We left Daytona Beach early Saturday morning and headed north. We took a detour on the way home to visit Chip Dean in Alabama. We spent the night at his home and then went to his church with him to see his ministry there. It was great to spend the evening with Chip and to see a small glimpse of how God is using him at Capshaw Baptist Church. We made it home late on Sunday night and prepared for a busy week of packing ahead of us.
It was an amazing week. We are so thankful that we had the opportunity to celebrate Kate’s graduation from nursing school and enjoy time as just the two of us to relax, rejuvenate, and refocus as we prepare for a busy year with many changes to come.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Florida Vacation: December 25: Our Most Unique and Original Christmas Ever!
We woke up early to watch the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean. Although it was a little cloudy, it was still worth the early wake-up call—Beautiful! We went to bed and slept in, with no sign of a Christmas tree in our room. We had the traditional Dodd Family Christmas Breakfast- Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Bagel Sandwiches. We spent the rest of the morning calling all of our family members and wishing them a Merry Christmas. It did not feel like Christmas, as we swam in the pool and splashed in the ocean, but it is a Christmas we will not forget. We cooked steak for our Christmas dinner and walked on the beach while the sun was setting.
Florida Vacation: December 24
With the realization that our days were running short, and still so much to do, we headed down to the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse. We had been planning to visit the lighthouse for at least 4 months, since we had viewed it on a website about Daytona Beach. When we arrived, it was so much more than the 203 steps to the top of the lighthouse. There were a number of historical buildings onsite that had been preserved since the 1880’s. It was fun to explore and learn the history of the lighthouse station and the Daytona Beach area. The lighthouse is the tallest in Florida. We climbed to the top and the view was breathtaking. Andrew really enjoyed the afternoon there, and it was quite possibly the highlight of Andrew’s vacation.
Today was also the warmest and sunniest day of our vacation. We both went into the ocean and spent much of the morning and afternoon in the water. We both got burned!! It feels great to be burned in December! We went to Christmas Eve service at the Ross’s church again that evening.
Today was also the warmest and sunniest day of our vacation. We both went into the ocean and spent much of the morning and afternoon in the water. We both got burned!! It feels great to be burned in December! We went to Christmas Eve service at the Ross’s church again that evening.
Florida Vacation: December 23
On Wednesday, after a day of Disney Fun, we slept away most of the morning! Andrew dared to get into the ocean, though it had not hit 70 degrees on our trip (Dad we have pictures to prove it). We enjoyed the pool throughout the day. We capped the day off with dinner and a movie- the long awaited Cici Pizza, Pasta, and Dessert Buffet and Invictus (a movie about Nelson Mendella’s rise to leadership and the World Rugby championship in 1995). It brought back so many memories of South Africa and made us want to get back to Bethesda even sooner.
Florida Vacation: December 22
We woke up early Tuesday morning and traveled to Orlando to spend the day at the Magic Kingdom. We were able to go to Disney because of two separate gifts, what a blessing it was. Andrew was last there during high school; Kate was six years old the last time she saw Mickey Mouse—so it was fun to relive childhood memories.
At lunchtime, we went to Downtown Disney where we met Kate’s cousin Jennifer and Rob. Jen lives in Tampa, FL and drove over to meet up with us. We had a lot of fun hanging out with them and eating lunch. It had been too long since we had seen them and so it was great to reconnect.
When we returned to the Magic Kingdom, we made sure to hit all the classics-Teacups, Dumbo, Country Bear Jamboree, and ended the night with It’s a Small World. We waited in line to picture with Goofy and the Disney Princesses. Since it was Christmastime, the park was decorated for the holiday. They had a special SpectroMagic Parade at night and Christmas Fireworks over Cinderella’s Castle. It was a very long day, but so much fun. One that Baby Dodd will be sure to enjoy in 3 or 4 years.
At lunchtime, we went to Downtown Disney where we met Kate’s cousin Jennifer and Rob. Jen lives in Tampa, FL and drove over to meet up with us. We had a lot of fun hanging out with them and eating lunch. It had been too long since we had seen them and so it was great to reconnect.
When we returned to the Magic Kingdom, we made sure to hit all the classics-Teacups, Dumbo, Country Bear Jamboree, and ended the night with It’s a Small World. We waited in line to picture with Goofy and the Disney Princesses. Since it was Christmastime, the park was decorated for the holiday. They had a special SpectroMagic Parade at night and Christmas Fireworks over Cinderella’s Castle. It was a very long day, but so much fun. One that Baby Dodd will be sure to enjoy in 3 or 4 years.
Florida Vacation: December 21
On Monday, we went to a chocolate factory in Daytona. It was really cool to see how they make chocolate and other tasty delights. Kate, who is now 6 months pregnant, loved it! We bought a few pieces of chocolate to enjoy throughout the week. On the way back to our resort, we got off the paved road and drove on the Daytona Beach! It was a unique and interesting experience to drive just feet away from the Atlantic Ocean, on the sand.
Our Florida Vacation: December 20
Dennis and Pam Ross, friends of Andrew’s parents, spend each winter in Daytona Beach. So we went to their church on Sunday morning. The highlight of the morning for Kate was when they sang the Halleluiah Chorus, which the church she grew up at sings every Christmas. The Ross’s took us out to lunch and then to the Flea Market. We had a wonderful time catching up with them. We went swimming in our resort’s outdoor heated swimming pool that evening and enjoyed relaxing in the water and watching the ocean.
Our Florida Vacation: December 18 -19
We left Michigan at 3 pm Friday at 35 degrees and had safe travels the first half of our drive. We hit some rain in the mountains of Kentucky and Tennessee (the same storm that dumped over a foot of snow on the east coast the next day). We got a couple hours of sleep at a rest stop in southeastern TN that was not more than 5 miles from Alabama and 5 miles from Georgia. Unfortunately our phones (which we use as alarm clocks) reset to central time zone and so we unknowingly got an extra hour of much needed sleep. The rest of the trip went smoothly and we safely arrived at Daytona Beach at 3 pm Saturday at 65 degrees. We spent the rest of Saturday getting settled into our timeshare condo, skyping with family to let them know we arrived safely, and taking a walk on the beach.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Graduation 12-12-09
Graduation! We have been waiting for this day for a long time. Could not believe that it was finally here. Kate's family and Andrew's parents made the trip to Grandville, through a blizzard, to celebrate the triumph of many years of hard work. The day started with stuffed french toast, made specially by Chef Andrew. Then we all headed to the VanAndel Arena for the commencement ceremony. Andrew was so proud of Kate that tears filled his eyes when he saw her march in behind the Kirkhof College of Nursing banner. Kate was so excited and proud to walk across the stage and receive her nursing degree. She could not stop smiling.
It was then a mad dash to the pinning ceremony. All plans went out the window, fortunately though we were all able to eat a few pieces of pizza. The pinning ceremony was so special for Kate to celebrate the culmination of all the hard work of nursing school, especially with all of her nursing school friends by her side as they each were pinned. She will never forget these friends that she made during this part of her journey.
Kate was just super excited all day, even though she was sick with a bad cold. It is hard to believe that it is finally done, and Kate has her nursing degree. We were so thankful to have Mom and Dad Schneider, Mom and Dad Dodd, G, Kevin, Angela, Kyle, and Elizabeth there to celebrate the day with us. Kate says that she could not have made it through nursing school without the encouragement and support of Andrew and her family. They helped pick her up during the very tough days when the end goal was hard to see. She is so glad to have finished this part of the Dodd Journey, and looking forward to the next thing that God has for our family.
-Katelynn Dodd, BSN-
It was then a mad dash to the pinning ceremony. All plans went out the window, fortunately though we were all able to eat a few pieces of pizza. The pinning ceremony was so special for Kate to celebrate the culmination of all the hard work of nursing school, especially with all of her nursing school friends by her side as they each were pinned. She will never forget these friends that she made during this part of her journey.
Kate was just super excited all day, even though she was sick with a bad cold. It is hard to believe that it is finally done, and Kate has her nursing degree. We were so thankful to have Mom and Dad Schneider, Mom and Dad Dodd, G, Kevin, Angela, Kyle, and Elizabeth there to celebrate the day with us. Kate says that she could not have made it through nursing school without the encouragement and support of Andrew and her family. They helped pick her up during the very tough days when the end goal was hard to see. She is so glad to have finished this part of the Dodd Journey, and looking forward to the next thing that God has for our family.
-Katelynn Dodd, BSN-
Thanksgiving
With all the craziness of the last few weeks of school and the promotion that Andrew was going for at work, we stayed home for Thanksgiving for the first time. It was really fun to make our first thanksgiving feast. Turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, sweet potatoes, stuffing, gravy, and pumpkin pie. It was a feast for at least 8 people, that the two of us ended up enjoying for the next week. The best part of the day was bringing our warm pumpkin pie to the hospital to share with our friends Dan and Emily (and her family too). She is now recovering from brain surgery and will get out of the hospital tomorrow. Thanking God that she will be able to go home to celebrate Christmas after 39 days in the hospital. Andrew rushed off to the mission to spend the rest of the day with the homeless men while Kate worked on at least one of her many projects (see previous post).
We are thankful for all the ways that God has blessed us this year, how He has stretched us and grown us in good times and tough times. We are so thankful for God's provision in getting Kate through nursing school. We also are thankful for the addition to the Dodd family that will be arriving this spring and for godly friends and family that push us to be more like Him.
We are thankful for all the ways that God has blessed us this year, how He has stretched us and grown us in good times and tough times. We are so thankful for God's provision in getting Kate through nursing school. We also are thankful for the addition to the Dodd family that will be arriving this spring and for godly friends and family that push us to be more like Him.
Final Projects of Nursing School
To finish off the last semester of college, I had to do many large assignments. I finished my LEI (longitudinal elder initative) project, with my elderly client. I will miss spending time with my client, after a year and half of visits we had grown close and it was hard to "break up" with her. The final project for her was a timeline posterboard that I made that showcased her history and the things that had occurred in her life. Another project I worked on was a group presentation on H1N1 for college students at GVSU in the dorms (it was also presented to my peers and profs). I also presented a group presentation on Infant Circumcision Pain and how nurses can decrease the pain that the babies experience. The last presentation I created was a poster on the Ketogenic Diet for the pediatric nurses that I worked alongside in my leadership clinical. All of these presentations was all in addition to class time, 24 hours a week (at the least) of clinical time, clinical paperwork, working 20 hours a week in the emergency department, being pregnant, and taking care of Doddy. Needless to say there was many late nights, early mornings, and lots of tears the last 2 months of nursing school.
Last, but certainly not least, throughout the semester I had to write a 15 page capstone paper. I wrote on the topic of decreasing second hand smoke exposure in children through a community nursing intervention that taught parents about the health risks exposure can cause and the importance of parental cessation. It is the longest paper that I have ever written and I am proud of the accomplishment of capping off my college writings :). If you'd like to read it (or skim it!) click on this link:
https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AfJc-JGIpqiwZGhnYzVmOThfNWRtNGNjd2hx&hl=en
Enjoy!
Last, but certainly not least, throughout the semester I had to write a 15 page capstone paper. I wrote on the topic of decreasing second hand smoke exposure in children through a community nursing intervention that taught parents about the health risks exposure can cause and the importance of parental cessation. It is the longest paper that I have ever written and I am proud of the accomplishment of capping off my college writings :). If you'd like to read it (or skim it!) click on this link:
https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AfJc-JGIpqiwZGhnYzVmOThfNWRtNGNjd2hx&hl=en
Enjoy!
Andrew turns the BIG 3-0
On November 22, Andrew turned 30 years old!! It was a sad sad day, now he can start stories with, "I remember when..." We had a fun day celebrating even though Kate was very busy with schoolwork. We went to church in the morning, then we went out to dinner at Red Robin's and got some yummy garlic parmesan french fries and a three alarm burger, one of the best he had ever eaten! We had chocolate peanut butter pie later on and buffalo chicken pizza. We ate so much that day that he had to get a new belt, and so for that day he got a stylish new belt. :) Kate got the Eagles to play on Sunday Night Football for the big day too. Andrew says, "It was a great day with my wife, and wouldn't have had it any other way!"
Baby Dodd's First Pictures
We are on our vacation, and thought we would take the time to update happenings from this fall. On November 9th, we got to see the first pictures of our baby. Kate was just about at the midway point of pregnancy and the pictures turned out great. The baby is doing wonderful and was just the right size. King David said it the best, "How you made is amazing and wonderful" (Psalms 139), and he didn't even get to see any of his babies before they were born! :)
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