My Last Day at Work

As I drove home from the hospital yesterday, I couldn't help but say a thank you prayer out loud to my Heavenly Father for blessing me with such a wonderful job these past two years and 3 months. We are so sad to say goodbye to the glowing benefits package that comes with working for Intermountain Healthcare, especially our health insurance. 

(And for the record, I strongly believe if every health insurance was smart enough to do a Health Savings Account the way that IHC/Select Health does, where the company matches the employee at 57.50 per paycheck, our nation wouldn't be in trillions of dollars of debt and our healthcare system would be drastically improved.) But moving on... 

Outpatient Neuro Trauma Rehab at UVRMC

I am just filled with so much gratitude, and also a bit of sadness as I say goodbye to dear friends and patients. I have learned so much, and I love serving people through healthcare. 

Shane, my supervisor, has been a privilege to work with. He has a gift for working with people from all walks of life. Shane works with those who have had something extremely traumatic happen to their brains or bodies. It has been such an honor to work with him and to assist these broken patients, both literally and figuratively, and their families. 

Our patients adore Shane and light up whenever they do physical therapy with him.
Babies light up around him too, so of course Amberly is one of his many fans.

This man is excited to be a grandpa some day!

The hospital was my home when Jon was slaving away at the J. Reuben Clark.

Shawna and Angie have also become dear friends. (She named Amberly "Handstand" when I was a few weeks preggo. For further info, you'll have to look up the blog post that announced my pregnancy last year :)

Shane even taught me how to play soccer (well, okay I'm still pretty awful but there has been some improvement in the area!)

Our numbers were few on my last day, but we still got a quick pic for old times sake.

Rach with her "coaches" - normally Katie plays so I'm not the only girl out there.

I feel I'm at the brink of tears as I end the Provo chapter of my life and move back to Salt Lake County. I'm not even leaving the state but my entire network is about to change. Just embrace it, right?

Provo, I adore you!

Wrapping it up at the Brigham Young

Jonathan and I attended the Saturday morning session of General Conference, as is our tradition. We attended the law school reception in between for the last time as student and wife!

Now if we want to go in the future, we'll have to actually pay our way. The assumption there is that the lawyer has a good job by then, which is still pending...but we have faith things will work out.

We really lucked out with our tickets this time! (Yup, I still just ask for extras from nice peeps once Jonathan drops me off near the doors. If you aren't shy, it works every.single.time.) 

 

One week later, I had an excuse to get dolled up again!

Nope, I am not patient enough to do that, but my friend Kristin is!

Jon and I love love love the BYU Alumni Traditions Ball and have gone for the past 3 years.

This time we invited some special guests, all of which are or will soon be BYU Alumni.

I will miss living 5 minutes away from my sis. Isn't she beautiful?

And low and behold, guess who was there?

Dwight Gibb!

AKA - the reason Jonathan and I met each other in 2009 so yeah..

we were pretty excited!

And I put my dancing shoes on

And felt like a carefree girl again for just a few short hours.

Jon graduates from law school next week!

Cinco Meses

Our Little Miss turned 5 months old on Sunday!

 Oh my heavens you are too cute for your own good.

Amberly Faith, at 5 months you weigh 16 lbs 3 oz and you are happier than ever.

Sometimes that charming smile reminds me of the little dragon "Toothless" from How to Train Your Dragon.

You never cease to recapture Mom and Dad's hearts.

You are still Little Ms. Expressive. 

One minute you'll be giggling at anything and anyone, and the next minute you're shaking your fists and throwing a little baby tantrum because you're too tired, hungry, or just uncomfortable. You can't stand a dirty diaper and luckily for us, you're quite vocal concerning the matter.

Mama loves the puffy sleeves. 

Your current nicknames are

"Little Lady Lou"

"Tantrum" 

"Toothless" 

"Goose" 

and always "Little Bestie"

We wonder if your teething adventures are just around the corner, because you are a little drool queen these days.

Just look how adorable you are. I can't get enough snuggles.

And because you are growing much too fast for your mama's heart, I am making a habit of taking daily 4pm naps with you. Best part of my day I think. I'm always exhausted by that hour of the day anyway, I might as well enjoy sweet slumbers with you while you're so young and squishy!

Squishy squishy squishy face

Speaking of sleep, it is still a pretty big deal to you. And you still rock at sleeping through the night.

I do have to get creative with putting you down for your nap sometimes. You are one smart little person and occasionally you throw a fit once you realize nap time is approaching ("Come here, Little Tantrum"). I often have to trick you by holding you different ways and encouraging you to take your paci so you can relax. You love your soft minky blanket and I can calm you down by rubbing it on your face. Just trust your mama, Baby Girl. It is pretty obvious when you're tired and you are always such a happy girl after your naps.

A few Sundays ago, you woke up to a whole lot of DITTOS and you were totally confused! ha ha

"What are all you people doing in my room?"

Daddy says one of his favorite things of LIFE is going to get you from your crib in the mornings. It's true, Little Lou. You are ALL SMILES and it is the sweetest thing ever. Standstill moments.

Everybody loves the Baby Girl. 

You were so funny this day. Either you were totally overwhelmed or just stubborn, but we could hardly get any smiles out of you! Grandpa Ditto was doubtful about all the smiling photos we have sent of you. He needed to witness it for himself! (It's that whole lawyer thing, wanting proof I guess)

You have done lots of fun things this past month. You got to play with Caroline, Jackson, Hannah, Lydia, and Ezra.

 

You adored Hannah's walker, by the way. We'll get you one of these as soon as we move Love

 

 You also played with (more like, sat and analyzed intently...) happy happy Rolan. I work with Rolan's mom, Shawna, at the hospital and she's been a dear friend to me this past year. She gives me all sorts of awesome mommy tips.

You also watched (at least a portion of) the movie Frozen with Mama.

Your muffin top is a billion times cuter than mine!

 

 You even came with Mama to watch the angel Moroni be placed on the Provo City Temple! We experienced a little piece of church history together.

And you tested out Greg and Maria's bumbo seat.

Another thorough analysis, this time of Mr. Greg Tucker

We also enjoyed having our daughter with us for our first General Conference weekend. Aunty Mary got some quality giggles out of you and took care of you while we went to the Saturday morning session.

Aunt Mary and Uncle Josh call you "Bamberly"

Every day I am overcome, Little Girl.
You are such a miracle and such a blessing in our lives.
Thank you for being part of our family, for nearly half of a year already.
I love you with all my heart, Amberly Faith.