I'm BAAACK!

Ok, once again, after taking a MUCH longer break than I "planned", I am going to try one.more.time.  I think pretty much everyone who would read this knows life has thrown us a few curve balls lately.  In March my brother Dan was diagnosed with lymphoma.  If you haven't heard or want to follow his journey on caring bridge, HERE is the link.  I am so proud of him and things have been going pretty well.  He did have a little set back last night after being home for just a couple days.  So he is pretty bummed about that.  But hoping he will be back home soon.  We found out I am a match to be a stem cell donor for him, in fact we are a perfect 6/6 match, so that is SUPER awesome!!  Found that out last week right before my birthday.  We don't know when that will be or all the details, hoping to know more next week.

Obviously my kiddos have kept me on my toes.  Miss Allison just finished her second year at Just for Kix dance and LOVES it.  She is finishing up her second year of Preschool in May too and will go to Kindergarten in the fall.  She is soooo ready!  The other night at supper she asked to say another prayer and she prayed for President Obama!  That girl!  We also pray for Dan EVERY NIGHT!  Both girls do :).  She is begging to do gymnastics this summer and I found a few other activities in the Summer Rec book we might do, some for Miss Kara as well.  Oh, and Allison just finished swimming lessons.  Kara wants to do EVERYTHING Allison does.  She can't wait to be in dance, preschool and swimming lessons.  She is growing too fast too.  We are diaper free (except for a night time pull-up!).  So that is awesome.  Both girls LOVE being outside and this snow yesterday sure made them mad.  They are anxious to be going to the park, lake, pool (as is every other MN resident)! 

Work has been good for Jesse and I.  At Rice the nurses are union (MNA) and we are trying to negotiate our next contract (current one actually ended at the end of 2013).  I have been more involved with that this year.  It has been an interesting and eye opening experience.  I look forward to it being settled.  I took a new position on the same unit (Women's and Children's - OB, peds, and women's health) at Rice in January.  I am a "unit coordinator".  Basically the unit charge nurse on days and evenings.  So a perk is no more nights and I only have to work every 4th weekend now.  I am liking the role and the new challenges it has.  It isn't as much direct patient care, but I still get to do some, if there are more than 1 of us working (there are 4 unit coordinators on our unit).  Jesse and I are members of the Y and TRY to get there...he does better than me.  Ok, well that is enough rambling for this "catch-up" post/belated "christmas letter".  Ha!  Here's hoping we DON'T have a white Easter!  Next post will have pics too!