circus

so I've decided that I'll put a positive spin onto the drama of my job: no longer will I approach it as exhausting politics and manipulations, but rather, it's a circus! Everyone has their own little area of showmanship and displays and my job will simply be the ringmaster--just making sure everyone has their job done correctly (ie, serving the students & their families) and yet in the end is having fun and smiling or laughing about something.

Ever heard the phrase, If we didn't laugh about it, we'd cry? That, my friends, will be my mantra this year.

Angry parents, frustrated students, exhausted staff, tough administration...this is my life as a school nurse in a high school health center. So, finding the little things to laugh or smile about are that much more important in keeping the circus in proper function. :)

summer 2008

so it seems as though I took a blogging hiatus...I didn't really mean too...but my life has just been full. And every time I took a peek at my blog (or, I should say, my friends' blogs) I just didn't have the energy or organized thoughts on which to write.

So, to update from my last post:
1. my grad class is done, in which I received a grade of "A" (nothing short of a miracle I think)
2. We purchased a used 2001 Dodge Intrepid to get Jason to & from work and school.
3. We got new carpet in the family room that looks exactly like the carpet we had back there...apparently I don't have a knack for decorating. :)
4. We have not yet gone on a camping trip--but I'm still hopeful!

One wouldn't think that the 3 (or 4) things listed above would create a full life...but everyday, something new pops up to keep us busy. Friends visiting from out of town, a shopping trip with my mom, beaches to visit, rooms to clean, errands to run, groceries to buy...and then the Olympics started and it amazes me how that can occupy your time as well! ;)

So, yes, summer 2008 has been a good one. I feel relaxed and at peace. Ready to go back to work next week? I'll be honest: nope, not in the least. But, I will...because I do love the kids, and that is who I'm working for. :)

One more moment in my life: I spent a couple hours today at the Lake Michigan shoreline. It was beautiful: peaceful, perfect temperature, a good book, a little snooze--one of my best summer moments. On the way home, I popped in a CD and sang (loudly) along with Philips, Craig, & Dean:

Lord, I wish I could praise You with adequate words
But You leave me speechless
And I so long to sing You the song You deserve
But it would be endless
I long to move Your heart
To bring You something new
To tell how great You are
Till my praise to You
Is like an ocean breeze blowing on your face
Like a summer sun with its warm embrace
Like a gentle rain plays a symphony
That's what I want my praise to be
Like a fragrant rose in the early spring
Like an eagle soars when it spreads its wings
Whatever, Lord, You may need from me
That's what I want my praise to be
To You
Everything I could give, You already possess
Lord, I'm so unworthy, yeah
I'm just one of the millions to stand and confess
And yet still You hear me
Your heart is open wide
You long for what I bring
I pray somehow You'll find this simple offering...

summer vacation

okay, I know I have the majority of my summer as a vacation from the daily grind of my career in school nursing...but, last week I would consider my official summer vacation. I could do a lengthy narrative to tell all that has occurred in the last week and a half, but I think it best to do a few lists in summary:

the good:
1. I spent 6 days in the northwest corner of the state--one of my most favorite places in the world :)
2. I spent 6 days with my church friends and family--people I love dearly
3. I spent 6 days working at a kids camp--not nursing--but helping lead singing--almost just as fun :)
4. We went mini golfing, wine tasting, tubing down the Platte River, totally relaxed, and in general, enjoyed one another's company
5. I got to eat s'mores & pudgy pies (i.e. hobo pies) around the campfire
6. I did no grad school work and actually read a novel
7. I took a couple naps

the bad:
1. I spent 5 days away from my awesome husband
2. I got a bad summer cold
3. My childhood "dad" passed away after battling cancer (my parents' neighbor)

upcoming:
1. Grad class done in a week
2. Purchasing a "new" car (I think Dave Ramsey would be proud)
3. Purchasing new family room carpet prompted by the monsoon rains of a few weeks ago...
4. Hopefully a camping trip with my awesome husband :)

that pretty well sums it up for now...life is good this summer!

4th of July

Our weekend was a mixture of busyness, relaxation, and productivity...it began last Thursday when Jason had all four wisdom teeth taken out. I was a good nurse and wife and made sure he had plenty of SpongeBob to watch while he recuperated, but by Thursday night he was feeling fine and was eating leftover pot roast...

So, Friday rolled around and we were able to have breakfast with my family in the morning, make visits to both sides of his family out in Holland, grill out with friends that evening, and then take in the downtown GR fireworks that night!


Saturday we took it a little more easy and while Jason worked on some homework, I went and floated out on a lake with my mom, aunt, and cousin. It was a fun couple hours of bonding for us girls. Saturday night Harley was able to hang out with his friend Emmet. :)

Now, we're back into the swing: lots of homework before I head to a Michigan Association of School Nurses retreat the end of this week and then off to camp to help with our church's mission work up in Northern Michigan.

buddies

okay, so I don't have a human child yet...but I really am quite content at the moment with my canine "child." :) Awhile back I mentioned that some friends of ours were the proud new parents of a pup. It has been a privilege to watch him grow thus far, and also watch our more mature child revert to his puppy ways when the pup in around.

Okay, I'll explain that a little more clearly. Since our wedding last September, we have had to take Harley to the vet at least five times now. Various infections keep finding their way into his body, and we're to a point now where we will probably have to give him benadryl twice a day the rest of his life due to what the vet finally decided is probably allergies. According the chart in the vet's office, our 7 1/2 year old "pup" is actually more appropriately aged to be about 60+ in human years. He definitely moves a bit slower (especially after a long bike ride), enjoys a soft, cushy spot to lay, and I've even caught him out lying in the sun on the back deck.

But, his new young new buddy, Emmet, has been good for Harley. They wrastle & tumble together like two pups should. Harley has had to let Emmet know who is boss a couple of times, but Emmet takes it all in stride and comes bouncing back for more. :)

chillin in the backyard

"in action" photo--wrastling around

whew! time out & water break :)

lots of stuff

So, here I thought I would have a nice, quiet, relaxing summer...ha! :) Well, in actuality, my summer is still going to be pretty low-key. But so many exciting things are going on, and will be going on by the end of 2008, that it seems almost like too much fun!

First, my best friend will have her first child in October. I could likely be an aunt to a little niece, which would totally be an answer to my "secret" prayers... ;) Second, my best cousin/sister of my heart will be getting married in October as well. It has been so fun to walk the road of relationships together throughout recent years, so it will be even more fun to continue that journey together into the most important relationship(s) we have ever entered into... Not to mention the fun we will have in the "planning a wedding" process! ;)

Third, I will be taking mission trip to Bangladesh with a small group from my church at the end of this year. With the loving and truly encouraging support of my awesome husband, I will be venturing into a foreign land to meet and show God's love to the people of the churches in that country that are supported by our church. I will most likely get to use my nursing skills in my most favorite way--through education and teaching regarding health matters. Oh, it doesn't come as a shocker that I'm a bit nervous about this trip, but I truly feel that God has laid it on my heart to go. I've already asked Jason if it would be okay to pack one of the orphan children in my suitcase to take home... ;)

Wow...God is such a great God. It will be a blessing to watch the rest of 2008's adventures unfold...

finally!

summer has officially begun for me! School let out on June 6, but I spent most of last week busy with wrap-up stuff and beginning stuff down at camp. So, Friday evening was the first official evening of my summer break in my book. :)

What are my plans, you ask? Pretty much anything and nothing...I plan to wake up every morning, take puppy for walk, and decide what to do with my day. I have grad class homework, home repair projects, yard work, books to read, beaches to lay on... :) I really hope to have a low-key, non-eventful summer.

I think I'll start out this week with a Sunday afternoon nap...