Oh, Maxwell!

Do not be alarmed! Max did not get into a fight! He chose to pose this way for his photo and was quite happy with the result! He also wore his shirt on his head like this for quite a long time...

Ellie's First Haircut!

 

 

 

 

 

3 Ninjas

Who would've thought that $3 at Hobby Lobby could bring so much joy?!
The boys painted these masks to look like the ones from the movie "3 Ninjas"!

They wear them on a daily basis, often insisting that we call them "Rocky" and "Colt" all. day. long.
Too cute.

The Boys & Their Dog

Ellie is here!

The boys love her! Especially THIS boy.

He holds her. He pets her. He squeals when she chases him.

And who wouldn't love this cute little fluffball??

Liam loves her. He's most excited to "train" her, but he's very interested in taking care of her as well.

 

He has also taken over responsibility for "pooper scooping" and gladly shovels the yard for us! How long will this last...?!

She's only been with us for three days, but she is a part of the family already!

Grace Under Pressure

I feel as though everything about this new job situation has just been meant to be. And if I can handle a call like [this] with half as much grace as the dispatcher did, I will know it all the more.

Turning over a new leaf...

I applied for a position as a 911 dispatcher with Brown County in...September, maybe? I thought it sounded like something I might be interested in, the pay was great, and I felt reasonably qualified for the job. I didn't hear back, and didn't think much more about it. Then, in December I was asked to take a test to see if I had the skills necessary for the dispatcher position. I did well, and didn't hear back. In January I got an interview. It went well. I waited forever and was asked to do a second interview. Long story short...it's March and I was finally offered the job! I will start training to be a 911 dispatcher in April!


It's a full time position, but I am still hoping to work the evening or night shift to have time with the kids. Max is very ready to start some kind of daycare or preschool, though, so a few hours a day with other kids would be good for him. I'm nervous about the time committment and responsibility, but happy to be improving our financial situation and furthering my career (since things are winding down for my role at the hospital right now). I think it will be a good change for us.

I'm excited about the job itself. I will be answering 911 calls and dispatching police, fire, and EMS. It is a fast-paced job with a decent amount of stress, but I'm counting on my multi-tasking skills and superior organizational abilities :) to work in my favor. The public safety building is also just about a five minute drive from our house!

I have been plagued with negativity, impatience and frustration throughout this process. I learned that good things come to those who wait, but it is definitely difficult for me. I had a lot of self-doubt going into this and felt that I might not be qualified enough or what they were looking for. All kinds of things go through your head when you are waiting that long! But, when I received the call yesterday I learned that I was their number one choice! That helped my doubts a bit!

So, new puppy (pictures coming soon!), new job, new leaf.

Adding to the Family!

Tomorrow we will add another member to our family! We are adopting a puppy! I have been looking for months to find the right dog, and I think we finally did! She is a 10 week old schnoodle (schnauzer/poodle mix) and sooooo adorable! We went to see her last night and my heart melted to see Max hold her so gently and hug her, and Liam hold her and ask to take her home! Max let us know that this was "his" dog, and wondered what dog dad would choose for his own! We had to inform him that we were not actually adopting FOUR dogs...but one to share! It may take some convincing. We're heading to pick up some puppy stuff today, and I will be spending lots of time reading up on puppy training. I am nothing if not prepared! Look at this cute little face!

Her name is Eleanor...Ellie for short!

I think old lady names are quite adorable for puppies...

For Sam

Remembering my friend Sam today as she mourns the loss of her wonderful husband, Dan. He fought a great fight against aggresive brain cancer and has finally found peace. Throughout all of this Sam has always said that "none of us are promised tomorrow, " and though I know she is right I wish she had many more tomorrows to spend with Dan. Send a prayer up for him, and for comfort for those he's left behind.

Quotable

Liam: "Mom, this movie is non-fiction. That means it really happened!"

Food for Thought

"We are alive not for ourselves but for one another."

A good reminder, and something I want to strive to live out each day. What can you do for someone else today?