Busy times....

Last week I started at the hospital and in addition to working a lot of hours, it is also busy times at home.  Here are a few of my favorite pictures from last week.

It is quite the transition to be starting as a nurse and I feel like I have SO much to learn.  It is easy to doubt myself and to feel overwhelmed but I'm trying to give myself grace and know that it isn't going to be learned in one day.  As I was walking out of the hospital after my long shift, I looked up into the sky and was in awe at its beauty.  Sometimes when things get overwhelming and stressful, its okay to just slow things down and soak up the simple things.

I need to give a big shout out to this kid.  Actually he's a young man and he's truly such a great older brother.  Michael has matured in ways I am so proud of.  He is great with his younger siblings and when I have to work or I'm making food or doing mom things, he's often playing with his siblings.  Here a moment I snapped without him even knowing.  He played with Finn and the next thing I new, he had Finn napping on his leg.  Such a good big brother and young adult.

Because Mom guilt is a constant in my life, and it seems to be a constant, I was feeling sad about missing out on seeing the kids on the days when I had to go to work at the hospital. Especially on the weekends when they are home.  I explained to each of the kids how much I'll miss them and how I'd be thinking of them when I was at work.  Here's a quick photo I took of Maddie and I before bed.  On my lunch break at work, getting to look through these pictures is such a good reminder to me how blessed I am.  And I hope the kids understand I'm working this job to help us be able to afford some extra things we can do as a family.

Just another example of Michael being a great big brother.  He took Jennings to the park for me the other day when I had run an errand.  Jennings was so happy.  

And this picture makes me smile.  It has been a transition for all of us now that I'm working extra long shifts at the hospital.  Dad has been kind to help me with some of the middle of the night wake ups by the little guys and he had all the kids solo all weekend.  On Sunday morning the little guys decided to wake up extra early.  Dad had told me he was "watching" Jennings but when I got up and walked into the living room this is what I saw.  Jennings was, "building daddy a house"!

Sure made me laugh! Dad's just as tired as I am.

Until next time,

Angie