Thanksgiving a little late.

These are pictures of our recent Thanksgiving trip to see my parents.  My sister and her family were also there.  I thought this group photo turned out pretty well for that many little people.

Here's my parents.  Mom looks lovely in her sparkly outfit.

My sister's clan.

Here's all of us.  Wingman always has some sort of deer in the headlights look with photos.  Lovely.

Here's all the grandkids on my side of the family.

Grandave had bought a Wii so you can imagine what the 6 kids did for 3 days.  Grandave is the coolest.  My kids are dying to go back and play the Wii.

We had a fun time eating, visiting, shopping, and just hanging out.

Status change

It's been so long since I blogged that I had a hard time logging in.

Yesterday, was my last official day as a full time physical therapist. I am back to really, really part time (a couple Saturdays a month) physical therapist and full time mommy.

The Captain received some contract work that should keep him busy until the end of February. He continues to look for full time employment. In fact, he has an in person interview in the Midwest right after the first of the year. Or the contract work might be a good thing. It's still too early to tell. We will see what happens.

I have missed being home. I miss my kids. I miss cooking. The cleaning supplies miss me. It's pretty pathetic looking around here. The dust bunnies are taking over.

It was very stressful and difficult moving over to outpatient but I felt like I was getting in the groove by the time I left. It was a good learning experience and stretched me way out of my comfort zone. I am very thankful to have flexible bosses and co-workers who have allowed me to work as little or as much as my family has needed during the past 2 years.

I was sad to leave some of my patients. I get attached sometimes. I know they will have great care when I leave, but I always wonder how they turn out. I really like being a physical therapist, but now it's time to be a mommy.

Keep praying for wisdom in job hunting decisions. There will be some difficult decisions to make in the next few months.

Pray for peace for us (mostly me) with this uncertain income during the next few months. I don't like uncertain. He has and will be paid but it's not a regular paycheck. As certain projects are completed you get a check and that has to last to the next completion date and you don't really know when that will be. Not my favorite scenario.

I will catch up on more blogging this week.

Update for this week

Sorry for the delinquent posting. My job in the outpatient setting is going better. Not that it ever was going bad, but I felt fairly incompetent for awhile. I spend most of my evenings googling rehab protocols and reviewing notes from PT school. It's a very different environment from inpatient where I usually work. I feel like a student again except I have 3 kids this time. Kind of crazy. I have great co-workers who are great resources and very helpful.

The Captain continues the job hunt. He has an in person interview on Nov. 10 in southern California. He has applied to companies in Canada and Colorado as well. Most of these jobs are not direct matches, but close to what he usually does. I will let you know what happens next. Please keep those in your prayers.

I don't know the plans that the Lord has for us, but I know that HE knows those plans. That's where my comfort lies.

Big boy bed

It was a big day around here. Wingman got his big boy bed. We've actually had it for awhile, but just haven't put it up yet. Athletic ball sheets courtesy of Nana. Wingman would have nothing less.

He did not get as excited as the other 2 boys did, but he slowly warmed to the idea. Especially, when someone said his bed would be like his brothers. He just wants to be just like them.

The first nap went well. He rolled over and went right to sleep. We will see how this continues.

The sad part is that the crib went to the attic. Sigh...They grow up so fast.

Job update

I have taken a full time position with the outpatient portion of our hospital system. I see some of the same types of people/diagnoses from the hospital plus other people from the community with various issues that don't require hospitalization.

It was pretty scary at first. I am remembering or re-learning many things I just don't use in inpatient. The staff has been wonderful and helpful. I have great patients. It's a good opportunity to learn something.

I am working Monday through Friday 8-5pm. It's nice to have a consistent work schedule and paycheck.

I miss being home, but this is where we are for now.

Each day is another step of faith. The Captain still has a few leads he is working on. Everything is just moving very slow in that department. A lot of companies still are not doing well in this economy. Just keep praying.

Balloon Fiesta

One of our recent trips included a trip at the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque. The Captain and I used to visit when we lived there, but had never taken the boys.

They did really good considering we got them up at 4:00am and were at the field at 6am. Mass Ascension starts around 6:45am so you have to get there early.

The buffalo balloon belongs to some friends of ours so we were able to help "crew." I use that term loosely. The Captain crewed (assisting to inflate the balloon) while I kept our "crew" away from the hot gas.

Wingman had the best line. The balloons are inflated horizontal on the ground then allowed to go vertical to fully inflate. As the balloon is moving vertical (right near Wingman) he yells, "It's going to squish me!" We got a good laugh out of him.

The highlight was the Darth Vader balloon. This is the closest we could get. It was like a rock concert around. People were everyone. The boys were so excited to see Darth.

We had a great time and had beautiful weather. It's usually in the 40's in the morning, but this year was only 60 degrees. We had to pull off many of the layers I had brought for everyone, but that's a good problem to have.

Can't wait to go back.

Still here

We have been out of town twice in the last 2 weeks. Once for a birthday party and another longer trip to be with my dad after hip replacement surgery.

Now, we are still here. We keep getting asked when we are moving, but alas it's not anytime soon. Not that I want to move, but there is not a job to move for. The original job offer did not work as promised. Other leads have been closed doors. God clearly has a plan, but I can not figure this one out.

We do have a job. It's me working full time. It's not the way we wanted or planned things to be, but it works for now. Tomorrow, I start in outpatient therapy. (I have always worked inpatient.) This will be a huge change. I am nervous, but a little excited for a new challenge. The good news is that I will be there M-F without being perpetually on-call at the hospital. A little stability is good.

The Captain has been doing the bulk of the homeschooling. It's going well. They (the Captain and the Test Pilot) hate spelling but love science and math. It's a good fit. He job hunts in between assignments and during nap time. It's crazy, but that's just the way it goes around here.

I will let you know when we know something.