I'm studying mental illness right now. I learned this crazy fact. The majority of persons diagnosed with schizophrenia are winter-born babies.
Isn't that insane?
Correlation is not causation. However, those who are already predisposed to develop this illness are more likely to get it if they are winter-born due to speculations about pregnant women not being able to get as many vitamins and nutrients from summer season fruits and vegetables during the winter in the final stages of development in the womb.
Weird, huh.
Anyways, if you have an immediate family member with the illness ya might wanna play it on the safe side and plan for summer and fall births. ;) Just an interesting fact!
Isn't that insane?
Correlation is not causation. However, those who are already predisposed to develop this illness are more likely to get it if they are winter-born due to speculations about pregnant women not being able to get as many vitamins and nutrients from summer season fruits and vegetables during the winter in the final stages of development in the womb.
Weird, huh.
Anyways, if you have an immediate family member with the illness ya might wanna play it on the safe side and plan for summer and fall births. ;) Just an interesting fact!
After our lab, we went over to the Hayes to finish painting the living room. Shannon told us we needed to go shopping in her fridge and cabinets, because after today, the food was being tossed. Its really hard for me to refuse free food, so Jordan and I filled about 10 walmart bags up with different food items. Now we have a 10 years supply of sweet tea and enough food to feed 2 people for a good while.
However, this supply of new food items didn't have anywhere to go in our apartment- except on top of our cabinets, so now the left side of our kitchen looks like a well stocked aisle in Bi-Lo. I really don't mind though because its during my 4th meal food scavenging raids that its especially convenient to have your own grocery store built in to the apartment.
-Chris
However, this supply of new food items didn't have anywhere to go in our apartment- except on top of our cabinets, so now the left side of our kitchen looks like a well stocked aisle in Bi-Lo. I really don't mind though because its during my 4th meal food scavenging raids that its especially convenient to have your own grocery store built in to the apartment.
-Chris
Today was the first day of CNA lab, where we learned all of our nurse aide skills on several plastic mannequins named Mr. Jones and some other lady whose name I can't remember. What was disturbing is that Mr. Jones had a female body. More disturbing was when I was changing Mr. Jones elastic stocking, somehow his head was violently separated from his body. The mannequins seemed used to all sorts of shocking events as their mouths are permanently fixed open and they have a deer-in-the-headlights look in their eyes.
And then there was Mrs. Mae, the 69 year old nurse who co-teaches the class. At first impression she seems like a sweet old grandma. But out of nowhere, she explains that we have to be prepared for the demands, such as "where have you taken my husband you B!@&H!!" or 90 year old female residents trying to feel up the male CNA's. You know. Just the usual at the ole nursing home.
-Chris.
--EDIT--
Correction: May is 79. SEVENTY NINE. that lady has no shame.
And then there was Mrs. Mae, the 69 year old nurse who co-teaches the class. At first impression she seems like a sweet old grandma. But out of nowhere, she explains that we have to be prepared for the demands, such as "where have you taken my husband you B!@&H!!" or 90 year old female residents trying to feel up the male CNA's. You know. Just the usual at the ole nursing home.
-Chris.
--EDIT--
Correction: May is 79. SEVENTY NINE. that lady has no shame.
Wanna hear a stupid story?
My STUPID wisdom teeth have decided that they would like to come in right now (as opposed to earlier in the summer when I didn't have summer class and CNA and could have easily scheduled an appointment to get knocked out, had some teeth taken out, and then had Chris care for my pitiful, pain-medicated self while I healed for a few days.
Oh no. Now is the time they'd like to make their painful appearance through the thick gums in the back of the mouth. Did I mention (or even need to) that pain in the back of the jaw=pain in the inner ears? Why does that happen? Just for kicks and giggles I suppose. Knock me while I'm down.
So I wake up (after sleeping terribly due to my stupid wisdom teeth popping through my gums all night) and I decide that this day is going to be a complete and utter waste if I don't take something for the pain. Well I had two options: tylenol pm to put me in a zombie-like state in which I would be in while trying to study and complete my assignments for my online class (hello, D quality work) OR take excedrin which is equally as annoying as it is extra-strength and therefore loaded with enough caffeine to keep a narcoleptic up for 4 days.
Considering I needed to get my work done, I went with the excedrin. And then I decided to become the idiot of the century and drink coffee because I had just woken up and the excedrin hadn't taken effect yet (so I forgot I even took it.) GENIUS.
= caffeine freaking overload.
= I'm never hungry when I'm highly caffeinated.
Too much caffeine, empty stomach, lots of work to do, know I need to eat, not hungry anyway, I'll just start my work.
By this point, the caffeine is at its high and I feel like my head is going to explode or my heart is just going to decide to stop because it's mad at me for forcing it to act as if I've consumed a great deal of cocaine. (Isn't that the one that speeds up your heart? I don't know. I don't do drugs.)
STUPID. Well, I desperately wanted at least some of this caffeine to exit my body so I thought I could at least drink 17 gallons of water and see if that helped. It did. But then I still wasn't hungry yet needed to eat because I knew my body needed sustenance. I settled with toast and nutella (breakfast of champions, but more like lunch) and tried to listen to my lectures while my hand was trying to write faster than my brain could comprehend the information, leaving me with notes that look strangely similar to my dad's handwriting (sorry dad.) (Thank you, caffeine.)
Needless to say, what I had to look forward to once the miserable caffeine high ended was (you guessed it) more mouth (and ear) pain!!
I hate you, wisdom teeth. You are no longer welcome here and therefore the first chance I get, I am going to rid myself of you. forever.
My STUPID wisdom teeth have decided that they would like to come in right now (as opposed to earlier in the summer when I didn't have summer class and CNA and could have easily scheduled an appointment to get knocked out, had some teeth taken out, and then had Chris care for my pitiful, pain-medicated self while I healed for a few days.
Oh no. Now is the time they'd like to make their painful appearance through the thick gums in the back of the mouth. Did I mention (or even need to) that pain in the back of the jaw=pain in the inner ears? Why does that happen? Just for kicks and giggles I suppose. Knock me while I'm down.
So I wake up (after sleeping terribly due to my stupid wisdom teeth popping through my gums all night) and I decide that this day is going to be a complete and utter waste if I don't take something for the pain. Well I had two options: tylenol pm to put me in a zombie-like state in which I would be in while trying to study and complete my assignments for my online class (hello, D quality work) OR take excedrin which is equally as annoying as it is extra-strength and therefore loaded with enough caffeine to keep a narcoleptic up for 4 days.
Considering I needed to get my work done, I went with the excedrin. And then I decided to become the idiot of the century and drink coffee because I had just woken up and the excedrin hadn't taken effect yet (so I forgot I even took it.) GENIUS.
= caffeine freaking overload.
= I'm never hungry when I'm highly caffeinated.
Too much caffeine, empty stomach, lots of work to do, know I need to eat, not hungry anyway, I'll just start my work.
By this point, the caffeine is at its high and I feel like my head is going to explode or my heart is just going to decide to stop because it's mad at me for forcing it to act as if I've consumed a great deal of cocaine. (Isn't that the one that speeds up your heart? I don't know. I don't do drugs.)
STUPID. Well, I desperately wanted at least some of this caffeine to exit my body so I thought I could at least drink 17 gallons of water and see if that helped. It did. But then I still wasn't hungry yet needed to eat because I knew my body needed sustenance. I settled with toast and nutella (breakfast of champions, but more like lunch) and tried to listen to my lectures while my hand was trying to write faster than my brain could comprehend the information, leaving me with notes that look strangely similar to my dad's handwriting (sorry dad.) (Thank you, caffeine.)
Needless to say, what I had to look forward to once the miserable caffeine high ended was (you guessed it) more mouth (and ear) pain!!
I hate you, wisdom teeth. You are no longer welcome here and therefore the first chance I get, I am going to rid myself of you. forever.
DISCLAIMER: I love sleeping next to my husband. Really, I do. In fact, I would probs say it's one of my favorite things about being married to him. It's often the time in which we have really strange late night conversations that really don't make any sense and/or use his bookmark flashlight to make shadows on the wall (hello, first grade.)
On with my point: the past few nights Chris has been a bit restless and also delirious. You're probably wondering why you need to know this. And here is why:
The other night, I was having nightmares. This is almost guaranteed to happen if I don't read my sweet Bible before bed. Weird, I know. But not so weird because it's the best way to end the day. Anyways. I didn't read, and on came the horrific nightmares of strange people chasing me, and trying to kill me. So freaky. Anyways. Sometimes when dreaming, you can kind of feel what's actually happening in reality. (At least I'm pretty sure this happens to other people too.) And in my subconcious I literally "felt" like someone was seriously following me and was standing over me. I freaked out, as the feeling was strangely similar to the feeling I was already having in my dream..and I forced myself to awaken.
What's the worst way to wake up from a terrible nightmare where people are trying to find you?
Answer: with someone ACTUALLY hovering over you as if they have found you.
That's right. Chris was standing on his knees half facing me and half facing the window. (Paranormal Activity 2, anybody?) I freaked. I then managed to say "CHRIS. WHAT ARE YOU DOING." Although maybe not as clear. And he mumbled something about "trying to find the door."
What.
I don't know.
FYI: The door is on the opposite wall as the window is. He was facing in the complete wrong direction.
You can imagine my confusion, fear, and now fully awakened mind. It took me a long while to fall back asleep while trying to convince myself that I was only scared because of my stupid dream and that no, my husband is not possessed OR trying to kill me. In the morning, I asked Chris was the HECK he was doing. He giggled, and couldn't really remember except for the fact that he "was confused.............and trying to find the door."
Oh boy.
On with my point: the past few nights Chris has been a bit restless and also delirious. You're probably wondering why you need to know this. And here is why:
The other night, I was having nightmares. This is almost guaranteed to happen if I don't read my sweet Bible before bed. Weird, I know. But not so weird because it's the best way to end the day. Anyways. I didn't read, and on came the horrific nightmares of strange people chasing me, and trying to kill me. So freaky. Anyways. Sometimes when dreaming, you can kind of feel what's actually happening in reality. (At least I'm pretty sure this happens to other people too.) And in my subconcious I literally "felt" like someone was seriously following me and was standing over me. I freaked out, as the feeling was strangely similar to the feeling I was already having in my dream..and I forced myself to awaken.
What's the worst way to wake up from a terrible nightmare where people are trying to find you?
Answer: with someone ACTUALLY hovering over you as if they have found you.
That's right. Chris was standing on his knees half facing me and half facing the window. (Paranormal Activity 2, anybody?) I freaked. I then managed to say "CHRIS. WHAT ARE YOU DOING." Although maybe not as clear. And he mumbled something about "trying to find the door."
What.
I don't know.
FYI: The door is on the opposite wall as the window is. He was facing in the complete wrong direction.
You can imagine my confusion, fear, and now fully awakened mind. It took me a long while to fall back asleep while trying to convince myself that I was only scared because of my stupid dream and that no, my husband is not possessed OR trying to kill me. In the morning, I asked Chris was the HECK he was doing. He giggled, and couldn't really remember except for the fact that he "was confused.............and trying to find the door."
Oh boy.
Basil, Cilantro, Peppers, and Tomato, what more do you need?
A theme very very present at our wedding. And obviously so, as it is the theme of marriage in the Word and the profound mystery that Paul likes to discuss. What's one awesome thing about this equation? Often times, (and by often I mean every time) Chris and I feel the same "calling," even if it doesn't occur at the exact same time. This is proof of the fact that we are two people, but one in God's eyes..and we believe that He will call us accordingly.
That being said, we both have a HUGE calling to a country far from here to do a specific work, and that's all I will say for now. We both feel it, and it is scary, and maybe it's not for the near future. Maybe it's for three years later, ten years later, we don't know. Right now we're making some effort, and seeing where it takes us..we aren't going to force this, nor will we be completely passive. But we know that doors will open at the perfect time.
Cheers to finding the key to the door, and welcoming the adventure waiting on the other side.
That being said, we both have a HUGE calling to a country far from here to do a specific work, and that's all I will say for now. We both feel it, and it is scary, and maybe it's not for the near future. Maybe it's for three years later, ten years later, we don't know. Right now we're making some effort, and seeing where it takes us..we aren't going to force this, nor will we be completely passive. But we know that doors will open at the perfect time.
Cheers to finding the key to the door, and welcoming the adventure waiting on the other side.
This past weekend was the first I'd ever seen chris with a newborn. I knew he was good with kids, but man. Every other time I turned around she was sleeping on his chest. Thus, meeting our first little niece has made me realize a few things:
1. Chris is going to be a great dad. (Don't worry, I actually knew this before the weekend, it just reinforced it.)
2. There's something very attractive about how excited and loving and great he was with her.
3. I want to have a lot of babies with him.
That is going to be such an amazing season in life, whenever it may be! I'm so thankful for my awesome husband! We had so much fun meeting her!
1. Chris is going to be a great dad. (Don't worry, I actually knew this before the weekend, it just reinforced it.)
2. There's something very attractive about how excited and loving and great he was with her.
3. I want to have a lot of babies with him.
That is going to be such an amazing season in life, whenever it may be! I'm so thankful for my awesome husband! We had so much fun meeting her!
"When I was in my early thirties, I spent several months working with an outreach team treating the homeless mentally ill in NYC. Our team consisted of two nurses, and a psychiatrist, a kindly M.D. from Haiti whom everyone called Dr. Paul. I was the driver and recruiter.
Each night, we would arrive at a different homeless shelter and set up a portable clinic. I would circulate among the ragged, struggling, lonely men and women who were staying there, telling them that there were free physical exams as well as treatment for cuts, colds, and other minor health problems. The real goal, however, was to convince anyone who was clearly delusional to sit down for a chat with Dr. Paul. He, in turn, would try to get them to accepted medication or hospitalization.
What always amazed me about this job was how good it made me feel. I can't remember ever leaving a shelter not feeling exhilarated.
That experience taught me an important lesson about charity: it is an act of compassion that intrinsically is linked to action. To simply sit down and write a check for an organization is a good thing, no question. Genuine charity, though, occurs when we activeyl manifest God's love in the world. We know this is God's work because it turns the laws of the physical universe upside down. Instead of feeling drained by the energy we expend in an act of charity, we are filled."
Each night, we would arrive at a different homeless shelter and set up a portable clinic. I would circulate among the ragged, struggling, lonely men and women who were staying there, telling them that there were free physical exams as well as treatment for cuts, colds, and other minor health problems. The real goal, however, was to convince anyone who was clearly delusional to sit down for a chat with Dr. Paul. He, in turn, would try to get them to accepted medication or hospitalization.
What always amazed me about this job was how good it made me feel. I can't remember ever leaving a shelter not feeling exhilarated.
That experience taught me an important lesson about charity: it is an act of compassion that intrinsically is linked to action. To simply sit down and write a check for an organization is a good thing, no question. Genuine charity, though, occurs when we activeyl manifest God's love in the world. We know this is God's work because it turns the laws of the physical universe upside down. Instead of feeling drained by the energy we expend in an act of charity, we are filled."
Rob Bell's "Love Wins" has been on my heart lately. Ever since I began reading it, I just have had an unsettling issue with it. My friends and I discussed, however, that one of the main problems is that it seems to (unintentionally) create a sense of lukewarm, Christian passivity that really discourages us from seeking our purpose during this life time. I do not believe that this was Bell's intention. In fact, aside from this book I am a fan of him and his works. My issue with it has developed as I have looked into the bible for support to his claims....and haven't found much. So either one of two things is happening: Bell's understanding of scripture is far beyond what I can comprehend and interpret.....Or it has swayed from what truly is written in black and white [and red] due to a longing for a God that operates under our own desires.
I came across this video that sums up my thoughts better than I can, and then I'm not spending any more time on debating this particular issue. Let's turn the focus from the line of salvation and keep the focus on the actual Word. And most importantly--love.
I came across this video that sums up my thoughts better than I can, and then I'm not spending any more time on debating this particular issue. Let's turn the focus from the line of salvation and keep the focus on the actual Word. And most importantly--love.
Goalie-ing
Battling my opposing goalie
Chris attempting to take down Bobby
Chris lookin' like a stud and going for the win
Mid-game chaos!
I love how easy life has been with you thus far.
I love how kind you are, and how you don't force me to jump out of bed right when the alarm goes off like you do. (How in the world do you do that!?)
I love how you make me coffee when I need it the most.
It cracks me up how you dance all the time, it usually is one of the best parts of my day. I hope you never stop doing that.
I am encouraged by how deeply you love me for me (even when I'm sure that the me that I am is not good enough.)
On that note, thanks for keeping me...me.
I love how you pray with me through the hard times, and how you praise God with me through the good ones.
I think it is incredibly attractive that you know how to fix ANYTHING and everything.
I love how you like to read what I write and hear my inner most thoughts!
I adore how excited you get to go to the pool with me. (And I'm thankful for all of the floaties you have purchased for us thus far.)
I love how you sing all the time, especially when you don't notice that I'm listening.
I love how I can't ever get tired of spending time with you, even when I "need" my alone time, I still think about you during it.
I love how you make that frowny face like you're going to miss me when I tell you I'm going on a run just for a few minutes.
You're cooking skills amazing me still, even after 3 years of tasting your delicious creations.
I love how the only thing we watch on our television is a silly show that we are helplessly addicted to. (I also love how we don't have cable.)
Remember that time before we were even dating when I had a splinter in my foot but you couldn't get it out without tickling me? I love that memory.
I love when you do "that laugh."
I love how every time we hug you say, "We should do this more often."
I love watching you play the drums/djembe. You make a silly face sometimes, but you're beats are so legit.
I love your compassion for helping others and I love how excited you get when you talk about creative opportunities to serve.
I love how this list would go on infinitely if I didn't stop myself. You are truly an amazing man and God has made you so beautifully and wonderfully. I can see Him in you daily in the way that you love me, and I am so thankful that He has brought us together.
Love,
Your wife.
I love how kind you are, and how you don't force me to jump out of bed right when the alarm goes off like you do. (How in the world do you do that!?)
I love how you make me coffee when I need it the most.
It cracks me up how you dance all the time, it usually is one of the best parts of my day. I hope you never stop doing that.
I am encouraged by how deeply you love me for me (even when I'm sure that the me that I am is not good enough.)
On that note, thanks for keeping me...me.
I love how you pray with me through the hard times, and how you praise God with me through the good ones.
I think it is incredibly attractive that you know how to fix ANYTHING and everything.
I love how you like to read what I write and hear my inner most thoughts!
I adore how excited you get to go to the pool with me. (And I'm thankful for all of the floaties you have purchased for us thus far.)
I love how you sing all the time, especially when you don't notice that I'm listening.
I love how I can't ever get tired of spending time with you, even when I "need" my alone time, I still think about you during it.
I love how you make that frowny face like you're going to miss me when I tell you I'm going on a run just for a few minutes.
You're cooking skills amazing me still, even after 3 years of tasting your delicious creations.
I love how the only thing we watch on our television is a silly show that we are helplessly addicted to. (I also love how we don't have cable.)
Remember that time before we were even dating when I had a splinter in my foot but you couldn't get it out without tickling me? I love that memory.
I love when you do "that laugh."
I love how every time we hug you say, "We should do this more often."
I love watching you play the drums/djembe. You make a silly face sometimes, but you're beats are so legit.
I love your compassion for helping others and I love how excited you get when you talk about creative opportunities to serve.
I love how this list would go on infinitely if I didn't stop myself. You are truly an amazing man and God has made you so beautifully and wonderfully. I can see Him in you daily in the way that you love me, and I am so thankful that He has brought us together.
Love,
Your wife.
You should really take more pictures. You've already missed out on recording precious memories. Get on that. Tell Chris to help you remember.
Love,
Me.
Love,
Me.
1. Bike across the country (2-3months?)
2. Hike (a good portion, if not all) of the AT
3. Backpack through Europe
4. Doctor's Without Borders/Social Work Missions
5. Africa.
6. Have a lot of babies
7. Take our kids on adventures such as those mentioned above
This is a small portion of our list, but we are determined. I want to see the world, I want our kids to see the world, and I want to do each of these things not as a selfish feat to accomplish, but a mission to meet with, interact with, love, and serve all kinds of people from all different walks of life. I want my future kids to know the importance of seeking God's kingdom outside of American culture as well as inside. We want to keep our adventurous spirits..and we want to be the unstoppable Team Tate.
2. Hike (a good portion, if not all) of the AT
3. Backpack through Europe
4. Doctor's Without Borders/Social Work Missions
5. Africa.
6. Have a lot of babies
7. Take our kids on adventures such as those mentioned above
This is a small portion of our list, but we are determined. I want to see the world, I want our kids to see the world, and I want to do each of these things not as a selfish feat to accomplish, but a mission to meet with, interact with, love, and serve all kinds of people from all different walks of life. I want my future kids to know the importance of seeking God's kingdom outside of American culture as well as inside. We want to keep our adventurous spirits..and we want to be the unstoppable Team Tate.
