Careers

When I was little I always wanted to be a teacher. I used to play school with all the books and papers and everything. Then as I got older I decided that I really didn't want to have all the extra stuff that goes along with being a teacher. So I was looking for a new career path.

In high school I was always the shy kid (still am really). I didn't join in much and hated speaking in public. I even failed my high school speech section. As I was looking through the course catalog for college communications caught my eye. I know, sounds weird for someone that hated public speaking, right? What drew me to that major was the options I had. I didn't have to pick a specific major right away.

I eventually chose Public Relations and while the professor wasn't anyone I really wanted to see again, the projects were great and I loved the writing aspect of the courses. I figured I would end up working in PR in the sports world somewhere. Then I took a public speaking course. I found out that I wasn't half bad at it and I had dealt with my fear. I competed on the forensics (speech) team and placed at every meet I went to except Nationals. I had found a new love.

After college I had a hard time finding a job in my major. I ended up working as an assistant to the Maintenance Supervisor at a pharmaceutical company. It wasn't my intended job, but I loved it. I am still heartbroken that my old boss lost her battle with cancer. She was such a huge inspiration for me and the guys that I worked with became like a second family to me. Sadly, when the Navy moved us I had to quit my job. I found out just after that I was pregnant. Because of Jeremy's job we decided that I would be a stay at home mom. It has been tough at times, but something that I wouldn't trade for the world.

Now that Jeremy's job is a little more stable (or as stable as it can be in the Navy), I have decided to pursue my career again.

I have decided to turn my love of public speaking, my desire to teach, and my passion for natural childbirth into a career. I am in the process of working on my certification to become a childbirth educator. I am really excited about this new opportunity. It is scary to kind of start all over again, but I am ready and hope that things work out for the best.

Necklace holder

I'm not a big jewelry person, but I do love wearing necklaces. I have quite a few that I rotate around. I have a really nice jewelry box that hubby got me when we were dating and I love it..for everything except necklaces. Those stupid little hooks and doors always got everything tangled and just annoyed me. I started just laying them on the dresser, but then the cat would play with them and they would get tangled or lost.

I looked forever to find something that would work and just wasn't finding anything. Then my MIL was making message boards and I had a light bulb moment.

It was so simple I can't believe I didn't think of it sooner. All I did was take a small piece of foam board and covered it with fabric and batting. Then I bought small hooks and screwed them into the foam board. I have a picture hanger on the back. I will probably add another one because I have a few heavier ones that make it tilt if I take them off. It works so well. I can see all my necklaces and they don't get tangles or lost.

Kids music recommendation

I am always in search of kids music that doesn't make my ears bleed. I can't take much of the cutesy kids stuff. And I especially hate the Kidz Bop things. I don't think that allowing kids to sing some of those songs makes them ok.

I knew that our neighbors were musicians, but I never really knew that type of music they did. The other day we were talking and they brought over a kids CD for us to listen to. They thought our boys might like it. Boy were they right.

The songs are mostly original. All the songs have kind of a folk feeling to them, but upbeat and fun. My kids were dancing all over the living room and trying to learn the words to sing along the first time we listened.

If your looking for a CD that both you and your kids love listening too check out http://johnandtrish.com. The CD is called Big Rock Candy Mountain and they have a few snippets of songs on their website http://www.johnandtrish.com/newqstep/Big_Rock_Candy_Mountain_CD.html.

Added bonus is supporting local musicians!

Meal Plan Monday

Monday - picnic w/ sandwiches, fruit, and chips after softball practice

Tuesday - out after swim lessons

Wednesday - lamb chops, pasta salad and potatoes

Thursday - chicken wraps

The weekend we will be in and out so no plans for those days.

Kitchen reorganization

Here are some pics from my kitchen reorganization. Some of the before pics aren't too bad but the layout just wasn't working for me. I am short and can not reach the top shelf without standing on something so I wanted to move things around to make it more user friendly.

BEFORE:

This is by far the worst cupboard. It is poorly designed and just a pain to deal with.






DURING: I pulled everything out of the cupboards and grouped it together on the floor and table.





AFTER:























It's still not perfect, but it is definitely better.

Now like things are together and I put all the stuff I use the most on the bottom and the seldom used stuff on the top. It feels so good to get it done. Hopefully I will be able to get some more stuff organized around here soon.

I completely rearranged my kitchen cupboards today. I have before and after pictures to post, but not feeling like it tonight. They weren't really messy, but the layout wasn't working for me any more. And I got rid of a bunch of stuff that I never use. I am in serious organization/declutter mode.

It has been rough around here lately. My dad is having some health problems and I'm worried about that. Then my uncle passes away last night. He was my mom's brother and while we weren't really close he was still my uncle. This is the second uncle I've lost in a year. Hopefully things will start looking up soon.

Jeremy is taking some vacation time next week so we can get some yard work done and just little things around the house. I am hoping to take some time to sew too. I have a few small projects that I need to get finished up before I start anything new. I have a little brown and pink quilt that I am eager to start. First things first though, I have to clear off my table and find some space to work.

Birth survey

1.Were your pregnancies planned?
The first two were, but the third was a definite surprise.

2. How long were you married at the time of birth?
Cody: 1 year 6 months
Cooper: 4 years 6 days
Colton: 6 years 9 months

3. What were your reactions?
I was excited for each, but nervous and scared in different ways. With Cody I was scared because he was my first and I had no idea what was going on. Cooper I was worried about how Cody would react and how I would handle two babies. With Colton I was shocked and just worried about how my body would handle it since I wasn't in the best health.

4. How did your spouse react?
He was excited for all three. He has always wanted 4 kids so it great for him.


5. How old were you?
Cody: 23
Cooper: 25
Colton: 28

6. How did you find out you were pregnant?
Cody I was feeling really tired, but we were in the middle of moving so I didn't think much about it. I took a test when we got settled and I realized I was late. Cooper we had been trying so I just kept taking tests until it was positive. Colton I had irregular cycles so I had no idea I was late. I took a test on a whim and was shocked it was positive.


7. Who did you tell first?
Jeremy all three times. Then the parents and sisters.


8. Did you want to find out the gender?
Heck yes. I am a planner and there is no way I could wait to find out.


9. Due Date?
Cody: September 26, induced and born on September 3o
Cooper: March 7, born March 15
Colton: December 1, born December 5

10. Did you have morning sickness?
Yep, all three times. It was horrible for the first three months.


11. What did you crave?
I craved french fries with all three. There were some random cravings, but mostly it was french fries.


12. What irritated you the most?
Anything and everything at times. I wasn't a very nice pregnant woman. The last time was the worst. You looked at me wrong and I would jump down your throat.


13. What was the child’s sex?
All boys.


14. Did you wish that you had the opposite sex of what you were getting?
Nope, I love my boys. I am sick of people asking if we are going to try for a girl.


15. How many pounds did you gain throughout the pregnancy?
Cody: 35lbs
Cooper: 30lbs
Colton: 25lbs


16. Did you have a baby shower?
I had two showers with Cody and one with Colton.


17. Did you have any complications during your pregnancy?
Nope, none during the pregnancy. I had some complications after delivery with Cody.


18. Where did you give birth?
Cody: Lawrence & Memorial hospital, New London, CT
Cooper: Wentworth-Douglas hospital, Dover, NH
Colton: Saratoga Hospital, Saratoga Springs, NY

19. How many hours were you in labor?
Cody: from start of pitocin to finish was 5 hours
Cooper: 3 hours
Colton: 6 hours


20. Who drove you to the hospital?
Jeremy all three times. Cody was induced so no big rush to get there. Cooper I didn't believe I was in labor so it was a shock and he will never let me forget it. Colton I had a doctors appointment and went to the hospital from there.

21. Who watched you give birth?
Jeremy and which ever doctor/midwife and nurses were there.

22. Was your baby delivered the regular way or by c-section?
Natural all three times.

23. Did you take medicine to ease the pain?
Nope, none, nada

24. How much did the baby weigh?
Cody: 6lbs 11oz
Cooper: 7lbs 7oz
Colton: 7lbs 14oz

25. What did you name your children?
Cody Lewis
Cooper Frederick
Colton Dale

26. How old are your children today?
Cody: 5 years 7 months
Cooper: 3 years 1 month
Colton: 4.5 months