Thoughts for Thursday

Well, looky here...It's been a crazy long time since I blogged.  I say this every time- It's just proof that life is busy!  I think working nights has been a main reason that things like my blog getting forgotten or pushed aside.  I don't want to do anything on my days off.  For example, it's Thursday today...I work last Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, had a church thing Saturday, worked Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday nights.  Not to mention the fact that it snowed so much during that timespan that I shacked up at hotel Truman (my hospital) Tuesday day to sleep, which might have been equivalent to not sleeping at all.  Then yesterday (Wed-- are you following me here??) I had to be mom all day, ergo not sleeping much, since Jack was out of school and Reid obviously worked.  So today, I don't want to do a darn thing.  Thankfully I don't have to go back until possibly Sunday (I'm on call).  I'm going to enjoy every minute of this 4 day break.  It really helps recharge my batteries when I get a nice break.  Despite the long hours, life is really good.  It's a wonderful thing to step back, look at things and just be able to smile and truly be happy. 
Let's try to recap the last couple of months...
November-  We got to take a quick family trip to STL in November.  Our friends the Beasley's and Carpenter's went too.  We planned to convene in STL because our girlfriend Christina had a new little girl, KayBella and we needed to meet her.  Sam came down from Minnesota and it was a blast to hang out with our families/friends.  We went to STL zoo, ate some good food, and spent a day at the Magic House.  The kids had a blast and it was awesome to spend some quality time with some of my girlfriends. 

December-  Christmas time is my favorite time of year.  This year did not disappoint.  Typically we spend time in KC with Reid's side of the family and then we make a trip to Hastings with my family.  Since my brother Ben is in medical school rotations, his flexibility is slim.  He was in the middle of a surgery rotation and had to be on call basically the whole month.  So, instead of travelling to Hastings, the crew came to KC the weekend before Christmas.  We hosted at our place and spent time playing games, eating good treats, and just having some good quality time together.  We tried to replicate our normal Christmas Eve/Christmas Day routine.  We went to church Saturday night, out to dinner (it was no Chinese like we usually do on Christmas Eve, but Buffalo Wild Wings did not disappoint), and then presents on "Christmas" morning.  As we get older and we all hit "adulthood" it's becoming increasingly fun for us to all hang out together.  We're all on an "even playing field" and honestly I love seeing the young adults my siblings are becoming.  I can't help but think how proud my parents probably are...they have some great kids. 

Grandma Ginny and Ye-ye with Jack:

Our time with the Kirby/Calvert/Phillips family was not easy to manage this year either.  Reid's brother, sister-in-law, and myself all work as night RN's, and of course this year, our schedules were all different.  Thankfully it worked out for us to spend the Saturday after Christmas, the whole day, together.  It wasn't the "normal Christmas celebration" but at this point, we're happy when we can all be together.  Our families are growing and it's pretty awesome to be part of not only one, but 2 amazing families.  I'm feel blessed. 

Jack got mustaches for Christmas from the Calvert's:

January- Honestly, January flew...I don't even remember it.  I do remember that we rang in the new year (while it dumped snow on KC) with some good friends.  We had some serious champange (everyone brought at least one bottle...lol), danced on the kinect, played some games, and enjoyed being out of the house.  Now looking back, I do remember that I got a call the next morning REALLY early from my mother-in-law.  Jack had been up crying, screaming basically, for hours.  The poor kid had an earache, headache, and sore throat.  We jumped out of bed and went to get him.  When we got home, he just kept crying.  Thankfully, I got him to take forced him to take tylenol and cough syrup.  30 minutes later he had passed out on daddy in the chair.  We all slept about 2 more hours.  When he got up, he was a completely different kid.  By 4pm we were out in the snow for our first sledding adventure of the year.  Once again ibuprofen comes to the rescue! 

New Years mustaches with friends:

Our first snow run for the year:

February- Well, here we are...the last day in February.  This past month has been another quick one.  At this moment I feel like Jack has been out of school more than in school this month.  He has had a lot of "teacher work days" and then in the past week there were 4 snow days!  We went sledding with Aunt Sarah yesterday.  It was beautiful out and lots of fun.  Jack is quite the daredevil, sledding down on his belly, flipping off, diving into the snow face first, and jumping off a huge snowball into waist high snow.  He loved it! 

Daddy showed up after work and got in on the action:



March is sure to be great as we will be celebrating Jack's 4th birthday!  I cannot even believe my little baby is going to be 4.  I have been reflecting a LOT lately about the past 4 years.  Sometimes I look at Jack and just really don't know how we got so lucky.  God created this amazing, beautiful, smart, hilarious, and loving little man...and I get to be his mom.  It feels surreal at times.  And I wish I could capture all his funny little moments.  He is getting to be such a little man that is so much like his daddy.  He loves Star Wars, Angry Birds, and yes, still Cars.  He plays video games with his daddy and probably uses an Xbox controller better than I do.  (His dexterity really does amaze me)  He has a memory of an elephant and I don't even know where he hears some of the things he says.  I need a video camera on constantly.  

Thanks for checking in on us.  Until next time... 

 





10 randoms...GO!

I don't have time to rehash the last 2 months...I'm a bad blog updater...here's a snapshot of where we are today!

1.  Jack is going Trick or Treating as YODA!  He asked to be Yoda this past summer...I found the costume for $5 on a garage sale....SCORE for MOM! 

2.  Reid got a promotion at work and while he spends a lot of time working, he likes it for the most part.  He actually just recently said, "It is such a blessing that I got hired at Cerner."  Thank you Lord, yet again for this blessing.

3.  My job on nights is going well!  I love nights....I've always been a night owl.  I am liking what I do.  I work the postpartum unit currently.  I love educating new moms, young moms, first time moms.  It is wonderful to bond with them since I can relate to the high percentage of moms who get a c-section at my hospital.  I get to train to antepartum (mom's admitted for observation during their pregnancy...not necessarily going to go into labor) during the next cycle schedule.  I'm excited to add to my knowledge of this field of women's health.

4.  Jack started preschool at St. Andrew's Catholic school.  He goes full time Mon-Fri 0700-315.  He likes his friends and for the most part his teacher.  It is much more structured than his daycare, so we're working on learning boundaries...at school and home.  Let's just say I don't think he likes authority much these days no matter who it is.

5.  Funny story about Jack and school.  I met the father of Lucy, Jack's classmate.  He told me that Lucy plays school a lot at their home.  He said, "every time she plays school, Jack Kirby is always on timeout."  Go figure...my child is always on timeout. :)  I shouldn't smile.  But, it's really funny....you laughed. 

6.  My sisters Maggie, Lucy and I got to go to the Justin Bieber concert in KC this past weekend.  We had so much fun.  I felt so old, but they definitely had fun.  JB was cute as a 15 year old, but this 18 year old "man" who sags his pants to his knees, already has 8 'tats', wears sunglasses in the dark, grabs his crotch, and grinds to his music while on stage is a little much for me.  Does that make me old?

Here's a picture of us before the concert:

7.  I'm so excited for Christmas.  It's quickly becoming an obsession in my shopping.  I buy something every time I'm out for a Christmas gift.  Ok, not every time, but I'm probably 2/3 of the way done with my shopping.  I have wrapping paper and ribbon for bows, all ready to make some pretty packages.  I can't wait to put my Christmas decor up, our tree, drink some hot cocoa, and spend some good quality time together.

8. We took Kirby family pictures last weekend at English Landing park in Parkville. It was chilly, but beautiful out and made for some great pictures. It is a task to get us all looking and smiling at the same time. But our photographer got some great shots. So wonderful to have those memories in print and to see us all in one pictures. Jack's great-grandma Peggy even came from Osage Beach, MO to get in on the action. Here's a few for your viewing pleasure...

 The whole group (click for a larger view)

 Our little family of 3:

 All the kiddos:

 Justyn, Jack, and McKenna:

 Happy Holidays from the family:

9.  My TV show that I was watching on DVR just ended and "Jack's Big Music Show" on NickJr came on once it flipped back to regular TV.  Do kids really like that show?  I never had an affinity to puppets....

10.  I have to work Christmas Eve night and I'm pretty bummed.  I'm the only nights person that has a young child and I'm going to miss being Santa and seeing Jack once he comes down stairs to see all the presents.  But, Reid has been so understanding and encouraging.  He told me that he'd keep Jack upstairs till I get home and then bring him down so we can both be there.  He assured me that we'd make Christmas happen with the families whenever we can and it will all work out.  He's so good for me...such a voice of reason in my clouded brain of doubt and pessimism, at times. 

That's all folks.  Until next time...

Can't forget this one...

I cannot forget this comment that Jack made tonight, so I'm making it permanent. 

It is a holy day of obligation in the Catholic Church (Assumption of Mary) tomorrow and we went to Mass tonight.  Jack usually walks up to communion with us, with his little hands folded in front of him very reverently.  The priest is very good about giving the children blessings, since they can't receive communion yet.  But tonight we ended up getting in the other line with a communion minister (who do not give out blessings).  On the way back to our seats Jack started to whine saying "I didn't get a blessing!"  I picked him up and quietly whispered "Shh...we will get one after church."  Then so cutely he looked at me and said, "When do I get a magic chip?"  Referring to the communion wafer.  I had to laugh out loud and squeeze him so tight.  His innocence and inquiring mind makes my heart smile. 

Until next time...

Erased

I started a blog yesterday and then erased the whole thing...I have nothing exciting to write about!  And my regular life seemed really boring in paragraph form.  So...we're alive, things are going well!  I'm in my last weeks of orientation to the mother/baby unit at Truman Medical Center.  I'll work one 6 weeks schedule on that unit and then move on to Antepartum/Labor & Delivery.  I had a full patient load by myself for the last two nights and I'm so thankful I survived.  The boys are doing great.  Reid is so busy at work...maybe one of the reasons that I have nothing exciting to say!  Jack is keeping us laughing and happy.  Despite his sometimes difficult 3 year old ways, we're loving life with him. 

I suppose 1 cool thing is that we got a new car.  We upgraded our Equinox to a newer Equinox with MUCH less miles.  It has a built in DVD for my little man to enjoy movies on our long trips, an automatic starter (will really love this in the winter) and a reverse camera in the mirror.  Jack saw it come on when I put the car in reverse and then when you switch to "drive" it goes away.  Jack squealed, "It's a magic mirror!"  :)  Too cute. 


Last weekend we went back home to Hastings for my 10 year high school reunion.  It's amazing that it's been 10 years.  I thoroughly enjoyed catching up with the group of people that attended.  High school was such a care free time in life and it was fun to remember and make new memories together. 

Class of 2002 (the members that showed up):

 Me and the love of my life:

 Me and the girls:

That's about all I've got...STAY COOL...until next time...

Fun, sun, TEXAS!

This past week we decided to take a spontaneous trip to Texas!  It all came together really fast.  Two weeks ago we took the offer from Reid's Aunt Mary and Uncle Jeff to stay at their newly purchased lake house, with them.  Reid's boss agreed to give him 4 days off.  Little did we realize that Memorial Day was Monday, so we ended up being able to stay in Texas from Tuesday until yesterday (Monday).  It was incredibly relaxing and fun.  It was a week without television, computers, and schedules.  We were on lake time. 
Part of the joy of the lake was seeing Jack enjoy his vacation to the fullest.  He did and said SO many hilarious things.  I'll do my best to recap.
Tuesday (the day after I PASSED my NCLEX, nurse licensing exam --woohoo!), we loaded up the car and left for Texas at 0400.  We stopped in Oklahoma City, at the Zoo for a few hours.  It was almost the halfway point and a great opportunity to walk around and get some exercise.  13.5 hours in a car is a LONG time!  I love zoos and I think Jack is inheriting that from me.  He loved running around and seeing all the animals.  Reid thinks zoos are all the same and he fears that I'm going to make him go to every zoo in the US.  (Maybe not all, but several)  :).  On the contrary, I saw several animals I have never seen at a zoo!  We saw Harpy Eagles and anteaters, brown bears, and HUGE buzzards.  Jack loved pointing out those animals because Diego, the NickJr character, saved the Harpy Eagle and an anteater.  It was great to see him regurgitate that information.  He was telling me all about what they eat and where they live. 

Jack at the entrance to the Oklahoma City Zoo:

 Jack walked right up to this window and tried to hug the bear:

 After the zoo, we stopped for a picnic lunch and headed out south again.  The zoo was also incredibly useful in the fact that it knocked Jack out for a long nap! 
We arrived in Canyon Lake, TX around 9pm Tuesday evening.  We were happy to be out of the car and got acclimated to the lake house.  The next morning, the adventures began.  Jack took like a fish to the water.  He was swimming early mornings with Aunt Mary, almost every day.  He spent as much time in the water as we could.  By the end of the week he was swimming from the floating island to the shore, from person to person, over to the jump rock, and every where he could.  He got to ride on a tube with his 2nd cousin Neal behind the jet ski, he was on the sea-doo (or "skied" as Jack says) with his dad, road on a boat with the neighbors, and jumped off the jump rock multiple times.  He had so much fun throwing rocks in the water and finding seashells.  He would find 2 shells together and he said, "Look mom, 2 shells together...it's a clam!"  Then he promptly broke them apart with a big rock.  And throwing rocks apparently never gets boring for a 3 year old.  Every morning he requested to "go throw rocks" or "swim with Aunt Mary".  :)

Jack loves Texas and Texas-shaped chips:

The first time we went down to the shore, Jack was so excited to get in and he just stripped off his clothes and went in, in his undies.  He also learned to farmer pee while we were there.  All week he thought it was the coolest thing to pee into the lake from the shore.  He would scream "Ah, I have to go pee" and then run to the shore and whip it out and stick his little belly out and watch himself with pride at the perfect stream.  While I don't condone public displays of private parts, this was hilarious.  You couldn't help but laugh.  He was so excited and proud.  Once he was done, he just tucked it back in and went back to the water!

My little fishy- climbing rocks, finding shells:

 This was the first time he went swimming.  He learned to "launch" off the shore and swim out to Aunt Mary:

By the end of the week he was swimming on his own (with life jacket of course).  Here he is swimming with Neal, over to the jump rock.  He learned from Aunt Mary to say, "Move out of my way water, move out of my way!"  One time he yelled, "Momma look at me, I'm like Nemo!"  I loved watching his little swimmer traits come out.  :)

 Here is a view from Mary and Jeff's lake house deck.  Just beautiful:

One day we spent the morning at the local Children's Museum.  It was really cool.  This is another thing I loved as a child and I might drag Reid to several over the course of our kids lives.  :)  This one had a spaceship, grocery store, campout, cave, ranch, bank, art room, human body/hospital, etc.  It was so much fun.  Here is Jack dressed up in a spacesuit.  He recently learned about planets and loved playing at the control desk of the spaceship:

 Jack doing a little grocery shopping:

 A family picture before we left for home.  I loved being able to experience this with my boys. 

This trip was much deserved after this long year of school-work and splitting my time between my husband, baby, and school.  It was a great way to start our summer off and lots of fun making so many memories.  On the way home Jack couldn't stop asking "When are we going back to Texas??"  So, here's hoping for another trip soon!
Until next time...

a weekend full of "-ations"

The past 4 days have been FULL of celebrations!  Last night, laying in my bed and reflecting, I had an overwhelming feeling of gratitude to the Lord, my family, and amazing friends.
Thursday May 11th was Reid and my 4th wedding anniversary.  Reid's cousin Daniel came over and kept Jack so that we could go to a movie.  We chose the Avengers in 3-D Imax and were not disappointed.  I had never been to a 3-D movie before.  It was fun to experience it with Reid and I am happy we both have an affinity for superheroes.  :) 

My cute hubby and I with our 3-D glasses on:

Friday, happened to be my 28th birthday!  That morning I was able to take Jack to school, since classes were done for me.  His school was celebrating Mother's Day early, with "Muffins for Mom".  Jack picked out a chocolate chocolate chip muffin (a man after my own heart) and OJ to split.  They took our picture and we got to eat breakfast together.  It was a great start to my day. 

Jack and I at his school:

I spent the morning relaxing and doing a little random shopping.  My parents arrived in time for a late lunch.  We grabbed Jack from school and then enjoyed some 54th Street.  It was so nice to get to eat with them and catch up, one-on-one. 

My birthday dessert:

That night happened to be my Pinning ceremony from Nursing School.  It was a huge day.  Reid's Aunt Jayne pinned me during the ceremony.  She is a William Jewell College nursing alum, as well.  It was a fabulous end to a crazy year.  I am still kind of in shock that it's all already over.  It went so fast!  After pinning was over, we headed to Conrad's Alehouse for a party.  What better excuse than Pinning and my birthday, to have a party!  I was so surprised and happy to have time with all of my friends and family that showed up.  I spent the night catching up with old friends, dancing with new friends, and just having a really great time.  It was the PERFECT ending to my special day.   

My happy family after pinning:

 Aunt Jayne and me at my birthday/graduation party:

Saturday morning we got up and packed to head to Hastings.  2 side stories that happened between the time we packed for Hastings and actually arrived there.
1st side story-- on the way out of town we stopped at Uniforms PRN because I knew they were having customer appreciation day where you could draw for 10-20% off your purchase.  There were 2 chances to win 50% off.  I knew that I'd need to buy new scrubs and I need a new stethoscope, so I told Reid, I might as well go look!  Well, go figure, I pulled the 50% coupon!!  I was SO excited!  I am NOT lucky at all...but apparently somebody knew I needed all new scrubs and stethoscope.  I got 3 scrub tops and 3 scrub bottoms AND my stethoscope for 1/2 price!  (Great way to start my day...shopping and deals!)
2nd side story-- While we were driving to Hastings, my brother's girlfriend Angela became a DOCTOR.  Ok, it really took several years of hard work, but she had her graduation ceremony that afternoon.  We would've loved to have been there, had it not been during Jack's nap time.  But, now she is officially Dr. Angela Schleeper.  We are SO proud of Ang!!  (picture to come...someday).
We spent Saturday afternoon/evening, just catching up with my siblings.  My parents and Ben made it back to town late that night.  It was up early for Baccalaureate Mass on Sunday morning.  It doesn't seem possible that Timothy is old enough to graduate.  Let alone the kids in his class that I used to babysit!  The service was great.  We had a wonderful Mother's Day brunch at the country club in between Mass and Graduation ceremony.  So, not only was it 3 graduations, a birthday, and an anniversary...it was ALSO Mother's Day!!  Crazy busy weekend, but so wonderful to spend with our family.  Tim's graduation was fast...which is kind of shocking.  His class is very impressive and he is quite the young man.  I'm so blessed to have 6 amazing siblings, each talented in their owns ways.  I'm awed at their individual relationships with the Lord, and they all inspire me to be a better person. 

Here is Timothy and my parents.  #5 of 7 kids graduated! 

 Timothy and his favorite sisters:

So, if you haven't kept up...that was Anniversary, birthday, pinning/graduation, graduation, Mother's Day, and another graduation.  :)  Phew---I could probably sleep for a week! 

Until next time...



I'm DONE!....almost

This morning I took my LAST FINAL for Nursing school and I feel SO accomplished!  I cannot believe that I've survived this year.  I can't believe that my family has survived this year.  It's been a crazy, fast, emotional, rewarding, sad, happy, fun, and incredibly enlightening.  I know now, more than before that nursing is the field I'm meant to be in.  I am confident in saying that I'm going to be a damn good nurse.  I cannot wait for my future. 
Speaking of (and if you haven't already read it on Facebook), I'll be starting June 4th at Truman Medical Center in Labor & Delivery!! I'm going to have the best of both pediatrics and adults.  I am so scared about the lack of L&D knowledge I have, however, I know that I will get a great Graduate Nurse education from TMC.  I also found comfort in the fact that I had Jack at TMC and I know there are some amazing nurses and doctors up there. 
Tomorrow we have a day of activities required by the nursing department that we have to complete and then Friday night is pinning.  It's going to be bittersweet.  I've made some great new friends and we've been seeing each other all day, every day for the last 12 months.  It will be strange to get back to "normalcy".  I've got a million things to do though so I know I'll have plenty of distractions. 
To all of you who read this, THANK YOU for supporting me in any way that you have over this past year.  It's been an amazing journey and I have some wonderful, understanding family and friends. 
Until next time...