I Got A Job!

Well I’ve been back from school for a few weeks and so glad that I made the decision to go. School was such a fun time for me. I met some amazing woman and formed great friendships with them. We learned so much in a short period of time, but somehow I was able to absorb a lot of the information. I was scheduled to attend school for 14 full days and was sent home on the 10th day with shingles. When I first arrived in AZ. I felt like I had been kicked in the back and didn’t know what I did to have such intense pain in one spot. I started getting blisters all over that same spot a few days later. I guess shingles is from a dormant virus that stays in your body from chicken pox, and if you’re stressed, have a bad immune system, or have cancer, or elderly you’re more prone to getting them. Let me just say I hope I never get them again. I know I have a high pain tolerance and this made me cry. As much as I wanted to stay in school, I was relieved that I could go home because I was having a hard time focusing. I was able to get certified in laser hair removal and photo facial. I’m flying back next week to finish the last four days. I’ll be learning how to do fractionals, tattoo removal, vein removal, skin tightening, and cellulite removal. I’m anxious to get back and finish the course.
My brother in-law Jordan helped me write a resume and made my experience as a homemaker look wonderful. I took my resume around to about 30 different places and got two interviews scheduled. I really wanted to work in a Dr’s office, but wasn’t sure I could get in without any job experience. I was about to throw myself a pity party and decided I just needed to keep looking. I googled a few things and a Dr. I didn’t see on other searches popped up. I decided to call and ask if they had any positions open for laser techs. After I asked the receptionist expecting her to say no, she surprisingly said “hang on let me let you talk to the doc.” I was so excited because they never let you talk to the Dr. He got on the phone and I told him about my schooling and told him about myself. He asked if I could bring in my resume and if he could meet me face to face that day. I got a call the next day telling me I was hired and wanted me to start in two days. I happened to be in the right place at the right time, as they were letting go of an esthetician that wasn’t working out. I’m getting trained to do the same thing estheticians and get to help him with botox, sclerotherapy, and other procedures. We well be moving to a larger office in June which will allow him to buy more lasers. I’m so very excited for this new venture in my life and feel so blessed that things worked out the way I’d hoped they would. The morning of my first day of work I had an overwhelming feeling of gratitude. I felt fortunate for all the years I’ve been able to stay home with the kids and felt very validated that I was finally doing a job that made me feel fulfilled in another way that motherhood doesn’t always bring. I feel blessed to be able to have health benefits again and a paycheck with my name on it.
Thank you again for the help I received to make this possible. The kids were safe and sound with their dad and had a fun spring break in Utah. I sometimes have a hard time believing in myself and it was so nice to have others encourage me and make this all happen. Thank you for believing in me. I’m finally starting to believe in myself.
Check out my new boss. http://www.mcgrathmedical.com/index.html

I'm In School!

After much research, hemming and hawing, asking everyone and their dog their opinion, and getting financial things figured out, I decided to start a program at The National Laser Institute in Scottsdale Arizona. I will become certified to perform laser hair reduction, tattoo removal, spider vein treatment, photo facial, cellulite reduction, wrinkle reduction, and the list goes on. I have 5 solid days learning the physics of skin and then 9 days of hands on experience with live models. We even get to practice on each other. I'm hoping to land a job in a Doctor's office after I complete the course. Today was my first day and I had such a giddy excited feeling the whole day like I finally figured out what I want to be when I grow up. It feels great. Thank you to all of you who have helped me get here. You know who you are. Come and see me when I'm done and I'll make you look smokin hot. ;)

Andrea's Here

A while back my parents asked us kids if they moved to the Austin area would any of us move there too. Well I came first, then my parents, and now Andrea and her family is here. I know my sister and her husband really put a lot of thought and consideration into this move. Jordan being from Dallas, was very comfortable with his law firm and had tons of networking opportunities. It was a huge sacrifice for him to move to the Austin office so we could all be closer as a family. Thank you for that Jordan.
Andrea has been very busy unpacking and organizing her beautiful new home and hasn't posted any pictures of her home and adorable pregnant self, so I'm taking matters into my own hands. Here's their new home in Cedar Park only 12 minutes from me if you take the toll.Here are a couple of belly shots. I think Andrea looks amazing and there are two little girls swimming around in there. We're all so excited to meet them. I have to throw a picture of my little guy in just because he's so dang cute.
I'm so thankful for my family. We've already celebrated Jordan and Matthews birthdays since they've moved here. The kids are loving their cousin time together and I'm loving my mom and sister time. The other day my sister and I went and had pedicures together and then met Mom for lunch. I feel blessed to have them close.

My Little Beggers

The other day Rachel and Annie begged me to play out front. I usually don't let them without me for fear of kidnapping or a ball running in the street etc. They assured me they would stay in the driveway so I gave in and let them. I was busy in the kitchen and noticed that they kept coming in and out of the house. Both the girls had mismatched clothes on and had messed up their hair. They grabbed a sharpie marker and were in the garage disassembling a box and writing on it. That's when I knew they were up to something and this is what I found. My sweet little girls thought it would be a good idea to hold a sign and pretend they were poor so they could earn a buck. You see this kind of thing at different intersections in Austin quite a bit so I'm sure that's where they came up with this genius idea. Rachel told me that she wrote it really messy and spelled would wrong so they would think they were uneducated. After I lectured them for being disobedient and breaking the rules I went in the other room and laughed. Kids do the darnedest things.

My Truths

1. I know I love my kids. They bring me joy I didn’t know was humanly possible.
2. I know I love and adore my boyfriend. He is an unexpected gift.
3. I know I love my family. Mom, Dad, Wendy, Heather, Jared, Andrea, Sam, and Eli.
4. I know I love my extended family. I’ve had some of the best times with them.
5. I know I miss my Grandma Clavin a lot during the holidays. I loved talking with her about my Christmas menu.
6. I know my favorite color is blue.
7. I know there is something bigger than me in this life.
8. I know I love to cook.
9. I know I love to eat.
10. I know I have a sweet tooth.
11. I know I love to watch someone eat something I made for them.
12. I know I wish I could sing like a rock star.
13. I know I’m a perfectionist and it holds me back sometimes.
14. I know I love to kiss.
15. I know I’ve made mistakes.
16. I know that I’m sorry for them.
17. I know I love bubble baths.
18. I know I love sun dresses.
19. I know I feel frustrated when people tell me they pray for me to “come back”. I’d rather they just tell me they prayed for me because they love me. We all need extra prayers.
20. I know the grass is not always greener on the other side.
21. I know I have been blessed with the most amazing friends both near and far.
22. I know I’m happiest when all my bills are paid on time.
23. I know I find comfort in having all the ingredients to make chocolate chip cookies in my pantry.
24. I know I love diet coke with fresh lime and crushed ice from Sonic.
25. I know I still have a lot to learn.
26. I know I’m 33 and see a great future for myself.
27. I know I love to dance and wish I was really good at it.
28. I know I love music and it makes me tear up a lot.
29. I know that the dishes are my favorite chore.
30. I know that I love to hear from old friends.
31. I know that I’m a spiritual person.
32. I know that I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up.
33. I know I’m a nice person by nature.
34. I know I’m too sensitive.
35. I know I’m a dreamer.
36. I know I love to run in the rain.
37. I know I love babies.
38. I know I love to sew. Not cutting it out, just the actual sewing part.
39. I know I’m hopelessly flawed.
40. I know I wish I was practically perfect in every way.

Happy Birthday Christian

My little guy better known as Bubba around here, turned 3 years old yesterday. Christian has always been my little snuggle bug. He puts his hands on my face and tells me that I'm pretty. What mom wouldn't love that. He's got such a fun personality. At times he's quite reserved and can entertain himself for hours with cars, books, his train set, or a his favorite movie. He can be particular about how his food is cut up or how I tuck his blanket around him. He calls his blanket his "me me" and has to have it with him most times. Christian loves his big brother and sisters. They all have their own little things they do with him and it's fun to see them interact with each other. Christian has been a huge blessing in my life as every child is, but he's what made me get out of bed and carry on when I was going through tough times. He's my little man and I'm so glad he's part of our family.

Oh Holy Night

This is my all time favorite Christmas song. I love how Mannheim Steamroller plays it, but couldn't find it so I'm putting my second favorite version. I wish I could belt it out like her.