Summer Projects!

This was the summer of completing various projects around the house!


Started out small.  Added a 'frosted' look to the sidelight windows of the front door:

Next tackled the dryer vent.  Now, having our laundry room upstairs is super convenient.  BUT, this means that the vent goes outside via the second story roof!  Cleaning that bad boy out is quite a chore as the roof has a super steep pitch to it.  There has to be a better way to keep it clean rather than having to venture onto the roof, but I haven't figured that out yet.  Also installed 'slim-fit' dryer vent hookup so that the dryer can sit closer to the wall!  Pretty cool.

Then it was on to the dining room light.  Molly was my 'big helper' completing this task!

Sometimes you have to get creative when your 'big helper'
is too short to hold up the light while you wire it in!

The shelves in the linen closet drove me crazy!
They were wire shelves that things would fall through or fall over on ALL THE TIME!
Solution: Cut foam board to fit and cover with contact paper.  Voila, problem solved!!

New shelves in the linen closet!

It has been just over 5 years since we moved into this house...  I FINALLY hung up curtains in the playroom/extra bedroom.  Yes, there have been mini-blinds up since just after we moved it, but I finally have real curtains up!  We also spent time re-organizing the room as well.

Finally have curtains in this room!

By far the biggest project we tackled this summer was the basement.  Unfortunately, in the beginning of July our basement flooded.  The good news, it gave me the kickstart I needed to actually get it organized and cleaned up.  It is not a finished basement, but it is now useable space for us.  Besides just cleaning out junk we didn't need and organizing what I wanted to keep, I also put down some floor coverings.  We already owned the multi-colored foam squares (those are AWESOME but expensive).  I was tired of the cold and ugly concrete floor, so I put down indoor/outdoor carpet in one area and then large laminate click-lock tiles in the 'craft/science' area.  I bought the tiles use, so it was an incredible deal.  If I ever find that good of a deal again, I would definitely buy more to do the rest of the room.  There is still some work to be done, but the basement has come a LONG way.  I don't have any 'before' pictures, but just envision piles and stacks and random junk everywhere! :)

 The girls did enjoy having a 'dance floor' before I put the tables in place!!

I think those are all the home projects from this summer that I have completed!  I have one last project on my list, replacing the exterior lights by the front door and over the garage.  Maybe it will get done this weekend?!?  

Summer Haircuts!

Time for summer haircuts!
Molly is almost 4 years old and has yet to have a real haircut (I have trimmed her bangs along the way).  She never wanted it cut and that was a battle that I chose not to fight!

Piper wanted her haircut 'not dangle-y' (aka short!), so after Piper chopped hers off, Molly wanted her hair cut too!  
Becca just wanted a few inches taken off.  

They all ended up with super cute haircuts!

Dream Big!

We were talking about what the girls wanted to be when they grew up....
Molly enthusiastically exclaimed, 
"I wanna be a UNICORN!"

Journey through Nursing School: EWHC Award

I was honored to be this year's recipient of the Lynne O'Day Scholarship from the Executive Women in Healthcare organization!

I was asked to 'prepare a few words' to share... here is what I came up with:

Thank you.  It truly is an honor to receive this scholarship.

 

The decision to return to school to pursue a career in nursing was not one I took lightly.  I knew it would be a challenge to be able to balance school, family, and my current job.  I am seeking a nursing career not only for myself, but for my family.  I have been blessed with three beautiful daughters and I want to instill in them a strong work ethic and the belief that anything is possible through my example.

Over the years I have served roles in various medical fields.  These have included a volunteer EMT and firefighter in Brown County Indiana, a pharmacy technician, and in the health center at a residential summer camp.  All of these positions strengthened my interest in the medical world, but it was my personal experience caring for family members that ultimately led me back to school.

My grandmother played a large role in my upbringing.  I was lucky enough to have her live with us as I grew up.  When she became ill and required full time care, I was happy to be able to return and care for the grandmother who had taken such good care of me as I grew up.  My oldest daughter was only a few months old when we began our daily routine of care for my grandmother.  At times, I must have looked crazy balancing the care of an infant and insuring my grandmother’s comfort as I helped her with everything from hygiene, to eating, to cleaning and maintaining her new trach.  I am very thankful I was able to spend so much time with my grandmother in the last year of her life.  She passed away at the age of 89 surrounded by her family at home.  Unfortunately, immediately after she had passed, my uncle received a devastating medical prognosis.  I also had the privilege of helping with his care and comfort as he quietly passed away at home.  I returned to work at an office job and welcomed two more daughters into our family.

My youngest daughter, Molly, came into this world and was immediately adored by her big sisters, Becca age four and Piper age two.  We quickly learned that our little Molly was facing some major medical challenges.  Although a bit overwhelming and difficult at first, we established a routine of chaos navigating tube feedings, endless appointments with specialists, and multiple surgeries.  Even her big sisters wanted to help feed Molly through her “special straw” as they called her feeding tube.  Her continued challenges exposed me even further to the medical world, and specifically nursing.  I knew that I would continue to care for Molly’s medical needs as she grew up, but I also felt called to explore the option of a career in nursing to serve others as well.

Although easy is never a word I would use to describe nursing school, it has been an incredible opportunity.  There are points where there just doesn't seem like there are enough hours in the day to complete all the tasks of being a student, mother, and working.  But I have found a balance that I never imagined possible before.  I take great pride in being able to maintain a very high grade point average and still spend time with and support my family.  Due to the increasing demands of school and insuring that I have enough time to dedicate to my studies, I have cut back on the hours that I work.  Decreasing work hours and increasing tuition and childcare costs have put me in a situation of facing difficult financial decisions.  I am dedicated to completing my degree in nursing at Marian University and receiving the aid of the Lynne O’Day Scholarship has helped to alleviate some of the financial strain.

   I don't think I can say thank you enough to the Executive Women in Healthcare organization for presenting me with this scholarship.  I have read and heard stories about what an incredible woman Lynne O’Day was.  I am honored to receive this scholarship named in her memory.  The goal of this scholarship is “to assist the development of young, female professionals who are pursuing a career in healthcare leadership” and I hope to be able to be able to live out these ideals.

     

It is true that individual students must be fully committed to dedicating themselves to their education to be successful.  But no matter how passionate I am about becoming a nurse and female leader in health care, the bottom line is that tuition is expensive and inevitable.  Being provided financial support to further my education is something that I will be forever grateful for.

Being named the Lynne O'Day Scholarship Recipient has strengthened my dedication to a career in health care and has created a personal desire to help others reach their personal potential as well.  I want to thank the corporate sponsors, each individual donor, and the Executive Women in Healthcare organization for making this opportunity possible for me.  I am very proud and honored to be recognized by this incredible organization.  Thank you. 

Conversation between kids

Overheard a conversation between my 5 year old Piper and 3 year old Molly.

Piper (in a VERY condescending tone of voice): 
     Do you even know what 'the other day' means Molly?
  
Molly: Um, I don't know.

Piper: It means three days after Friday.


Huh?!?

Christmas 2014

Summer 2014