Summer Fun

We enjoyed a lazy afternoon at the water park this last week. It was nice to get to see and hang out with friends who were there too! The boys got to play with their friends Aubrey, Jonah, Parker, Karic, Addie, Bella and Rose. And I didn't have to sit there bored with no one to talk to! Bonus! It's just too bad we had to get out so soon to go sign papers on the new car!

C on the spray deck

E likes to take his time getting in

By the waterfall. Nice tat C...

Off the diving board, mid front-flip.

On the way out

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Respect

For a few years now, I have been going through a transformation. A green transformation. I can remember early in high school, at a church bonfire, I threw a styrofoam cup on the fire, knowing full well the environmental ramifications of my audacity. I could not have possibly cared less. Even as recently as a couple of years ago, I poked fun at my Denver-ite sister-in-law for eating wasabi peas and wearing North Face. I believe the exact name I used was "granola-eating tree hugger". Oh, but I shouldn't have spoken so soon.
Jump to the present. A couple of weeks ago I was throwing away some non-recycleable trash at my mom & dad's house when I spotted a food packaging box and a couple of glass bottles in the trash bin. I about had a coronary on the spot. As my most recent converts to the recycling lifestyle, I felt like a teacher whose star pupil just failed his math test. After essentially dumpster-diving through their trash I felt the need to review the "rules" with the parentals.
"It's not enough to have the chasing arrows, mom. You have to look at the number INSIDE the arrows. They only take 1's and 2's here. Well, you're going to need your glasses then."
"No, the McDonald's cups are 5's. They can be recycled somewhere, just not here. Quit going to McDonalds. You're clogging the landfill". Ugh.
Now I'm not saying that the little things I do are going to save the earth, but hopefully the air will be fresh just a little longer. Here are some of the things that my family has incorporated into our lifestyle to do our part. Hopefully, you will find something that fits into your life. Peace.

• Take reusable bags to the store. I like to keep a small bag that folds to the size of a checkbook in my purse at all times. When you get to the store/mall, take the bags in with you. They don't serve much purpose in the backseat. You can find a variety of sizes and styles at many stores. Target has my favorites and they're cheap!
• Wash your clothes on cold. All the time. And use dryer balls to reduce dryer time. Better yet, line dry your laundry in the sunshine and fresh air (not so good if you live upwind from the pork plant. Bacon, anyone?).
• Check out recycling resources in your area. Many places don't even require you to sort. See if curbside is an option. I like to keep different bins for glass/metal, cardboard and food boxes and plastics (1's and 2's, mom). Regular paper and magazines goes with me to the kids' school where they get money for the recycled items. Once you get into the hang of rinsing, breaking down boxes, etc., it's not a burden. Truly.
• See if you can donate empty prescription bottles to a free health clinic in the area. Many provide prescriptions to indigant at no cost and rely on the donations of others to contain costs for these services.
• Compact fluorescent light bulbs. Enough said.
• Stay home more. Carpool. Cluster errands together so you aren't driving all over kingdom come. Walk!!! Bike!!!!
• Unplug things when they're not in use. Cell phone chargers, toasters and other small appliances use tons of energy just being connected to the wall.
• Repurpose. I'm currently turning an old 5 panel door into a headboard for my bed. Hand stuff down and seek out gently used items for your own use. Hold a freecycle at the curb. It's amazing what people will take if it says "free" on it.
• Buy local when possible. Farmers markets and local dairies have high quality fares that improve the sustainability of our communities. Buy organic when possible.
• Be aware of your footprint. Knowlege is the first step in accountability. God has given this place to us to live and flourish in, not rot and destroy. Own it.

E & mom.

Cutie patootie.

Someone really needs a haircut.

Boodah after his summer haircut. So cute!

It's almost time for summer and plans are under way! C is going to play basketball in Summer Jam again this year with the boys from school. He is also going to be attending a couple of basketball camps this summer. The rest of his days will be spent hanging out at the local Community Center. E will continue to go to the daycare for the summer before heading off to preschool this fall. Steve is considering going back to school. He is still undecided on a major. I'm just planning to work. Hopefully we will be able to take a family trip to St. Louis at some point. (Shan, if you want to meet up...)

Crazy days (and nights)

So it’s been awhile since I’ve been around. I’m sure you’ve wondered if I fell into the cold, harsh abyss that is the real world. Well, truth be told, I’m still hanging on to the ledge with a few fingers. Here’s the cliff notes version of what I’ve been up to in the last weeks and months:

* I finally graduated!!! December 13 was the day that the big guns at MoWo took a chance and handed me the pin that says I'm legit in the world. Hmm, kinda risky if you ask me, but whateva.

* I took and passed my boards in February. That was a grueling 2 day wait to find out my results. Something possessed me to check my results while I was at work. Lucky for me, I passed, but that could have been tragic.

* I've been in heaven and loving my job in labor and delivery at Heartland. I work with truly gifted and amazing people and have learned so much in such a short time. My very favorite is probably the surgical OB. I'm getting pretty good at passing the instruments and dabbing at uteruses. Okay, so it's not for everyone, but I'm sure having a good time.

* I’ve welcomed 23 new little folks into the world as their delivery nurse. Every one was as amazing as the first. I have no doubts that some of these kiddos are going to go on to be great one day.

* On March 4, I got the humble honor of delivering a gorgeous little boy whose momma just couldn’t wait for the doctor to arrive. That was the most exciting and scariest thing I have ever done in my life. Fortunately I had an awesome senior nurse by my side, talking me through each step. Love ya Shea!!!! Certainly not an event I hope to repeat anytime soon, but we will see.

* Last night I saw my first fetal demise. It was truly horrible. I bawled for most of the rest of the shift. I have seen what that precious life looks like at 18 weeks and anyone who thinks that it’s not really a "baby" at that point needs to see the page with his hand and footprints. Every finger and every toe present and accounted for. When this little lost life was handed to his mother my heart broke into a million pieces and I will never be the same. Fortunately most of what I get to deal with on a daily basis leaves wonderful, happy memories, but when a situation like this arises all I can do is get down on my knees and thank God for my life and for my children.

* On a lighter note, night shift blows!!! I have completely lost my grasp on time. I walked into work at 6:30 pm the other night and told one of the other nurses "good morning". Duhrrr. I get really confused when I go to sleep and wake up and it’s still the same day. Kinda this quasi, twisted deja-vu. So if you ever see me out and about at my usual hangout (aka WalMart) and I look dazed and confused, it’s because I totally am. Please reorient me and hope for the best.

* Last, but certainly not least, Scuba Steve is getting a day job!!!! Whoop whoop!! After a glorious 15 year run at Smurfit, (14 and a half years too many IMHO) the chick is flying the coop. He is going to be working for a dental lab here in town making teeth for the geriatric and incarcerated set. Hmm, removable chompers, how convenient... Yeah, totally NOT GOING THERE! This will be great for us and he is pretty excited about the change, which makes me really happy! The next few months should be pretty exciting for all of us!

Anyway, that’s basically what I’ve been up to. I’ll try not to be such a stranger from now on.

Love y’all!
Erin