First day of school

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My emotions are all over the place today. I desperately needed some time in my house, without my fabulous but sometimes a little smothering, children. I don’t use the word “desperately” mildly. At the same time, I feel like I’m sending my children into battle. The enemy, a tiny microscopic set of nucleic acids disguised as obnoxious, ignorant, and often petulant flag waving deniers who care more about their “freedoms” than health and the science that we know works. I did not send them into battle unarmed though.

Double masked, goggled, and sporting sanitizer, my kids have the privilege of being vaccinated and highly knowledgeable about everything that we know will protect them. I just hope that it is enough.

Do you want to build a snowman?

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Yes, I know its summer, well spring... I know this even if mother nature would rather it stay Frozen! We were riding in the car on our way to pick up Jon's bib number on Saturday when our children broke out in song.  The second round was not a good as the first spontaneous round... but you get the idea of the crazy, awesomeness that can be our family.

My kids, like nearly every kid everywhere, are totally obsessed with this movie.  They love Ana and Elsa and the snowman.  Often times I hear them role playing and pretending to be the characters.  I am going to have to find time to watch this movie if I want to know what it is that my children are up to. 

Happy Nurses Appreciation Week

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Taylor, Alivya, and Sue RN

Is it fitting that I began my nursing career at the beginning of nursing appreciation week?

Taylor and Alivya and Sue RN (2007)
These photos are of Sue, who Taylor and Alivya's primary nurse coordinator while they were in the NICU.  Sue guided us on our first visit as parents.  She taught us how to change their tiny diapers, bath their itty bitty bods, touch them without stressing them, assess them when the machines beeped, and so, so much more.  While I had nursing training already before we met Sue, it was during that time that it all started to click, even if I didn't know it then. Sue played a huge part in why Taylor and Liv are here with us today, and she was a huge player in making me the nurse I am today. 

Westli and Sue RN (2010)
Today I appreciate all of the Sue RNs who cared for all four of my babies.  I thank those that care for tiny miracles today.  Obviously, I appreciate all the different disciplines of nurses, but the NICU nurses really do have a special place in my heart.