Some Gems Heard Recently...

Liam: "Mom, when I grow up, I was thinking I might want to be a Chinese man."


Max: "When I am a grandma, I'm going to drive a jeep."

Preschool Graduation!

Pouting on the steps and crying for an hour before heading to graduation...

Max perked up once we got there. Here he is with his best friend, Howie.

So cute! He didn't cry the whole time and even sang the songs with the class!

 

Getting his diploma from Miss Sam and treats from Miss Laura.

Good job, Maxwell! On to 4K!

More Birthday Fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He's 4!

Remembering the day you were born and smiling today, Maxwell.

A Party for the Birthday Boy!

The birthday kid with his first gifts of the day from mom, dad and Liam - Despicable Me guys and shirt!

Grandma Arlene and Maxwell!

Auntie Kimmy got a running, jumping hug when she arrived!

Auntie Sarah spent the weekend helping us set up and get ready for the party!

Grandpa Howie and Grammy Pammy played and played with two very excited kids!

Liam, waiting patiently for the other guests to arrive!

Max and his favorite cousin, Landon.

My sweet FOUR year old boy!

Liam was such a good big brother for Max today!

Hmm...what could this be?

The Hobbit set I have wanted for months?! Awesome! Thanks, Aunties!

And what could this  be?

A Nerf sword and shield from Uncle John?! Best gift ever.

Checking out the newest squinkies for his collection!

Waiting patiently for Liam to read his card!

Liam modeling Max's new shirt from Grandpa Richie and Grandma Karen.

Whew! Opening presents is hard work!

Liam was just as anxious to see what was inside!
Wreck It Ralph stuff from the Gelhars!

Resting while Liam reads his card from Grammy Pammy and Grandpa Howie!

And the neat new playdough set they got him!

Thank you everyone for a wonderful day. We had so much fun visiting with you all. And it's always great to see how many people love and want to spend time with my boys!

Happy Birthday, Maxwell!

Balance

I've had a great week at work so far. Feels like things are going really smoothly and I am confident in most things I have to do throughout my shift. I feel more able to make independent decisions quickly, if need be, and usually things turn out well. I made a decision about a call tonight that I thought was a good one. I thought I'd be saving the officers some time and saving my coworkers some steps. Instead I got reminded by my supervisor that I can't always "think with my heart" and that I need to remember to "think with my head".

It was frustrating to me because I didn't think of it as "thinking with my heart" when I was taking those extra steps. I was genuinely concerned about the situation and wanted to try and bring it to a positive conclusion if I could. I understood where my supervisor was coming from, and we have to be thinking of the worst possible situations in this job...but there will always be that part of me that chooses compassion first. We are lied to very convincingly and very often in this job...but I still don't feel jaded by it.

I struggle with balancing it all and being the best dispatcher I can be...but ultimately, I'm not in control of it. I know I'm here for a reason...and I need to remind myself that there will always be something to learn and room for improvement. I never saw myself doing something like this...in fact, it makes me feel completely incompetent and overwhelmed when I stop and think about what I do every day. So, I just say a prayer on my way to work...take a deep breath...and see what the night brings.

Turtle Convention

Aaron captured this picture of turtles sunning themselves in the swamp across the street from our house!

Harry Hamster

Liam took Harry the Hamster out for a "roll" today after cleaning his cage!

Max thinks the hamster is pretty fun, too. He keeps talking about when HE is six and has is OWN hamster! He is going to name it "Frodo"!

They both got a big kick out of Harry rolling all over the house!

He's a cute little guy! His owner is pretty proud of him!

Nothing but the tooth

Liam has been complaining about one of his front teeth hurting for a few days now. I didn't think it was a cavity because he takes such good care of his teeth. It didn't seem to be loose yet, but we thought maybe it was just getting ready to fall out. I decided to make him a dentist appointment just to be sure, when I noticed something while brushing his teeth. He has his first adult tooth growing in behind his bottom baby tooth! He was SO excited when I told him that is what it was!

 I was a little worried that this was going to cause some major orthodontia problems, but I've since learned it is fairly common and should take care of itself eventually. He's still going to the dentist to get checked out, but we'll hope the tooth fairy will have to make her first appearance at our house soon!