save all of your old insurance cards. One of pharmacists' favorite games is to guess which one is current.

13. When you call in a prescription, just say, "I need to get my [name of drug] refilled." You can be sure the pharmacist will recognize your voice and know your prescription number by heart.

14. Pharmacists are some of the few people whose ears work independently. So when you see a pharmacist on the phone, feel free to just start talking -- his free ear will hear everything.

15. The pharmacist is the only person in the store is really capable of writing down your refill numbers, so when you call, demand to speak only to the pharmacist.

16. Try to do all your pharmacy business on a Monday. The pharmacist will appreciate it.

17. When walking up to the counter, just say, "Can I pick up my prescription?" Guessing who you are is another pharmacist game.

18. When there are several people ahead of you near the pick-up counter, always stand right at it [and even put your groceries down on it --]. The pharmacist will then know how important you are and fill your Rx first, and, if not, you can listen to juicy patient-pharmacist conversations.

19. If you are not asked for your insurance card, it means that the pharmacist wants to fill your prescription and then, after you are told how much it is, you can shout, "I have insurance." The pharmacist will love to do it over.

20. When you need a really old prescription filled, tell the pharmacist that you have a standing order for it. This works especially well if the doctor who wrote it is dead.

21. When you get a new insurance card, make sure you keep it a secret. The pharmacist would rather phone your old company to find out why your Rx claim is being rejected.

23. When you order your prescription refills and the pharmacist asks which ones, respond by saying, "All of them." He will know.

25. when asking for a refill on a pain medication, make sure you wait until the last one is gone and then try to call late on a Friday afternoon. It will be easy for the pharmacist to get in touch with the doctor to get a new Rx.

[26. If you are going on vacation, do not plan ahead for having your medications while you are away. Wait until the day before or even the morning of your departure before trying to order your refills. The pharmacy staff love going through the insurance run-around of seeking a vacation-supply override. This is doubly fantastic if your Rx is out of refills as well. Be sure to get frantic at these obstacles, because it's entirely the fault of the pharmacy staff for not foreseeing your vacation and planning ahead for you. Sarah]

My own added:

27. Always tell the pharmacist why you need your control early for the third week in a row. She will believe the dog ate it again, 3rd sister in three weeks has committed suicide, you have an emergency trip that you happen to be on the day I tell you it can be filled, your insurance won't cover it this month so don't even try, and you accidentally flushed it. Seriously, you wouldn’t believe some of the stories. If you are trying to get more drugs that you should never say anything. Too much talking makes me suspicious. If it's forged or multiple control from multiple doctors the patients always talk way too much and have way too many stories. That's the way it is. I always know.

28. Be sure to tell me the amoxicillin is free because I may not remember if you don’t.

29. Please, bring 35 groceries to check out with your free antibiotic.

Now, I expect you all to be better pharmacy customers.