BOOMER SOONER!

thanks.

I'll be stuck in the ER from 8a-8p on Thanksgiving day and Friday. Not much fun. But, up until this point, being in residency really hasn't affected my life outside of the hospital. I've yet to miss a birthday party, wedding/baby shower, or anything else I've wanted to do. So, I guess I can't complain.

Heath and I celebrated Thanksgiving tonight with a trip to Texas Roadhouse.


After gorging ourselves with soft, buttery rolls, we stopped by Sam's. We walked out with Guitar Hero :)

my dog is not possessed.

It's been a rough year - that goes without being said. But I do have so much to be thankful for. A good friend of mine (M) and I were emailing today about how the holidays are so difficult when you're suffering a loss (of something you've had or have yet to have). The last week has been tough for us both, with several acquaintances announcing pregnancies. M's sweet husband, B, reminded her that while it seems like these people have everything - they really don't. They have the one thing that we want, but we are so blessed in so many other ways. We made a promise to each other to focus on our many blessings tomorrow. I decided to start tonight.

01. My handsome, hard-working, stubborn husband. He has been my rock. I don't know why God chose me to be his wife, but I am so glad that he did. I couldn't imagine having more fun with anyone else.

02. My family. I have the most amazing parents, sister and in-laws I could ever ask for.

03. Our beautiful new house. I know it wasn't quite what I wanted, but we are blessed beyond belief to have this roof over our head.

04. My job. I have worked all my life to be doing what I'm doing right now. I know with every ounce of me that I'm doing what I was called to do. I work my butt off and don't get paid nearly enough for it, but I couldn't be happier.

This list will continue later. For now, I'll sign off - my husband is challenging me to a guitar hero face off. Bring it on!

what happens in Vegas, ends up on my blog.

Vegas was too much fun. I thought 3 nights would be enough, but I certainly didn't want to leave.

We really didn't take very many pictures while we were there. We arrived Monday and headed straight for our favorite place on the strip, Diablo's. Next time you go to Vegas, you must check it out. Fantastic mexican food, amazing margaritas/sangria and a hoppin' happy hour. They'll even let you stand on the bar to spin their Wheel 'o Drinks every 30 minutes for the happy hour special!

please excuse my post-flying look.

Next stop, Coyote Ugly for some giant boots of margarita - it's how all Okie's drink their 'ritas.


We spent all day Tuesday walking the strip, checking our Fremont Street and grabbing drinks in all the casinos along the way. Heath and I got all fancied up and went out for dinner and drinks that evening. We met up with my parents at a piano bar later. No pics were taken that night. We left the camera in room in an attempt to prevent me from losing/breaking yet another camera.

Speaking of, here is our room at MGM Grand. I was pretty impressed. Especially for a whopping $67 a night! Can't beat that deal with a stick!


We decided to take it easy Wednesday. Which is exactly what I did. By the pool.

Ah. Perfection.

Wednesday evening we went and saw Mystere. It was pretty incredible. On our last Vegas adventure, we saw Zumanity - the 'sensual side of cirque du soleil'. I don't recommend it, unless you're into watching soft porn with a roomful of strangers. Mystere, on the other hand, was quite suitable to watch with the parentals.


After the show, we hit up Diablo's for a second time. Fajitas and beer - what a way to end the night.

We flew out Thursday afternoon. We had just enough time to drop some cash on the Roulette tables before heading out.


I'm ready to go back tomorrow. Any takers?

Make this now.

I found a recipe in a magazine at work and decided to give it a try for dinner. It was super easy and really good! You should try it too. Doctor's orders.

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Thick and chunky salsa 1 1/2 cups, divided
6 inch Tortillas (recipe calls for corn, I used flour) 4
Diced onion 1/3 cup
1 15 oz. can black beans drained, rinsed
chicken 1 cup, cooked a chopped (I baked mine in the oven and then shredded it)
Sour cream 1 cup
Mexican blend shredded cheese 1 cup

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Pour 1/2 cup salsa in bottom of 9x9 inch square cooking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
3. Tear tortillas in half, and use four pieces to cover bottom of dish.
4. In bowl, combine 1 cup salsa, onion, black beans and chicken. Spoon half of mixture over tortillas.
5. Top with half of the sour cream and then half of the cheese.
6. Continue layering with remaining tortilla halves, chicken mixture, sour cream and cheese.
7. Cover with foil and bake 35 minutes until bubbly. Remove foil and bake for 5 more minutes

Later, gators.

I'm packed up. The dogs have been dropped off at a friend's. And, I've got Breaking Dawn in my purse. And I'm feelin' lucky.

I'm ready to go.

See you guys in a few days!

Packin' and trying to be still.

Did I forget to mention that I'll be viva'ing it up in Vegas in 7 days with the Husband and my parents?

While I'm super pumped about our little vacay, it's also bitter sweet.

You see, if our most recent adoption would have worked out, I still would have taken a week's worth of vacation. But, instead of partyin' it up in the city 'o sin, we would be roadtrippin' it to my sister's in San Antonio so she could meet her new neice.

I love Vegas, but you can see why I wish I wasn't going.

In other news, please say a little prayer for a new prospect that is brewing (not another private adoption...that ship has sailed for now). I don't want to say much more about it because I'm not anywhere near believing that it will work out, but a lot of prayer never hurts. God never fails to surprise me though. I should know by now that He never leaves my side. Right when I start to feel hopeless again, He has a perfect way of showing me that He hasn't forgotten about us and He can do anything. I find myself feeling discouraged that I cannot predict where or when a baby will come into our lives. Then, God shows me that it doesn't have to be something I can predict. It could come from anywhere! A good friend of my mom's got me a plaque recently that reads "Be still and know that I am God - Psalms 46:10". It sounds so simple, but I constantly need to be reminded of that.

I've been bitten.

I too have fallen prey to the Cullen's. I resisted the urge to pick up Twilight as long as I could, but post after post on my Google Reader raved about this series chronicling a vampire love story. Sounds ridiculous, right? Trust me, people aren't lying when they say you will become obsessed with finishing these books, find yourself crushing on a teenage vampire, and using the word "vampire" in your daily life.

I am completely worthless lately. I have two weeks of shows on my DVR to catch up on (not that that qualifies me as being worthless). I work, I eat, and then I snuggle up in bed with my favorite vampire. I'm off to Target to pick up New Moon right now.

Pick up Twilight and I dare you not to finish it wanting more.

halloween

Representin' the blue collar workers of America: a garbage man and a grease monkey. (We had to dress up as something that started with "G" for the party we went to)

Me and G.I. Jane

The jello shots that lead to my demise.

tagged.

I've been tagged again - twice. And, since we're enjoying a lazy Saturday evening at home, I figured I would knock 'em out. First, the lovely Freckles Chick tagged me to tell 7 random things about myself. Secondly, the fabulous Canridings tagged me with the Honestly Weblog award to tell 10 honest things about myself. I'll just go with 10 things, because it's late and I'm tired and surely cannot think of 17 things to tell you without boring you to tears.

Here we go.

1. I met my husband in a bar. And, I actually hit on him first. I spotted him about a week prior at a Math and Science awards banquet (yes, I'm a nerd) and thought he was the hottest little thing I'd ever seen. The next week, feeling brave with a few beers in my belly, I approached him. The rest, as they say, is history.

2. I shower at least twice a day. I wash my hair that much too. I know, it's bad for my hair, but I have to have "fresh" hair for the evening.

3. Not proud of this one (we're being honest, right?), I've puked in my husband's truck 3 times now. The last time being last night. Picture me, stumbling into the house, and him in the driveway hosing out his truck at 2 a.m. He loves me, he really loves me.

4. This has probably been the hardest year of my life. Between all of the house drama and fertility struggles, I have easily cried more this year than all other years combined. But, I wouldn't trade it for the world. I've learned more about myself, my husband and my God this year as well.

5. For the same reasons above, this has also been one of the best years of my life.

6. I'm horrible at remembering birthdays. There are about 4 people in my life who's birthdays I actually know. I wish I was better at it. I'd love to be that person who sends cards to everyone on their day 'o birth, but I just can't do it.

7. I'm happiest when I'm in the hospital, working 75 hours a week. I'd take that over sitting in clinic from 9-5 any day.

8. I don't want to admit this to my husband, but he's turned me into a football fan. These last few weeks we've sat at a sports bar, shared appetizers and watched a good game. I love getting to share one of his greatest passions with him.

9. I am extremely jealous of people who are pregnant. I think my reactions seem genuine when I find out a friend is expecting, but most of it is superficial. I don't know that I'll be able to truly be happy for someone until I am able to experience as well. I hate that.

10. I could probably sleep all day, every day now that I'm working. I have an excuse, though. I do wake up at 4:30 a.m. most days. But, I could easily go to bed right when I walk in the door at the end of the day if it weren't for having to eat and spend time with the husband.

**If you're still with me, I was the winner of a recent Pass It On contest, from my freckley friend. So, I'll be out looking for goodies tomorrow and having a drawing of my own in the next week!**

And, before I forget, I guess I need to tag some folks as well. But, doing this took me a lot longer than I planned (it's hard to come up with random things about yourself!) so if you are reading this, I'm tagging YOU! Leave a comment and let me know you did it.