happy times

I just shooed my puppy outside for catching her playing in her water bowel for the third time today. She splashes by putting her two front paws in the water until all the water in on the floor. She is really so funny. Her favorite spot to nap is on the downstairs bathroom floor. Once she is done playing outside, she comes in, gets a drink of water, then trots downstairs and flops down on the bathroom rug. I don't know why, she just likes it down there, even if she is all alone.
It is actually very nice to be around such joy. While i love my work, trauma does begin to wear on me. I see many terrible things on trauma and watch more than my share of people, especially young people die.

On a brighter note, Chris has been assigned to a National Guard Unit here in Grand Rapids. He was given a position in the Mechanized Infantry Unit and is actually drilling as I write. He will be the second highest ranking person in the platoon, which is perfect since he is such a great leader.

The beginnings of fall have come and the leaves are starting to change color. The temperature has been just a bit cooler but still nice and forecast predicts that it will drop into the 50s soon. I am excited for the change in the weather and the fall colors and harvest. I have heard there are orchards around Grand Rapids and you can go pick your own apples, how fun.

The Surgeon and the Psychiatrist

(this one is for you Rachel :)

I hate propagate stereotypes however this was a call i made this morning and afterward i had to laugh. Granted i was post-call after a 30 hour shift and had no ride home. still, no excuse. I reprimand myself!

Surgeon: Dr. Psychiatrist, i have a consult for you. She is a 13 y.o. girl who was involved in an MVA in which her uncle was killed and she sustained pelvic fractures. She is a sweet girl who is morbidly obese and has a history of depression and self-cutting. I am concerned that her grief and trauma will put her at risk for this behavior again.

Psychiatrist: wow that will be tough

Surgeon: yeah sorry (me being the sleep deprived, selfish, overworked person i am assumed that he meant that this would be a tough consult for him thus causing more work)

Psychiatrist: No, i meant it must be tough for her to deal with all her problems (being the kind, patient focused, well slept person he is)

Oh well, at least i realize my weaknesses. I will admit when i pray for no more traumas it is so i can go to bed, not so no one else will get hurt. Maybe i am a bad person. sigh.

Family of four

I don't know when i last posted but today i have a reason to post other than whining about how much i work.

We have added a new member to our family. Her name is Zoey and she is (as you can see) the cutest puppy ever. She is 6lb, 8 wk old, American Eskimo puff ball that we found from a breeder south of Chicago. Chris picked her up last saturday and we have had a great first week. Of course we have the normal puppy problems but she hopefully will learn quickly.

We are training her to go to the bathroom outside but of course she is little and forgets or pees inside and then runs to the door. we knew it would be a process though and now i know why God makes puppies so cute.

She is a little naughty and loves to play in her water bowel, attack her brother constantly, and try to bite my nose, but she is overall very sweet and lovey and follows chris and I around the house.

Ichi is happy to have someone to play with and they get along great. Sometimes he forgets that she is little and plays too rough but she quickly reminds him (and us) by crying and barking. During the last week they are either playing or sleeping from playing so much.

I feel like i have a great family to come home to and i get lots of love. for never being an animal person, i am so happy that have my babies. life would not be the same without them.