Pull your shoulders back, Say a prayer and Dive right in

 Big changes toward a better life often come with a price.  I have always dreamed of raising my family on this farm and have known full well the work that would be involved.  The sacrifice is worth it but the growing pains that come with change, even change for the better, are uncomfortable.  The most important thing though, is that despite the work and the discomfort of growth... we have never been happier.  Our lives are peaceful and we are headed in a glorious direction. 

I started my new job last week and it has been full of growing pains.  I am coming from a job where I was knowledgeable and confident to this new job where I am overwhelmed and clueless.  Being a nurse has so many great advantages and one of them is the opportunity to make a complete change within the same profession.  Since I graduated from nursing school I have been working in the NICU, a unit that  I loved and learned so much in.  But when we decided to move, I really was ready for a change of pace, and ER nursing has always been something I've dreamed of.  So when the opportunity to work as an ER nurse here in Washington came to me, I was so excited... I still am, but my first few days of work have been challenging.  The best way to learn your way around the ER is just to jump right in and go for it... "fake it till you make it", I keep telling myself.  Unfortunately, that approach comes with a lot of embarrassment and failure, and my days are full of plenty of both.  I'm slow (I have to look up everything), I'm uncomfortable (patients who talk back??), I'm nervous (ANYTHING can happen, and usually does).  It's tough, really tough.  But.. the only way I can conceive of to do it, is just pull my shoulders back, say a prayer and dive right in.  So that's what I'll do.

Home life gives me a much needed break from the challenging days in the ER.  Our girls are growing up before our eyes and are as sweet as ever.  We celebrated Evalyn's first birthday a little late.  It was a great day!  The whole family was there... we had a BBQ and watched college football.  I can't believe my baby is 1!  (She isn't usually naked, I just decided to spare her birthday dress from pink frosting stains.)

 Earlier that day we went to a parade in Othello, it was the opening parade for the Adams county fair.  The girls were loving it until Lucy got stung by a bee on her finger.  That was 2 weeks ago now and she still talks about it at least once a day.  Poor girl was really in pain.  Luckily mama kissed it better, put a Tinkerbell band aid on it and provided a healthy dose of children's Benadryl that helped her sleep most of the afternoon.  :)

One of the true blessings about living in Washington is being close to my amazing Sister-in-law Brittany.  We have always had so much in common and have been dear friends for many years (even before she met my brother).  She has been there for me in my highest triumphs and deepest loss.  She is beautiful, kind, patient and good.  She is the kind of person who commands respect because of her integrity, yet is the most accepting, least judgmental person I know.

It means so much to have someone like this around for my girls to look up to. 

Despite the challenges and growing pains, we are doing well and having plenty of beautiful days.  Today was one of them and reminded me that all the sacrifice will be worth it.  Brittany and her kids came over to play and stayed most of the day.  We played dress-up, watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, traced ourselves in sidewalk chalk and rode around in a little red wagon.  When things get tough, it's important to remember that the mundane moments are what really matter, and sometimes a little (or a lot) of discomfort comes on the path to creating a more beautiful life.



Washington

Serendipity

Saturday September 10, 2011 was an exciting, emotional day. We pulled our Ford Expedition out of the driveway with heavy hearts, and waving to a handful of neighbors as we inched away from the house to which we brought both of our babies home from the hospital. I reached the freeway on ramp at exactly 11:00. One year from the exact moment my baby Evalyn was born. I was pondering my new life, my beautiful family, and all the adventures that lie ahead when I looked up at the car in front of me. Adhered to the rear windshield, in large green vinyl letters, was a proclamation that read... "My heart belongs to Tamara".

We have had a very enjoyable last few weeks in Utah. We have spent time with friends and family and said goodbye to a life here that we have loved. It's getting very close to the day when we will pull our big moving truck out of town and my feelings are a little bittersweet. I moved to Utah about 12 years ago after I graduated from high school, and except for a brief stint in Colorado, have been here ever since. It's definitely been a home away from home. That's just it though... as long as I've lived here and the wonderful friends I've made, it's just never really felt like home. In a few days I'll finally be taking my family HOME to live in a place I truly belong.

More on the move later. We've been having some really great times lately and I've documented only a small fraction of them. Here is just a taste of the fun we've been having...

My adorable and amazing cousin Hauni (seriously, if you know this girl, you know what I mean... INCREDIBLE gal... you might even say she's SUPER)


threw the most amazing birthday party for her son Max and we had the privilege of attending. It was a SUPERHERO party and all the guests were to dress up as superheros for a day of training.

Of course, Lucy doesn't have any superhero costumes lying around so we had to get a little creative. A pair of Minnie Mouse ears from an old Halloween costume, panties worn on the OUTSIDE, and a homemade foam belt buckle rounded out the ensemble. She loved the result and I must say she's a stinkin' cute SUPER MINNIE MOUSE (this phase is to be projected in a deep booming voice for effect).

As you can see she took her job very seriously.

Fighting crime with a big pink bow.


Ahhh, what fun. Thanks again Hauni and Max!

Now off to the neighborhood pool party. We have loved living next to all the wonderful people on our street these last several years. It will be hard to say goodbye to our dear friends whom we've shared many late evening strolls, street hockey games and bike races. A BBQ and pool party made saying goodbye a little easier.






I love that last picture of Evalyn watching the basketball game.

Well I suppose I'm signing off from Utah. We have loved our time here but look forward to our new life with much anticipation and excitement. We will be transforming our entire existence, from a city dwelling clan to a farm family in the country. A change for the better if I do say so myself.