Hospice...

So, I got a phone call a week or so ago from Hospice of Northeastern IL about my resume that I had e-mailed to them. I called them back but didn't hear from them, again. I decided to call one more time and talked tom the girl who had called me last week. She apologized for not getting back to me but said they are doing extensive interviews for managerial positions and wanted to know what kind of hours I was looking for. I told her that I was only looking for part-time-2 to 3 days a week. She said they didn't have that on the normal unit but then went on to ask what my Peds experience was. I explained to her that although I don't have peds hospital experience, I did have extensive experience with Peds in my office. She said that that didn't discount me and then asked for my number and said she would pass my resume on because they are looking for part-time nurses.

Let me say that I have wanted to branch out from office nursing and have felt a pull towards hospice for a very long time. I can't explain it, but I think I would be good at it. But not Peds. Never Peds. I've never wanted Peds let alone terminal Peds cases. I told Todd that if they call, I will go on an interview but even offering me double what I am making now, it would be avery position difficult for me to accept.

So, we'll see.

Busy, Busy, Busy.....

Whew. Where does the time go? Since starting back to work, I feel like there is never enough time, and I'm only doing it part-time. I don't know how other moms work full-time. They have my utmost respect.

The kids are doing great. LC loves school and, according to Miss Alice, is doing "wonderfully. She's right at home." She also loves going to her friend Cal's once a week. Henry is enjoying Kindergarten, although it is a lot for him to handle going to school full-time. He is simply exhausted by the end of the day. Wyatt is doing great in 3rd grade--it's a lot more responsibility for him, but he seems to be up to the challenge. He did forget his homework folder on Friday-which upset him immensely and is the very first time he has ever done something like this--but, I e-mailed his teacher and asked if there would be any way to pick it up at Harvest Fest which was yesterday. Guess who greeted us in the middle of the festival. Yep. His teacher holding his folder. It is just one of many reasons I am grateful we go to a small, private school. The personal attention can not be underestimated.

Swimming lessons started yesterday. Todd said that Henry swam the length of the pool and that LC jumped in with no help from the teacher. While I am so proud of the kids for these milestones, I am sad that I had to miss them. I need to tell Tod to bring the video camera next week, so that I can see it.

We got the kids' school pictures back last week, and I like them for the most part. LC's aren't the best but she has a tendency to squint her eyes when she smiles. LOL

A Fog Has Been Lifted...

For the last few months/years, I have been in such a...funk...I guess you could call it. Stressed, anxious, tense, and just intensely worried about everything. Unfortunately, the kids bore the brunt of that with a distinct lack of patience--something I am short of in the first place. I don't know if it's because of a change of meds or my taking control of my situation that has helped me, but I am finally feeling more normal than I have in 3 years let alone the last few months. As you all know, I started working, again, last week and I had virtually no anxiety over it, whatsoever--which for me is UNHEARD of. I obsess and over-think everything to the point of feeling sick and I didn't get that way at all this week. I am just so grateful that I have the family I do and the friends that I have made because the decision to go back to work was made that much easier for me because of them.

How it went...

My first day back to work could not have gone better. It went very smoothly and I felt so comfortable that it was like I had never left. I don't know if it's just a honeymoon phase, but I really enjoyed it and think it's going to go well. I had a few old patients that came in and that called and they were all excited to hear I was back so, that added to the feeling that I was in the right place.

LC also did just fine. Too fine, in fact. I met my girlfriend at the kids' school to grab LC before pick-up time and LC pushed me away, started crying and stated that she wanted to stay with Cal--my girlfriend's son who is her age and in her class. Although I was a little shocked at her not being ecstatic to see me, I was so happy to know that she had a good time. Obviously her adjustment to my working will go quicker for her than it will for me.

D-Day is tomorrow.

At about 4:30amCST, I will be dragging my butt out of bed to get ready for my foray back into the workplace. Bernard's office hours start at 7:00am, so, I need to be there by 6:30. It is one of two things I am not looking forward to. The other one is the commute. But, it will be good for me and the family for me to get back out there and help earn some extra money to get us through this horrific economy. Todd will get the kids to school and to LC's babysitter and I will pick them all up after I get off. Let's hope that things go smoothly for everyone.

Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho...

It's off to work, I go. It was a very difficult decision to be made but I have decided to go back to work part-time at the doctor's office that I used to practice at. I am excited about the money but sad that time will have to be sacrificed from the family. Thankfully the hours are flexible and will only be Fridays, Saturdays, and every other Wednesdays. I'll still be able to volunteer at the kids' school and still have time to get other things done, but Todd will have to take over swim lesson duty on Saturdays.LOL

On a personal note...Heather, I want to thank you for gearing me up and giving me a pep talk this morning. You'll never know how much it helped me. You made me realize that I am doing something that really is for the good of myself and my family and that's all that counts. Thank you, little sis.<3

Busy, Busy Weekend

Well, the Summer has unofficially come to a close this weekend and we were on the go. Saturday was my cousin Joey's weekend and we had a babysitter all lined up for a night out. Joey is the last of my 19 cousins on my dad's side to get married and it promised to be a good time with many of my other cousins and all of my aunts and uncles being there. I had appts. for a pedicure and an up-do hairstyle to be done , so, I couldn't wait to get pampered. To top it all off, I came home to a clean house. Todd and the kids cleaned while I was gone! Could this day get any better?

The wedding was very short--15 mins.--and the reception started right after. Here is a pic of all of my Aunts, Uncles and parents. It's not the best picture but is the only one I have:

A picture of my cousin Suzanne and I:

Todd and I:

Today, we went to Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. What a great Zoo! We usually go to The Milwaukee Zoo but with economic times the way they are, we decided to go the cheap and free route. The kids loved being in the city and liked exploring this new zoo. At the Ape house, one was lying right up next to the glass and was face to face with LC. While lying there, it decided to smack the glass right at LC's face level. to say it freaked her and the kid next to her out is an understatement. LOL

The kids and I on the bridge right outside the entrance to the Zoo:

The boys petting a snake (LC would have nothing to do with it).:


The kids in front of the fountain in the gardens outside another entrance to the zoo:


And now, the kids are all tucked into their beds waiting for the boys' first dress uniform day and LC's first day at school all by herself and her classmates.