What a blessed year!

God has been so good to me and my family this year.  For starters, I have a wonderful job!  I got hired before I was even done with school. Our hospital here in town owns a clinic, and that’s where I was blessed with a job.  I cannot tell you how much I LOVE the job!  It is probably the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.  It’s a place where people in need get the quality healthcare they need.  So many are so thankful for the help they’re getting that they get teary eyed about it.  I wasn’t sure if I would like working in an office, but it couldn’t work out any better for me.  I work Tues. – Fri., 8:00am – 5:30pm.  I get good time at home with the kids, which was my biggest concern after not working at all for 2 years and always being home with them.  I feel as if everything has fallen into place and I’m right where I should be. 

In early Dec. we will be moving into a new house.  We’ll have plenty of room to spread out, and our situation will be a little different from what is seen now-a-days.  My parents will be living with us.  Those who are close to me know that my dad’s health isn’t so great and he’s legally blind.  He’s been struggling with being home by himself.  I hate to even say it, but he’s been a little scared.  So, it’s time for him to have someone there at all times.  Our parents put many years of love and care and affection into us.  Why shouldn’t we do it for them?  So, we’ll be outta here in a few weeks and I can’t wait.  I’ll put pics up once we get moved and I have my own touch on everything.

This past year has had its rough moments, but now I can see everything coming together.  I have a wonderful family and two beautiful, healthy kids.  I have a great job as a new nurse.  I thank God everyday for his blessings!

I’ve Found My Calling

 

It’s been way too long since I posted, so I thought I would make this post a meaningful one.

Let me first start by saying that the picture seen here is of a precious baby girl named Corraine.  My classmate delivered her baby during our first OB clinical.  Perfect timing!  She’s from Detroit, and her family wasn’t there, so I ran…and I mean ran to get my camera.  I made it back to the room right after she pushed her out.  What a fun say that was!

My Ob clinical rotation confirmed to me that I do not want to do any other kind of nursing.  I will if I have to, especially since I’m just starting out.  I kept an open mind through every different kind of clinical because you never know what direction you may be pulled in.  I could have surprised myself and loved cardiac or neuro. 

The first clinical day rolled around, and I got to watch my doctor deliver twins naturally.  That truly is the ultimate human experience.  I smiled, I cried…It’s a completely different experience when you get to watch the whole process.  It’s so amazing.  After the doctor delivered the babies, he looked at the mom and said, “God is good.” 

I want to be a part of that experience every day I work.  If I have to be away from my kids to go to work then I want it to be a job that I love.  It’s the only clinical I had where I didn’t want to leave at the end of the day.  Of course, there are the heartbreaking days, but for the most part it’s a happy place to be. 

The day I realized that I didn’t want to do anything else was when come complications arose with the laboring moms.  I watched a c-section that day and the baby needed CPR when it came out.  I stood outside the door and cried, but I knew in my heart that I didn’t want to do anything else. 

So, here’s my plan….ASAP, I will start working on my BSN, and then I either want my nurse practitioner in OB/GYN, or my midwife.  Midwife I’m not sure about because I don’t know if I want to be called out in the middle of the night, or have to leave a school play early.  I’ll figure it all out in time.  But for once in my life I know exactly what I want and what I want to do.  It’s a great feeling. 

Here’s to graduating on August 28th!  It can’t come soon enough!

Happy 4 months Ava Grace!

 

 

Today my Ava girl is 4 months old and I’m emotional about it.  You think I’d be used to this by now.  I don’t think any mom can say enough that it goes by way too fast!!  She is so precious and so dear to my heart.  Almost a year ago I was trying to figure out in my head how I would handle 2 children, and now I can’t imagine things being any other way.  She adds plenty of spunk.  She coos to us all day, and now she’s starting to giggle.  I love it, and I love her beyond words.  What a blessing she has been to our home!

Today I had my first weigh in at Weight Watchers and I lost 3.4 lbs.  It deserves a victory dance!  I thought that was a great accomplishment for one week.  Here’s to the second week…

*edit*  Ok, so I wrote this almost a week ago and thought I published it.  My bad!  So, here I am on this Saturday morning….What a busy week I’ve had.  It’s been a great week though.  I’m exhausted, but a good exhausted.  Wed. I had to take the hardest test in school and I scored an 84.  I couldn’t have been more pleased with that.  Thursday we had to take a new standardized test our school will be making a requirement every month.  You won’t pass your month if you don’t pass the ERI.  Well, I took my first one and I scored a 983 out of 1000 points.  Seriously?  I came out of it thinking I failed it and didn’t know a thing.  I think that gave me the boost I needed because sometimes you just don’t know if your hard work is paying off or not.  Yesterday I did an observation at a dialysis unit, and that was very enjoyable.  The nurses were super nice and helpful.  Ann was the main one I was with, and she was great.  Thanks Ann for the great 4 hours   I also met a very admirable woman.  I can’t say a whole lot because of confidentiality reasons, but she was one of those people you’re very happy you got to know a little bit.  I could go on and on, but I have a crying girl.  I’ll be back on Monday with an update on Cara’s quest for health in ‘08!

Long time no speak.

Life has been a little crazy and hectic the past two months, but things are definitely looking up.  As many of you know, I’m in nursing school.  The past two months I’ve worked hard to get through the hardest classes in school, and can I just say that I was successful.  My hard work paid off and I couldn’t be happier!  I can’t say the rest of my time in school with be smooth sailing, but the worst is over.  August 28th can’t get here soon enough.

I had to take a really big step today…..well, let me back up a little.  Friday I saw my new family doctor, and had a consultation about my high cholesterol and some other things in my history and family history.  He advised me to go to Weight Watchers because it forces you to be accountable and you get a great support system.  At first I was totally against the idea, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense.  Today was my first meeting, and I actually enjoyed it.  I really the accountability factor makes it work.  So, wish me luck!  I know it’s something I need to do though so I can prevent health problems down the road.

Aiden is doing great and growing too fast and learning so much everyday!  This kid amazes me.  The other night we were leaving my parents’ house.  It was nighttime, and we always look at the sky at night and talk about the moon.  Aiden noticed the moon right away and he started talking.  It wasn’t long till I realized that he was pointing up to the moon and saying, “A ball! “.  Then he brought his little hands down and did sign language for ball.  What a smartie!  I wanted to gobble him up.  It was so cute….He’s now 20 months old, 25.8 pounds and 33 inches tall.  What a big, strong boy!

Ava is growing way too fast!  She’s on the verge of wearing 3/6 month clothing, and I don’t think I’m ready for that yet.  At her last doctor’s appointment she was 11 pounds 13 ounces and 22 inches long.  The doctor says she may be a short one.  How cute would that  be?  I’m still not sure it’s likely though since Jeff and I are both tall…..She’s at the stage now where she coos and talks to us.  We have the best conversations.  She’s so serious about whatever she’s saying.  The girl can smile though!  She has such a big, pretty smile.  Ahhh, it melts my heart.

I love being a mommy to these two so much!  They light up my whole day   Now I leave you with some pictures…..

Who has the cutest blue eyed boy and brown eyed girl?

Snow Day!

Can I just say that this is the cutest little girl I’ve ever seen?  It has been such a joy and a blessing having her in our home.  She’s added some spunk to the mix!  I can’t believe she’s almost 3 months old and my Aiden boy is 19 months old.  Every month I say the same old thing….how has time gone by so fast?  Wasn’t Aiden a baby a few months ago?  Was it just yesterday I had Ava?  It seems like they’ve been around for forever, which is a great thing.  I counln’t imagine my life without them.

Life has definitely been crazy around here.  Our furnace decided to go out during the coldest week of the winter up to that point.  It was a rough situation, but one good thing came out of it.  We realized we have some wonderful friend who were a big help and a huge blessing….Bill, Bill Jr. and Bob, we thank you very much for everything!

I’ve finished my first month back to school since having Ava, and it’s stressful, but nice to back in the sense that I’m almost done!  I graduate in August and I even have a countdown going.  I’ll be a nurse this year, and it’s an awesome feeling.

Today was my final for part 1 of 2 of Mr. Carpenter’s classes, and I passed.  Talk about a huge relief.  It literally felt like a huge weight had been lifted off of my shoulders when I signed online and saw my final grade.  Hopefully the hard work continues to pay off

Hopefully, I’ll be updating more….atleast with pictures.  Jeff and I invested in a great camera.  It’s a great investment with years of picture taking ahead of us.  It’ll be good too for taking my own pics of the kids to send out to people.  I’m tired of paying for fakey posed pictures.  I’m more of a natural kinda gal.  It’ll definitely take me a while to get used to it since I can’t just point and click anymore, but it’s money well spent.  We’re making memories!

I hope you all have been well and I send my love!

Mommy testing out the new camera…

I think I have a Cara Jr. on my hands

Could this little girl get any cuter?  I don’t think so.  This little one is growing like a weed, and time is flying by much too fast already.  Ava had her check-up yesterday morning, and she is now 8lbs. 6 oz. and 20 and 1/2 in. long.  The girl gained almost 3 pounds on a month!  She was only 3 ounces shy of gaining 3 pounds.  This girl can put the milk away!

Dare I say that we have another good sleeper our hands?  She eats around 11 or 12 at night and then doesn’t eat again till around 5:30am.  I think it’s proof that sticking to a schedule works.  It’s good to teach these babies how to regulate their eating and sleeping.  It makes for happier babies and happier mommies and daddies because they’re getting more sleep

Last week was a very rough for me.  I felt overwhelmed and cried for abnut 2 days straight.  I was in a financial aid war with my school that was making me crazy.  It’s still not completely resolved, but something really helped me put things back into perspective…

Saturday we went to Landon’s 2nd birthday party, and Aiden made a friend for life.  I have seriously never seen Aiden take to another kid like that.  They played, and played hard.  They jabbered to eachother, and somehow seemed to understand eachother….I had to look at those little innocent faces and realize that everything is going to be ok.  Things may not be good, but I don’t think they are ever as bad as we think.  I always seem to look at my little ones’ faces and everything with the world is right again.  They always make me feel 100% better.  I think it’s because they’re so full of innocence and hope.  All I know is that I wouldn’t know what I’d do without my babies.  They help keep me going, and make me just want to be a better person.

Bath Time Fun!…a video to come once You Tube acts right.