tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-133531342024-02-21T03:02:02.701-08:00Joyful Dreamer's JournalMy blog is the place where I am going to celebrate my dreams becoming manifest as I construct a life of joy and meaning.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09858663561811858443noreply@blogger.comBlogger199125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13353134.post-82993588630086468772022-06-17T16:43:00.001-07:002022-06-17T16:43:10.978-07:00Progress is happening!<p> Ok so it's slower than I'd like but given shipping delays and shortages of tradespeople who have the right skills to do the work I'm just going to have to be patient. I started planning the new kitchen in February, and ordered new vanity cabinets for three of my 4 bathrooms. Those came in, and then we had to wait 6 wks for plumbers who could find time in their schedules to install them. Thankfully they are now in! Just the first step on those bathrooms but at least I have working non leaking sinks now! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbhQjD0PRMnxfD0mgmHYT_vzsY0NAj4xUTVRbbYw1MHXDkvZnIuy_OJdkH6jl_mXPPnOXqgbrkdXnigl_W1B8b0-JsmXCRu7Hv-HL9u7bkBTqG0YSS05tgZD0NjxkcQ6F1Z1zYTkGAdCTw-KITOHoKYkkdUKrBOU_HAxXo-A_j2ytFte3yQ/s4032/Kitchen%20bathroom%20before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbhQjD0PRMnxfD0mgmHYT_vzsY0NAj4xUTVRbbYw1MHXDkvZnIuy_OJdkH6jl_mXPPnOXqgbrkdXnigl_W1B8b0-JsmXCRu7Hv-HL9u7bkBTqG0YSS05tgZD0NjxkcQ6F1Z1zYTkGAdCTw-KITOHoKYkkdUKrBOU_HAxXo-A_j2ytFte3yQ/s320/Kitchen%20bathroom%20before.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the before</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IFBBIpshIXBRYHuq7tH2SMUj56x6u_B0affIdC30hfQAPtU94OieJPWYbXBgwMZ2E92kgGbBF2-O05GxS1eGVLngNb8sA8i5Y8_2gQYiZX5Q_hc9vARx_J8cjSOAikONEHtrb8THdSPAVxiFEKcVtyEomYrJRAMX6_CPo90VaXcBwRicsQ/s4032/Kitchen%20bathroom%20after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IFBBIpshIXBRYHuq7tH2SMUj56x6u_B0affIdC30hfQAPtU94OieJPWYbXBgwMZ2E92kgGbBF2-O05GxS1eGVLngNb8sA8i5Y8_2gQYiZX5Q_hc9vARx_J8cjSOAikONEHtrb8THdSPAVxiFEKcVtyEomYrJRAMX6_CPo90VaXcBwRicsQ/w224-h459/Kitchen%20bathroom%20after.jpg" width="224" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And the after!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also took the opportunity to upgrade the flooring. It's a temporary option but there would have been holes in the flooring where the legs were from the old vanity cabinet. Peel and stick tiles but they were very easy to install, inexpensive and should work until I completely re-do the bathroom. Right now we're focused on clean and functional and will save up to put in nicer flooring in the future. I will patch and paint the walls sometime this year as well but right now my energy is focused on the kitchen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That project has been delayed by shipping of my upper doors which were a special order. The main body of the cabinets is constructed so once that arrives is should go fast. I ordered the dishwasher which is taunting me un-hooked up just sitting there LOL.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We can't order the counters until the cabinets go in, or install the plumbing or electric until they are in. But we are doing all the other wiring in the house. Which we discovered had no grounding except for a few outlets and was almost all knob and tube upstairs. Glad we didn't burn down the place when we moved in with no heat in December! Until the new furnace went in we were using space heaters. Super shocking to see the condition of some of the insulation coming off of those old wires- all charred and crumbling. So I will feel 1000% better when that is completed. We are about 75% through the re-wire and boy is it spendy but completely worth it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So some of my other plans have had to be scaled back as far as timing. We'll still do everything, just slower.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Some happy surprises. There is a beautiful Lilac near the carriage house, and also several gorgeous Peony plants. My absolute favorite.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuz7AZkhMFBhPjXnLoZSja7WQfYOU7A_RNng53dVUGz-dx5mp3AYgg75O1uvL-gzBgMdxdWxJZAm4lIpgJkFzChnsLeLjxyVFUyVlvTvLN1YzWTTjd62Vs8D3hmBplUnDExb2bII6h1kuKjccifWoaz0TCupizu1LYoDG54jZIPd8FH7UyNw/s2015/Lilac%202022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="1504" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuz7AZkhMFBhPjXnLoZSja7WQfYOU7A_RNng53dVUGz-dx5mp3AYgg75O1uvL-gzBgMdxdWxJZAm4lIpgJkFzChnsLeLjxyVFUyVlvTvLN1YzWTTjd62Vs8D3hmBplUnDExb2bII6h1kuKjccifWoaz0TCupizu1LYoDG54jZIPd8FH7UyNw/w310-h416/Lilac%202022.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTmFFKxsqxvMF7J_AkSVxb-y_Lrr4AIbdOv_yp8ETVYzFVTEt3bjQ2UdjCRN3Eah05QKAHpfSNSVH0twTbf0Aa7d5uO-l08oDtpwqff9o3p40NjRxLUiQi4s6_wE9_fE4aBsdlCcbmQc2T3EbKCyoQhH0QmBJYELcauPeSqifelxpHy9gDQ/s1316/Peony%202022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1316" data-original-width="640" height="648" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTmFFKxsqxvMF7J_AkSVxb-y_Lrr4AIbdOv_yp8ETVYzFVTEt3bjQ2UdjCRN3Eah05QKAHpfSNSVH0twTbf0Aa7d5uO-l08oDtpwqff9o3p40NjRxLUiQi4s6_wE9_fE4aBsdlCcbmQc2T3EbKCyoQhH0QmBJYELcauPeSqifelxpHy9gDQ/w316-h648/Peony%202022.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>The family is starting to settle in a little bit. Wrapping up the home school year today too. So looking for local summer adventures for my upcoming vacation. My new life isn't perfect but it sure feels beautiful right now. I'm taking it one day at a lime and making my environment 1% better every day. I figure at that rate I'll be settled in by fall and things will have fallen into place for this first phase of renovations.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Also making friends and learning to use my sewing machine and joined a Quilting guild! It's fun to re-invent your life.</div><p></p>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09858663561811858443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13353134.post-24904795362798019212022-06-07T20:03:00.002-07:002022-06-07T20:03:14.455-07:00Make a Change and Love your Life<p> What is important in life? That you love your life and live it to the fullest. It's so worth going for your dreams. Make a change if you don't like where you are you won't regret it. In December we made a big move and bough a huge Victorian House in Illinois. I'm loving my new life here. Green trees, green grass, and a real wood house with space to live and create and enjoy living in a home with history and character and space for an art studie. Renovations in progress, more photos to come! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkp55OBezU1at5i_Ck29zWNxyPu026lqiOuqrrLhOwHpk18hmdtBDWEci5iEZA-2S9lbj_VCYgoWo2tLy-MYRuZfRi7cNjfC8DUpwF9CzbNHJcquiB9YoXcBXp-vevxh-K-KQ0zpG2PJfBcxu1d9oC5mn82yNO9hMdfPDPKRf_frjhjeTtw/s874/House%20404%20W%20Broadway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="874" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkp55OBezU1at5i_Ck29zWNxyPu026lqiOuqrrLhOwHpk18hmdtBDWEci5iEZA-2S9lbj_VCYgoWo2tLy-MYRuZfRi7cNjfC8DUpwF9CzbNHJcquiB9YoXcBXp-vevxh-K-KQ0zpG2PJfBcxu1d9oC5mn82yNO9hMdfPDPKRf_frjhjeTtw/s320/House%20404%20W%20Broadway.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09858663561811858443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13353134.post-9137084876427388762014-01-18T20:00:00.000-08:002014-01-18T20:00:41.174-08:00Much time has passedI have been very neglectful of my journal. Life is keeping me busy. Ben is almost 3 and a very busy little boy. My older kids are all doing well. Cassie is a senior in college, Max just started his freshman year in college, Jake is a sophomore in HS and Nick is in 6th grade.<br />
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I love my job as an RN working for a busy nonprofit clinic. I get to help people with their health every day. My boss is very supportive and my coworkers make the job fun. I am working 4 days a week which is challenging to keep up with but somehow we are making it work. Lane is home with Ben.<br />
I have also taken in a friend of my daughter who needs some suport in transitioning to adulthood without a supportive family. She will be Ben's nanny while she figures out her plans for finishing HS and starting college. So lots going on but not a lot to write about.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09858663561811858443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13353134.post-69849655546662904012012-08-04T22:26:00.003-07:002012-08-04T22:26:58.517-07:00The Happiness ProjectI just started reading a great book called The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. The main premise is that by making small changes in your life and attitude you can increase your happiness. We all have a baseline level but she teaches you how to push yourself to the higher part of your range. I am going to test her theory out and try my own. You can try too and she also has a website with tools that are free that anyone can use.
http://happiness-project.com/
The first part is to ask yourself the following questions so here are my answers:
▪ What makes you feel good? What gives you joy, energy, fun?
- Reading
- Being organized
- Spending time with friends and family
- Helping others
- Music
- Learning something new
▪ What makes you feel bad? What brings you anger, guilt, boredom, dread?
- Being late
- Having nothing to look forward to- lack of fun
- Finances
- When I can't fix something that someone else has to do for themselves but it impacts my life
- Gossip
▪ What makes you feel right? What values do you want your life to reflect?
- Family- I want to have my family do fun things together. I want to build memories to look back on and enjoy
- My career. I love helping other people understand how to help themselves be healthy. I want to be the best RN I can be.
- Beauty- I love an organized and serene and colorful home that feels WARM
- Nature- I enjoy being outside as long as the weather is cool enough
▪ How can you build an atmosphere of growth—where you learn, explore, build, teach, help?
- Get organized
- Plan ahead - meal planning, schedule time for professional development
-Join professional organization
-Take a class for fun
I'll be expanding on these questions but this is the first step.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09858663561811858443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13353134.post-47649875999622512552012-05-09T20:44:00.000-07:002012-05-09T20:44:18.428-07:00Switching my profile to Google + today. Joyful Dreamer was the name I chose when I was deciding to start a journey to discover where I wanted to go in my life. I have achieved that goal, to pursue a career in nursing. And in the last 2 months I have begun the work of my chosen profession. I am really loving nursing. I work in a non-profit clinic, helping people who are the most in need of preventative healthcare. We keep them out of the ER and try to give them the tools they need to be active participants in their health care. I spend a lot of my time doing Blood Pressure Checks, Immunizations, Diabetes Education and just listening to my patients. I have a lot to learn but it feels like I made the right choice. I am not sure if I will move on in the future to complete my MSN, and become a CNM- Certified Nurse Midwife or not. I am leaving all options on the table and we will see what calls to me.
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I am feeling very blessed these days. My children are thriving. Ben celebrated his first birthday. He is almost a toddler, cruising along the furniture and getting into everything he can get his hands on. He's pointing and talking and such a fun little person. My older children are all doing well in school. All of us have handled the transition from student to professional working mom smoothly. I owe a lot of that to my husband Lane, who has spent the last 2 months being a stay at home dad. He's currently looking for work and Ben started daycare last week half days 3 days a week so he can do that while Ben learns to be with other kids and caretakers. It's going very well so far and I am not stressed at all about being away from him while I'm at work. It has been everything I could have hoped for and I am so very thankful for that!Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09858663561811858443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13353134.post-64595197162160107632011-12-24T15:54:00.000-08:002011-12-24T15:54:52.640-08:00Hold on to this moment!So often when I am with my children I think I want to capture this moment and remember it forever. But it is hard to hang on to the nuances of the memory. You lose the details even as you capture the big picture. Flash frozen a child is eating their first birthday cake, or discovering the magic of Santa. Today I had one of those moments. Cassie was watching Ben for me in the living room while I peeled apples for pie. I could hear him giggling as she tickled him and it was the sweetest thing ever. I wish I could have videotaped it, but the audio memory will have to do. The sound of Ben laughing and Cassie laughing back was so heartwarming. My children are all healthy,still living under my roof, we have food and a roof over our head, a nice warm house, trees decorated, cookies and other delights ready for the big day. I have a lot to be thankful for this year. Not the least is the sound of my baby's laughter. I am so grateful!Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09858663561811858443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13353134.post-76445343415585831822011-12-14T22:54:00.000-08:002011-12-14T22:54:49.570-08:00Well it's been awhile. Ben is now 8 months and still sweet as sugar. He started saying Mama on Saturday, first one of my kids to say that before dada. No teeth yet but he's getting mobile by rolling around. He won't stay on his tummy long enough to figure out the crawling but he can sit by himself. He is eating banana, applesauce, pears, sweet potato and yogurt now.
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We are all ready for Christmas. Trees up and stockings hung and the kids are looking forward to a visit from their aunt and new cousin. My SIL is getting married a few days before Christmas and decided to pop down to see us for a quick visit. I am so happy for her and so excited to see her. Last time I was so wrapped up in school and NICU visits that I barely got to visit. I can't wait to meet her new husband and stepson as well.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocrSfWRpckZ4r5PSmGX0TRc1p4iTCQQMndFxosmNqU5iWfwSzKYeQcPtHo1G3ZEIDKNeWJZw2Z2Cp0xQLKbaIM-hVXB23faSAaCSC98z_-NkqiOtS5KB6GAs-ohj4M3DrmL0K/s1600/Kids+Christmas+Tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="134" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocrSfWRpckZ4r5PSmGX0TRc1p4iTCQQMndFxosmNqU5iWfwSzKYeQcPtHo1G3ZEIDKNeWJZw2Z2Cp0xQLKbaIM-hVXB23faSAaCSC98z_-NkqiOtS5KB6GAs-ohj4M3DrmL0K/s200/Kids+Christmas+Tree.JPG" /></a></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09858663561811858443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13353134.post-10071930756132358252011-09-23T19:31:00.000-07:002011-09-23T19:35:21.232-07:00Changing wardrobeCompany girl coffee time! http://www.homesanctuary.com/
So I realized the other day that I've been walking around the last few months in clothing that is much too big for me. It's been funny realizing this because I should have been able to see it. I lost 15 lbs right before I got pregnant, then ended up delivering at my pre-pregnancy weight. Now I'm 14 lbs below that. So I am a full size or more smaller than I was before Ben was born. And still wearing the clothing from before I lost the first 15lbs. There was one pair of slacks in particular that I was able to button up the entire pregnancy. So this week I tackled my closet and was thrilled to discover in the back an entire fall wardrobe that fits! Out the door went the sloppy baggy clothing and I feel so much better about myself wearing clothing that fits. I still need to lose more weight but I don't have to look frumpy until I get there. I passed them on to someone else through freecycle and it felt really good to help someone else while letting go of things that don't work for me anymore. Plus I have a much neater closet and room in the back to spare. The shelf above the rod now even has room for all my sweaters so they are organized and won't get the shoulders messed up from trying to hang them. Next up under the bed. I don't think there is much there but I can get rid of any lingering objects and dust bunnies. One room at a time I will let go. I also sorted the books in the master bedroom and let go of half of mine. I still need to move them out of the room but I was able to put the ones I'm keeping on one bookshelf. Any one that knows me knows how much progress that shows. Just one box of papers to file and then that room will be completely de-cluttered for my part. My husband is still going through his things but he is also making strides in letting go.
<script src="http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=108461" type="text/javascript" ></script>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09858663561811858443noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13353134.post-48616077364334591662011-09-16T12:10:00.000-07:002011-09-16T12:44:04.467-07:00Autumn has arrived<a href="http://www.homesanctuary.com/rachelanne/"><img src="http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z209/rachelanneridge/Picture2.png " /></a><br />
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Another Friday and time for Company Girl Coffee! Here's the link to RachelAnne's blog. I can't seem to get the blog button to work <a href="http://www.homesanctuary.com/">http://www.homesanctuary.com/</a><br />
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This week Ben learned to blow raspberries and he took his first trip to the park. It has cooled off and it is starting to feel like fall! Some of the trees have even started to change colors. This makes me happy because Autumn is my favorite season.<br />
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We have settled into a nice morning routine. One thing that I find extremely helpful is to set up a launchpad where we each put the items we need for the next day. I mounted hooks on the back of the entry closet door where the kids can hang their backpacks. They are each responsible for putting their homework back in their bags after I check it and sign whatever papers need to be signed, and washing and refiling their water bottles. They each pick out their clothing for the next day. This speeds up the morning and there are no more forgotten permission slips, missing shoes or keys when we need to get out the door. I need to work on our after school routine a bit since they are still staying up a bit a later than I'd like and I am distracted more than I should be and not following my own afternoon/evening routine as well as I'd like.<br />
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</script>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09858663561811858443noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13353134.post-54503039510087108532011-09-12T11:27:00.000-07:002011-09-12T11:27:13.618-07:00Creating a Clean SpaceThe kids are back to school, and I have started my annual big declutter/clean up fest with the HGP. So far I've managed to clean the front porch, the entry closet and prune 2 of my 6 overgrown rosebushes. It's slower going with a baby but I am trying to do a few minutes every day. This week the focus is on the LR. We have a very small LR, filled with a lot of furniture.My main goal in here is to evaluate every item stored on the shelves, and in the cabinets. They are full and we don't use the items in there much so obviously a lot of these things should go. I managed to give away 4 pairs of snow pants and some other winter items we had too many of or that had been outgrown. I've decided not to store items for Ben, since it will be 10 yrs before he's big enough to wear them and space is at a premium in this house. Sometimes it seems tempting to try to do the whole house "Clean House" style and remove everything and only put those things back into the space that are attractive. But I know it would be an exhausting way to do it with a baby so I'm eating this elephant one bite at a time. It's really not that bad, just that we have lived here 7 yrs and things tend to accumulate when you're busy doing other things like college. But now I'm not a student anymore and it feels really good to take the time when I have it and re-evaluate our belongings and where we are in life! If we stay this space will be more workable and inviting, if we end up having to move it will be easier with a lighter load.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09858663561811858443noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13353134.post-22811796849046970352011-09-02T23:25:00.000-07:002011-09-02T23:25:17.788-07:00Back to school!This week was the kick off of the Holiday Grand Plan! I've been doing this Christmas Prep plan for 10 yrs and it's such fun. You can join in at <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HolidayGrandPlan/?yguid=320842432">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HolidayGrandPlan/?yguid=320842432</a> to join the group and do the emails, or just go to the website and do it alone <a href="http://christmas.organizedhome.com/holiday-grand-plan">http://christmas.organizedhome.com/holiday-grand-plan</a><br />
Every year my home is more organized and it's easier to get ready for the holidays. This week is list week and I've gotten a head start on my front porch. It's cleared off and the kids helped me scrub it and now it's ready to decorate for autumn. I seem to have gotten rid of my reusable pumpkins, so I'll use real ones and pick out some pretty mums to put on the porch along with my fall berry wreath. Pics to follow once it's done. I'll likely wait on the pumpkins until it cools off so they don't spoil.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x233/Becca_Anne_album/IMG_8730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x233/Becca_Anne_album/IMG_8730.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
Tuesday my older boys go back to school. Max will be a junior in HS, Jake is in 8th grade, and Nick will be in 4th. Cassie gets to wait until the end of September before her second year of college starts. It feels kind of strange to think that this year I won't be going back with her. Instead I'll be looking for my first "real" job. Ben will be happy to hang out here with me at home and cuddle with me as much as he can. He is such a lovey boy. He learned how to roll over one week ago and he's suddenly grabbing toys and has decided I'm not allowed to put him down at all unless I"m playing with him. But I wouldn't have it any other way. When else in life do you get to be the center of someone's universe? I've been blessed to get to do this five times and it's just as amazing this time around.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09858663561811858443noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13353134.post-73828056859866837332011-08-27T15:20:00.000-07:002011-08-27T15:20:27.963-07:00Ben was in the paper<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><strong><a href="http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20110827%2FNEWS%2F108270309" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank" wotsearchprocessed="true">Special Delivery | MailTribune.com</a></strong></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">We went to tour the new NICU where Ben was born and I was interviewed. </span>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09858663561811858443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13353134.post-37486482524610204402011-08-09T19:47:00.000-07:002011-08-09T19:53:47.625-07:00Summertime and the living is easy<a href="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x233/Becca_Anne_album/IMG_8662.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 682px; height: 1023px;" src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x233/Becca_Anne_album/IMG_8662.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>
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<br /></div>Ben is 4 months old tomorrow and last night he passed his sleep study. We are finally done with the oxygen! I feel positively free! He is growing and we have been having a lot of fun "conversing" with him. He likes to talk to us and is very smiley. The summer has been very relaxing and now that I have passed my NCLEX I am taking a well earned break and just focusing on enjoying some time with Ben. I have one job application out right now, and plan to do more soon. I don't want to spread myself too thin, so I will conduct a very focused job search locally. We still have time before it becomes urgent. <div>
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<br /></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09858663561811858443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13353134.post-51918896568260697072011-06-11T23:09:00.000-07:002011-06-11T23:17:53.977-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPPxtliexG1qjmEJgOy3ZOTZ4ZR0TxiaL51CNDp2zv_NXB7hillpkqwRra0QHqYbYSsQJ-n9Kbp7VrF7tKx4iTVMpVNSq5TkuAq37vvmLjzdYjyGz_mV1BPiKYLPm6SVWIeEe/s1600/IMG_8446.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPPxtliexG1qjmEJgOy3ZOTZ4ZR0TxiaL51CNDp2zv_NXB7hillpkqwRra0QHqYbYSsQJ-n9Kbp7VrF7tKx4iTVMpVNSq5TkuAq37vvmLjzdYjyGz_mV1BPiKYLPm6SVWIeEe/s320/IMG_8446.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617211662362890370" /></a>Today I joined my fellow graduates of OHSU Class of 2011 (we are the 100th graduating class) for graduation in Raider Stadium at SOU campus. I walked 2nd to last out of the 1000 or so graduates on the field. This gave me a lot of time to think about how happy I was and to savor the moment. This day is one I will remember for the rest of my life. The message from one of the speakers: with great power comes great responsibility, so go out and do good in the world! I intend to do just that. To take what I have learned and do my best to give back something beyond the ordinary to the community; to make my mark by practicing my craft of nursing with evidence based knowledge, and love for others.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09858663561811858443noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13353134.post-91209720434579336502011-06-09T20:18:00.000-07:002011-06-09T20:21:39.099-07:00Graduation!Tomorrow I graduate with my BSN. It has taken me 5 yrs and a lot of hard work. I am so excited to have achieved my goal! I promised my mom 20 yrs ago I'd finish my degree and I'm finally making good on that :) I am looking forward to passing my NCLEX, and finding my first nursing job. During my time at OHSU I met some amazing people and I am very proud to be graduating along side people that I know will make a huge difference in health care and in the world!<div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09858663561811858443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13353134.post-35867361178554258352011-06-03T23:47:00.000-07:002011-06-03T23:53:59.232-07:00Ben at 7 wks<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNAO3l199HeEMKsBDxRmpfAA6TQE33eQPRiHOWidxwz335ttL2l0NuHnlSD5QuN3EZrfKlBJa_1S_jSI8USj2Ubh1ldhLAnog8cMeE7ZFqA2mVywpN6fJE2-g_cs-262sYITr/s1600/IMG_8389.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNAO3l199HeEMKsBDxRmpfAA6TQE33eQPRiHOWidxwz335ttL2l0NuHnlSD5QuN3EZrfKlBJa_1S_jSI8USj2Ubh1ldhLAnog8cMeE7ZFqA2mVywpN6fJE2-g_cs-262sYITr/s320/IMG_8389.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614253178686894242" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpM-zywXoNoKd0tIfHrDfeF4AywKXjorpDzVpVYKdC8YF4Te6ETbf5zVteXYtt7RoTPfnIlLuHqGmnljraR2zrF6n926pMvF8nu2nLdE6A5a4ESKxR0mTfpeKAHx8A6l3W_eP/s1600/IMG_8410.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpM-zywXoNoKd0tIfHrDfeF4AywKXjorpDzVpVYKdC8YF4Te6ETbf5zVteXYtt7RoTPfnIlLuHqGmnljraR2zrF6n926pMvF8nu2nLdE6A5a4ESKxR0mTfpeKAHx8A6l3W_eP/s320/IMG_8410.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614253173586847426" /></a>Benjamin at 7 wksRebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09858663561811858443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13353134.post-15136443660003124092011-06-03T23:22:00.000-07:002011-06-03T23:37:57.585-07:00UpdateBen got to come home on May 9th after almost a month in NICU. He is home on oxygen, doing fabulously. I managed to finish all my clinical time and I will be graduating next week!Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09858663561811858443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13353134.post-74143379343767404822011-04-02T15:12:00.000-07:002011-04-02T15:25:45.240-07:00In Hospital on Bed RestWell the best laid plans....<div><br /></div><div>Tuesday March 29 at 11:45 pm I woke up in a puddle and had to go to the hospital. They admitted me and I'm on bed rest until Ben is born. He has had both steroid shots to mature his lungs and they have had the 24 hrs they need to have the full effect. I've been in the hospital almost 4 days now and no contractions. He looks great on the monitor. The plan is to induce me April 9th if he hasn't been born yet. I am still planning to finish nursing school, just flipped my plan to do the clinical days I was going to do in April into May, and having a baby into April :) I'm trying to stay focused on the positive and cross each bridge as I come to it. At least it is reassuring that at 33 wks Ben has an excellent chance of survival and having a normal life.</div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09858663561811858443noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13353134.post-90390023357074811952011-03-17T21:52:00.000-07:002011-03-17T21:55:29.509-07:00Spring VacationToday I finished off my last clinical day before Spring Vacation. I did 3 extra days for winter term to bank some hours for spring term in case baby comes early. I will be adding extra days whenever available in April. Now I have 10 days off before the craziness starts again. I am looking forward to nesting and getting the house clean and ready for baby :)<div><br /></div><div>This week is a milestone for me. 3 years ago this week I was diagnosed with Bullous Pemphigoid an autoimmune skin blistering disease. I have been in remission for the most part since December, and have have very little disease activitiy since last summer. The remission rate is 70% within 5 years so I feel very blessed. <a href="http://www.pemphigus.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=366&Itemid=100080">http://www.pemphigus.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=366&Itemid=100080</a> </div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09858663561811858443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13353134.post-56852176576032566122011-02-18T15:57:00.000-08:002011-02-18T16:04:36.188-08:00Time is ticking away!Today I'm starting the 3rd trimester! It has flown by. I am feeling really great, my feet aren't even swelling after 12 hrs on them. School is going well. My preceptor has 30 yrs of experience in OB and I have learned a lot from her already. The kids are doing well, everyone is happy and healthy.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09858663561811858443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13353134.post-44644446842173960232010-12-27T21:34:00.000-08:002010-12-27T21:36:14.616-08:00It's a.....Very<div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>Healthy</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Baby</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>BOY!</div><div><br /></div><div>We are surprised but happy. Cassie will be our only princess! Now the process of picking out a name will start :)</div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09858663561811858443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13353134.post-8787826952739008292010-12-14T19:24:00.000-08:002010-12-14T19:27:18.655-08:00It's been awhile!Shortly after my last post I found out I'm expecting baby #5! So life has been interesting and hectic. I just finished fall term and got my clinical placement for winter and spring term. I will be at a Birth Center! I am so happy and excited about it. <div><br /></div><div>We find out if the baby is a girl or a boy next week. Everyone is rooting for another girl, but we'll be happy with whatever we are blessed with :)</div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09858663561811858443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13353134.post-45408372157906077322010-08-29T21:19:00.000-07:002010-08-29T21:28:42.064-07:00SparkpeopleI've been really focused for the last month and a half on improving my health. I had some test results come back with high values due to a medication I have been taking for my Bullous Pemphigoid. I immediately went off the medication, and I have been very fortunate but I am not having many issues with my skin. Thankfully the values went down after I stopped the medication, but I started really thinking about what I could change to help my body and I joined a wonderful free weight loss/fitness site called <a href="http://www.sparkpeople.com">sparkpeople.com</a> It has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. I've lost a few pounds, and I feel fabulous. I'm not on a "diet" I am making better choices but not depriving myself and I have a good feeling that this time it's going to stick. I've lost 70 lbs twice before and gained it back using other diet programs and I always felt like I couldn't eat anything. I also didn't lose it slowly so it was a huge shock to suddenly be so thin. I didn't do well with that. This time it's coming off slowly, but that gives me time to adjust and I like it that way. I have also been exercising almost every day on my treadmill. I feel really good when I am done and I know that it is helping my body be healthy. <div><br /></div><div>One of the main motivations besides my own health is that I want to be able to "walk my talk" as a nurse and show my patients that change is possible and doesn't have to be incredibly difficult.</div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09858663561811858443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13353134.post-76393388436798538522010-08-01T16:04:00.000-07:002010-08-01T17:03:43.735-07:00Summer 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNMPz8RzuAPvfktGSQ0KvN0OxIXx5KJAVOP7BLpS7A7St1yg8L_YfRQv9x2pU1jctFkhOkiF76txQGmVJ8uWubYTh30fg4Z4VqSmSKsQ3W1y1JywLFgq3lNO0bVA5gbaMHf-g/s1600/IMG_7207.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNMPz8RzuAPvfktGSQ0KvN0OxIXx5KJAVOP7BLpS7A7St1yg8L_YfRQv9x2pU1jctFkhOkiF76txQGmVJ8uWubYTh30fg4Z4VqSmSKsQ3W1y1JywLFgq3lNO0bVA5gbaMHf-g/s320/IMG_7207.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500594126550035922" /></a>Gold Beach<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVMiyyPrXrIasU-Gs-Q81YAGhBp82kT7OdyiGtgfCxEK5gCJicDTzZ01__Q2Gc54MwZv5bKp6kq4ylaGqubF8y5KHL_n4Ij9JRGkTCTcCyKUuw-WfEF1a3TvX2xlmZeA1xhyJ/s1600/IMG_7193.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVMiyyPrXrIasU-Gs-Q81YAGhBp82kT7OdyiGtgfCxEK5gCJicDTzZ01__Q2Gc54MwZv5bKp6kq4ylaGqubF8y5KHL_n4Ij9JRGkTCTcCyKUuw-WfEF1a3TvX2xlmZeA1xhyJ/s320/IMG_7193.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500592101136073938" /></a>Lane and I in Jedidiah Smith Redwood State Park.<div><br />Busy summer! We visited family over the 4th of July for a reunion, and then my husband and I went to Gold Beach for a weekend. It was lovely! Nick is learning to swim and I have started walking every day for an hour to get back into shape.</div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09858663561811858443noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13353134.post-8354426235193449282010-05-07T20:32:00.000-07:002010-05-07T21:00:30.919-07:00Prom<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8lO1w32FfusGMitqTtneuPGLCLc6EZBBnHC8PEA-m7pZTln0gq_M_bi92v5jn78n7X52A1OEhJkF_p1BGzt6t5SItme9Wte8zf2pZuJ_PGj_UpWFzXLRzMGbRR1_R-I3A-ub/s1600/IMG_6100.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8lO1w32FfusGMitqTtneuPGLCLc6EZBBnHC8PEA-m7pZTln0gq_M_bi92v5jn78n7X52A1OEhJkF_p1BGzt6t5SItme9Wte8zf2pZuJ_PGj_UpWFzXLRzMGbRR1_R-I3A-ub/s320/IMG_6100.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468743105021934274" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLRKRD-eIDpj2gHcwZMRo2YmkRvvlXoQfvHWzNWofn5R03WUVgSrvWr5pVM04ndKH9RFDMCyx0_vW1nkgXMDSMRqrZB9oq20zwVtKixluLHBpB3xx49BC2VcRdxKg0mqYzlX18/s1600/IMG_6093.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLRKRD-eIDpj2gHcwZMRo2YmkRvvlXoQfvHWzNWofn5R03WUVgSrvWr5pVM04ndKH9RFDMCyx0_vW1nkgXMDSMRqrZB9oq20zwVtKixluLHBpB3xx49BC2VcRdxKg0mqYzlX18/s320/IMG_6093.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468743092190184354" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqx8I57HxCl-37Ubt1sQDMyyhDnxeV2A38VV4KhduLOXwhVOrO0I-Dp3eN1HG7fgD-pn5vKE6B5jNkPnF9Qn62zQt4t5ZOQGSEOF2IrOkSeYrLd8EsdY1JaK6Luj4yKXIUmxQ/s1600/IMG_6094.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqx8I57HxCl-37Ubt1sQDMyyhDnxeV2A38VV4KhduLOXwhVOrO0I-Dp3eN1HG7fgD-pn5vKE6B5jNkPnF9Qn62zQt4t5ZOQGSEOF2IrOkSeYrLd8EsdY1JaK6Luj4yKXIUmxQ/s320/IMG_6094.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468743083842370882" /></a><br />My daughter will be graduating from H.S. June 11th. I am so proud of her. She has turned out to be such a bright woman with integrity and grace. Her senior prom was last weekend and I thought I'd post a few pics of her and her date.<div><br /></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09858663561811858443noreply@blogger.com2