Playing Catch Up

The past few weeks have been a blur of holiday festivities, birthdays, sicknesses, and general busy-ness. My job at the outpatient clinic ended before thanksgiving (the outpatient side closed), so I transferred to the HealthSouth in Henderson, which is a horrendous drive. That only gives me 24 hours a week, so I have to go to some other buildings that I am now contracted with to get 12 more hours in each week. At least gas prices have gone down and I'm not feeling the miles quite as badly. Thankfully I still have my Wednesdays off and can be home with my boys and feel like the mom I should be. I still enjoy what I do and often think that eventhough I'm not at home, maybe I'm still where I need to be (don't get me wrong, I'm counting down the days- only 350 to go). Or maybe it is just I'm learning to accept this season of my life and make the most of it. It can be a humbling job though. Last week I had a 40 year old man who had been quite successful (he'd had a stroke and subsequent craniotomy aka brain surgery to relieve the swelling), laying in a diaper in bed in front of me trying to poop. Despite that, he is doing remarkably well. Working in healthcare reminds me how quickly things can change and try to remember to appreciate the good.

In other news I turned 31 last week and have been plucking white hairs out of my part, but shhhh, don't tell anyone I'm going gray. I got a new kitchen faucet from Costco (love that place, less than 1/2 the price of something comparable at Lowes). And I admire it everytime I'm in the kitchen. Here's a picture in case you want to admire it too. You are welcome to come over and sit with me in my kitchen and look at it, I'd even let you wash your hands.

We got the boys an early Christmas present and got a trampoline, I love it because the netting is inside the springs. The boys enjoy laying on it and watching the airforce jets fly overhead.

Thanksgiving was nice and low key at Miesha's house (Mark's sister) which was perfect for our boys, who enjoy not having competition for attention. Michael and Jacob even got to play a little Rockstar. The oldest nephew is a freshman in college and taking institute classes from the same teachers Mark and I had when we were at UNLV. Once again, I'm feeling old...


Michael's birthday was a great success (once he stopped crying and realized that all the stuff was for him!), we had cookies and ice cream since Michael doesn't like cake, and almost all the family in town was able to come. That is the one thing about living in Vegas, lots of family. I grew up without grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins around, so I really would like for my kids to have those family connections. Anyhow, Michael has been playing with everything he got, but seems to be favoring the Cars Mack truck at this point, eventhough his pirate ship did take her first maiden voyage in the bathtub tonight. Jacob really wanted the Mack truck, so after much sadness, Papa went and bought him one and apparently it was an absolutely magical moment when he got his own. That is something only a grandpa can get away with.

Mark is back into the swing of things with school and we are both looking forward to a relaxing Christmas. So that just about catches us up. I'm loving the holiday decorating this year and just enjoy feeling festive. It's still hard for me sometimes to feel Christmas-y without snow, but at least my house is feeling Christmas-y!

And if you buy only one holiday album this season, get this one- I'm thoroughly enjoying it.