Monday, February 7, 2011

A little of this, a little of that...

I'm not even going to start by apologizing for not updating in...well...forever...I've given up on the idea of keeping this blog updated. My life is just too busy, and I never have time! I do take pictures often, but getting them uploaded and keeping this thing updated is time consuming so...I've come to terms with the fact that it'll just have to get updated when I get a chance to update it, haha. Sadly, I have not updated since April of last year...ugh...so, I'm just going to briefly catch everyone up on our lives...

We are all doing really well, we've all stayed very healthy (Praise the Lord!), and we are in utter disbelief that Avery & Kenadee are about to turn THREE next month. Where oh where has the time gone? Time passes so quickly, and my babies are simply not babies anymore. They are two precious, smart, sweet "big girls". They talk way more than we do, they play better together than ever before, and they have totally different personalities, but are equally sweet, friendly, and loving.

We have had a new babysitter this year (Megan), and I can't even begin to tell you how much we adore her. The girls have had an absolute blast with her and her fiance Allan this year. They truly love our babies, and would do anything in the world for them. That is such a wonderful feeling to know that the people who are taking care of your children love them as much as anyone else ever could...we are very thankful to have found them, and we count them as "family" around here. Our school year has been great, and is going by quickly. Which brings me to the next topic...

After much much MUCH prayer, I have decided to leave my teaching career permanently. I have needed a change for quite some time, and have put it off for a long time. I have turned in my resignation, and have decided to be a stay-at-home mom for the next two years until Avery & Kenadee start Kindergarten. Staying home with my girls is something I've wanted to do, prayed about, and cried over, numerous times since their birth, but it was just never an option for me until now. I will be staying home with my girls, and in the meantime, I will be working toward earning my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) online. I would ultimately like to be a NICU nurse in a large hospital. If you'd asked me five years ago what my dream job was, I would probably have never said (or even considered) nursing. However, from the time the girls were born, as you know, we've spent lots and lots of hours, days, weeks, etc in medical facilities. I don't think there was a single hospital stay at Cook Children's that I didn't tell Jason on the drive home that I had chosen the wrong career, and that if I could go back and change it, I would become a nurse. Nearly three years later, I still have the desire to be a nurse, particularly in the capacity that we have witnessed over and over...NICU/PICU/Pediatrics. After all we've been through, I have far more than admiration and respect for nurses, especially at Cook Children's. I want to do my part to be able to give back to families in the ways they have given to me and my family. I think I will be good at it because I have been on the other side...I've been the mother watching her baby nearly die, and I know the profound impact they have on the families as they are going through the hardships of stress, worry, fatigue, and the like. I'm really excited for the opportunity to begin a career in a field that, because of my own experiences with my own children, I have a genuine, sincere love and appreciation for. I will begin my coursework this summer, and I should be either finished or almost finished in two years when my girls start school.

I'm sure there are many more changes to come for my family. I am absolutely overjoyed to have the privilege of getting to stay home with my girls for the last two years before they begin school. And, Jason and I are both thrilled with my decision to go into nursing. We are excited and anxious to see what all the Lord has in store for us! Here's a "highlight" of the last 10 months...I'll be sure to update again next month after we have our THIRD birthday party! *tear* Okay, I think that's it! Enjoy! :)