Things I haven't shared...

Happy Halloween, Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year

from the Winburns (the never blogging family!!!!)

Well, the time has come again for my quarterly update. Haha. That is what it feels like every time that I glance at this blog, at least! Honestly, I would update a lot more if it were easier to put pictures up. However, it is not...and I just need to get over it!

The biggest news is probably my job change. I have left babies for eyes. Weird, I know, but I just had to take a look at my priorities. Ultimately, I am so passionate about working with babies and mamas, but I just could not do the night shift hours anymore. Two years was just too much. I felt myself frustrated, physically hurting, and overall...tired...ALL the TIME! I don't wish those feelings upon my worst enemy, because it's awful.

I am now working at an eye surgery center, Monday thru Friday wish normal people hours. I go in anywhere from 0630-0730, and leave usually by 3-4pm. It's amazing! No nights, no weekends, no holidays...did I mention no 12 hour consecutive night shifts?? Woo hoo! Praise God that He saw fit to relieve me of my hospital nursing! I am so happy to be home with Andrew every night, even though it feels like we're learning how to be married all over again. We've been stepping around night shifts for too long, and it's so nice to have a normal life, really for the first time since we married. I'm so thankful!

In other news, we have a new niece--Sally Ruth Turner, born on December 28th. She is an angel and makes the 6th grandchild for Andrew's parents...and the 4th girl! We were able to spend some time with the Turners today for the bowl game, and I will say that holding Sally Ruth makes me miss little babies even more. She is healthy and happy, and we're thrilled to welcome her to the family.

In other family news, Sara Lynn (Andrew's youngest sister) will begin seminary at Southwestern in Texas this January! It's a huge move for her (and Andrew's mom, I'm sure), but I know she'll have fun out there. Hope she brings her cowboy boots! Andrew's oldest sister, Lara Beth, husband, Jay, Molly, Ellie and Caroline will be moving to Rock Hill soon as Jay takes over as lead pastor of North Rock Hill church. We are excited for them as they take on a new endeavor. A little over one year ago, all of Andrew's siblings were here in Columbia. Now, all except Andrew will have moved away, with Emily Ann and Philip being the closest in Wagener. To say that things will be different around here is an understatement. Cookie (Andrew's mom) loves her family so much, and I know she'll miss having everyone around. We'll miss them, too! If you live near your family, appreciate time spent with them. It won't always be that way!

Maya is 10 months old, and as precious as ever. She has become extremely obsessed with her blue frisbee. We even got her another one for Christmas, since she in on her way to destroying the first one. She literally sleeps with her frisbee. It is the first thing she looks for in the morning, and her one focus is making sure that you throw it for her to fetch. I cannot believe how we have become such fools for this dog. We are even letting her sleep inside (in her crate) on really cold nights. Yes, I know...I said I'd never do that...but I have. We are currently debating on breeding her, although we have some time. Maya has such a sweet nature, and besides natural puppy-isms, she is an unbelievably wonderful dog. She loves to go hunting, swimming, and has already mastered several difficult commands/concepts. Yes, I'm bragging....but I'm serious. She's too sweet. I just get sad at the thought of losing her one day :-( , so the next thing would be to have one of her pups when she's gone. Yes, I think ahead like this!

Ok, enough blogging for now. Until next time!