Best After School Activity . . . Ever!

I volunteered/worked at Camp Aldersgate from junior high through college.  Aldersgate runs several summer camps for children with special needs. I have to say I might have been "leading" groups of youngsters while I was there but they taught me more about life than any other experience.  Another great thing about working there was that I met so many future health care workers, teachers, and community leaders - some of whom I still call friends.  :)

It was one of those friends who hooked us up with a tour of Angel One, the med-flight helicopter for our local children's hospital.  It all started when I randomly posted on Facebook that little man wanted to ride on a helicopter because he thought they were cool.  One of the Aldersgate alums is a nurse that works on Angel One and he set up a time the NEXT DAY for the kiddos to check it out!  I was thrilled!  The kiddos were thrilled!  And it was the best after school activity . . . ever!

Lack of Blogging

Oh how this spring is flying by!!!  I have a list of blogs posts near the computer that keeps on growing.  It will all be out of order at this point but I am guessing that I will just need to post what I have and include the dates so that I don't drive myself crazy getting in "correctly."  That is the problem with being a perfectionist - sometimes I won't even start a project if I know it won't be perfect.  So the next few weeks of catching up will be a therapy of sorts. ;)
 
Still enjoying my new job.  And realizing how much the change in jobs was needed.  I have to admit I still struggle with doubts about whether I am doing a "good job."  But everyone tells me that is normal when starting a new position.  So I am just riding the wave at the moment and seeing where I land.  Day by day.

Lots of pictures of recent kiddo activity to come.  More soon!

New Job

When I made a New Year's Resolution to leap into new directions I didn't anticipate a literal "leap" at work.  I've spent the past year exploring additional opportunities for collaborations on campus.  But my intention was always to stay put and keep some of my effort devoted to a project I was allowed to initiate with great support from primary investigators in 2007/2008.  I've discovered, though, that once you start turning over rocks you never know what you will find . . .

I received a call from a different company at the end of December.  I was a bit taken aback and seriously considered whether it was a good idea to submit an application or not.  After thinking it over, I decided I hadn't had a job interview in 14 years so maybe it was time to test the waters and see what there is beyond academics.

The whole thing just kind of took off. . . there wasn't any snow outside in January but I felt like I was caught in an avalanche.  The phone call forced me start addressing my current job situation.  I had to have some painful and awkward conversations with a quite a bit of disappointment over the fact that academics was not going to work out for me right now.  There were a lot of supportive discussions as well - there are some wonderful folks on campus I adore!  But I literally curled up in bed during an entire weekend, frustrated about my job options.  The next week I got the job offer which made my decisions easier.  It was a solid job offer, stable position, and included a pay increase.  I took the offer.

I'm a strong believer in signs.  There were quite a few signs that indicated this was the right direction right now, even though I couldn't see it at first.  There are two signs that stood out over the rest.  I was sitting in a lecture on campus thinking "I feel like a square peg being shoved into a round hole!  Is this really for me?"  And that was the moment I got the call about the job offer.  The second sign came when we agreed on my start date.  I had asked for March 1st but February 29th worked better for my new employer.  The date that inspired my New Year's Resolution this year...

Ultimately - whether good or bad - I am ready for a change.  I am looking forward to some new and challenging job activities.  And I really liked my new supervisor, boss, and coworkers.  It won't be an easy transition and I am prepared for some bumps in the road.  But for now I am going to focus on the positive and look forward to the new direction!  :)

Strength Courage and Knowledge

I realized something recently.  We inadvertently named our kids based on part of my daily prayers.  Somewhere during my long-winded stream of consciousness prayers I usually think or say "give me the strength, courage and knowledge to face BLANK" (insert random issue of the day/week/month).  Big sis's name means strength and little man's name means valiant or courageous.  If you consider all the darn degrees I've finished then the three of us together make up that strength, courage, and knowledge request.  Although I am not sure how much knowledge I actually retain these days with all the chaos around here . . .

I think it is amazing how God puts what you need in your life when you need it.  And boy do I need their strength and courage lately!

Paula Deen's Fluffy Sweet Potato Biscuits

I don't cook often.  Early in our marriage, Disco and I struck a deal that he would cook and I would clean.  We had completely different styles and were always running over each other or making "suggestions" the other ignored.  I'm also not a very exact cook, "close counts" as far as I am concerned.  Disco is a perfectionist with his recipes.  So the divide and conquer philosophy has worked out well for many years. 

But ever since we have had kiddos running our household a few changes have occurred.  I now take care of "making lunches" which really means I throw leftovers and single serving meals in a lunch box for big sis.  I do make the effort to create special lunches from time to time - her favorites are the ones she gets to help me prepare.  I also spend some time baking with the kiddos.  Mostly we bake cookies.

Last Saturday Disco made gumbo and I decided that I should try out my new cookbook - Paula Deen's Southern Cooking Bible.  I have to admit the recipe we found was FULL of butter.  But who could expect anything less from Paula . . .

We tried the Fluffy Sweet Potato Biscuits.  I highly recommend this recipe!!!!!  The ingredients were simple and all items we would have on hand regularly.  Really, the sweet potato was the only odd ball ingredient and we have been keeping those stocked up around our house anyway. 

Disco microwaved a large sweet potato for me and the rest was just measuring and mixing.  I have to admit I have been skimping and using cake and brownie mixes with the kids (after years of making homemade cookie dough pre-kiddos).   I have now realized I was wrong to think mixes were the way to go.  Making biscuit dough is FUN!  No one was interested in helping with the measuring/dumping part.   However, I initially used knives and then my hands to cut in the butter.  So when I got my hands into the dough to finish mixing in the butter all hands were on deck to jump in to help.  I think part of my issues with cooking is that I don't want to go from touching utensils to getting my hands dirty with handling ingredients back to touching utensils.  The biscuit dough didn't really stick to my fingers and once you started working with your hands there wasn't much else to touch until it was time to put the biscuits in the oven.  And OMG those hot sweet potato biscuits were GOOD!!!

After it was all said and done I ended up making two batches of biscuits over the weekend.  The kiddos have no idea that they were eating sweet potatoes.  Not that it matters because the exorbitant amount of butter in the biscuits negates any possible health advantage.  Disco offered to get me a pastry blender for cutting in the butter, but I really liked digging in with my hands and letting the kiddos run amok in a dough they could actually taste if they wanted (no eggs).

Final note - I didn't need to add extra milk to the recipe as suggested was a possibility.  I guess our sweet potatoes were moist. Also, our oven either runs hot or the cook time is not quite right.  Either way I had to pull the biscuits out 1-2 mins earlier than the lowest suggested cooking time for both batches. 

I hope to try more recipes this year from Paula's cookbook.  Be prepared to hear me make a 2013 New Year's Resolution to lower my cholesterol after all the butter, heavy cream, and real mayonnaise we will consume! :)

Resolutions

Here is how I did on my 2011 New Year's Resolutions:

1) Drink more water  (BETTER but not quite enough)
2) Sign up for yoga (Check! :)
3) Explore a career direction (Started this process)
4) Sleep (Still need more of this :)
5) Finish school (YES!!!!)
6) Spend more time doing one on one activities with the kiddos (Check! :)
7) Save money for vacations (Didn't save very well BUT we did make it to VEGAS!)
8) Go on dates with my husband (Check!)
9) Sit and read books (Check!)
10) Create a household budget (Never even started it!)
11) Smile and Laugh (Check!)

This year I have only one.  Since 2012 is a leap year I am going to LEAP into new directions.  This includes starting new volunteer opportunities, new activities with the family, new work schedule and focus, and new ways to find peace and simplicity within all the chaos.  I spent most of 2011 finishing up things and beginning the process of taking care of myself again.  This year it is time to LEAP out of the known and into the unknown. 

Happy new year!  :)

Caught up!

That is right - I'm starting 2012 caught up on blogging and most projects around the house.  That doesn't mean everything is perfect around here . . . there is always still more to do.  But I had a few simple goals over the Christmas break and pretty much achieved all of them.  The ones I can't finish before heading back to work will get done eventually. 

Happy New Year everyone!   A resolutions post to follow sometime this week. :)

Merry Christmas 2011

I've been slowly catching up while on Christmas break . . . not enough to catch up on blog posts yet.  But I've finished school, spent plenty of time with the kiddos, and started shoveling myself out of all the things left unattended this year.  Life is good! 

Wishing everyone a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

JOY!

End of the Semester

Sooooo . . . I'm still running behind these days.  But I am happy to say that it is for a good reason.  My last semester of school is over in about two weeks!!!!  Two weeks!!!!  I can't believe how fast November has flown by.  Don't worry - I haven't spent the whole time working/finishing school.  We have spent a lot of time enjoying ourselves as a family too. 

Fast re-cap (to be followed by pictures at some point):

Disco and I went to Vegas to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary.  Our trip was fabulous and Elvis even renewed our vows. And yes, there is a video. :)  We took fall pictures before the leaves dropped off the trees.  The kiddos had Thanksgiving programs and parties at school.  We tailgated for a Hogs game.  Thanksgiving and Birthdays with family.  And of course the random silliness and chaos documented through film :)

Maybe I will be able to post some pictures and updates before my final presentation.  But if not then I may just have to participate in the "12 days of catch-up blog posting" in December.  Wish me luck! :)

Directions

I know you come to this blog to see the adventures of big sis and little man.  But tonight I had to document some mommy issues.

No surprise, I am trying to strike a balance.  That includes home, work, personal time, and even food/exercise.  The big issue right now is work.  There have been some plans for changes in my work environment that I've known about since last fall.  I knew they were coming but I was actually surprised by my reaction to them.  I have failed to really embrace the opportunities that were offered and my enthusiasm has waned.  At first I thought "you are just scared."  But lately I've really been thinking about how my past hesitations have led to new directions.

As a senior in high school I decided to major in accounting in college.  What?  I am truly a science nerd so I don't know what I was thinking but after just one semester I knew to jump ship and go the science route.  I did so even when my professors discouraged me since I would be too far behind (yeah, I set the curve for that first science class - score one for the science nerd). 

After my sophomore year in college I broke up with a long term boyfriend.  He was a great guy, but I woke up one day and finally knew he wasn't the right guy for me.  For some reason, I didn't change my career plans at the same time (I had chosen physical therapy because the boyfriend was very supportive of that route).  But by the time I was accepted to PT schools I knew it wasn't the right direction again and I took two years off from school to work and figure out my next steps.

I really liked my graduate work in immunology and cancer.  Well, by the end I was really, really tired of being a student but that is pretty much the case for most graduate students.  I stuck around my adviser's lab for a while because I liked my boss, labmates, and the project.  I wish I could have stayed longer however, again, I knew it was time to move on after a couple of years.  I then moved to the project I am on now; a project which I have loved but is not quite the right fit for my training and skills.  A great experience.  A great opportunity.  I have enjoyed it so much that I will continue with a smaller/different role because I think it is important work and I want it to be successful.  But I have that feeling again that it is time to reflect on where I am and where I want to go.  In my current position I got to work with awesome co-workers, experience being a teacher for the first time, and expand my education once more while I worked towards an MPH.  And I am getting excited about what the public health side of that degree really means.

So as I struggle with the right direction for me and explore options I am trying to keep in mind past experiences.  At each point outlined above I stopped and listened to that inner voice that asked "is this what you really want?"  I still don't know the answer to that question.  I just know myself well enough to understand that when I hesitate there is a good reason to pay attention and make some adjustments . . . and those adjustments usually lead to exciting new directions.

No more pencils, no more books . . .

 . . . no more teachers' dirty looks.  (Graduate) Schools out for summer!  Yesterday I completed my "final" final.  I won't have to take another test, EVER.  I tried to blog about it last night but Blogger was down for maintenance.  The test was OK - I passed everything as an "A" student.

So no more classes!!!!  Just one pass/fail project to do next fall and then I complete the MPH (Masters in Public Health).  I won't wear my "student hat" anymore.  I'm really happy about that!  And I'm ready for a new direction (hopefully with more time with the kiddos).  Woo hoo!  :)

The countdown continues...

One week from tomorrow my semester will be OVER! I can't wait!!! :)

Checklist

I have more pictures to post from this weekend - the egg hunt Saturday and a fishing derby on Sunday.  But tonight I had to quickly document that I am continuing to check things off my school list.  This evening I listened to the final online lecture for the last course I have to take for my MPH.  It feels good to check one more thing off my "to do" list!  :)

Less than one month away . . .

. . . is the end of the semester.  This is the last class I will ever take for a degree.  This is the last "class" I have to take for my MPH (my final 3 credit hours in the fall are for an independent project).  No more studying at night or on weekends for exams.  No more online lectures to listen to during lunch.  No more weekend classes to attend.  No more formal classes.  Ever.  Because I may be an eternal student but it is time to start learning more from my kiddos than from books and teachers.  Hello light at the end of the tunnel . . . you are a welcomed sight! 

Back in Town

I left last Saturday for a 5 day conference.  It was in sunny Florida and the weather was beautiful.  However, I traveled without my family and I was quite sad about that.  It took me a day or so to get used to traveling on my own.  There was a lot of work to do while I was there - the conference was busy, I was traveling with a colleague (and it wasn't an easy trip for her either), and I really needed to keep up writing/prepping materials while I was traveling.  I continued to do a lot of thinking about what I "want" from a career and schedule . . .

I'm in SUCH a better position this spring than I was last spring.  Definitely a better attitude than last fall.  So even though I don't feel like it sometimes, I am making strides towards getting some things off my plate.  And I really only have 9 more months of the trifecta lifestyle to go (balancing home, school, and work).  My sister and I decided I have senorkitis (senioritis and burn out from work).  I am SO ready for more simplicity around here.  A simple schedule and fewer responsibilities with more time with the kiddos. 

Even though it has been a tear-filled week as I hit my "wall" this semester - I am attempting to think positive.  One positive from my trip was getting to take one late afternoon off to go to Universal studios.  Visiting an amusement park by yourself is a very different experience but the people watching is fabulous.  I lucked into a taping of the Ellen DeGeneres show while I was there.  I also got to see Kelly Clarkson perform and I was 100-200 feet from Ellen on stage.  I enjoyed a butterbeer in Hogsmeade.  It was a nice treat since everything else from the conference experience was work . . .

So the count down is on.  The end of the semester is May 12th.  My final project for my MPH is due mid-December.  I hope to go to part time hours January 2012. 

Here are some pics from the trip.  I decided to keep them positive as well  :)

I had no idea what I was about to see :)

Ellen is in blue, Kelly is right beside her

Entrance . . .

Butterbeer with Fish and Chips

Field Test

As an effort to "simplify" I got an iPhone this week. I know. That doesn't sound like simplifying. But really it is. For the past three years I have had a work cell phone and a personal phone. This is my effort to go to ONE cell phone. So far I love it. :). Right now I am posting from my phone. Technology is usually a distraction in our house but it can also be kinda cool sometimes. More forgotten posts later. Tonight I am enjoying some progress towards simplicity.

The Semester Update

This semester of school is SO MUCH better than last year at the same time!  I completed a project Jan 20th that I can finally present on Feb 17th.  I know I keep mentioning this project but it fulfills a full course requirement - so one more class completed. :)

I am now taking only one (fairly intensive) on-line class as a student this semester.  While I was working on my project during the first part of January the on-line class got "side-lined" and I fell behind a little bit.  But last weekend I had an exam and I hit the ground running in "catch-up" mode after that.  Now I can move forward fairly steadily the rest of the semester.  It is so nice to take only one class!  I can't even explain how much easier it is on our family for me NOT to be in night classes every week. 

Work is busy.  I'm working on several sets of lectures for the classes I am teaching, a new journal article, a conference poster, and various other "regular" daily tasks.  The conference trip will be another trip alone because the timing doesn't work out for the kiddos and Disco to join me.  I wish they could be there for this one!  But it will be a good conference and I love working when I am not at the office - I get so much more accomplished with fewer distractions.

Thankfully some things I complete this semester will be huge "to do" items off my list.  I really think this will lead to a turning point this summer as far as my schedule goes.   I look forward to upcoming changes and at the same time I am fairly nervous about it.  Regardless, one way or another change is coming and I am welcoming new opportunities!  :)

Happy 2011!

On New Year's Eve it hit me that I should look back at 2010.  In my mind it hadn't been the most joyous of years.  But sometimes I have tunnel vision and I "can't see the forest for the trees."  Lately I keep looking toward the future like finishing school and adjusting my work hours.  While I was thinking about this past year I realized there have been several positive changes already. 

• Last January I was still breastfeeding little man, working full time, and attending classes full time.  I can't even imagine that schedule anymore! 

• I was also less than halfway through the degree program last January.  Now I only have 2 projects and 1 class to finish.  Two of those 3 items will be completed this spring. 

• I wasn't taking care of myself at all.  I was overweight, eating too much, sleeping too little, and not exercising at all.  And my cholesterol was too high.  I still have about 10lbs to go, but I definitely am doing much better at taking care of me.  My cholesterol is back to normal and I am within my normal weight range again.  Still not sleeping great, at least one kiddo wakes up each night.  But the exercising and eating habits are under control at the moment.

• I am really looking forward to reducing my work hours in the future (hopefully by August 2012 when little man starts pre-K).  But this past fall I made some significant adjustments to my work schedule by going to work early 3 days each week.  It ended up being a simple change that made a big difference in my attitude (I'm really a morning person) and it allowed me extra time in the afternoons with the kiddos.  

Sometimes briefly looking backward really puts today into perspective.  However, I am still looking forward to some additional positive changes in 2011. I've included my New Year's Resolutions list in this post.  I decided to put together a list of 11 things in honor of 2011.  Some are easy, some will be challenging, some are just simple reminders to focus on happiness.  Best wishes for a happy new year!

1)  Drink more water
2)  Sign up for yoga
3)  Explore a career direction - so far I keep "going with the flow" at work and it is time to start thinking about things I would like to do as well
4)  Sleep
5)  Finish school (sometimes you just have to put a "gimme" on the list :)
6)  Spend more time doing one on one activities with the kiddos
7)  Save money for vacations (like our 10 year wedding anniversary in VEGAS)
8)  Go on dates with my husband
9)  Sit and read books
10)  Create a household budget (and STICK with it!)
11)  Smile and Laugh

Finals

Blogging may be put on hold for a week as I muddle through finals/end of the term projects.   I want to post a few Christmas tree pics but that may be all that I can manage this week. 

Today was my last final in the last "classroom setting" course I have to take.  The exam today was 4 HOURS LONG and I found some of the problems difficult (programming biostat code is not my greatest skill).  But I am not worried about my score.  It just feels good not to have to step back into a classroom as a student again!  I have one more project to complete for my other class this term.  It is due next week and I better getting moving on it!

Next semester I have one project due at the end of January.  And I have one on-line class.  It will be a light course load compared to 2010.  Then my last degree requirement is a "thesis-type" project in the fall of 2011.

Disco and I have talked many times about whether I should quit school because I was so burned out on the home/work/school schedule.  In the end, we decided together, that it is worth it for me to finish.  Not because I get anything specific out of obtaining the degree right now.  But because at this point I am so close to finishing and we have both made sacrifices of time and money to get here.  And in the future, when the kids are older and I have more time to concentrate on my career, I hope it gives me some options.

These are all mundane details.  But listing it out, checking off completed items, and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel feels GOOD!

Solving Problems

To say this was an unexpected or stressful week would be an understatement.  I didn't feel good all week (just sore and grumpy).  Disco got stuck with dealing with a SLOW insurance company, bad timing, and a grumpy wife.  The kiddos seemed to do well . . . except for little man staying up late one night for a puking party.  Much fun!

Anyway, we finally have a rental car for Disco.  So that has eased a bit of stress.  The wheels are in motion to fix his car (pardon the pun).  Even though it would have been nicer NOT to have a car accident this week at least we are finally moving in the right direction again.

AND . . . I finally told the leadership team for our project that I want to give up a responsibility at work.  Those were unexpected conversations this week as well - but we all have been talking "around" the issue for a while.  It is no secret that I've been struggling with balance issues this past year.  The problem was I just didn't know what "next step" to take.  Both women have been encouraging me to look into what I want to do for a while.  I finally just decided that even though I don't know what I WANT to do I definitely know what I DON'T want to do.  Thankfully I work on a project where there is some flexibility in job responsibilities.  It isn't a quick fix.  It might be 6 months to a year before I can make some changes we talked about today.  But getting the idea out there and the conversations started makes a big difference in my attitude . . .