HANNAH GARMAN

This is an email I received from a friend of mine. Please read below and hopefully you can help make Hannah's Christmas Wish come true :)


Hannah is my 5 year old cousin who, just a few weeks ago, was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme, a rare and incurable brain tumor. She has been given 12 weeks to live and is currently in her 7th week. Hannah's story is sad, but especially sad because her mother passed away just two years ago from breast cancer. Her father, brother Jordan, and sister Brittany are dealing with the unthinkable.

Right now Hannah has lost most of her motor skills. She is confined to a bed and cannot really do anything or play with the gifts she has been receiving. Hannah LOVES getting cards, though. She has gotten so many and has so much fun opening them and reading them with her grandma. She is so proud of all of her cards - her room is filled.

When asked what she wanted for Christmas, Hannah said she would like to see how many Christmas cards she could get. Many people have passed along this wish to their churches, friends, prayers groups and families and I'm asking you to continue to pass on Hannah's story.

So if you have time during the holidays, and would like to help Hannah with her wish, please send her a card. Her address is:

Hannah Garman
704 Orchard Rd
Lititz, PA 17543

You can feel free to forward this to as many people as you wish. If anyone has questions, they can email me at shanelle.lee@hotmail.com. If you want to keep up to date on Hannah and her progress, check out her Caring Bridge website at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/hannahgarman

We appreciate your thoughts and prayers especially through the holiday season.

Many blessings,
Shanelle

Christmas Tree

We finally got our Christmas tree! This is only our 2nd tree we have gotten, living in the same house for 4 year! We have never truly made the time to go get a tree, plus, with my schooling and finals, it has been so difficult. So, the tradition has grown that we meet up with John's parents and other friends and family for breakfast and then head to the same great place in search of a tree. This year, I think we were all in a hurry. Normally, we take a wagon ride through the fields until we find the perfect tree. I love that part! Instead, this year, I believe that everyone tagged a precut tree and no one ventured into the fields. Still, I love the experience and all the smells that go with having a fresh-cut Christmas tree.

UGH!

Not a good way to start my weekend... :(



Needless to say, the blame was not on me for this one. John had been begging me to get my oil changed in my vehicle and convinced me to head to Cloister because they were fast and cheap. So I did. After being told I needed a new lightbulb, oil filter, and new transmission fluid, I left with a bill of $120 instead of $30. (To make matters worse, I opted not to get the tranmission fluid replaced on this visit. That alone would have run me $150!) Anyway, those Cloister guys must have done something to my tire in order for me to come back... I just know it :)

Graduation~

Kelsey and I at Annie Baileys after the final

Our study group

Celebrating at Krista's after the final. A Champagne toast to the new graduates!


Well, after a long 2 years of tears, laughs, and frustrations, we have all made it! We made it to the end of nursing school and are looking forwards to starting in the real world. I have accepted a job at Hershey Medical Center in Women's Health, where as the rest of my study group is planning to stay at Lancaster General. It's an awesome opportunity and I couldn't have asked to start at a better place. I love the women I will be working with, and I am so excited! My start date is January 5th, so I have a little time to get scrapbooking and cleaning up the house. (We all know it has been a wreck these last few weeks. Tuesday alone, I did 10 loads of wash; and there's only 2 of us! It was not good!) Anyway, the pediatric office has graciously given me full time work during the day until I start at Hershey. I am just so excited to finally have 1 full time job! Plus, I will only be working 3 days a week/12 hour shifts.

Anyway, here are some pictures of graduation!

STRESS!

I have been so stressed out with studying for finals and my last test, I needed some time to do something for myself. I came home after the test today and set up for Christmas. This was as far as I got; I felt guilty for not studying.... so to the books again! I am just looking forward to when I won't have to worry about school and can finally get into the Christmas spirit!



Oh, and did you see Jupiter and Venus the other night? Look really closely...