Shoes

We all do embarrassing things now and then. I'm not sure if it was the frazzeledness of yesterday morning, running around trying to get everyone ready to walk out the door, or my absentmindedness (not paying attention to what I was doing) or the dreaded "Baby brain" that seemed to disappear with pregnancy and I am still waiting for the return.

Whether it was one or all of these reasons, I was utterly embarrassed.

Yesterday morning, while walking to my office from the parking lot I glance down and let out a little scream! I am wearing two different shoes!

One black, one snakeskin brown.

I'm already running a few minutes late and have a ton of work sitting on my desk that I know I don't have time to go home. Luckily they are both somewhat dark (the picture doesn't show as much difference as they really are.)

I get to my desk and hide my feet under my desk, thankful that I don't have any scheduled meetings!

Circumstances

Sometimes things happen and we cannot understand why. Other times, circumstances in your life are a direct result of certain actions. Although we can’t explain everything that happens, it is life and we learn from every experience.

Whenever there is a break in my blogging it is typically a direct result of the time in our life. And I know when I am gone, many of you wonder what is going on, for some of you, this is the only way you keep up on what is happening in our life! I didn’t post this right away mainly because I like to figure things out before I post it for the world to see. I also wasn’t quite sure what to write.

Scott lost his job. It was a major shock to us both. So many emotions, so many thoughts, a lot of prayers. It happened a few weeks ago, April 29th. We are upset, but we both believe that God is in control and there are other opportunities out there for us.

I am without words today. Whenever I think about writing this blog post, I have so many thoughts. I could say this. Should I say that? How detailed do I go? The truth is, this is just a small piece of this road we are traveling. It may seem like a huge roadblock, but as the weeks go on, we begin to see it more as a detour in life. We are not stuck, waiting for this blockage to be moved by someone else, we are continuing to travel on, just in a different direction than we originally planned.

Scott has taken this opportunity to go back to school and get his teaching credential. He is also focusing more of his attention on teaching in higher education. Although this is a difficult time to find a job, and History Professors are in no means in a high demand.

We are actively waiting to see what will come of this situation.

I will try to keep you updated more on our life, and what opportunities are presented to us. Until then, please keep us in your prayers. It is too tempting to become discouraged, disheartened, or doubt. That is not what we are called to do, and we just have to trust that there is a plan for our lives.

5 Years!

Last week I attended a Faculty and Staff awards banquet for work. Unfortunately, Scott had to work and was unable to join me. But this year I received a pin for my 5 years of service. I can't not believe I have been working at CBU for five years now (technically I have been working here for 9 years, but they do not count the 4 years of being a student worker). I started on July 25th, 2005.

When I first took this job, I was right out of college. To be honest, I was not really thrilled to be taking this position. I had been told I would receive a position in a different office on campus upon graduation. A couple weeks or so before graduation I was told that I would not be hired in the position I thought. I still had the summer to work as an Intern and find a new job for after the summer and after getting married.

I was recommended by my boss to another office to work as a Data Technician in the Office of the Registrar. The position did not really interest me, but I was getting married in a couple months and I needed a job. So I interviewed thinking that it would be a job for a year or so until I really figured out what I wanted.

As it turns out, I'm pretty good at my job! I was promoted and stuck around. I now work as the assistant Registrar doing much more than simple data entry. I love the problem solving of my job, and the variety of responsibilities. I am so thankful that I did not get the job I originally applied for and was given a recommendation to be hired in the Registrar's Office. Although sometimes my job is frustrating and stressful, I do love my job and look forward to 5 more years in this office!

38 Weeks Pregnant.

Back to work

Today I am back to work after being out for three weeks. It was odd getting up today to head to work but I am happy to be back (I think). It is a little rough getting back to normal at work, there are some things that have sat on my desk for three weeks that I need to take care of today as well as new stuff that was added to my stack.

All in all, I am glad to be back and ready for my normal routine, but I loved spending my time with my baby boy.

Long Vacation

I was looking back on my previous posts from one year ago and I realized that it was a year ago that I went on maternity leave. This was my time to prepare for the baby. (Although I didn't expect to have SO much time off before the baby since Brendan does things on his own timing, hm, a lot like his mother!)

So here I am, one year later, going on a break! In California, a new parent (mom or dad) gets an additional 6 weeks of Paid Family Leave, or "Baby Bonding". It is not full pay, but disability pay, but it is nice to have the opportunity to bond with your new baby. These 6 weeks have to be taken within the first year of the baby's life. Since Brendan is now 11 months old, I figured I had better take my leave, or I would loose it.

The past few weeks have been really crazy at work as my boss and I completed our University Catalog for the president. Trying to be proactive and get it out sooner than the past two years, we set a goal for ourselves. Then we called the president to make sure that he would be available to approve the catalog on that date. Silly us, the president then moved our goal date up on us, so needless to say, I have been a little stressed lately. Luckily, we hit our goal and I was able to get everything off my desk before leaving! Whew, what I relief!

Unfortunately, I am not taking the full 6 weeks (or 12 weeks if you take the 6 weeks of non pay). I know it sounds silly, but I just couldn't be away from my job for that long! Instead I am taking a nice 3 week break. I am so excited for this time off and excited to spend this time with Brendan now that he is even more responsive, interactive and WALKING! I have quite a full 3 weeks ahead of me! Next week is our Family time to spend some real quality time together! I'll keep you posted as I experience it!

I really needed this break!

Friday!

I am so thankful for Friday. This week has been extremely tiring and stressful. It was a long week, on Wednesday, I felt like it was Friday. I am really looking forward to the weekend and our fun plans. We will be hanging out with our friends Tawni & Rob, I am in need of a break, a mini vacation of sorts! I will post an update with pictures next week of our fun weekend.

Now, I just need to survive the rest of the work day!

Happy Friday everyone!

Pear Jell-o

Happy St. Patrick's day!

Growing up, St. Patrick's Day was always a big deal. I ALWAYS wore green to School. My mother would try to make the day fun for us, she would pack green food in our lunch with mint cookies, I remember one morning we had green malt-o-meal for breakfast and maybe even green milk! She always wanted us to enjoy the holidays. Every year we had our traditional big St. Patrick's Day dinner with everything included: Corn beef, cabbage, potatoes, minced peas (gross!), key-lime pie, Irish Soda Bread and pear jell-o.

Pear Jell-o? What is Irish about that? I have no idea! But it is a tradition in our house, and it seems to be spreading. My first year of working at my job, I suggested that we have a "party" on St. Patrick's Day and all bring goodies. (Our office is always looking for an excuse to party.) That year I brought my "traditional" pear Jell-o and they were a huge hit! From then on, Jen in my office makes me bring them every year, and every year we have a party. This will be my 4th year bringing my "Famous Pear Jell-o" to work.
They are actually very simple to make, but somehow I always wait until the last minute to make them and stay up until 11:00 at night to finish them. In the center of the pear is a cream cheese mixture with powdered sugar and walnuts covered with Lime Jell-o. Considering half of the Staff is new this year, we will have to see how well they go over.

What a morning!!

This morning I woke up and I knew it was going to be one of those mornings. Brendan didn't do as well last night as we had hoped, I think being away from home for a week and surrounded by people threw his schedule off, but nonetheless, I was exhausted this morning when I woke up - I slept in a little more than I should have.

I quickly took a shower this morning and went to go pick up my now screaming child (who wouldn't eat for me at anytime convenient), with nothing to wear this morning (still can't fit into a lot of my pre-pregnancy clothes) I finally throw something on and go to dress Brendan. Once both him and I are dressed and ready to head out the door, we are only 10 minutes later than I normally leave, not too bad I think to myself.

I pack the diaper bag, grab Brendan, pick-up my purse and realize.....I have no keys! I call Scott and he goes out to his car, sure enough, my keys are in my jacket pocket - in my husbands car! I start making phone calls and text-messages to try to find someone to help me. I finally get ahold of Natalie (a friend from CBU) who is just walking out the door to go to work. She agrees to come and get me and help me to take Brendan to Day Care. What a Friend!

With all that excitement, I still get to work only 1/2 an hour late! Now the errands I was going to run at lunch will have to wait for tomorrow... Happy Monday everyone!

Back to Work

This last week was my first week back to work full time, it was also Scott's first full week with students. To be honest, it has been somewhat nice to get back into the swing of things and to get into a routine. After being off work for 9 1/2 weeks (I really can't believe it was that long) it is nice to have structure back into our lives again. An average morning, and by average I mean a morning in which Brendan cooperates, we start the day at about 5:00 - 5:30. By 7:00 we leave the house, all bathed, fed, with coffee in hand and a lunch packed. I am actually very proud of us that we are able to work together to get it all done. It is getting easier now that Brendan is sleeping more. For the past couple of weeks he only gets up once in the middle of the night. It sounds silly but this cartoon I saw the other day is true!
Work for me has been busy but I really must say I am glad to be back. When I first found out I was pregnant, there was never a question in my mind if I would return to work or not, as much as I would love to stay home with my baby, we need the income and I really enjoy my job. It is getting easier every morning as Scott and I form a routine that works for us!

Pretty Baby

When I was pregnant I knew that I would think that my baby was cute and love him no matter what, but I truly believe he is simply beautiful! I just stare at him all the time. My sister laughs at me because just out of the blue I will tell her "he is so pretty!" and "Isn't he the most beautiful baby ever?"

I really thought that I would not be one of those parents that asked the loaded question, but I do find myself, every once in a while, asking if the person thinks Brendan is adorable. Of course everyone has agreed with me, who would really tell a new mother that her baby was ugly. You may not agree with me but I think that my baby is the prettiest baby EVER!

Since the day he was born I knew that I was in trouble. This little thing that I had carried around for OVER nine months was finally in my arms and I never wanted to put him down. Even this morning, 7 weeks old, I picked him up when he was falling asleep, he snuggled into my chest and I thought for a brief moment "what if I just stayed home from work and held my baby all day?" But instead, I loaded him into his car seat, and drove him to daycare. My heart hurts every time I drop him off. He is just so wonderful, I never want to leave him.

Last day of Work

So yesterday was my last day of work for Maternity leave. The break will be nice I hope, we don't know when the baby will come but it can be anytime now. Today, being my first day off, was spent cleaning the bedroom and doing some organizing before the baby comes. I also am trying to get ahead in my school work so that if he does decide to come early, I am prepared in that aspect.

I feel comfortable with leaving work, I tried my best to make sure that everything was organized on my desk and nothing was left hanging. I know that everything will be fine, I just didn't want to be a burden on my office with me being out. Yesterday they all brought in food to say good-bye. I am so grateful at how supportive my office is to me through the entire pregnancy.

Scott is making sure that since I am now home, I am getting plenty of rest, sleeping in, not doing anything physical at all, he wants to keep that baby inside as long as possible! I can't do anything that might induce labor at all...including walking the mall. I keep saying, the baby is going to come when he is ready. Hopefully not this weekend, I need a few more days!

Doctors Visit

We went to the doctor again yesterday, now that I am going every week, the staff there is starting to recognize Scott and myself. For those of you who don't know, my doctor's name is Dr. Eugene Albright. He has been delivering babies for almost 20 years, he is really nice and I have been prettty happy with him. I guess he is still a little old fashioned because he does a physical check every appointment from here on out. Not my favorite part. Currently, I am not dilated at all, which is good for my 36th/37th week. Baby seems to be doing fine, and the heartbeat was strong.

But yesterday he told us that everything was normal, I was progressing well and handling everything really well and that there was no reason I couldn't continue to work. However, since I have hit my 36th week, I could choose to stop working at any time - this is a struggle for me. It would be easier if someone would just tell me, stop working on this date! But Dr. Albright says I have no swelling, I seem to be strong and having no complications. The worst part for me at work is my attitude, I try to be patient and understanding, but my patience has flown out the window. I am uncomfortable and cranky, and ready to bite the heads off of anyone who comes to my desk. I am working really hard this week to be understanding and remind myself that as irritating as I think people are, they really don't mean to be and they just want my help, they have no reason for me to be irritated at them. I have decided that next week will be my last week, and as it will be my 38th week, it will be time for me to stop working. So all I have to do it make it through a week and a half! :) Pray for me!