Happy AnniNURSEary

Not too long ago I was going through an old box of mine from when I was younger. I read this paper I wrote in grade school, an autobiography, Chapter 7 titled "Me and the World" struck me. Here is a piece of the chapter, grammatical errors and all: "When I get out of school I want to become a nurse, not just a nurse but a R.N. That means a Registared Nurse. People say thats a good job for me because I am really good with babies and kids. I like kids a lot, especially new born babies. They're so cute and precious."

So that's where my personal goal of becoming a Nurse started. I remember wanting to become a Dentist somewhere in the mix. I quickly changed my mind after the thought of moving out of state for schooling, the outrageous tuition of Dental School, and the bore of just a mouth. So I decided to take good care of my own teeth and take better care of other people for a living. By far one of the smartest personal decisions of my life, for me.

I had two of the best interruptions and one "life learning experience" (what I like to call it) along the path of my goal. But I did it... through it all. That's a job in itself, and I wouldn't trade an ounce of it. I had to go through it to be the person I am today. Everything happens for a reason. I'm here... and astonished that a year has gone by.

This photo was taken during Nursing School. I like this picture because of the smiles. The twisted grinny-grin-grins that were really hiding the hell, frustrations and everything else these three girls were going through from Nursing School. Yes, it was brutal. A year later I've learned that Nursing is brutal.... but if you have the heart for it... it's bliss. This heart is blissful.

I am lucky. So lucky. Thankful to have a job, and one that I love at that. I love my job, my co-workers, but most of all my patients. They hold a special spot in me. I have learned so, so much... in many areas of my life. Though it's important, it's not just about lab values, diagnostics, vital signs, and assessments... it's about the soul, the person. I couldn't be more privileged to be a part of helping during someones worst. It's a humbling career, and in many ways makes you appreciate the little things we take for granted everyday, which we are all guilty of sometimes.

Yes, it can be hard and stressful, it can also be peaceful. I have cried, laughed, learned, shared, hugged, wiped tears, and folded towels with patients and their families. I have helped pick patients up off the floor, ran to them, whispered to them, bathed them, lotioned them, and listened to them... the list goes on. It's rewarding. It's the most perfect job for me. I truly love people, and I have a lot of love to share. I love feeling like we are in this together, because we all are. I look forward to more learning.

This is my calling, and I am blessed with more passion as I am fulfilling it. You can do anything... anything you put your mind to. It was a great first year, cheers to many more. Happy 1 year Anniversary! ;)

Love,

Nurse Nenny

Stink Mouth

Stink has been on a roll lately... so thought I would share some of his hits:

"Mom, I really wish my skin was brown so I could run faster."

"Ewe, who tooted?" he says. The guilty butt of Benny tries to blame mom and says, "Mom did it!" in which Stink replies very serious and confident, "Moms don't fart and neither do girls." This conversation took place at the dinner table of course. Then Benny defends himself... "Yeah huh, grandmas do, Grandma Jana tooted before, I heard it."

Now this one occurred while I was on the phone and if your a mother, you know that this is when pretty much all things go down. I hear a "boom" and then a "smack" from downstairs followed by Benny crying and Stink says, "How do you like that huh, how does that feel?!" Not an entirely funny situation but I did have a little chuckle before scolding.

Now for the real funny this week: a school paper brought home in one of the backpacks...

My Little Football Fanatics

The Winter season of football has started for the boys! First games were last weekend... and I didn't expect anything other than a great start. The boys are on separate teams this season. However, both of their teams are named the Cardinals. So I now have to store away my Packers paraphernalia and invest in some hot "Cards" gear. This is Stink's first experience of tackle. Even though it's a whole lot dirtier, he loves it... more. The first game was won with a shutout. Stink still has his speed and ran a 60 yard distance, grass roots shy of a touch-down. He found out pretty quick that the faster you run, the harder you fall. I'm still learning to stand back and let him be strong, brush it off, and get back up. But I itch inside to run over and give him a big kiss, hold him tight and whisper my sweet mommy words when I see him down.

Benny stole the star of the Saturday games though. It could have had a little to do with all those built up feelings and emotions of always being paired up on the same team as brother- competing and compared with his blood in football. Not this time, oh no. Benny's got his own team, his own attitude, and his own game. He rocked it with style. 3 touch-downs total by that Benny Boy. Two of those started out with catching passes and running straight for the end, where he made it. I would have taken pictures of those particular events, but I was too indulged. That look of achievement in those blue eyes and goofy grin was... priceless.

I'm so proud of you boys! ♥

Celebrate Good Times

Beware, long post: This time of year it seems like celebration after celebration with birthdays, Christmas, more birthdays, and New Years. I love it, all of it! It's busy but full of love, seeing family and friends- making great memories and sharing special moments.


Christmas eve was spent with my parents followed by Church... which I look forward to every year. Singing "silent night" in candlelight with the congregation is amazing. Coming home we drove and toured the neighborhood in the car checking out every one's Christmas lights. I have learned Christmas Eve is the best night for this because everyone usually has all their lights on this night. We get home and snuggle up to watch Muppet Christmas Carol. And what do I do? Fall asleep... without putting Santa's presents under the tree. So I wake up frantically thinking it's morning and look at both boys who are sleeping soundly and peacefully. I glance at the clock with a sigh of relief it being only 12:30am. So I put Santa's goodies under the tree and eat his cookies. Instead of milk I had some wine, then turned on some music and made my breakfast casserole for the morning. By then it was 3:30am. Not even three hours later the boys are yelling, "Mom, Santa came, Santa came... I see the red and green presents." Thankfully I tied off the upstairs with ribbon on each post of the stairwell so we would have to cut it to get down the stairs... otherwise it was a good chance I would have missed them opening presents. :)

Benny cut the ribbon and they flew downstairs. My grandparents came and we ate and talked and exchanged gifts and watched the Christmas spirit glisten in my two blondies. It was a great morning.


They both got what they wanted this year, those good little boys: Colts and Saints helmets. And I got what I wanted... happy faces on happy kids... oh and guitar hero for the wii.

So up next on the celebrations is Mom's birthday, I turned 27... ouch. I feel like that sounds so old, but I feel so young. The boys got mom the cutest rings and a hat. But what I loved most is their homemade gifts they created without prompting. Those are the best. Benny went downstairs and colored a beautiful picture for mom which said, "Ples kiss me today". Yes, my heart melted. It melted more when Stink cut a pink stuffed heart from one of his stuffed animals that read,"Kiss Me". Then he added, "Mom, when your sad because I'm at school you can just hug this okay?!" So with all this kissy talk I had to kiss them an extra thousand times that day, and you all know how I love my kisses! So did they, it came from the heart. We had some lunch with family where my sister made a cake for me and loaded it with 27 candles. By the time she got them all lit, they were about melted down.

My sister, the boys and I went to the movies. Then I had some party time with the girls that night. Fun night. I'm blessed to be having fun again. This is about the time every year where I do my body wrong and elevate my liver enzymes. Here comes New Years...

I wouldn't want to spend it anywhere else but here, where my home is, where all my great friends and my children's friends are. The boys fell asleep before midnight at the neighbors... so my mommy mode kicked in. I carried them back home and tucked them in warm in their sheets. I sat there, just me and myself to ring in the new year... having a moment with just... me. This is going to be the best year of my life, of ours... I just know it! Happy New Year!!