The latest

It has been a BUSY few weeks over here. I began a new job. Just one day per week at the local hospital, where I am a medical social worker. I love it. I love the challenge of every patient and situation being new and unknown. I feel like a detective...wandering the halls of the hospital, trying to figure out where I am going, what the problem is, who is involved, how the heck can it be solved, or at least a step in the direction of being solved. Did I mention our hospital is like a flippin' corn maze? Every floor is different. Every hallway on every floor is different. Some elevators go to some floors. Others do not. Then there is the staff only elevator...don't get me started. Not that elevators matter because I take the stairs which are much faster. My floors include three units on the second floor, one unit on the third floor, and one on the fourth floor. Up, down, up down, all day long. "Where am I? How do I get to...? I love being around people, the patients, the families, other professionals. I come home. absolutely. exhausted. I sleep like a baby on Tuesday nights. It's a big change knowing that I am expected to be somewhere at a particular time, punch a time clock, and get as much work as possible crammed into my eight hours. It's insane. I love it!
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A few weeks ago I was able to take a short trip to Ft. Lauderdale. A college friend had a conference to attend at a beach resort there and she invited me to join her. It meant days by myself lounging poolside, taking naps, reading books, walking the beach while she attended conferences. In the evenings, we had dinner together, shopped, had a few drinks, and laughed and reminisced (?). I left on Sunday morning and arrived back to Indy on Thursday afternoon to big hugs, smiles, and the shouts of "Mommy!" in the airport. I missed them dearly. But the rest I got during my stay was un-flippin'-believable. So, I refuse to complain about being tired at all. At least for awhile.
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Upon my return home, it was time for packing, organizing, and planning for the annual Williamson family camping trip. Dan's family: mother and stepfather, four sisters, their husbands, kids, some of the kids' friends. A lot of people. The heat of July. But lots of fun. My son was a MANIAC on his new-to-him 12" bike. He fell off (high siding in the corners for those motorcycle racing fans) no less than ten times. Each time jumping back up, "I'm all right!". Only once did Mommy have to come running to disentangle limbs from handle bars, spokes of wheels, etc. Still..."I'm all right!" with the world's biggest grin. Only tears followed b/c Mommy INSISTED he park his bike so that MOMMY could friggin' take a breath for a minute without watching her sweet babe hit the concrete/grass/whatever for more than a twenty minute interval. He is his father's son. Enough said. (And yes, Missy Miss L-O-V-E-S camping with all the girly girl cousins!)
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Upon our return home from camping began my marathon work schedule. Training training training at the hospital. Lots of long hours at the practice along with some other jobs I still maintain. A few new clients at the practice lately (HOORAY!). It is still building and I am loving the practice as well. It is my dream come true.
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Had some friends in town on Thursday who stopped in for an overnight with their three boys (9, 6, 3) as they were moving across country. Dan's best friend is in the Marines and is moving back to California. Loved our visit with them. It turned into a large dinner party with some old friends from my husband's home town (who happen to live here also and were friends with his friend who was in town visiting). Had a great visit with them all. My kids were up very late that night.
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The following night there was a break in the heat, so we journied out to the county fair. Had a great time with the kids. Enjoyed a fair dinner of hot dogs, nachos, corn on the cob, and cotton candy. :) Love the fair. The kids enjoyed the big slide with Daddy, the helicopters, the duck pond, the bounce house, and we all rode the ferris wheel together. Kate has recently fallen in love with horses, so loved seeing them up close and petting them. Jack was more hesitant, but he was able to pet a cow later on. Mama's favorite were the quacking ducks and a rooster cock-a-doodle-doo'd just as Jack walked past which gave us all a laugh. My kids were up very late that night.

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Tonight we had a joined birthday party for Kate with two of Kate's besties who also turned five in recent weeks. We rented out a local pool, therefore, the party couldn't start until 7:30pm. Cupcakes, juice boxes, more cupcakes, swimming, swimming, swimming, and sliding sliding sliding at the pool. Oh the fun! My kids loved every minute and would still be there if we would have let them. My kids were up very late this night.

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These are the last days of my girl being four. I am so excited for what lies ahead for her at five. And in a couple of weeks.... Kindergarten!!!! Stay tuned!