See. Life is good.

Just yesterday I was feeling like my job doesn't matter much and then I had the opportunity to help so many amazing people both in the hospital and out. I had the most hilarious patient in the morning and met the sweetest little old lady in the afternoon and then got to help a color guard member who was having an anaphylactic reaction due to a bee sting. I've never given and epi injection before - not that it was hard - but I'm thankful for my medical training because it made the whole thing less scary. It feels good to make a difference and for those 3 sweet people I think it did.  Heavenly Father truly does place necessary opportunities in our paths and sends us such amazing revelation at the exact moment we need it. What a blessing!

Work stress

I consider myself very lucky to have such a wonderful, fulfilling job but over the last several months things have been super stressful. Staff tensions, busy days, hurt feelings, tired bodies and endless drama can add up to more than is healthy to deal with.  Overall, I really do love what I do. I love that I get to help people and try to be a bright spot in someone's day. Yesterday, however, it all came to a head and I honestly felt like I couldn't continue doing what I do. It's sometimes just too much. Today things seem brighter and the only place we can go from here up, right? I had a really lovely chat with one of my favorite coworkers and she is such a strong influence on my life. I'm thankful for her and thankful for each new day that I get to move forward helping my patients. Better attitude = Better work environment. If that doesn't work, I bet I can get a job mucking stalls. :)

First day of School 2014 & First day of Kindergarden

Seriously?  It's back to school time already?  This summer doesn't even feel like it happened and I can only imagine how my kids feel.  They were so busy with camps and activities that they didn't get much free time.

My goodness I cannot believe how fast my children have grown! They were such sweet little girls and were always smiling and laughing. They are still pretty amazing but now they are both in high school - and snotty - and busy - and moody - and busy - and teenagers!

They're quite beautiful though and for all the tears, gray hairs and stress on a mothers soul I wouldn't have had it any other way. I love them and am thankful that they are mine for all eternity!

Lindsay will be in 9th grade this year and is looking forward to being on the yearbook staff.  I think she is mildly excited about band but more so than she lets on.  She is my silent observer - doesn't say a lot but takes a lot in, unless its me asking her to say unload the dishwasher or clean her room.

Sage will be...hold on, I need a tissue for this one...a junior!  What???  She is really excited to be able to drive herself (and her sister) to school this year.  She is co-section head of the upper woodwinds in the marching band this year and she will be taking several concurrent credit classes.  I don't know how she is going to make it all fit into her days but she's resourceful and will figure it out.

Kayaking

This weekend I had the great opportunity to take my mom kayaking in McCall. It's something that she has never done and something I love so it was win-win. Lindsay went with us and we had an amazing time. 

Oh my goodness, where does the time go!?!

Wow! Life sure rolls on whether you document it or not! I cannot believe its been over 2 years since my last post. Whoops! Many things have changed over the last 2 years and it would be impossible to try to right about all of them so I will make a list of the big things that have, or are currently happening in our family.

- Sage drives now. She even got a car this summer (1999 Toyota Corolla with a gazillion miles on it) It's cute and she's nicknamed it Linda.

- Sage and Lindsay will both be in high school this year (Lindsay will be a freshman and Sage a junior).

- JJ is still working at FedEx but also puts in many hours working for a small business rebuilding diesel fuel injectors.

- JJ is serving as the Ward Clerk since they split our ward in to the new Kuna 15th ward in July 2013.

- I am lucky to serve as the 2nd counselor in the YW presidency and to volunteer my time as the uniform mom for the Kuna Gold Marching Band.

- I am 12 credits shy of my bachelors degree and just found out that I have 2 years to finish it under that catalog or I will need many more credits due to the university changing up their foundational studies. Better get cracking! I applied for admission on Friday and have very mixed feelings about this.

- Charley and Odie are still as cute, short and brown as ever.

- I was diagnosed with Celiac disease (+ biopsy) in April 2013, which reaffirms Sage's "diagnosis". Lindsay also had symptoms and because the testing is SOO expensive we have just assumed that she has it as well - it's genetic after all. At this point she has been GF too long and would need to resume eating gluten to be tested, which is not an option because it makes her feel horrible. We have graciously, and without fail opened our arms to the gluten free diet to be as healthy as possible.

- We had an exchange student named Trahn Nhi from Vietnam that came to stay with us from January 14 to July 14. It was an interesting experience but not one that we will probably repeat.

- This spring I hurt my back while on vacation for spring break and end up missing 2 months of work. I'm still feeling the impact of this injury but will continue to work to get stronger.

That seems like a short list for 2 years but that's the highlights. I love my family and am so lucky to have 2 amazing daughters! They truly are beautiful inside and out.

See what I mean?