Goodbye CHS

Well today is it.  The first big step in the next big adventure of my life! Today ends the 3 years 3 weeks and 1 day I have spent at CHS.  I will miss a lot of things about this job, the hours, the work and most importantly the people. 

My first week at CHS I was placed in a "semi-private" office next to Jayna.  One of the first days she was there, she had a fight with a good friend.  I went over to check on her and gave her a hug, the first of many.  From that day forward we became fast friends.  We both loved to scrapbook and Jayna turned me on to genealogy with her enthusiasm for finding out her family's past.  Now I feel like an honorary member of her family and love hearing about her husband's travels and all about her girls.

Sarah and I also became good friends very quickly.  She was so welcoming to me and helped me whenever I had a question.  She had only been at CHS about 4 months but had a handle on what was going on in the department.  She gave me the inside scoop on everyone and always invited me to lunch.  To me lunch at a new company is always the most stressful time.  Do you go out, should you stay in and work, do I invite people to go or do I keep to myself.  She alleviated that stress right away.  She was also studying for the CPA exam at the same time I was and it was great to have someone to go through the process with.  Fortunately in 2009 we both took care of business and knocked out that crazy test!

Sarah and Jayna - I'll miss you guys so so so much!  You've made coming to work everyday fun.  I couldn't have asked for better coworkers or friends the last 3 years!

Love,
Stephanie

Grizz Glee

A couple weeks ago, Jon's rugby team put on a fundraiser called Grizz Glee where the team all got up and sang and danced for tips.  They all really did great and elicited many cheers and some laughs.

Jon passionately sang "Don't Rain of My Parade."

 

 

 

 Another group that performed were in these crazy costumes.  They had such elaborate face painting and costumes!

CHS Hockey Night

A few weeks ago, CHS sponsored a family night at the Predators game.  Since I have no "family" in town, I crashed Jayna's family!  Lydia was gracious enough to give me her seat with the caveat that she was able to sit in my lap! :)

Our seats were great!

 

With my friend and coworker, Jayna.

And her two adorable kiddos Rebekah and Lydia.

You Know You're in Kentucky When.....

You see a truck with this "adornment" driving down the road.

Ornately decorated tomb of Napoleon. 

Seeing the amazing statutes by Rodin.

The former prison known as the Conciergerie.

Our visit to the Moulin Rouge.

The beautiful views of the Sacré-Cœur.

Back to your regularly scheduled blogging. From our visit to the Pantehon.

Palace of Versailles

A bit crazy in love with these pictures.  They turned out great since it was such a beautiful day in a beautiful location.

Versailles

Pictures from inside the Palace of Versailles.

So Big

Can't believe Madeline has gotten so big!  Her 1st birthday is less than 3 weeks away now!

Darren's Dad

The last couple weeks have been very emotional and sad.  Darren's dad passed away on Monday March 21st.  From what we can presume it appeared to be some sort of major cardiac event. He had a history of heart problems with two prior heart attacks, but everything seemed to be managed and he was doing well.  Darren and I had seen him multiple times in the prior month and aside from a touch of the flu, he had been completely fine and normal.

It's just so shocking for someone to be here one minute and not the next.  It gives you so much perspective on just how tenuous life really is and how what you presume to be fact can change in an instant.

I'm so grateful that I was able to spend most of that week with Darren and Michelle to just being there for them.  They might not technically be my family yet, but going through something so hard just reinforces the bond and love we have for each other. It's hard to see people you care about so much hurting so much.

Virgil Dwight Ballard, rest in peace.  You will be missed by all those who knew you.

Love,
Stephanie
Rest in Peace, Virgil Dwight Ballard.  You will be very missed.

May to September 2010

First and Last page of my latest scrapbook.