Every day is a Gift

I am returning!

2010-04-24T19:44:00.000-07:00

I hope to return to a new blog! I am just testing out my new background. I have lots of thoughts to write about.

girls get away

2009-02-23T19:12:00.000-08:00

Ok, I have this strong desire to plan a week-end or even one overnight with some girlfriends. I want to do something fun, intentional, and interesting. I love to scrapbook, but I have done that before and that is kind of "work". I have gone to Florida with my two of my closest friends for 4 days but that isn't an option this year. I need to find something close to home we can drive to! So, if anyone has had some fun girls' getaways or some great ideas, send them my way.

My husband was just gone for 2 weeks and now he is planning a guys week-end in May. I don't want to sound like a little kid, but "It's my turn now!"

"stuck"

2009-02-16T18:22:00.000-08:00

Do you ever just feel "stuck" in life? Like you don't want to go back but you want to go forward and you don't know how to act, NOW?

I'll explain.

I loved the days of being home all day with "little" ones just playing or letting them play while I cleaned, tidied up, etc. I never seemed to minded the spills, interruptions, and putting them down for naps, reading them stories. That was life! Now, fast-forward, I have a 5 and a 7 year old. For some reason it isn't as much fun for me to play Polly Pockets or Legos than to build a block tower with a toddler. I get frustrated with they are both talking to me while I am trying to read something in the paper with my coffee in the morning. The sound of "Mom" yelling from downstairs while I am trying to clean up breakfast usually doesn't get a "yes, what do you need?" They seem to bicker and fight just a few minutes after they get into a fun activity together.

I feel like I'm almost there. I am almost to a life where they are both in school and I can actually focus again. I feel like my brain is a ping pong ball most days when we are home. However, I know I am going to miss these days when they are gone. I don't want to go back. I love the people my children are. I want to enjoy each day without being an "annoyed Mom". How can I be Mom and Jen?

My brain is kind of like a ping ping ball now! I just read my post and it really doesn't make sense. Hopefully you get what I'm talking about.

life

2009-02-10T18:16:00.001-08:00

I love my husband.

I am very happy to be the mother of two children.

I am very happy when it is sunny outside.

I have a wonderful job.

I am about to go eat brownies with ice cream.

Life is good.

not ready to be a single parent

2009-02-06T09:48:00.000-08:00

Glenn just returned last night from a 13 day trip to Nicaragua. He worked with CRWM (Christian Reformed World Missions) on a work team with his parents' church, Spring Lake CRC. An added bonus for him was visiting with our friends, the Holtrops, who live in Managua. After the work team left, he was able to enjoy a few days with their family on a little island vacation. I am thankful he got to do this!

While he was gone, I took care of the kids, worked just a little bit at the hospital, and played "manager" for his store and lock facilities. It was a full load. I'd thought I'd humor you with just a few "scatterbrain" things that happened which shows I can't handle it all........

-I left my van keys in the ignition overnight which resulted in a dead battery in the morning. Thankfully, my Mom and Dad were visiting, and Dad and I jumped the car later that night.
-I locked myself out of Glenn's office. I did not know where he hid the spare key. I had to call an emergency locksmith (and am now out 80$!)
-I forget to charge Glenn's business phone this past week and it "died" as I was talking to a customer. I then charged it at Glenn's office the day I locked myself out...charging phone in office...no way to answer calls. Sorry Glenn's customers!!!

happy 5th birthday baby girl!

2009-02-03T18:37:00.000-08:00

Happy 5th birthday to our sweet little Hope! This is her photo at the hospital. She is such a gift to our family.

She has an amazing spunk and spirit, and never is a moment dull with her. She at times though can keep herself occupied for an hour with her coloring, stickers, and creating. She loves to dance, loves to sing, and wants to take piano lessons already.

She enjoys school and doing her homework, and she appreciates anything that is "girly".

We had a great day today just celebrating her. I hope to post the photos of our day today. Just need to locate the camera and spend some time on that.

an old diary

2009-01-14T17:19:00.000-08:00

Seeing that it is super cold here and seeing that we are inside most afternoons, and seeing that I haven't worked at the hospital in 9 days now, we have pulled out some different things to do around here.

I've been cleaning...that is unusual for me.

I also pulled out my "Memory Box". I have one Rubbermaid that has all "stuff" in it. Glenn and I are only allowed one bin...if we ever have more stuff than that, well, it is too much junk. Anyway, I found a diary I wrote when I was a pre-teen. Pretty funny! I had a riot reading it to Hope. Of course I edited out the stuff she didn't need to hear, but she was giggling a few times about Mommy liking Fudge Brownie ice cream and having a sleepover with 3 girlfriends.

Reading about myself as a child helps me understand more of myself as an adult. One thing I wrote on days we did nothing is that the day was "boring". I saw a few entries.."I'm bored. We did nothing today." True sign of an extrovert...someone that is energized by doing things and going places.

I also wrote about working in the church nursery a lot and holding babies at the hospital when I was a Candystriper. I wrote several times, "I love babies!" Funny how I wound up a labor and delivery nurse all these years later.

Reading about the care-free kid days makes me excited I am a Mom and can witness our kids doing all those things in the future.

thoughts from early 2009

2009-01-10T20:40:00.000-08:00

Like the rest of the world, my thoughts turn to this new year. What things can we look forward to? What will happen? What struggles will we endure, and what will God show us?

I don't make resolutions because I am a big dreamer and not the big doer. I don't think I have ever made resolutions. However, I do like to think ahead and try to improve something I am doing.

My cousin Jana recently blogged on how the Christmas break can just turn our homes into this crazy cycle. As much as I love the season the Christmas, it isn't calming to me. I have a Christmas planner to help me stay organized, but I do not see all the dreams I have for our family happen. The days off at home with the kids are wonderful, but life just doesn't "flow". Last Christmas I was so not myself because I think we had too much planned, and this year was much better. I only worked two days over the whole break which really helped. We also didn't host anybody this year. As much as I love it, it makes me anxious.

I know by the end of Christmas break I felt a little "off". I was ready to get back into the school routine and life routine. This week was very good. Here are some thoughts I have had about 2009...........

I have a new non-fuctioning treadmill in my garage that Glenn picked up from an auction. I really hope he can get it working so I can use it. I'd like to be back to my Weight Watchers weight. That means only losing 5# (not too difficult, right?).

I've also picked up some not-so-great eating habits....I like to snack, WAY more than I used to. I actually have a bag of chips by me now while I am writing. I think I eat more in the winter just because there are less things to do. I also drink more coffee than I ever have. I used to crave my morning cup of coffee but now I love it in the afternoon sometimes or at dinner. Sometimes even at 8PM! I'm not sure why this has come up...again, perhaps I am feeling like I have less choices of things to do, so these things sound OK. I am not sure I want to cut down on my coffee consumption, but I more want to understand myself. The eating thing will be hard too...not sure what I want to do about that.

I have been pretty critical of my kids and husband lately. I so badly want my kids to remember the things I have taught them and get frustrated when they act like I have never showed them anything. I also seem to pick on Glenn for silly things that really don't matter. I need to slow down and think before I react and put kindness before anything else.

I also have this love-hate relationship with work right now. I am so grateful I have a job and actually still really enjoy being a labor and delivery nurse, but it is hard for me to go in at 7PM and leave the family scene. I really think again it is related to winter and the shorter days. I have been doing worse with the sleep balance thing and am much crabbier than usual on my short-sleep days.

Winter is hard for me, but we chose to live in Michigan so I just need to be happy and enjoy this days that I get to just clean, organize, and play with my kids. I get to sip coffee in the afternoon, read a book at night, or take a hot bath to warm up. I joke with Glenn every year that we need to move. I totally understand folks who leave to go to Florida every year. Don't be surprised if we do that in 30 years............

For 2009 I want to mainly improve the wife and mother I am to my family. I need to get that right before I can join this committee or volunteer for this or do this at church. I LOVE being busy....I love doing things for others, but on the down-side, I get overwhelmed, anxious, and things at home get chaotic. I will probably be spending a lot of time at home this winter when I am not working. I will probably be doing things that aren't too exciting to many of you. I will be making menus, shopping at Cosco, walking on my treadmill, playing with my kids, and organizing my home. I will have to say no to things that come my way. And that is definitely OK with me.

2008-12-16T18:53:00.001-08:00

While I liked the idea earlier of posting what we were doing each day during the Christmas season, now I am "reaching" to write things. That tells me I should stop. It tells me that people would rather hear what is in my heart than trying to make up something to fit what I was doing earlier this month. We are focusing on Christmas each day, but it isn't always a fun new thing to write about or share.

One of the neatest things I got to do this season is take Hope to the Nutcracker. We went to a youth ballet that put on Act 3 only, so it was perfect for Hope and I to go to. You should have seen her eyes light up as she saw the ballerinas. She whispered to me, "Mom, she's pretty" about one of the dancers.

We believe in helping our children find their gifts; not just randomly signing them up for events that would be "fun" or fun for us to go along to. I spent a year trying to figure out what Hope would enjoy, and we signed her up for ballet this past fall. She attends Heart In Step which is a Christian Dance Academy where they teach the girls to dance for their Lord. Hope looks forward to it every week. This past week she and her class had "watch week" where we could come watch the last 15 minutes of class. Glenn and I watched our little girl gracefully glide across the floor and up in the air with a beautiful natural smile on her face. We are not sure where this will lead her, but we are so grateful she can dance for Jesus.

Dec. 12

2008-12-13T09:07:00.000-08:00

-I bought a few more Christmas gifts

-the kids and I frosted cookies for our church's Living Nativity

-we went to a family's home from our church for a Christmas "open house"

-I wrapped presents when we got home

Dec. 11

2008-12-13T09:05:00.000-08:00

-Hope helped me put stamps on Christmas cards

-Glenn and I were able to go to Hope's ballet class for "watch week". We were able to see the last 15 min. of her class. The little girls danced to Away in a Manger and also showed us a few things they learned. Hope amazed us! She is a graceful beautiful dancer. We pray she continues to learn to dance for the Lord.

Dec. 10

2008-12-13T09:00:00.000-08:00

Today it was sunny in GR. What a difference that makes!

I enjoyed a fabulous Christmas brunch at church for Coffee Break ladies. I have been involed in Coffee Break for 6 years now in the same small group. I look forward to it every week. We had fellowship, goodies, and watched the little ones sing. It was bittersweet for me not to have any of my own children singing this year. Our speaker helped us think how God is using us. He used Mary to carry HIS son. What might God be asking me to do this Christmastime?

Glenn and I watched part of "Home Alone" at night. I love that movie!! Part way through the beginning I noticed Jordan was awake and standing on our stairs trying to watch it too (he had already been put to bed 30 min. prior).....I guess we'll have to rent that movie during Christmas break!

Dec 9

2008-12-09T17:19:00.000-08:00

Today I am desperately "down". I'm not sure why. I hope it is a flu bug otherwise I'm just crabby. For people who never go through this, it is hard to describe. I don't have depression, but there are days I just can barely find the enjoyment in doing anything.

We didn't focus much on Christmas today.

I did buy my "secret Santa" in my family a gift today.

I started my Christmas cards. This year I am not writing a letter. But please check my Facebook page as I will write a Christmas message there. Honestly, the reason I am not writing a letter is to a) simplify life b)we are just so thankful that life is "normal". I'm not even sure what I would write about! c) I keep in touch with many of you anyway, so I am sure what I will write won't strike as as anything you didn't already know. But I will put some thought into a message..........some night I'm NOT crabby like I am tonight.

Good night.

Dec. 8

2008-12-09T17:17:00.000-08:00

Dec 8

-one of my favorite days of the year as it is Jordan's birthday
-Glenn and I relive the day we became parents
-We always set aside the day for him

I am working on a letter to Jordan that I will post when I'm done

Happy Birthday big guy!

Dec. 7

2008-12-08T10:37:00.000-08:00

-heard a great sermon about the Holy Spirit and Mary
-in the evening we worshipped with the kids in our church for the "Carriers of the Light" Christmas program. It was a joy to watch both our kids sing
-We had Glenn's parents over after church for soup and cake to celebrate Jordan's birthday!

I love it that my son was born right in the middle of the Christmas season. He is a reminder of God's great gifts!!

Tomorrow's post will be about him.

Dec. 6

2008-12-06T19:18:00.000-08:00

-I went shopping at the annual Calvin College bookstore Christmas sale
-Jordan practiced for our church's Children Christmas program
-Glenn took Hope to a Build-A-Bear birthday party. He said the mall was CRAZY!
-Hope was so proud to have us meet her new reindeer she adopted named "Twinkie". I have a feeling Twinkie will be attending lots of our Christmas gatherings.

I have been listening to lots of Christmas music. I love it!

Dec. 5

2008-12-06T19:16:00.000-08:00

Friday-

I dropped Hope off at preschool and went Christmas shopping with just myself and a peppermint mocha in hand..........mmmmmm............

I think I went in and out of 8 stores in 2 1/2 hours!

Hope and I went shopping at her little school's Christmas store when I picked her up.

More sledding this afternoon after school!

Dec. 4

2008-12-06T19:12:00.000-08:00

Thursday Dec. 4

(shoot, I got behind 3 days somehow!)

-I played in the snow with Hope in the afternoon and we drank hot chocolate together (our photos are a glimpse of what I wear IN THE HOUSE sometime just to stay warm. I swear my body can't handle the cold)

-the kids and I watched "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer" before dinner

We are enjoying this month so much!

Dec. 3

2008-12-03T20:03:00.000-08:00

-I had an awesome Bible study about Christ's death. Somehow, remember Jesus' dying on the cross for ME was very personal this Christmas season

-I wrapped 12 gifts while listening to Mercy Me Christmas

-I have the courage to say "no" to 2 requests made by others of me- pretty big volunteer positions. After praying for over a week, God is telling me to protect my role as wife and mother.

What does the 3rd point have to do with Christmas? It is lifting a stress off me that won't cloud my ability to care for my family and others this Christmas season. I guess that is related.

Dec. 2

2008-12-02T17:28:00.000-08:00

Today I

-had a meeting at work where we enjoyed a Christmas brunch (we brought blintzes yum yum). The unit was decorated for Christmas! Hope and I went "shopping" in the gift shop at the hospital. I scoped out some options...........

-continued to decorate my home

-wrapped presents at Jordan's school's "Kids' Christmas store". Jordan was so excited to shop for gifts for his family by himself!

Dec. 1

2008-12-01T19:59:00.000-08:00

I had this idea to write about each day preceding Christmas in the month of December. I thought it would allow me to reflect on the meaning of this season and relish the traditions and new experiences our family enjoys together.

I hope each post just shares some joy with you about how we celebrate Christmas.

Today, Dec. 1

-we bought Jordan a "Lego Advent Calendar" and he opened it after dinner. His b'day is next Monday, so this was an early gift. While it doesn't focus on anything to do with Jesus, it will be a fun way for Jordan to count down the days to Christmas with his little Lego guys each day.

-I listened to Point of Grace Christmas this afternoon while going through the mail, tidying up, and making dinner

What would you do?

2008-11-10T17:30:00.000-08:00

I was at the store this morning and when I exited I saw a car parked with the keys in the ignition, running, with 2 babies in the back in carseats.

I have left my kids in the car before to run in the gas station and pay for my gas, buy a gallon of milk, or to run in the post office quickly. My heart always does a lurch though. What if something happens in the seconds I'm gone? I never did that when they were babies or toddlers.

I'm not the perfect Mom, but what would you have done in this situation?

I'll let you know what I did.

Glenn's b'day

2008-11-08T11:02:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was Glenn's birthday. Birthdays are my favorite days around here, so we wanted to make it special. First, I dropped off Hope at preschool and met Glenn at IHOP. He really enjoys the stuffed French toast with strawberries, so we both had that. While we were eating he got lots of phone calls from family and friends. He enjoyed that!

After Jordan got home from school we made Glenn's favorite cake. We then went out as a family to Olive Garden. It was a super fun night out. We are finally to the point where going out as a family is becoming more fun. The kids can keep themselves busy, they loved the food last night, and we both feasted on the salad, breadsticks, and our entrees.

After we got home we watched 1 1/2 movies. We watched the Bee Movie with the kids, and then we both tried to watch Indiana Jones, Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Glenn fell asleep and so did I. How pathetic are we, or aren't we? When we were in our 20s we could easily stay up and watch movies past midnight.

Happy birthday Glenn!

foreign object

2008-10-09T19:45:00.000-07:00

This morning Hope approached me in the kitchen as I was getting breakfast ready. She started wimpering and looked upset about something. After asking her several times what was wrong, she said, "I swallowed it." "Swallowed WHAT?" I thought. She finally admitted she swallowed a little green rock her friend brought over to show her yesterday. She showed it to me earlier this morning, and I asked her to put it in the cupboard. I didn't know she was still holding it.

It is a little longer than a quarter but not as wide. I couldn't believe I didn't hear her choke it down! I wasn't sure if she could pass it, so I immediately called our peds office and they got us right in. Hope was doing fine, just scared. She had an X-ray and, BINGO, the stone was right there, already past her stomach. She was very brave and even said later, "Mom, the X-ray was fun!" I wish I received a copy of her X-ray because the stone is so obvious. I even asked if they gave little printouts like they do for ultrasounds. Nope. Anyway, she is fine, but soon, a stone will pass through.

Anyone else have any foreign object stories?

Oh, today when Hope and I were reviewing what happened, I asked her what she learned. She said, "If something is in your mouth, spit it out."

Yah, sort of. How about, "Don't put things in your mouth that aren't food."

Maybe this is starting her in the pathway of the medical field. She was fascinated.

nothing to write about

2008-10-07T20:36:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in 2 weeks because I sit here at the computer and can't think of anything to say. Maybe that means life is good, normal, and OK. Would would you like to hear about? I haven't taken any pictures in two weeks either; hence, no more postings.

I'll wait to see who replies, and then I'll write about that. Good-bye!

ballet class

2008-09-16T20:46:00.000-07:00

Hope had a choice between taking ballet or doing a gymnastic class once a week. She picked ballet and has a one hour ballet class weekly. We will see if this is something she enjoys as she gets older. She is pretty excited about it now, and we think she looks pretty cute in her dancewear.

Another first day of school!

2008-09-08T18:35:00.000-07:00

This morning Hope started "young 5s" (she will correct people if they call it preschool.) I think it helped that Jordan started two weeks ago. She was really ready this morning and just walked right in like it was last May. She is at the same school as last year but has a different teacher. After I picked her up today she said, "Mom, I love school!"

My gifts

2008-09-02T20:27:00.000-07:00

Do you ever have a day that just is so special, but it is an ordinary day? Today, God reminded me how special these two little people are in my life in just ordinary ways. They are my gifts...my treasures. I love these kids so much it hurts sometimes.

We started the day off by getting Jordan on the bus. He smiled with his crooked tooth practically hanging out of his mouth. He is about to lose his 4th tooth but this one is taking awhile. We sent him to school with a container, just in case....

Then Hope and I had breakfast and she watched cartoons. Then she headed off to the hospital with me for a meeting. We rode the shuttle together and she got M & Ms. She amazingly sat for an hour during the meeting just eating her M & Ms and listening. We then proceeded to MC Sports and the grocery store. We ate popcorn at the store while shopping.

We then had lunch together and then Hope's friend came over to play. I set up the kiddie pool for them and they played and played and played. We visited with our neighbors for awhile and saw a gigantic praying mantis! I let it climb up my leg and the girls just laughed and laughed!

I made my first peach pie!

Jordan got off the bus and asked if he could go swimming for just a little bit at our friends' home before soccer practice. I said, "Sure". I got a big "Thanks, Mom." He was so grateful.

He got ready for soccer practice without complaining, and he really enjoyed himself in the 90 degree heat on the field! He said, "Mom, maybe I don't need practice. I already know how to do it!"

We then went through the McDonalds drive-thru for an easy supper (yes, I know we didn't eat too healthy today......) and had fun playing with Star Wars toys on the floor.

Daddy came home and ate briefly with us and helped with shower time and stories.

And at 8:00, the house was quiet.

Tonight I had time to watch part of 90210 with Glenn ( I had to see what the craze was all about) and organized my photo mess! I even burned 3 CDs of photos. That is a HUGE accomplishment for me.

What a great day!

first day of school

2008-08-26T11:56:00.000-07:00

Jordan had his first day of school yesterday. While it seemed time to go back to school, it also seems like summer evaporated into the calendar. We had a nice summer, and when I look back on all the photos, we had a lot of fun days!

We all got up early and waited at Jordan's bus stop. Then Hope and I went to Jordan's school to see Jordan's classroom, meet his teacher, and attend worship. I was a little overwhelmed with thanks and a bit of "letting go", knowing Jordan would now spend 8 hours a day 5 days a week here. It is obvious his school is caring and loves its students, so it was comforting knowing Jordan will grow and thrive in this place!

I will miss my little boy.........and what will Hope do without her brother around all day? We'll see how it goes!

Bye bye trailer

2008-08-21T20:23:00.000-07:00

Here is our family at our trailer this past summer at Wabasis Lake campground.

We purchased it in 2003 and camped first with our little one year old Jordan. It has camped at Wabasis Lake 6 times, has been in the middle of the Manistee Forest with our youth group, has gotten very sandy at Grand Haven State Park, has been to Ludington, Triponds campground, and got to stay at our store and locks most of the year-round.

Tonight, we bid our good-byes to our trusty trailer. We won't need to store it this winter and won't have to update plates on it.

Now, we plan to become tent campers like so many of our friends. Unless we can find a newer RV that isn't too much$.......................For now, Jordan's school gets our profit. Ouch....

And she's off..........

2008-08-18T22:31:00.001-07:00

I have been truly enjoying summer and haven't been working on photos, blogging, etc. Anyway, hopefully when I get back into a routine I will post more on here. I will try to give you glimpses of our lives. We have been having a blast with our kids!

Here is Hope on TWO WHEELS! She doesn't particularly like going far, but she can balance on the two wheels. It is pretty fun to see her growing up.

Jordan has also lost tooth #3, both kids are way more confident in the water and Jordan swims so much better than last summer, and I am losing way too much to the Olympics! We have less than a week until school starts, so this week the focus is on PLAY PLAY PLAY. Yes, I'm still doing laundry, cooking, working, and cleaning (maybe), but we're going to enjoy these last few long days of summer.

Cedar Point

2008-07-09T19:51:00.001-07:00

To all of you amusement park buffs, you will enjoy reminiscing with me if you've been to Cedar Point.

Glenn and I have wanted to go each summer for the past 4 summers, and we finally put it on the calendar. We went with two of our friends and spent the entire day there yesterday.

Some funny things about going at 35 years of age vs. 25 (or younger)
-going the night before beats going the morning of. In high school or as youth group leaders we'd go up and back in one day and ride a big charter bus. This time we got a motel and stayed the night Monday night....nice.....

-I was excited to enter the park but not like when I was a kid...when I was younger I could hardly contain my jubilant glee

-I am looking for the nearest Starbucks stand and thinking about what I will order for lunch instead of which roller coaster line we should stand in first!

-Riding the rides was just as fun and as exciting, but I shook more in places I didn't shake 10 years ago and got headaches a lot quicker... I even skipped the Mantis (the stand-up coaster) because I knew how much my head used to bang around on that one...

-We took an hour "break" in the afternoon because we were overheated, over-jostled, and a bit "dizzy"...didn't happen quite like that 10 years ago

-I did NOT like the Meanstreak at all (wooden coaster) We were almost swearing at it by the end.

Some highlights!

-riding the Dragster....OOOOOHHH was that was RUSH!!!! It lifts you 120 mph straight up.

-eating Chick-Fil-A for lunch (we don't have those in GR)

-riding the MaxAir- this new cool pendulum-spinny ride...in the rain!

-riding the Magnum (that hill is still pretty exciting)

-huddling under a large umbrella as a huge thunderstorm came in around 2:30...it then rained the rest of the afternoon

-watching people act like dorks in the rain and play in the puddles

-riding the Power Tower in the rain

-NOT getting sunburned

-Margaritas on the way home!

-Getting home before midnight (we left early because of the rain)

How fun to be a kid again!

Summer happenings

2008-07-09T07:49:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone! We have truly been enjoying a lot around here the past 4 weeks of summer, so I wanted to share a few highlights with you. I am such a summer person that hanging out blogging at the computer just hasn't been a huge priority for me. This is probably going to be a 2 part post because I have photos on my camera from the past 2 weeks.

We started off our summer celebrating our brother-in-law, Joel's, completion of his residency. We had a huge party at the BOB with many friends on a Friday night, and then a dinner the following Saturday with the other residents and their families. It was quite the week-end to say the least! While all that was occuring, my sister and her family were visting us from Oregon. My sister's husband Rob spent the week at Calvin while Amy enjoyed visits with old friends and spending time with me and Jordan and Hope. It was great to see my nephew Derek who is now 7 months, since the last time I saw him he was a week old!

While Amy and her family were here we spent 3 days in Chicago visiting my parents. My parents took us to Kiddieland which is an amusement park we went to as kids ourselves. Amy and I had fun remembering the rides since they really haven't changed all that much since we were kids! It was a perfect park for our children since they could ride most of the rides, and all the kids (except Derek) even rode their first roller coaster.

My Mom also turned 60 that week-end, so we threw her a Hawaii-themed party in her backyard. It was fun to celebrate her birthday and family all together as many people came from out of town. My Mom's birthday has always been special since it is a day before mine.

Enjoy the photos...there will be more!

A new aerobic work-out

2008-06-04T14:07:00.000-07:00

This morning I decided to do something special with Hope. I took her to Bounce Party which is a place which huge inflatables. Hope has been scared of them in the past, so I thought going with her one one one would give me a chance to help her overcome her fears. Plus I thought the place would be slow since it is the last week of school here. It was open for an hour an a half to just children under seven: perfect!

Anyway, Hope was afraid of the large inflatable slide at first. However, after going down it once with me, she wasn't afraid of anything else! I could hardly keep up with her. They had this giant inflatable obstacle course thing that she could fly over and I kept getting stuck on the ladder. My socks kept sliding off! Plus, Hope is tiny and I weigh a bit more and am out of shape. After climbing ladders, being squished between inflatable walls, climbing under things sized for a child, and sliding down, I was sweaty and short of breath! It was a lot of fun and I got my exercise for the day.

Jordan's Kindergarten program

2008-06-04T14:04:00.000-07:00

On Monday night Jordan had his end-of-the-year program where his class told us stories, sang songs, and did a few plays. Jordan was "Mortimer" in a play, and he kept banging cymbals and making noise instead of going to bed as he was told. It was very cute. My photo didn't turn out of Mortimer. It is amazing to look back and see how much Jordan has learned since he began K last fall. We are so grateful for his year and his teacher, Mrs. Bosma, who is pictured here.

Garage sale

2008-05-31T20:43:00.001-07:00

I had a garage sale at my home here Fri and Sat. with 2 friends. Here are the plusses and minuses of the experience:

(+)
a day spent with friends and my kids got to play with their friends all day
I made 100$
My entire home is purged
I have 7 boxes ready to go to the thrift store

(-)
it was a lot of work to organize, price, and set up
I made 100$ (not too great when you calculate hours worked)
managing sales, set-up, and caring for multiple children was a bit chaotic
I have 7 boxes ready to go to the thrift store (have to GET them there now...)
I used two free days to hang out in my garage
Bartering with cheapskates is not so fun
I could have spent those two days doing other important things
Glenn's "I told you so" is ringing in my ears

Oh well, it's done and the stuff is out.

Please talk me out of hosting another one next year or the year after because I'm sure I'll get the bug again.

Pony farm

2008-05-28T06:24:00.001-07:00

Last week I was able to accompany Jordan's Kindergarten class to a pony farm. Jordan got to ride his first pony, Lucky! It was a joy to see the kids giggling and having such a fun time. I even got to ride their school bus with them! I learned why they place kindergarteners in the FRONT of the bus usually........Jordan and his friends were really squirrelly as they got their one chance to ride in the back of the bus. They spent almost the whole time trying to get trucks to honk their horn.

Fun night!

2008-05-23T05:24:00.000-07:00

I just got home from work, and honestly, it was fun to be a part of so much in one night.

1. I transferred a family up to postpartum.
2. I helped a nurse with a delivery of a baby girl and then took her patient at 11 so she could go home (3-11 shift nurse). I did the baby's first bath.
3. I helped a nurse with another birth of a baby girl, baby bath, etc.
4. I then proceeded downstairs, did a quick computer project, and assisted with another delivery of a baby girl.
5. Now it is nearing 5 AM. They told me I had a patient waiting for me. I picked her up from triage, took her to her room, and she birthed a baby boy shortly after we got to the room.

Wow! A total of 5 babies in one shift!

What NOT to wear

2008-05-19T20:02:00.000-07:00

I am begging for you, my friends, to nominate ME for one of my favorite shows on TLC, "What Not to Wear". I wouldn't even mind the humiliation.

I have a clothes complex.

Ever since Glenn and I went through FPU (Financial Peace) and made a budget, I can't justify spending much money on clothes. I have repeatedly gone into stores, looked at racks, tried things on, and left empty-handed. Here is an example from Sat. night:

I reluctantly leave my family to go to the mall. I don't really want to go shopping, but I now own 1 pair of capri pants, 2 pair of jeans, and 3 pair of shorts for the whole summer. I have one skirt for church and no dresses.

I first go to TJ Maxx....look through many racks. Not impressed with anything.

Next is Old Navy. Everything looks like it will shrink, stretch out, fall apart in the wash, or easily get stained. I don't like anything.

Hop into car to go to other mall. I stop at JC Penneys. I try on a skirt/shirt outfit, 3 casual shirts, and 2 nice dresses. Nothing looks right. It puckers, is too long, too tight, too busy...

Go to the GAP. I try on 3-4 shirts and a skirt. The shirt I like is 50$. I won't buy it. The gray shirt I like is 35$. Too plain and boring (but practical) for 35$. I don't buy anything.

I get a Frappucino out of sympathy for myself. My time has run out and the mall is about to close.

My request to all of you (on top of my first request):

Find me something online that I can buy for myself! Send me the link and I will buy it! Then I don't have to go shopping again anytime soon.

The 5000$ credit card from What Not to Wear sounds pretty nice right now.

My graduation!

2008-05-01T20:41:00.001-07:00

Our educators at the hospital today threw a little "graduation party" for the nurses hired into the birthplace one year ago. It was fun to sit together, share stories, learn a bit from each other, and connect.

I am so thankful it is this year and not last year! Training for a new job after being a SAHM was super challenging. I was also coordinating our church's VBS. Yikes...

Now this year I am working 2 days a week and have the rest of the week home. Balance is a beautiful thing! I haven't felt called anywhere in particular to VBS yet. It is so strange to think last year I was working 36 hrs/week and doing VBS about 10-15 hrs/ on top of it.

Thank you God for carrying me along the way and giving me peace. This is where I am supposed to be right now!

I'm back

2008-04-26T19:00:00.000-07:00

We just spent the past week enjoying "TV TURN-OFF" week (it officially ends Monday so technically we have tomorrow as well).

I told the kids that I wouldn't watch TV either. I also haven't read anyone's blogs, surfed the internet, or checked E-mail with the exception for at work Thursday night.

Today, I decided I would break my fast, but I still haven't watched any TV.

I found I missed the computer at first a lot the first couple of days but then realized by the end of the week I could live without it.

Probably the best gift out of the whole deal was for me just staying on task better with other things around the house and interacting with the kids.

It wasn't an earth-shattering experience for me or the kids, so that was good. It shows we are doing a lot more things then watching TV, movies, and the computer.

But, next week, the TV will go back on. Mommy chill time at night sounds wonderful, and movies for the kids when Mommy is napping for work................

Outside!

2008-04-17T18:43:00.000-07:00

We've been living outside the past week as the temperatures here have gotten above 60 and it is incredibly sunny and beautiful. It has been such a treat to:

play for hours with neighbor friends

go to my first garage sale of the season!

see our daffodils "pop" as Hope says

go to 3 different parks this week

give Jordan a new scooter (both his knees are scuffed up)

NOT clean my house since I've been outside so much

chat with our new neighbors who moved in 3 weeks ago

"hike" in our backyard woods

see Hope so happy attending a friends' b'day party that was "summer-themed"

sell some items and make $ from Craig's List

Today Glenn and I and the kids biked to McDonalds for dinner. This was such good training for Jordan to learn about traffic signals, right-of-way, yielding, etc. Hope rode in a bike trailer and I biked the rear on a new bike one of Glenn's tenants abandoned. We were going to buy a new one, so how funny one day Glenn came home with this. Anyway, we took our McD's to a nearby park and ate and played. Jordan ran into a little buddy from school there. Then we rode to "Cone City", the ice cream stand in our neighborhood. We had our first outdoor ice cream of the season. We hope this is the first of many bike rides for our family this summer.

Becoming more green

2008-04-14T17:27:00.000-07:00

Has everyone noticed how many businesses are becoming "green"? How all of sudden organic stuff is popping up everywhere and recycling, healthy eating, and supporting "green" businesses is a focus?

Today I decided I'd take a baby step.

Hope and I shopped in one of our local food markets instead of the super "mega" markets. (those of you who live in my town it is Horrock's). While they don't carry Cheerios and Oreos and 12 different types of fruit snacks, they have tons of good stuff. How fun it was for Hope and me to look at the 12 different types of olives and huge pickles and have her help me pick out ripe pineapples. I bought more fruits and veggies than I have in a long time. Our family has been eating poorly lately..........maybe I can make a step in the right direction. I also let Hope pick out 2 flowers for our kitchen. She picked a white and a purple rose. (these were the SAME colors Glenn picked out for me for our 10th anniversary flowers). Never believe our children aren't watching.

Grocery shopping was actually FUN today and I was so excited to eat my fresh salsa and put cucumbers and tomatoes on my sandwich. We had fresh pineapple with dinner.

I also used re-usable shopping bags for the first time. I thought they were silly at first, but it does eliminate lots of trash.

Next I would like to grow some herbs. I love cilantro, so that is probably what I'll plant.

Please tell me about things you do! Maybe it will inspire me!

End of Spring Break Update

2008-04-12T06:55:00.001-07:00

Sorry folks, no more pictures to show you of Spring Break. But here's a re-cap of what we did the rest of the week

1) One more playdate with friends from church on Tuesday

2) An outing with the 4 of us to Holland, MI. We purchased Hope a white twin bed, went shopping downtown, and had dinner

3) Jordan and Hope spent one night at G & G Carlson's- Their Grandpa and Grandma "sleepover!"

4) Jen went to the mall by herself- My only purchase was socks for Hope (pretty pathetic)

5) Jen helped deliver 2 babies

6) Pizza dinner last night with some good friends of ours!

7) Today is Jordan's last official day of spring break. He is out with Glenn picking up Hope's bed.

It is pretty rainy and grey here today, but we enjoyed a brief patch of sunlight yesterday, a few torrential rainstorms, and a short stretch of 70 degree temps.

Spring Break update: playdate and OCB

2008-04-07T21:06:00.001-07:00

We had 2 special events for today. We had 2 friends over for lunch with their kids. Here they are eating at our infamous picnic table...I think I have about 20 pictures of different kids eating here.

Last week when we were planning for Spring Break, we asked Jordan what he wanted to do that was special. He said he wanted to eat at Old Country Buffet! So tonight we picked up my Grandma and ate dinner there together. Look at this happy boy eating his ice cream cone for dessert!

Spring Break!!

2008-04-06T18:00:00.000-07:00

As of Friday morning, Jordan is on Spring Break. Hope also has 2 weeks of no preschool, but it is hardly a break as she really isn't there a whole lot.

We decided to spend the week-end in Lafayette, Indiana.

I lived in Lafayette from my years in 3rd grade through 10th grade and lived across the street from a girl named Ashby. We got to know each other well in high-school and even after my parents moved, we stayed very close and still are today. She is one of the friends I went to Florida with in November.

She has family in Michigan, so she will try to visit us when she visits family. We do not visit them as often, but when we do we have so much fun!

Glenn wasn't able to come with us which we were a little sad about, but the kids and I decided to go. We got there Friday night and spent a beautiful Saturday together. Ashby made pancakes in the morning and the kids all played outside a lot of the morning. They rode bikes, played on the playground, and chased each other around the yard. We ate lunch, went shopping at Dick's for soccer cleats for Ashby's son, and then went to his soccer game in the afternoon. We all enjoyed Papa John's pizza for dinner and all the kids got cleaned up.

Here is a cute picture of them in their PJ's after baths for ice cream time! Ashby's husband makes wonderful milkshakes, so some of the kids had malts while others just had plain ice cream with M & Ms.

Ashby and I were so thankful that our kids had so much fun together! We also enjoyed the hours just catching up while playing with our children. It is a blessing to have a dear friend who has been in my life throughout so many different transitions. I cherish our time together and love spending time with her family too.

I'll try to post the other things we do this week for Spring Break. We have a few other special plans with the kids.

I am thankful for............

2008-04-02T11:07:00.001-07:00

1) clarity in where to send Hope to school next year (I had a conference with Hope's preschool teacher yesterday)

2) getting cookies with green icing on them with Hope while shopping at Meijer yesterday

3) a dear friend who watched my kids so I could get a haircut yesterday

4) getting my haircut by a young woman in cosmetology school who Glenn and I knew while we were youth group leaders

5)our pediatrician office- I took Hope to the Dr. yesterday after she complained about ear pain for 4-5 days- Yep, she has an ear infection. First time on antibiotics.

6) hanging out at Target with Hope for 1/2 hour while we waited for 2 prescriptions to be filled at Meijer. Mommy had a Starbucks mocha and Hope ate a Rice Krispie Bar.

7) A little girl who can now help me buy clothes for her- she picked out one cute heart purple T-shirt at Target

8) hanging out with Glenn a little while last night after the kids went to bed

9) watching an old Little House on the Prairie Movie (remember Albert's nosebleeds?)

10) reading a Jodi Picoult book in bed (19 minutes)

11) enjoying 2 cups of coffee, Bible study, and fellowship this morning at Coffee Break

12) a beautiful sunny afternoon!!

Craig's List

2008-03-29T18:31:00.000-07:00

I just had my first posting with Craig's List. I posted one of Hope's Gymboree outfits that was SO cute but just won't fit her because she is so petite. I posted it this morning and sold it tonight. That was kind of fun!

Now I put on two more items. We'll see how this goes. It might be kind of fun!

I just worked my last 8 hour shift Thursday night. Tomorrow night (Sunday) I start working 7P-7A two days a week. I honestly don't know what will work better. Two longer shifts/week or three shorter shifts. We'll see! Oh, I'm also working every 3rd week-end instead of every other. That, will definitely, be a plus!!

The gift of Easter

2008-03-24T12:16:00.001-07:00

We are thankful that we could celebrate the Lord's supper Thursday night at our church's Maundy Thursday service.

I had to work all week-end and celebrated with a couple their birth of their second child, their Easter baby.

Before going to work I set out the kids' Easter buckets. Glenn captured them sitting by them in their "Easter clothes".

It is not warm here despite what our kids are wearing.........you'll notice I didn't go shopping for the traditional Easter dress. I thought a sundress would work for Hope with a sweater on that she immediately took off.

We had a nice Easter dinner and egg hunt at Glenn's parents with Carrie, Joel, Nora, and Reuben and Glenn's Grandma.

The kids enjoyed some more Easter goodies.

I was supposed to work last night too and got a wonderful call at 10:09 saying they didn't need me...........a gift of starting a new week not sleep-deprived.

Most of all, we celebrate HOPE. We have the HOPE of a risen Savior. This is why we live.

This was our Easter week-end.

More March blessings

2008-03-16T19:22:00.000-07:00

Since my last post around our 10th anniversary, we have mailed lots of birthday cards and purchased several gifts.

Our nephew Reuben was born March 8th!!

My sister Amy's birthday was March 8.

My sister-in-law Carrie's (Reuben and Nora's Mom) was March 9th. What a full week for them!

Our niece Nora turned two on March 11.

My brother Jonathan's birthday is today.

Today we brought over a baby gift for Reuben and purchased Nora her first Lego set, courtesy of Jordan and Hope. We knew Nora loves Elmo, so we had fun wrapping the present in the appropriate paper!

I've just made multiple attempts to post the photos, so you'll have to check back. I don't have patience with the computer....

March blessings

2008-03-11T17:21:00.000-07:00

March 7th was our 10-year anniversary. Glenn and I have had a chance to reflect on our life over the past few days.

One of our greatest memories was building our first home. Although that home is different than the home we would design now, we are very proud of it.

We have travelled many wonderful places together. Our honeymoon in Hawaii tops it all, but we have visited friends in California and Florida, vacationed in Mexico with Glenn's family, went to Europe in 2000, Maine in 2003, and recently Las Vegas.

We have so many funny memories and meaningful times from our years as youth group leaders. As crazy as it was, we really felt called to that ministry and many of our early-married year memories involve youth group or times with youth group leaders.

We are so thankful that we still have our 3 grandmothers! When they all attended our wedding 10 years ago, we had no idea that in 2008 they would all be here. Glenn's Grandma is almost 94, one of mine turns 90, and my other Grandma is 82??

We miss some things that we used to do more often and hope to get back into them. We love downhill skiing and waterskiing. Lately we've downhilled skiied like once every 3 years and we typically waterski maybe 1-2 times a summer. Glenn wants to fly again but can't seem to find time (he used to have his pilot's license).

Of course, having our children has been one of the greatest blessings as well. We marvel how God has given us kids that just "fit" with us. Isn't He awesome?

Some times Glenn and I can't believe how different we are. At times it makes it very challenging. Many of you who know us know our differences

Jen- extrovert
Glenn-introvert

Jen-likes to talk
Glenn-likes to think

Jen-mechanically stupid
Glenn- can fix anything

Jen-always likes to be doing something
Glenn- Ok with doing nothing to relax

Jen-coffee drinker
Glenn- Hawaiin punch/apple juice/Kool-aid drinker

Jen-prefers eating "healthy"
Glenn- pizza/steak/hamburger man

Ok, that's enough fun. Somehow, our differences work. We are seeing sides of life through each other that we never would have seen without each other. Our world is that much more interesting. We share something lasting.

We are only at the beginning. If we live to be 90 like our grandmothers, we have 50 more years baby!!

oops...it almost happened again

2008-03-07T18:59:00.001-08:00

I almost had another delivery last night where I delivered the baby. Once again the Dr. was in house, but this time the Dr. didn't hear her page while she was sleeping. We had to have the Mom I was caring for lay on her side so I didn't have another delivery without the Dr. present! Maybe I should become a midwife????
(The Dr. did make it for the delivery....by 2 minutes)

On another baby note, my sister-in-law Carrie is due to have our nephew any day now, their second child. We eagerly wait his arrival! Many of you have asked if I am going to be Carrie's nurse. We mutually decided that it would be best if I played aunt instead of nurse for Carrie and the baby. I think it would just get too emotional for me. I do hope to be there soon after, and pray for a healthy baby and safe delivery!

On another note, today is Glenn's and my 10th anniversary!! I don't have enough time to reflect on that right now as Glenn and I just got home from Rose's where we had dinner and I'm about off to work for the night. We can't believe it has been 10 years already. My sister Amy wrote a nice post about it. I'll see if I can get the link to her blog.

Signing off................

Cousins

2008-03-05T19:29:00.001-08:00

These pictures are just way too cute. I had the opportunity last week-end to travel to Chicago with the kids. I visited my parents but also was able to go out with my cousin Jana (actually she is married to my cousin Dave but I call her my cousin anyway) for sushi and then visit with her whole family Saturday morning.

Jana and I were pregnant at the same time for our oldests and Jordan and Nora are only 4 weeks apart in age. We call her "big Nora" because I actually have a niece, Nora who will soon be two. Jordan didn't mind, and even actually had fun playing with her and her sisters.

Then we have a picture with Hope and Ryann who are also very close in age. (3 months apart) They didn't remember each other because I think the last time they were together they were babies. Our extended families don't get together that much anymore because we represent 6 different states.

Then they have Georgia who is a delightful 2 year old. I had a picture of her by herself but it didn't turn out. But at least there is a photo of the 5 kids together. They had fun turning Jana's chair into a slide for about 1/2 hour.

This was such a treat for us because Jordan and Hope have one cousin in town and two that live very far away. It is nice to see family and shows how important family is, even when we can't see each other all that often.

my first "delivery"

2008-03-02T18:31:00.000-08:00

They said it would happen....

When I was hired on labor and delivery many experienced nurses said sooner or later I would deliver a baby without the Dr. or midwife in the room. It would only be a matter of time.

I was helping someone push and the baby wasn't coming down, but all of a sudden with one push the baby was crowning. I calmly asked her to stop. She did and was calm as well.

I paged the Dr...........I found out he was called to another room for another delivery. The charge nurse came to my room and asked how we were doing...could we wait? I said, "Uh, no...the baby is about here...Could you stand by?"

She stood by the door and my patient said, "I can't help it. The baby is coming without me doing anything." Sure enough....the baby's head emerged. I grabbed the suction and sucked out the baby's mouth and nose. The charge nurse was still there and then as the Dr. walked in, the Mom birthed her baby and I caught him! I even got to show them what they had because they didn't know!

It was a total rush....The Mom I was caring for later asked me if I was nervous because I had told her that was the first baby I "delivered" on my own. I said "no"..for some reason it was more exciting than anything else. This is why I love my job!

New use for a Happy Meal box

2008-02-21T11:36:00.000-08:00

Here's some great advertising for McDonalds and a silly side of our Hope.

I took the kids out for lunch today with a gift card their Grandma gave them for Valentine's Day (thanks Grandma M.!) As we were driving home, Hope exclaimed, "Look Mom!". I gazed into the rear-view mirror and saw Hope looking about like this saying, "Mom, I have a Bat-Man mask on!"

A great Valentine idea

2008-02-15T17:12:00.001-08:00

For Valentine's Day, we called our neighbors who are our very close friends and they have kids our kids' ages, so we see each other quite a bit. Neither us or them had big plans for Valentine's Day, so they joined us here. The kids went downstairs to play and the guys picked up take-out from Macaroni Grill. Us girls set a nice romantic table in our dining room in the dark with candles. I put on some Michael Buble and when the guys got back we dined and drank some wine and champagne we each contributed to the meal. For dessert, we tried tiramisu that I had made. We had a few visits from kids, and Glenn had to put on a movie for the girls, but other than that, it was a great (less expensive) way to spend Valentine's Day!

thoughts about Vegas

2008-02-15T17:01:00.000-08:00

I said I'd post a couple more thoughts about our vacation last week.

1. Las Vegas isn't as "smutty" as I thought it would be. True, there is a lot of entertainment that satisifies hungry minds and open wallets, but it wasn't like New Orleans where there were lots of cheap X-rated gift shops.

2. It was interesting to see people walking the streets with drinks in hand. Beers, margaritas, these "tower" size glasses. That will never happen where I live.

3. The themed hotels fascinated me. It is like planning a Prom or party and saying, "what theme will work for decorating?" You can travel around the world and see Egypt, Paris, Venice, Greece, New York, and Asia without leaving the Strip.

4. The lights and sounds and buzzing from the casinos never bothered me. I liked the 24/7 activity (although Glenn and I of course retreated each night earlier than most....)

5. We never came across the cheap $5.95 "all you can eat" buffets or prime rib dinners our parents talked about. I don't think they exist any more.

6. Vegas is truly like one big party. If you like to gamble, you can gamble. If you like to drink, you can drink. If you like shows, there are plenty. If you like to eat, there are many good restaurants.

7. Our vacation for us was just being adults and not parents for a whole week. We could wake up when we wanted to, eat when we wanted to, talk or be silent when we wanted to, splurge and get this or that when we wanted to, and talk to each other without getting interrupted.

Week in Vegas

2008-02-12T17:37:00.001-08:00

Glenn and I just got back Saturday from a 6-day 5-night trip to Las Vegas. ALONE. Just the two of us. We hadn't travelled together ALONE in over 4 years, and it was wonderful. We were celebrating our 10-year anniversary which is actually March 7th, but Glenn also had a two-day Self-Storage Expo we attended.

There is so much I could write about, but for now I just want to show off some photos and briefly tell you what we did. We got in late Monday after multiple delays due to weather. We were concerned we wouldn't make it in to Las Vegas at all, but thankfully we were re-routed through Denver instead of O-Hare. We got to our hotel, the Flamingo shortly after 1 AM. I had been up for over 24 hours since I worked the night before, and Glenn was sick, so it was a LONG day.

We slept in until noon. That was incredible! I got hotel take-out food since Glenn was really sick (the flu probably). He felt OK enough to walk around town later that afternoon and night. We explored lots of hotel lobbies.

On Wednesday we had the Expo all day. I went to the lectures with Glenn which were overall interesting. You can ask Glenn....I dozed off quite a few times despite having coffee every morning! Glenn still wasn't up to eating that night so I enjoyed a Starbucks Frappuccino instead and ate just kind of whenever I felt like it. We saw Blue Man Group that night and just loved it!

On Thursday we had the Expo until noon and then vendors had things set up until 5. We wandered around until about 3PM and then headed back to the hotel for a little gambling. That night we hopped the bus to downtown Vegas and enjoyed playing at tables with a slighter smaller minimum bet than on the Strip. Glenn also managed to eat a meal with me at a sit-down restaurant called Binions. Kind of a mom-and-pop place but there were lots of people there.

Friday we rented a car and went to Hoover Dam. We then decided just to drive until we got sick of it. It was nice to leave the city and drive the open roads in the desert. We were thinking we MIGHT go to the Grand Canyon (4 1/2 hr. drive), but Glenn was going to leave it up to me. By early afternoon, I told him we could turn around. I think both of us wanted one more night of the city life. We got back by 5 and went to Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville for a fun dinner. Then we enjoyed a little more gambling until we decided we better call it quits.

We had such a fun time! I really really miss the sunshine and 50-60 degree weather. More thoughts about Vegas on my next post.....

Happy birthday Hope!

2008-02-03T11:45:00.000-08:00

Happy 4th birthday sweetheart.

It is hard to believe our little girl is four today! We just love her so much, and she brings such life to our family. As I did with Jordan, here are some facts about Hope!

1. When I was 38 weeks pregnant with Hope, I developed a horrible condition called benign positional vertigo; essentially caused by an inner ear infection. I had no balance, was sensitive to noise and light, couldn't eat, and really couldn't do anything. I laid in a chair or in bed for four days.

2. After four long days, we called our Dr. He suggested that I get induced. While I so much wanted to birth like we did with Jordan (stayed mostly at home, no epidural) I had no idea how long I could stay in the miserable state I was in. We went in at 7:30PM Feb. 2 to get induced (I was due Feb. 12). I had one dose of Cytotec and my water broke several hours later. Then they started Pitocin in the middle of the night and by 3-4 AM I was having pretty intense contractions! I got an epidural, relaxed for about an hour, and by 7AM I was fully dilated. My Dr. barely made it in for the delivery, and Hope was born at 7:28AM! She was a peanut....6 lbs 14 oz. and 18 1/2 inches long!

3. We were thrilled to have a girl! For one split second I wished she was a boy because I kind of knew then she would be our last baby.

4. The nurses in the hospital called her a little doll. She was a very sweet baby.

5. She slept through the night at 8 weeks (that was wonderful!)

6. Hope started to stand at 7 months. She looked so funny standing because she was so tiny!

7. She started taking steps at 10 months but didn't walk until a year. (I was thankful....I wanted her to take her time...)

8. She was an absolutely delightful toddler. She wanted to do everything Jordan was doing.

9. She started showing us her strong willed side at two.

10. She showed us it even more at three!

11. When I asked her today, "what should I write about you?" She said, "I love my family!"

12. Hope does love life. She is excited about ice cream, kitties, coloring, the library, school, grandparents, dolls, girly colors like pink and purple, Winnie the Pooh on Playhouse Disney, and her friends.

13. She loves preschool and can print letters and follow directions well.

We are so thankful for our little and celebrate her today!

Day two of Hope's birthday week-end!

2008-02-02T19:25:00.000-08:00

This morning Hope had a birthday with several little friends. It is so much fun to now plan parties with our children now that they are older and can help with ideas. We arranged for For the Kidz to bring their Tumblebus Express to our home! It is a school bus they have turned into a gymnasium. You should have seen how excited the kids were when the bus pulled into our driveway!!

The kids got about 40 minutes to tumble. They did stretching excercises, a mini climbing wall, the mini-trampoline, and their favorite, the "zip-line"! After a fun time tumbling, their staff gave each girl a goodie bag, and the kids played in our home. I served the girls and their Moms lunch, and the girls played some more.

I have lots more photos, but for some reason I can't upload them all now. We are very thankful for the fun day we had. Tomorrow (the 3rd) is Hope's actual birthday. Since we already went out to eat and had her party, tomorrow will be playing with new toys and giving Hope a few gifts from us. Maybe she can think that the Super Bowl Party we are going to is for her too (ha ha).

Day one of Hope's birthday week-end

2008-02-01T21:12:00.000-08:00

Once again, our baby girl's birthday week-end is full of snowy, cold weather. We drove to the hospital in almost zero visability when we were getting induced with her, and last year the big blizzard of 07 was on her birthday. Today we had quite a bit of snow, and my parents decided not to try to make the journey from Chicago. We were a bit disappointed as they were going to join us for dinner tonight.

However, we still went out for dinner to Hope's choice: TGI Friday's! We met Glenn's parents, and Carrie and Joel and Nora for dinner. We had a great dinner followed by gift opening by Hope. Grandma gave her some dress up clothes: this boa, a birthday crown, and a hula skirt! Hope will have lots of fun with all three. She was so excited about her ice cream sundae, but then she only ate 1/4 of it and played with her new gifts. Grandma and Grandpa head on a cruise tomorrow, but Hope and her little friends are going to have a party at our home. More updates on that tomorrow!

I can't wait to write about Hope's milestones as I did for Jordan. It is so fun for me to look back and appreciate every thing about her.

Princess Hope

2008-01-28T13:49:00.000-08:00

Princess Hope had so much fun last week picking out her new carseat. We did things the Carlson way (our own rules) and upgraded her even though she doesn't meet the weight requirement. She is almost four! We are getting sick of the 5-pt harness! (She is only 28 pounds though.......weight requrement 30.....oh well).

She picked a princess booster seat, and we had her put on a princess costume for the picture. (this was Aunt Amy's costume as a little girl, and now it fits Hope perfectly!)

Jordan

2008-01-20T19:14:00.000-08:00

Jordan is such a joy to do things with. He invited me as his special guest to his penguin party at school this past Thursday. (I look pretty good after getting home from work and sleeping one hour don't I?) Anyway, his class has been learning all about penguins, so we got to make an Oreo penguin together, waddle like a penguin, draw penguins, and the guests watched the class perform a few silly songs about penguins.
Jordan is also quite talented at home. Tonight we were playing with an old toy my Mom saved (the date on the instructions said 1970!! Should I have it tested for lead??). I loved making tile creations with this, and now Jordan and Hope do as well. Tonight I challenged Jordan to make a snowman. I thought this was pretty clever! He said the snowman's color changes as he gets warmer!

will I see a delivery tonight?

2008-01-16T18:47:00.000-08:00

I work at one the biggest hospitals around here with a huge labor and delivery department, but I have not had any of my patients deliver yet in 2008. I have worked many shifts but have had pts with long labors, inductions, or have helped with other nurses' C-section patients. I am keeping a log of all my deliveries for 2008 and need to put something in it.

Will it be tonight? I have worked 6 out of the past 7 days and then have 7 days off! Wish me well..............let's pray for a baby...

Is this January?

2008-01-08T13:35:00.000-08:00

In a couple of days I'm going to be very disappointed when the snow flies again. I am not a winter person. I ask Glenn every winter why in the world we live in Michigan. I live in fleeces, coats, and survive under electric blankets. Anyway, the past few days have been an amazing change from the typical January Michigan weather.

Yesterday I was able to stay home all day. After the Christmas activities, this was MUCH appreciated. Hope and I went for a walk in the morning, and Hope got to wear her new rain boots she got for Christmas (which I thought she wouldn't have any use for until March!). She loved stomping in the snow slop and carried her umbrella along on the walk as it was drizzing. The kids even rode bikes in the afternoon after Jordan was home from school. Crazy!

2008-01-05T12:34:00.000-08:00

Images of Christmas 2007........

Here it is January 5th and I am now finally posting Christmas photos. I did not take lots of photos this year. I think I am realizing that I have so many photos that aren't in albums yet that if I take less, I have less work ahead of me!

Anyway, we had a nice Christmas vacation with great visits with friends, family, and with each other. The first two photos were taken at Glenn's parents' home on Christmas Eve. Unfortuately, I had a horrible sore throat that lasted almost a week, put me in fatigued state for a couple of days, and made it so I didn't enjoy things as I had hoped. We had a nice family day with Glenn's parents and Carrie, Joel, and Nora. We opened gifts for HOURS and ate Glenn's Moms scrumptious supply of Christmas candy. On Christmas Day I slept while my family went to church since I wasn't feeling all that well. We then opened gifts with the 4 of us. The 3rd photo is of the kids new jammies......kids love getting PJs for some reason! Jordan got an assortment of Legos, and of course we had to get him a set as well (we got him Indiana Jones and he loves it!). The fourth picture is of our Christmas dinner. Our family tradition is to go to church, open gifts, watch a movie in the afternoon (this year it was Ratatoullie!), and have a candlelit meal that is somewhat fancier than mac-n-cheese. I made a beef roast and we had wine to drink. We read Luke 2 and the kids dashed to play with new toys afterwards. I wound up working that evening just to get myself going after feeling yucky for the past three days.

On the 26th my family arrived. Mom and Dad did some errands with my Grandma while I slept after working, and then my brother Jonathan and his wife Megan arrived from the East side of the state in the early evening. They live in Virginia Beach but were visiting Megan's family earlier in the week. We got a sitter that night and the six of us adults ate at San Chez in downtown GR. We had such a great time trying so many appetizers, drinking Mojitos, and having great conversation! Afterwards we were able to walk around downtown, watch the ice skaters at Rosa Park Circle, and then drive past where Jonathan and Megan got engaged a few years ago. Megan and I watched part of a movie when we got home.

On the 27th we enjoyed a lunch at Steak and Shake for Jonathan and Megan who LOVE their cheese fries, and then we all visited Frederick Meijer Gardens. We looked at the tree display from around the world, and Jordan and Hope spent lots of time watching the train display.

We finished the evening with a big dinner courtesy of my Mom's cooking. My parents left Friday morning in the beginnings of a snowstorm. Glenn went skiing with his Dad and brother-in-law Joel, while I hung out with Jonathan and Megan and had Hungry Howies for lunch (another badly missed food item from Grand Rapids by Jonathan and Megan). I still wasn't feeling 100%, so Jonathan and Megan played with Jordan and Hope in the afternoon while I rested. Jonathan and Megan also took Jordan and Hope to Holland for awhile on Saturday to see Megan's alma mater, Hope college, (where Hope says she is going!) while Glenn and I recovered from plowing and working.

We missed seeing Amy, Rob, Hailey, and Derek, but we are so grateful we could spend the holidays with everyone in Oregon in November.

Another year of memories...............new ones and ones we have repeated over and over again.

Happy New Year!!

2007-12-31T06:07:00.000-08:00

I haven't had a chance to post my Christmas photos. Our week was very full with all of the joys of Christmas, family, our children, and some frustratations too as I dealt with a sore throat that lasted a week..............

Anyway, happy 2008 tonight!

I'm going to try to "look back" again to remember where we were the past few "new years",

New Years 2007- We were in Madison, WI celebrating with my Dad's extended family. We all toasted in the New Year with drinks and Dick Clark's Rocking Eve in my parents' family room.

New Years 2006-We were at our friends' home, the Kuperus' in Grand Rapids. Were we playing Wii for the first time? Was it out yet?

New Years 2005-Our family was in Madison, WI again. We celebrated at my aunt and uncle's home and watched my uncle do his fireworks outside at New Years. This is the year I toasted I wanted to become an aunt and sure enough, a few weeks later, my sister announced she was pregnant!

New Years 2004- I was almost 8 months pregnant with Hope. We went to my sister-in-law and brother-in-laws home in Wyoming, MI. We celebrated with several couples including our friends from Nicaragua who were in GR at the time. Jordan came along with us and went to bed before the New Year (he was just two)

New Years 2003- We were in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico!! Jordan was just one, and this was his first visit down there. We used to have a tradition with Glenn's family to travel every other Christmas, but that has become difficult in the past few years. I remember walking on the beach with Glenn, Carrie and Joel right around the new year. Wouldn't that be nice to do tonight???

New Years 2002- Our Jordan was three weeks old. We started the night at Carrie and Joel's duplex in Grand Rapids. We have a cute photo of baby Jordan wearing some silly 2002 glasses! Then we headed to our youth groups' annual NY party since we were leaders at the time. I remember Jordan slept the whole time, even through all the screaming of "Happy New Year!".

New years 2001- Yes, we were in Mexico again. I think we were in Cancun this time. We went to a restaurant on NY Eve and I remember Glenn's Dad wearing this silly humongous cheese thing on his head. We all had drinks and a toast to the New Year. I remember the only thing I wanted for 2001-a baby. Praise God we got our little present that next December!!

The Millenium!!! Glenn and I hosted a huge party at our home with fun 2000 decorations, lots of guests, and a generator just in case the power went out for Y2K. We also did some fireworks outside of our Caledonia home, and many of the neighbors came outside to see what we were doing.

So Happy New Year to all! May God grant His blessings on us in this New year, and may our hearts be faithful for his plans for us.

Looking Back

2007-12-22T20:10:00.001-08:00

My sister Amy had a neat post entitled "Looking Back". She looked back several years at Christmases past. I thought it would enlighten me a bit to see where my life was at different stages. However, my sister has an amazing memory and mine isn't as sharp. Let's see how I do....

1 year ago-December 2006-We spent our first Christmas in Chicago which was a reunion for my immediate family since everyone had moved (but us) in 2006. The adults saw a play and we looked at lights at Lincoln Park Zoo.

5 years ago-December 2002-We lived at our home in Caledonia and Jordan just celebrated his first birthday. I remember my brother got him a toy lawn mower for Christmas and he just loved it. I also remember how much Jordan loved playing with boxes, bows, and wrapping paper. I was working part-time at a Dr.'s office and was planning to put in my resignation after the new year.

10 years ago-December 1997-Glenn and I were engaged. My parents still lived in GR and I remember having fondue at their home. Our wedding was just two months away! I was trying to take some grad classes and work full-time. I'd have to look back at photo albums to remember what we did because right now I just don't...........

15 years ago-December 1992-I was a sophomore at Calvin College. I was having the time of my life with so many new friends. I remember Christmas break being a wonderful reprieve though from lack of sleep and studying. I always picked up extra hours at Russ' over the holidays and slept in when I could. I think I was dating someone at the time too and spent time with him.

20 years ago-December 1987-We lived in Lafayette, Indiana and I think I was a freshmen in high school. I'm sure I attended a youth group Christmas party and either went to Madison, Wisconsin or Chicago over the break because we did that every year with my family. I think this was the year my Grandpa Mensink was very sick, dying from cancer. I know we saw him for the last time if I have my years right.

25 years ago-December 1982-This was our first Christmas in Lafayette. I have vivid memories of those Christmases at that house. We'd always help Dad put lights on the railings in the front of the house and Mom would make Christmas candy. We always had church council Christmas parties and usually host some relative for part of the break.

30 years ago-December 1977-Because I don't have a memory like my sister's, I don't remember this Christmas. Isn't it sad? I was four and my little Hope is 3, so she may not remember this Christmas. We lived in New York and my little sister was just 9 months. I do remember opening gifts in our basement because we had a HUGE room down there to play in. We also would Christmas carol with the church and drink hot chocolate.

I'll be writing soon about our own family memories for 2007!!!

(Now I'm going to check my sisters' blog to see how on or off my memory is!)

meltdown

2007-12-17T14:46:00.000-08:00

Ok. I had a meltdown last night. Glenn witnessed it. I think these happen in my stretch of working several nights in a row because I don't get enough sleep. I'm so sorry Glenn...

Here is what I am like when I meltdown to those of you who really don't see this side of me...

5PM- I'm so tired. I'll make pasta for the kids. We sat and ate dinner. Glenn went out to snowplow.

6PM-Mommy hits the shower. I feel like putting PJs on but know I need to work. I compromise: PJ pants with sweater.

7PM- Mommy with afghan. Kids sit on couch with me while we watch America's Funniest Home Videos.

7:30PM-Glenn calls and says he is heading home. I barely make it up the stairs to put a pizza in the oven for him.

8PM-I snuggle with Hope on the Lazy Boy.

8:30- Glenn puts Jordan to bed. I put Hope to bed. I retreat to the Lazy Boy and try to fall asleep. I am so tired but worked up about how messy the house is, when I am going to finish Christmas shopping, why I couldn't find the Christmas stamps for the cards, when I am going to go grocery shopping etc.

9:30-Lazy boy is not so comfortable. I head to our room but realize I have to be up in 30 min. I am still very worked up thinking about everything I have to do this week.

10-Glenn heads up to see if I am awake. I am in a stupor. He asks what is wrong. I tell him I'd just love to slit my throat right now. I don't want to go to work and feel awful. He tells me it is Jen pity party time. Mmmm...I was looking just for a loving hug......

10:15- I am still fretting about where the Christmas stamps are. Glenn says it will be OK.
Now I head to work.

Of course, despite my dragging my feet, feeling like I am the most unfortunate person in the world to work 3rd shift, I actually have a great shift with 2 very fun experiences. My best friend from high school and college roommate was there delivering her first baby. I walked in the room not realizing it was her, and I helped take care of her baby and got to do the first bath! Then I had a great delivery after that too.

8:00AM I get home and ask Glenn again where the Christmas stamps are. I look again in his "stash" where he said he put them. Lo and behold I find them and the Christmas letters get mailed.

All is well. I can go to sleep now.

Jordan

2007-12-08T19:39:00.001-08:00

HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY JORDAN!!

Some wonderful memories of and things about Jordan....

1. Jordan was born on a Saturday, so today really felt like his "birth" day. I went into labor with Jordan two hours after getting home from a Christmas party where I was dancing! I was in labor for 20 1/2 hours with him. I birthed in a bathtub until they made me get out so my Dr. could break my water. After that, he was born after about an hour of pushing! It was a wonderful amazing experience.

2. Jordan had whooping cough at 7 weeks old (he was a week shy of receiving his immunization for it!) He was hospitalized for five days. I'll never forget the sound of the "whoop" noise his cough made.

3. Once Jordan figured out how to sleep through the night at 4 months old, he always slept well. (He still does!) We have never had any sleeping issues with him.

4. Jordan walked at 10 months old. He was always on the go and liked to empty cupboards and unload things.

5. Jordan first began really talking well at age two.

6. Since he was two he has always loved construction equipment, diggers, excavators, you name it!

7. He has had 4 ear infections and 2 cases of strep throat. When he was three, we noticed he wasn't listening to us and asking to have the TV turned up loud. That is how we discovered he had an ear infection! His hearing is perfectly FINE now (although sometimes he still doesn't listen......)

8. He has loved school since he started preschool at 3 1/2. He really enjoys numbers and making things.

9. He learned to ride a bike without training wheels when he was four. Glenn just pushed him forward and off he went! He never even fell!

10. He has a huge passion now for Legos. He has so many collections of them. Any storage ideas anyone in how I can keep them all straight?

11. He loves his sister and even puts up with her when she tries to "help" him with his Legos.

12. He has such a big heart. He saw a picture of his new baby cousin on our fridge and said, "Aw, he's cute. I love my boy cousin!"

13. He isn't perfect, but he truly is our amazing little boy. God is molding him into a pretty neat person!!

Here are pictures from his birthday today!

For the past two years we have gone to Krispy Kreme on his birthday for donuts. This morning when I asked him if he wanted to go, he said he wanted to have Krispy Kreme donuts at home. So Daddy picked us up a dozen and we ate quite a few amongst the 4 of us!

Jordan also got to decide how he wanted to spend his birthday with his friends.After talking about it for many times through many conversations, Jordan decided he wanted to do a birthday party at our home with his friends. So he invited four boys: two boys from his kindergarten class and two close friends from church who we've known since the boys were babies. We did a Lego party which was so fun and easy to do! We played "Build the tallest Lego tower in one minute" "Guess the # of Legos in a jar" and we dropped Duplo Legos into a container (kind of like dropping clothespins into a jar) and counted how many the boys got in out of 10. I made him a Lego cake (see above) and we had Lego plates, cups and napkins.
The boys all got a small Lego set to take home. Hope even hung out with the boys for the afternoon. I asked her how she'd like having 5 brothers, and she smiled and said "No!". She actually had a lot of fun with them though and even squeezed into this picture of them.

We ended the day at Jordan's restaurant choice, Chuck E Cheese. Glenn and I tried to suggest Logan's Roadhouse, but Chuck E Cheese was a lot of fun. We went with the four of us and my Mom came along too. Jordan wore a birthday crown and got to play lots of games and eat his favorite food, pizza. It was a wonderful birthday! What a great celebration of our little guy who we love so much!

Welcome Miriam

2007-12-08T19:26:00.001-08:00

This post is a tribute to our dear friends Casey and Laura. After they learned they were pregnant and learned that I had become a labor and delivery nurse, they asked me if I would feel comfortable being their nurse when their baby arrived. I of course said I'd love to! It was a treasure being there, like the finger of God was over us all the time. Laura happened to me induced on a night I was working. Usually nurses like me who come in at 11P don't do inductions, but I left a note asking if it would work out for me to do hers anyway, and when I showed up at work they had already assigned Laura to me. I told Laura that I'd take care of her all night, but I would have to leave at the end of my shift (7AM) to sleep so I could function for a Christmas party and Jordan's birthday this week-end. At the end of my shift I expected Laura to be in labor a few more hours. So I gave report to the next nurse and proceeded to a Dr. sleep room and asked the nurse to call me in the next few hours if Laura was ready to have the baby. I was in the sleep room probably one minute (just enough to put my bag down and check out my accomodations) when my cell phone rang and her nurse told me Laura was going to have the baby. I excitely ran upstairs but took a few minutes too long. I think I walked in the room just seconds after their precious daughter, Miriam was born. Isn't she cute??
I totally lost in when I walked in. They didn't know what they were having so they announced they had a girl and told me her name. I just started shaking and crying. I had the honors of weighing the baby and just being there as a friend for a few minutes. God totally watched over Laura all night, and God allowed Miriam to be born safely and timely and picked a pretty neat family for her to join! I am so grateful to God for this experience and that my friends trusted me with this precious part of their lives.

random thoughts on a Friday night

2007-11-30T19:20:00.001-08:00

Ok, this blog is just kind of a depressing one, but sometimes it is good just to let thoughts out.

I miss my sister and her little baby Derek. I miss their whole family. I know Derek is going to grow up and I won't be able to see his milestones with Amy. Somehow, this is difficult for me. We have all gotten adjusted somewhat to living so far apart, but with a new baby, it is really hard sometimes. I'm sure Amy feels that way too at times.

I am reading the book "48 Days to the Work you Love" by Dan Miller right now. I was hoping to read that last summer before I started the job search thing. It is nice to read it now though but it has gotten me confused. Where is my passion? My long-term passion? I love helping bring babies into the world. I love my job. Midnights are hard. I miss some of the things in life I have given up. I told Glenn that the things I really miss are 1)going to an aerobics class 2)volunteering in youth group at our church 3)being able to help others more 4)working on my Creative Memories.

Glenn and I are doing so much better financially. My career is back on track again and I'm learning great things. I have fun at work and I learning to do it better and better each day. However, life just isn't work. I need to dig into myself and find out what my life goals and passions really are. I don't love being a Mom as much as I used to. I can't figure out where this feeling came from either; whether I have less tolerance for tantrums and messes since I am gone more, or my kids are just at stages they need more support, teaching, and discipline from me??? I lose my temper with Hope A LOT. Tonight was another example where I just couldn't tolerate her clinging on me, opposing me, and refusing to walk when I asked her to.

Tonight I got a call from work asking if I would like to stay home. They had enough nurses on. I said yes but feel guilty. How am I going to advance my skills when I work part-time? And I have gotten to stay home now once a month when they were extra-staffed. Shouldn't I be jumping up and down smiling? Wow! I get to stay home!!! Yes, staying home tonight means now I get to go get a Christmas tree with my family instead of sleep. I get to eat pancakes and bacon with them and maybe decorate our home. But, I was supposed to be working. It is this strange tug of war working Moms feel. You go from one world to another almost. I haven't quite figured out how to do it well...................

That's enough for now. Did I also mention in the news today it says midnight workers have a greater risk for developing cancer? We joked at work last night they should pay us double because the increased risk on our health..................I have wondered if sleep deprivation causes any major medical illnesses.

Family gathering in Oregon

2007-11-28T06:04:00.001-08:00

Hi everyone! We just got back from Oregon late last night. We enjoyed a wonderful gathering with my family to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the birth of our new nephew. It was a blessing to be together. Standing are my brother Jonathan and his wife Megan, and my parents. On the left of the couch is my sister Amy, her husband Rob, Derek ( one week old!) and Hailey who is two. Of course next to them is my family. Hope didn't want to be in the picture. Can you tell? She also spilled milk on her clothing at dinner so she is wearing PJs in the picture.

I'll post more about our time after photos are dowloaded. My sister hasn't posted pics on her blog yet of the baby, so I don't want to put cute photos of him on mine yet!

A new nephew!

2007-11-21T01:23:00.000-08:00

Well, I am the proud auntie to a sweet little boy named Derek Robert. I am so happy he his here and my sister's labor and delivery went well. I get to snuggle the little boy on Saturday! Hope and I had fun at Target this morning buying all sorts of little boy things.

Sunday thoughts

2007-11-18T20:19:00.000-08:00

Those of you who read my Florida post, I am so excited I finally posted it, but wish I could lay it out better. I need some help from some experienced bloggers!!

Anyway, the adrenaline is flying high still here. We are travelling again in 5 days to Oregon. We are spending the week-end of Thanksgiving with my sister Amy and her husband Rob, and hopefully their TWO kids.

Amy is 40 weeks and 2 days pregnant! I called her yesterday and she wasn't in labor yet. I hope I don't go crazy waiting. Keep posted to find out if I have a new niece or nephew!

Florida re-cap

2007-11-18T19:40:00.000-08:00

From Friday Nov. 9th-Monday Nov.12th, I had the incredible privelege of spending the week-end in Orlando with my friends Stephanie and Ashby! Ashby lives in Indiana and we were across-the-street neighbors when we were kids. Stephanie is from Orlando and moved to Indiana when we were in high school. The three of us spent one amazing year together in our high school church youth group, and then my family moved to Michigan. Somehow, that one year together solidified our friendship for life. Eighteen years later, three weddings, nine babies, and multiple moves amongst us all, we are all still very close. This was our first official week-end just with just "us". We've travelled with kids and husbands before, but we have really wanted to do a girls week-end, and boy was it fun!

The theme you will notice here throughout the photos is: FOOD. How nice is it to have multiple meals out in one week-end where you aren't cleaning up spills or correcting behavior or helping cut up food! Also, we splurged on our favorite cuisine. Ashby and I met up at the Orlando Airport Friday morning and Stephanie picked us up. We hit the outlets malls from there and did some shopping for us and some Christmas shopping. We then ate dinner at Sweet Tomatoes which is a favorite of Stephanie's. It is a huge salad, pasta, and soup buffet.

We then went to our hotel (pictured above) to check in. We were greeted with Sangria and dodged a sales-pitch and headed to our room. After getting up at 4AM (Ashby and I) we were ready to retire early.

On Saturday we slept in and headed to a place Stephanie had been to that had huge gift shops and a cute diner where they served lunch in a picnic basket. We did some more shopping and found a couple more gifts and had another nice lunch.

These next photos are from Downtown Disney. Thankfully our hotel was very conveniently located and we weren't far from anything. Downtown Disney was on the way home from where we had lunch so we stopped there for a couple of hours. We had fun browsing the Disney stores and got our kids a few Disney toys for Christmas gifts. I had to go to the Lego store for Jordan. Here I am posing in front of the bins of bricks. How I wished Jordan had been there for that moment! My kid is crazy over Legos and would have been able to spend hours in this store. I did find him a fun birthday present here and can't wait to give it to him.

How much would you spent for this amazing Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Raspberry milkshake? (at the Ghirardelli store in Downtown Disney?)

(How about $6.25????????????????????????? Pretty crazy!)

On Saturday night us ladies went to Bahama Breeze for dinner which had a little more Florida flair to it with tropical decorations, some seafood, tropical drinks, and a little band. From there we went to Jelly Rolls which was a piano bar Stephanie had been to before in Downtown Disney. I don't have any pictures, but that was probably one of our highlights of the week-end! These two guys play whatever songs people request, and it is funny to watch them sing and pound to the beat and watch the people in the bar act a bit crazy themselves. Most of the songs they played were from the 80s and 90s like "Desperado", "You can call me Al", "I like Big Butts...", "Piano Man..." etc. You get the point. Nice for us 30-somethings to sing to!!

And here are some photos from Sunday. We slept in and ate breakfast at IHOP and then just laid around the pool. We all brought books and magazines, and it was wonderful to do nothing together. I took Steph's car in the afternoon to visit some friends of mine who just moved to the area this past summer. It was nice to see them briefly and see where they live. They have promised that when our family comes to Disney, we can stay with them.

On Sunday night we went to Don Pablo's since all of us girls LOVE Mexican. We ended the night with Mudslides in the hotel bar (don't you love the picture of Ashby and Stephanie above?). We spent a lot of time just talking, laughing, telling stories, and just sharing about the most intimate parts of our lives.

You guys are awesome friends! I am so thankful I could spent the week-end with you, and I thank God you are in my life!

adrenaline

2007-11-07T10:51:00.001-08:00

I always try to take a nap before I work. Today I just can't. I have too much on my mind and thus the adrenaline is flowing....

Our friends leave for Nicaragua tomorrow. They have been in Michigan since July and now head home and won't be back here for 2 years. It is just hard to comprehend that it will be that long until we see them again. I'm sad but it hasn't hit me yet.

My sister is expecting baby#2 any day now. Every day that clicks by I get more excited. She knows the gender; we don't. Curiousity is getting to me!!! Boy, or girl? They have a little girl who is two and we love her to pieces.................will I be holding my niece or nephew in a few weeks????

Today is my husband's birthday. We have a sitter coming and we are eating dinner out, just the two of us.

I leave on a plane in less than 48 hours. I am visiting two friends who are so dear to my heart. One lives in Florida and the other in Indiana, and we have known each other for 18 years. We are spending 3 days in Orlando at a hotel doing WHATEVER WE WANT! I am so excited to go...I am a little sad that my family can't come with me...just a little. Our family has been so busy lately that we haven't slown down and just enjoyed down time together. The 4 of us hanging out at Disney sounds really really fun. BUT, sitting by myself on a plane reading a book sounds fun too.

I'll post when I'm back. I'll let you know what we did and if my sister had her baby while I was gone! Thank goodness for cell phones. I won't miss out on any news that way!

missing teeth

2007-11-01T11:08:00.000-07:00

Jordan lost two teeth last week. I thought you might enjoy seeing his new look!

HALLOWEEN 2007

2007-11-01T10:53:00.000-07:00

Our little tooth fairy and astronaut had a great Halloween! We started off the week with carving pumpkins Monday night and then eating lunch with my Grandma yesterday at her apartment complex. We voted on the best jack-o-lantern, got some candy, and all the people said how cute the kids were (& they weren't even in costume!). Last night the kids were in their costumes before Glenn and I had finished eating of all our dinner. Glenn and the kids went trick-or-treating with our neighbors and I had the role as candy passer-outer. I try to get out of it every year but Glenn says he wants to go out with the kids every year. Last year I ran out of candy, so this year I thought I planned better and bought more. I ran out again at 7:30! Better planning next year...or I'll just leave my porch lights off and go out with my kids.

out of sync

2007-10-30T20:32:00.000-07:00

For anyone out there who reads my blog, my life is way out of sync. Therefore, I have not taken the time to post more pictures on my blog. I haven't written anything in my blog.

I have made one or two dinners in the past week and a half. I think I've forgotten how to cook.

My home is dusty and dirty.

My laundry is backed up.

My husband had no lunchmeat for his sandwiches for two days.

But, my children are clothed, going to school, have Halloween costumes for tomorrow, and we are all happy and OK.

So, next time you see I've actually posted some pictures and shared more about our lives, you will know I'm back in sync.

2007-10-22T19:18:00.000-07:00

DOUBLE JJ RESORT!

I have been working on this post for days and still seem to have trouble putting multiple photos in. I'm getting frustrated because I keep deleting my photos as I navigate around and then have to start all over.

I was intending to share 4-5 photos, but I'll start with this one and when I'm not frustrated, I'll add the rest!

Jordan had his first official break from school this past Thursday-Friday. We decided to surprise him and Hope with a trip to Double JJ Resort in Rothbury, MI, just over an hours' drive from our home. This resort has everything from an old Western town to a golf course, but we went for their indoor water park. We stayed in this darling cabin that had one sitting room, a master bedroom, and an upstairs loft.

Please stay tuned tomorrow to see the rest of the pictures! The waterpark was so much fun and we highly recommend it to families with kids of any ages. There was definitely a lot to do. Check out www.doublejj.com to see for yourself.....

Visiting Betty Ford

2007-10-15T17:52:00.000-07:00

I am 34.

I am older than most of my friends.

I have the oldest kids out of some of my friends.

I have been pregnant the longest ago out of most of my friends.

Today I visited the Betty Ford Center which I don't think many of my friends have been to.

I found a breast lump.

I am familiar with procedures now with testing.

I did not have to have a mammogram; I just had an ultrasound. I will need a mammogram at age 35 (that is next year...I don't feel 35)

You go into a little curtained area and remove your deoderant with these cleansing pads. You put on a little half-sized gown (I tied mine backwards...it opens in the front. All my patients wear theirs with it open in the back. That is what I'm used to so that is what I did).

A nurse assesses you and "marks" your area.

You get your test.

A radiologist comes in and gives you your results right away.

The lump was purely inflammation. No cysts, no masses, no cancer.

Thank you Lord.

Birch Run!!

2007-10-15T08:57:00.000-07:00

What a fun week-end!

On Friday night I went away with 10 friends from our church. We were all so eager to just be together for 24 hours and have no responsibilities!! We went to the Birch Run Outlets near Frankenmuth, MI (about 2 1/2 hours from home).

Here is why I love to go away on girls' week-ends once a year:

1)We went out to eat Friday night at 8PM. (when do I EVER do that?) Bennigan's was GOOD. We shared one of those yummy onion loaf things and I had a huge salad that was fabulous.

2)We got to our hotel right by the Birch Run Outlets around 10PM and just lounged in one of our rooms. Just add some women, some chocolate, and some Smirnoffs!!

3)I WAS looking forward to sleeping in, but my two roommates with infants at home just couldn't sleep past 7:15. Come on ladies, we are AWAY from the kids! (just teasing...you know who you are and we already gave you a hard enough time!) No, anyway, I enjoyed the breakfast in the hotel lobby of cinnamon rolls and coffee.

4)SHOPPING! My favorite part about shopping at the outlets is finding so many things in one day, getting friends opinions that are honest, like, "Does this look good on me?" and "Would my husband really wear this?"

5)Dinner on the way home: Olive Garden. I really slurged and got a glass of my favorite wine and got a tiramisu to eat on the way home. That is one of my favorite desserts and I don't think I've had it in five years! It was really really really good.

While we shopped all day, the damage wasn't too bad. I take cash, so I always knew where I was at and even came home with 1/3 of what I brought. My fun purchases were trick or treat bags from Pottery Barn for the kids and an awesome pair of jeans from Banana Republic that fit well and look not so Good-Willish. I also have a cute Liz Claiborne sweater I will be wearing tomorrow.

Sorry, no pictures. I even took the camera but never snapped any footage of the fun. I guess what happens at Girls' Week-end stays at Girls' Week-end!

blessings at my kids' stages

2007-10-03T17:13:00.000-07:00

Many of you know I have deeply mourned the loss of the "baby stage" in our family and the "toddler stage". It is hard to realize those times are over and we won't get them back. But...

it is a joy to reflect on some things I can enjoy at this stage with a 3 and a 5 year old. I am thankful that:

1) I had 2 1/2 hours to MYSELF yesterday when they were both in school. I grocery shopped in 1/2 the amount of time I usually do.

2) I can do afternoon playdates since nobody is napping (I hung out a friends' home yesterday from 3-5 while our kids played)

3) We went for a 30 min. bikeride tonight where I actually was exercising! Jordan's distance is increasing! How fun! Hope rode in a bike trailer we are borrowing.

4) I cleaned my bathroom tonight while they were in our tub together!

5)They BOTH bring home wonderful creations for me to look at, tell me things like "Jesus is in my stomach (Hope)", "J is for Jellyfish....Juh...Juh....(with jellyfish motions) Jordan", and teach me how to appreciate the little things in life like school bus rides, making applesauce, and sharing bags.

My children are such amazing gifts. Tonight we looked at their baby pictures together. This was the FIRST time Jordan was really into it. He was asking questions, pointing out all the people in the pictures, and noticing some his belongings in the photos that he got as a baby.

Those of you with babies, toddlers...............hang on tight because they change fast. But, oh do you love them even more as they grow!!!!

called in

2007-10-01T09:09:00.000-07:00

So far I am two for two. I am supposed to be on call eight hours a month at work and typically I sign up for 4 hour shifts. Those are much easier for me to deal with than a whole extra shift. Since I have been off orientation just less than two months I haven't been on call a whole lot yet.

Usually I get the scraps. Somehow when the schedule comes out and the on-call shifts are available, they are mostly filled out already. Perhaps I am just slow to look at the schedule book or it always comes out on days I am off. Perhaps I should find that out.

So, I typically have had Friday or Saturday call shifts. This Sat. night I was on-call from 3A-7A and I was told those were "good shifts to pick" because "they hardly call you in!". I went to bed at 11pm Sat. night. I got the call at 2AM. I picked up a patient at 3 who had arrived at 2:30 since her water broke. Her baby was born at 6:30. So, at least I was busy with her and didn't get a chance to be tired. I was home by 8 and went to church. I think I fell asleep during the sermon a few times. I had a cup of coffee before church and after church. I watched a movie with my kids before lunch while cuddling on the couch. I made dinner with Glenn but I told Glenn he needed to supervise because I was so out of it! We ate wonderful spaghetti with garlic bread and salad. I left the dishes and took a 2 1/2 hour nap.

The dishes were still out at 10PM at night. Oh well.............

I'm on call tomorrow (Tuesday) from 3-7PM. What is your bet? Will it be 3 for 3???

blog changes

2007-09-26T10:43:00.000-07:00

Don't be surprised if you see my blog appearance change again. I like change. I like variety. I decided after 4 months (Wow, have I been employed for 4 months?) that my focus of my blog no longer needs to be my profession. My biggest part of my life is still my home. So you'll still see my thoughts about pregnancy, childbirth, etc. but I imagine you'll hear more about our family. So, bye-bye title Mommy Nurse and my name is back to Jen, not Nurse Jen.

The title, "Every day is a gift" is from one of my favorite songs ever. Glenn and I love Chris Rice who is a down-to-earth "big kid" artist who has done lots of camp ministry. In his 2000 album called "Smell the Color 9" he wrote a song called Life Means so Much. Perhaps you'll hear it someday at my funeral. (I skipped verse 1)

CHOURS
Teach us to count the days
Teach us to make the days count
Lead us in better ways
Somehow our souls forgot
Life means so much......life means so much

Verse 2

Everyday is a bank account
And time is our currency
So no one's rich, nobody's poor
We get twenty-four hours each
So how are you gonna spend?
Will you invest or squander
Try to get ahead
Or help someone who's under

(Chorus)

Has anybody lived who knew the value of a life?
And didn't He give His own to show the worth of yours and mine?

(Chorus)

Every day is a gift you've been given, Make the most of the time every minute you're livin.....

He repeats this last statement over and over again and fades.........

Clean sweep

2007-09-25T12:50:00.000-07:00

Problem: closet

What: lack of nice clothes, some clothes that are 10-plus years old, dust, lack of organization
After cleaning MY SIDE and dusting it and removing all non-attractive wear, here is what I own in the line of shirts.

Here is what Glenn owns...

Do YOU see a problem? I DO!!!

It is either A) Glenn has too many shirts B) Glenn has too many OLD shirts

(I am guessing it is B...he gets to purge next!)

AND, what do you folks do with "sentimental" old sweatshirts such as these? They are ugly, stretched out, and outdated and I truly won't wear them, but they are the only thing left from college.

The wonderful "TOSS" or throw away pile...........(sorry, it is sideways....)

I did this today because in 2 weeks I am going SHOPPING! I have hardly bought myself anything new in two years. I can hardly wait!

Pilots in training

2007-09-24T12:54:00.001-07:00

I have a husband who loves airplanes and flying. He actually had a pilots' license but hasn't been able to keep his hours up, so that is lapsed for now. Glenn's Dad is part of a flying club and has access to a plane, so Daddy, Grandpa, and Hope and Jordan got to go flying Saturday.

I worked Friday night so I was grateful the kids could have a very special day while I snoozed the day away.

Here are my little pilots! Daddy is instilling his excitement in them. They are already excited to fly to Oregon in November to see their cousins!

Sweet moments

2007-09-16T18:33:00.000-07:00

I love how kids can act so freely and just have fun.

This afternoon while I was cleaning up lunch, Hope decided to color while wearing something from her dress-up box. The moment was too cute!

By the way, I might be posting more often. I'm learning how to organize photos on our new computer.

Hopefully I'll finally post the back-to-school pictures!

Life's little pleasures

2007-09-05T17:26:00.000-07:00

I had a tough week about one and a half weeks ago. I think that was when our computer crashed. I also did my first run of four 8-hour shifts in a row and started having all these doubts about being a mother who works outside the home. I just started crying one night. It is funny because now I don't remember why I was crying. I was totally unbalanced. Probably sleep deprived but just thinking too much too.

I can't tell you how much better I feel this week. I see a counselor once/month who really helps keep me and Glenn grounded. I met with him (he sensed crisis in my voice) last week and shared with him my concern about working part-time. Am I wronging my children.....am I putting too much stress on our marriage working part-time now. I am thankful that he could help me sort these feelings out. God created me the way I am. I right now need the balance of career/home. This is the best for us at this time in our lives. Perhaps in five years it won't be or even in one year, but this is good for us now.

Another thing I discovered is that I feel so much better when I wake up early on my "day days". Days I didn't work the night before. In the past 5 days I have awakened at 7AM, 7AM, 5AM, 6:30AM, and 6:30AM. The last 5 day stretch I didn't work I probably got up at 8AM, 8:30AM, 9AM, 8:30AM and 8AM. I felt I deserved to sleep in since nobody had to get up for anything (no school) and I worked nights. Now Jordan is in school and he gets on the bus at 7:15 so I have to get up, and it is making a huge difference. I don't feel like a zombie and am enjoying my days off more. Now tomorrow night I start my stretch of 4 nights on again, so I will putting in a 2 hour movie for the kids in the afternoon and getting my much-needed nap.

Highlights of the past week:

Friday: My good friend Ashby and her 3 kids visited us from Indiana.

Saturday: We went raspberry picking with our kids in the morning. Hope LOVED it! She was my little partner and kept asking about the berries, "Is this one ready? Is this one ready?"

evening: We went swimming at our neighbors' pool.

Sunday: We piled in a 15-passenger van with Glenn's family to head up north. We picked up family in Muskegon, Beulah, and Petosky. There were 18 of us total and we all ate at Pizza Hut for dinner. Glenn's uncle took us out for ice cream afterwards (frozen custard). I sat on a spinny stool eating a sundae with Hope.

Monday: got up at 5AM, ate a hot breakfast at the hotel, and packed into the van to the Mackinac Bridge. We all walked across the bridge (its 50th anniversary). I enjoyed pushing my kids in a bike stroller we borrowed as they ate their little boxes of cereal and we gazed at the beautiful bridge and water. I walked 5 miles! I don't know why I don't exercise more often because I didn't even get tired! (my sister might be reading this...she runs marathons and probably is laughing at me right now!)

Tuesday: I watched my son get on a school bus. We were all excited for this big moment, but the minute he sat on his seat and I realized he was OK and not scared, I lost it. Those mother tears just rolled.............my sweet little boy rode a big bus to school!

evening: we met with 4 other couples up a cottage on Silver Lake in Rockford to visit with some good friends who just moved to Orlando. These friendships go way back....the time was wonderful.

Wednesday: I let the housework go one more day to spend the entire afternoon outside with my kids. We filled up the kiddie pool, had a watergun fight, ate ice cream, and went over to our friends' home again to swim.

What a great way to fill up the end of summer..............Once I figure out how to do pictures on this new computer we have, I'll start posting some. Be patient with me...I am a very slow learner.

I'd love to hear any of your back to school stories as well.

the CRASH

2007-09-05T17:20:00.000-07:00

Hi friends and family,

Well, the Carlson computer is now in a better place. I was working on some photos about 2 weeks ago and the screen went blank and there were just a few words on the screen. I recognized one: failure. I thought, "Oh no. This is the demise we were warned about." Our hard drive is really messed up. Note to all of you photo takers and scrapbookers: BACK UP your photos! We lost lots of stuff: all the VBS documents from 2007 (not too upset about that...) Christmas lists (can live without), the starts of a few journals (not too impt), all my photos from 2002 (SUCKS!). I was pretty mad. Just ask Glenn. We are the type of couple that can run a pretty fast-paced life, but when it comes to household items, everything slips. We have talked about backing up photos for 2 years now. I am so dumb with computers, I just never learned how to do it, and our computer was a bit outdated. Now, I'm going to do it. I may be asking you to search your files for old pictures to see what I'm really missing....

Burn your photos on CDs!!!!

midnights..

2007-08-08T19:20:00.000-07:00

Hello,

I thank all of you for reading my blog. I have not been blogging for awhile, but I'll be back. I'm getting the hang of midnights. The midnight shift at work that is..............here is my experience so far for those of you who might be curious (or interested) in working somewhere at night.

1. It isn't hard to stay awake. I thought for sure I'd be dozing off mid-shift! On Labor and Delivery though you always have a fetal monitor to watch or are perhaps in the middle of a delivery, so I don't get sleepy.

2. It is hard to figure out what to eat. Lunch? Dessert? Breakfast? We take our breaks somewhere between 1-2AM. What would YOU eat?? The last shift I worked I had a chicken quesadilla and frozen yogurt with Recees PB cup on top. Wierd?

3. Coffee- I've discovered our cafeteria's Starbuck Sumatra blend (hope I spelled that right) is very very good. I will pass through and pick one up before my shift and sip it while I'm getting report on my patient.

4. The night girls are more fun. They really are.

5. It is more intimate with families at night. Somehow it seems easier to connect with them, to talk to them, and really make a difference. They are up all night too so we're kind of in the same boat.

6. Babies are born 24/7. That is the awesome thing about birth! When I worked nights 10 years ago on med-surg things slowed down at night, people tried to sleep, people didn't like to be bothered. The pace isn't any slower or less exciting at night on L & D.

7. When I'm home, I can actually sleep during the day! I sleep in our guest room and use earplugs and the fan. The light doesn't bother me.

8. When I wake up around 3:30 in the afternoon I have the same meal dilemma. Lunch? Breakfast? Dinner?

9. If you ask me what day it is, sometimes I don't know. I really don't. (or the time of day for that matter...)

10. I'm a bit "spacey" on my half day sleeps. When I am coming off nights (like I do a stretch of three then I have several days off) I only sleep from 8-1. That is enough to get by but sometimes I feel pretty out of it. I think that will get better when the kids are in school and we are going through their backpacks in the afternoon, have more structure around here....

11. Although I interviewed for a 3-11 position and didn't get it, I am very grateful to have this 11P-7A position. I can't picture myself being gone 3 evenings a week. I have been training 7P-7A the past 4 weeks and it kills me to leave my family during dinnertime!

I have one more "training" shift and then starting Sunday night, I am officially on my own and off orientation. That means I'll be delivering babies with the doctor by myself. I have been working full-time since April 30th and I am finally going to drop my hours to part-time. I am so looking forward to it and just continuing to absorb everything I need to know. I pray I remember what I have learned that I give the best care to the families I am with. Please remember to pray for me too. I'll probably be a bit more nervous next week!

My next post will be some fun family photos. Since I blogged last I have been to Chicago to see my parents and have had some great visits with out of town friends. Lots of pics to share!

camping at Cran-Hill!

2007-07-23T20:14:00.000-07:00

We spent the week-end camping with several families from our church. We went to a camp I worked at between my junior and senior years at college, so it was especially fun for me to be back and to share memories with my family. One thing we did as a camp staff was tie-dying, so it is great Cran-Hill carries on the tradition and offers it to family campers! Here is our colorful array of kids showing off their (well, their parents' for some of them) creations! They all donned these Sat. night for our annual fry-pie dinner. Jordan's shirt is really cool with the spiral (I am impressed with Glenn's precision). Hope has a gloppy spotty one which she adores and was easy for me to do and not screw up too badly.

We had 18 kids between the 7 families and the mobile ones travelled site to site to see what each family had to offer: what type of snack, games, coloring books, trucks, enthusiastic parent, etc. was there to enjoy. We went to the camp beach both Friday and Saturday afternoons and took several walks to the playgrounds. Some of the kids rode a pony on Saturday afternoon. Our two opted not to and instead played on this:
The camp had a skate park but Jordan and Hope and others turned it into a running ramp, roll the ball down the ramp, dancing platform, whatever. I think Hope is a little freaked out about riding a horse at this age anyway.

For those of you who haven't had the luxury to see what we camp in, here it is!! It is our 1975? Coachman trailer. We bought it off a neighbor in 2003 for 1000$ thinking it would last us for at least 2 summers. Now we are going on summer #4! I think the kids have heard me say often how old our trailer is, so they frequently say "Our trailer is getting pretty old, isn't it Mom?" Glenn's Mom covered the interior cushions so inside it is a nice navy color, but check out the exterior orange! We have a bathroom but don't mess with hooking up to water...the water tastes bad. Our fridge and stove work, and we have lots of space to store things, so we're pretty happy with it!

As much as I love the memories of our "adult time"- sitting by the fire at night, drinking our alcoholic beverages in paper cups since the park didn't allow alcohol, making Smore's and eating eating eating, it was so rewarding to see the smiles on our kids' faces. Our kids LOVE camping! Hope is here with one of her best friends, Megan. Jordan is already asking when we can go back to Cran-Hill. A year is a long time away buddy....

Melissa

2007-07-14T14:57:00.000-07:00

Weeks ago I blogged about babies who die. I mentioned I would write more about Melissa.

I truthfully have been so busy, and I've let blogging drop to my way at the bottom priority list. But, I'd like to try to bring it back a bit.

Since I took care of that family a few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to care for another family in a similar situation. I was thankful I had the chance to be their nurse, especially having already cared for a family dealing with loss. This family responded quite differently, and it helped me see a different way to grieve.

Our hospital does many many things for these families, and I am very impressed. We take photos of the baby, family members, and we try to capture "the story" of the baby's birth and death. All of us who get to take our babies home have mounds and mounds of photos. What about these babies who die? Their parents get possibly ONE DAY with them. Can you imagine being with your baby, only one day?

We also make molds of the babies out of plaster of paris so they can remember what they looked like. We also make ornaments of casts of their hands and feet. We usually make bracelets with the baby's name on it, give them a momento box, a little lamb, a tiny gown, an angel, a lock of hair (if the baby has hair yet), and a tiny hat. We have a professional photographer that comes free of charge to take black and white photos and whatever else the family wants, and we have a wonderful chaplain who meets with each family. We order a cart for the family with coffee, food, and juice on it so nobody has to leave to get food if they want to stay.

With this particular family, I also watched a baptism ceremony performed in the room. It was beautiful.

Somehow, for some reason, I feel this an area of nursing I can do. Some nurses on my unit avoiding taking families who are going through this. Perhaps I want to do this in Melissa's memory. While I was pregnant with Hope, I felt strongly about naming her after Melissa instead of me. We could have easily chosen the name "Hope Deanne" (after me) but I kept going back to Hope Melissa. Hope is my living memory of my sister.

We have no momentos. I don't know what Melissa looked like. I don't have any pictures of me holding her. Her body is buried in California and I have only visited her once (to my knowledge). We really never celebrated her birthday although we talked about her.

I am grateful that the families that come to us at least are given time to say good-bye and are given those momentos to hold onto forever.

I think this November 11 I am going to officially "celebrate" my sister's birthday. I never really have before.

If anyone reading this has had a baby die, I would love to hear your baby's story too.

babies who die

2007-06-13T19:45:00.000-07:00

Hi folks,

It has been amazingly difficult right to keep up with E-mails, phone calls, and cards. I have missed people's birthdays, cook very little right now, and don't call people as often as I like. My heart hasn't changed;I just have so much in my head. I don't know how much more I can cram in there.

I knew at some point during my orientation I would work with a family who had to say good-bye instead of hello. Instead of leaving the hospital with a baby in their arms, hey would leave with empty arms. It just isn't fair.

The past few days I worked with a family who went through that. I saw the grieiving process and prayed to God I'd just say what was needed or let it be silent when I was in there.

I cried probably 4 or 5 times. Just little bursts of tears, but there were things I saw or heard that just touched me profoundly. What hurt the most is knowing how hard it is going to be for them now.

When I was 2 1/2, my parents gave birth to a full-term baby girl named Melissa. She died a few days before she actually was born. Melissa was a person I heard about often when I was growing up, but I never felt connected to her. Somehow when I was pregnant with Hope, I understood that Melissa is a person and she is my SISTER. When I felt my baby move I thought of my Mom who also had a 2 year old at home and how she was eagerly awaiting this baby. I'll write more about Melissa in my next post, but this is enough now to share about her. I really thought about Melissa today as we said good-bye.

New adventures- OB triage and anesthesia

2007-06-06T19:22:00.000-07:00

I have now seen most of the labor and delivery world.

On Tuesday I got to spend a full day with our anesthesia nurses. They evaluate all the people who want epidurals or need spinals for C-sections. They help the anesthesiologist with epidural management and round on all their patients multiple times a day. I learned some, but got kind of sick of it by noon. Not for me....

On Wednesday I spent 12 hours in OB triage. This is like our mini pregnant ER! If you are pregnant (we can find a heartbeat) and have any trouble at all like cramping, pain, decreased fetal movement, you think your bag ruptured, urinary tract infection, you name it, you want to know if you are in labor or not, your dr. sent you in to us..........etc etc. you come first to OB triage. We saw lots of people who were not in true labor today and we sent them home. The ones we kept had multiple issues going on or were in obvious labor. It was a very busy quick fast paced world. Bottom line: stay HOME if you aren't in labor or are in early labor. It stunk to send people home who weren't in labor. But, sometimes it is just impossible to know for sure.

Welcome Noelle!

2007-06-01T19:20:00.000-07:00

I wasn't sure how I would feel being present for a good friends' delivery, but I know lots of people who are pregnant so I knew at some point I might get the opportunity. I have a great friend who I used to work with at my last job. She saw me through my first pregnancy and was a huge encouragement. When she got pregnant for the first time I told her about my OB and she subsequently starting going to him as well. She was sad when I left the office 4 years ago, but we have kept up ever since. She was excited to hear I got a job on L & D and thought it would be such a neat experience if it worked out for me to be her delivery nurse. She said it would be a "God thing."
Well, Thursday morning was quite a blessing from God. I got to work and noticed my preceptor picked HER as our patient. I didn't know she was even in the hospital and my preceptor didn't know that we knew each other. When I popped in at 7:00AM, my friend asked me if I was going to be her nurse. I almost started crying and said, "Yes!". I couldn't believe it worked out and neither could she. It was such a neat experience for me to help her through labor and witness little Noelle's birth. It was great seeing our doctor assist her (the same Dr. that helped me deliver our two kids). I got to visit my friend and little precious Noelle today on my lunch break as I was in an OB class today. They are doing great, and both of us will never forget the experience. Thanks God for my friends' little girl. You are an amazing Lord and Maker.

High risk day and VBS stuff

2007-05-31T17:28:00.000-07:00

I'm writing about yesterday (Wednesday). My brain almost blew up. I actually told my preceptor at 2PM I couldn't think straight anymore. She told me to go to lunch which was a good idea!

We had a very sick patient with multiple problems. There were many many things I had to monitor and we had 2 nurses in there at one point since there was so much to do. It was a great learning experience, but what a day! My educator asked me if that was enough to make me want to leave! No, I like to learn too much.

It reminded me again how pregnancy can really make your body do strange things. If I had never been pregnant, I probably would have never gotten PUPPS (skin rash during pregnancy), gallstones (got my gallbladder out between pregnancies), and maybe not even my vertigo that struck me at week 38 with Hope. So, while my job is usually happy, there are days like today that are just plain scary.

After working 12 hours, I went home and worked on Vacation Bible Stuff for 2 hours. Am I nuts?? Please tell me now!!!!!!!

a holiday Sunday

2007-05-28T13:53:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed working yesterday (Sunday). I knew Glenn was home with the kids, so not only were we NOT paying for a sitter, I knew Daddy was going to have quality time with both of them.

There are a perk to Sundays as well: I get to park in the parking garage closer to the hospital, I think I get paid a little more, and there are very little scheduled procedures. We have 2 floors in our unit, and by 6PM, we actually closed the second floor since our census went down!

Today I got to help another Mom who chose to birth without an epidural or pain meds. I worked with a nurse who had 4 babies herself that way, and I learned our approach is very similar. We were a super team and I learned a lot from her. We tried lots of comfort measures for Mom, and I really enjoyed helping her. Her baby had a few problems after birth, so it sharpened my skills and taught me to assess things closely....even big babies can be sick (this one was over 9lbs).

I am off Monday and Tuesday, and I don't think I'll hit that hyper-stress mode again this week!

Inductions

2007-05-25T18:15:00.001-07:00

Oh man, what a crazy week.

We hit the "stress mode" this week. The newness has worn off and the shock of me returning to work has settled in our family, but now we are in the middle of Mom being gone 4 days a week; some of them 12 hour shifts. Glenn has been super and our babysitters are just wonderful. The kids love them and do special things with them.

I am also our church's Vacation Bible School Director which is 3 weeks away. Both Glenn and I said that me starting a new job plus VBS would be a combination for CHAOS. Well, this week we hit it. I am totally sleep deprived, brain overloaded, and a bit overwhelmed. What is helping me through is this is TEMPORARY, GOD is in control, and that I really feel called to what I am doing. My job is becoming my ministry, and I'm really excited about that.

It became clear to me this week; although I was pretty aware of it already, that birthing is becoming so medical. Some nurses have no clue how to help a laboring woman if she doesn't have an epidural. What about touch, massage, distraction, breathing, helping her "coach"? I can learn all about IVs, epidurals, Pitocin, C-sections, etc. and I want to do those things well. But I want to couple that expert knowledge with the ability to be there to help a laboring woman through her labor. I have discovered where the birthing balls are, squatting bars, and am starting to have people try different positions in their room. Today we flipped a woman on her all fours with her head of the bed up (& she had an epidural in!) to try to get her pelvis to open up so her baby would come down.

I had some great experiences on the floor, but both of my patients this week were inductions. They both had Pitocin my whole shift and never dilated past 4.........so no babies. The next shift got to deliver them both.

Were any of you blogger friends induced? How did your inductions go? I was induced with Hope. I had prostaglandins (probably Cervidil) at 9PM, Pitocin maybe at 1AM, then dilated from 2 to 10 between 2AM and 7AM. I pushed for 5-10 minutes and then Hope was born at 7:30. Not all inductions go that well. It was a long haul for both of my patients this week. (However, it gave me lots of practice checking cervixes! I even told a woman she was at 7-8! After we re-checked her we realized I WASN'T feeling the cervix and she was probably only a 3. Thank goodness my patient was humorous and wasn't mad at me!)

Have a great Memorial Day week-end!