This year is the year that I will keep my resolutions!
This year was the first year that Gage took interest to participate in making Christmas cookies.
Gage did a great job helping with the cookie cutters and frosting the cookies
There are a lot of qualities that I admire about my mom and want to be just like her, however there is one thing I was hoping to not inherit from her... the fact that she's burns EVERYTHING she cooks (ok not everything, but the majority). I unfortunately burned up a batch of cookies, I learned from the best! My mommy!
SO I got the privilege to observe two surgeries this week! A total knee replacement and a total hip replacement both done by the best orthopedic surgeon (evidenced by the way his patients respond and recover). During the knee surgery I didn't get to stand as close as there was bone flying through the air and too many people helping. A total joint surgery remindes me of watching my dad work in his wood shop: drills, saws, screws, metal etc...But for the hip surgery I got to stand within 2 feet of the table. The surgeon talked me through the whole surgery and even had me stand on a stool to ensure I could see better. I still couldn't see everything because it was a minimally invasive surgery with about a 4 inch incision but to see the whole process was awesome! I thought I wouldn't be able to handle it but I actually loved it! I actually got to see those two patients later in the day for their physical therapy evaluations and treatments, talk about an awesome day! 
Until I get to see two of my very best friends! Out of all the pictures we have taken together, this is still my favorite! I guess because it captures us perfectly! I have known Jenny and Melissa for a little over 11 years and have become even closer over the past 4. A patient I worked with today during my internship lost 4 of his best friends in ONE week, which made me think how devastated I would be to lose any of my best friends. I am truly blessed to have such amazing life long friends in my life!
The purpose of reminding me why I am working so hard everyday, to one day own a home. I bought this little tree hoping to re-plant it in a bigger pot and then one day re-plant it into my very own backyard. It has the potential to grow to 40-80ft tall. I have never been a good plant owner, every time I have attempted to get a plant it has died. I don't know if I tend to over water or not water at all!? But I am as determined to keep this tree alive as I am to one day own a home, which means it will happen! Any tips on keeping this cute little tree alive are greatly appreciated!
During a phone conversation the day before Thanksgiving with this little cutie pie above, I asked him:
