Life lately

I was put on a "budget" at work last Friday.  A budget, for those who aren't a nurse, is when there are not enough patients so they have to cancel part of your shift.  I didn't work from 7p-11p, but was called in after that.  My boss sent me a text that said

"I'm not going to make it without you."

That seems to be the theme in my life.  I am needed.  People need me, and I love that.

Honestly.

So I squeezed into my scrubs, literally, and headed in.  Clocking in at the strike of midnight.

That night I took care of a dying patient, and then drove home after my shift ended thankful for this day, and everyday that I am gifted with to spend with my people.

As much as people need me, I find that I need something from everyone I cross paths with as well.

Perhaps being a nurse does that to you.  My job, while excruciatingly tough sometimes, always gives me that mindset of "things could be so, so much worse."

It is good to be reminded of this perspective.  

Monday, I prepared for 3 presentations that I had to give at school on Tuesday.

Tuesday I spent all day at school, and was immensely blessed by all my classmates who put together an amazingly perfect surprise baby shower for our Hartley Lane.  So much detail - sweet little hearts on the pink cupcakes, and a TON of fruit because I am the fruit fanatic this pregnancy and they all know it

Being away from family during this pregnancy has been so hard, but the love I experienced from that room of 22 soon-to-be nurse practitioners on Tuesday was just perfect.  I am a firm believer that nurses are just special people, who know exactly what is needed.  Such a special moment to celebrate this poorly documented, flying by at the speed of lightning pregnancy.  Sometimes, even when you don't think you need one, a baby shower is needed - even if it is your 4th baby.  So thankful.

Today I got to be mama.  All day.  These are my favorite days.  This mornings task was to figure out ways to get the vacuuming and bathroom cleaning done, without my preschoolers thinking I am cleaning.  So our house got vacuumed, mostly by Kip.  It is far from a stellar job, but it was his job…and so it is perfect.  There is less cat hair and crumbs than when we started, and that is a good thing.  The bathroom mirror has more Jovie finger prints on it now, than when we first cleaned it, and while I could easily go in there and wipe it down in a jiffy right now, her tiny finger prints make me smile.  Someday I'll be able to clean my house, and I'll be so sad that I can do it without trying to incorporate fun play into the task.  

Later today we went on a walk, and stopped at the corn field.  You know you live in KY when your backyard is acres of corn fields.  The kids and I spent 90 minutes playing ninja turtles, using the old corn stalks as weapons, and the corn rinds as bombs.  Jovie got chilly and without prompting Kip took off his favorite ninja turtle hoodie that he wears everywhere, and put it on her.  I cried at the sweet gesture my 4.5 year old showed to his sister.  Her smile, his smile, my tears…I'll never forget that simple, sweet moment.

Then UPS delivered a Nana/Papa/Jenny package to the Loprinzi kiddos…never a let down when one of these boxes come!

I've said it many times, I've never been one to love KY, but goodness the people here make it hard not to love it.  I have neighbors that reach out to help us, continually.  I have friends…good friends here, who will help out in an instant.  I have a job that allows me only to have to work two nights a week, and I have amazing co-workers.  Paul's been super blessed with amazing opportunities at Bellarmine, and overall, if we never get the opportunity to move back to Oregon, we are going to be just fine.  Honestly.