Why I love my job

It took me MANY years to decide what I wanted to do with my life. Eric was VERY accomodating and afforded me the time to sort things out by not pressuring me. I finally decided that I wanted to go into Nursing while he was deployed in Iraq for 13 months (I had a lot of time on my hands). I had the wonderful opportunity to be very involved with the FRG (Army's Family Readiness Group), and found true joy in serving others, even if it was just allowing a stressed wife time to vent.

Throughout Nursing School I was conflicted about what type of nursing I wanted to do. I fell in love with the ER due to the pace & the continual variety of people you see. Then, the summer before my 2nd year I was able to spend quite a few days in Labor & Delivery, and I fell in LOVE!

It is truly what I thought I wanted to do, but I new that being a new graduate the chances were slim to non that I would be able to work in that area. While in my last few weeks of nursing school I was able to interview for a position in Pediatrics. Due to the way my hospital works, this would not only allow me to work in a specialty area, but also float to the med-surg & post-surg which I took as a bonus so I would be able to stay well-rounded.

Over almost the past 2 years I have fallen in love with Peds. As in any career, sometimes a series of events can be disheartening...but then the sun comes out, and like in this book made for me by one of my patients, the rainbow brings hope!

"At the end of the storm, comes a beautiful rainbow."

"The magic rainbow is magic because it didn't rain first."

"The rainbow is beautiful"

"The flowers grow tall under the rainbow"

(close up of her message at the end)

Let the Battle Begin!

Last week we discovered the Cooper had yet another double ear infection. So, I didn't think too much about him tackling Carter or throwing temper tantrums. But, as the days go on, I'm afraid they're allowing me a brief glimpse as to what the future holds.

Cooper has been caught pulling, crawling, collaring & all out tackling Carter this week. Now, you might think he is a bully...but I tend to think he's just getting even. Carter is already an accomplished walker, and has used his freedom to steal whatever toy Cooper is playing with, and has also been caught using him as a human stepping stool.

Although there has been an abundance of screaming (since they are both cutting their top two teeth) there has also been joyous moments of laughter, without any parents involved.

We've also been attempting to rid Cooper of the middle of the night feedings. So far, he's lasting until about 5am. Carter sleeps very soundly, unless woken up by Cooper. Also, the cry it out method has proven to cause me more difficulty than Cooper. It's not that it breaks my heart to hear him cry...it's frustrating because he cries until he pukes, then I have to wake up Carter so I can steam clean the carpet. It gets easier, right?

I can't believe my little guys will be one next month!

My reason to walk

As many of you know, my Dad was diagnosed with Cancer in October. I was having a hard time dealing with the news, and my neighbor mentioned how she was doing the "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" walk in the area & wanted people to join her. The boys and I decked out in pink & did the 5K. I'd have to say that the boys ended up being our little team mascots, as everyone wanted to take their picture. Terri even had their adorable pink onesies made for them that read "real men wear pink!"
I had a lot of fun, but was focused on making every penny I could, so I could go visit my dad. I finally made it to see my Dad in Arizona last month. My younger sisters drove out from Texas, one stayed with the boys (since Eric had to work) and the other flew with me to Arizona. It was a short trip but we were able to spend some good quality time with him and his family. He is surrounded by 8 pugs that were always entertaining. I learned a little about that area of Arizona he lives in when we visited the Desert Museum and was able to take him to a few Dr. appointments to give his wife a much needed break.

The visit was long enough to spend some good quality time, but far too short. When I got back I signed up to be part of Terri's team, the Cancer Cussin' Cuties. We all wear pink in remembrance of Terri's Mom that lost her battle with Breast Cancer when Terri was still a teenager.

I walk because I want more time. More time to visit with my Dad & his wonderful family. More time to allow my boys to meet & know their grandfather. More time to love.

So, here comes the plug.

We are participating in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life here in Florida. I've already had one of my good friends, Carolyn, sign up for our team, and we are busting our butts with all kinds of fundraisers.
Even though I can't really do the fundraisers with all my bloggy buddies, I wanted to give you the opportunity to donate to our team! My amazing MIL, Annette & SIL, Desiree have already made donations! Every $1 helps, even if that's all you can spare.


We've all been affected, one way or another, by cancer. So, please help join the fight to help the ones we love celebrate more birthdays!

Click here to donate. You can be anonymous or use it to plug your blog/website! I promise a certificate of awesomeness, to include massive cool points, to whoever makes the largest donation!

Thanks,
Mary

We've got orders!!!

For my non-military friends, this is something that us Army folk both look forward to, and dread at the same time. We are super excited because it means we won't be hanging in limbo anymore, and KNOW where we'll be for the next few years.

When Eric talked to his branch manager she said the current options were Italy, Ft. Bragg, NC and Alaska. I told Eric that if he got Alaska, I'd be waiting for him in Hawaii. We patiently waited 2 weeks and had heard nothing back from her...so today Eric called her....and found out...




















We're going to Ft. Bragg!!!

We are both really excited. Eric will be able to stay airborne (and keep his jump pay) and my older brother & his AMAZING wife Michelle are currently stationed there (she was the first person I called)! Even though I really wanted to go to Italy, it will be a blessing to not have to try to sell the truck, and to stay stateside as we attempt to rent/sell our house.

When he told me what our report date was, my first thought was, "Michelle & I are going to have the BEST Halloween ever!"