Memorial Day and an unexpected loss

I’ve missed you, my friends. I hope you had a terrific weekend!

I really had a good weekend…

Time with my family

Driving through the Riverside National Cemetery and taking time to really wrap my mind and the minds of my family around the true meaning of Memorial Day.

Watching over 6,000 motorcycles parade through town as they honored those who've sacrificed for their country.

For now, that is all the energy I have at this moment to explain my blog silence.

Yesterday was hard…running my bereavement support group is usually enough emotional exertion for one day. I feel so privileged to do it and thankfully, I have the personal resources to handle it.

But...

Yesterday was different…when I returned to the birth center, I found out that a pregnant mother had died.

A devastated family raced to the hospital after hearing they had lost a precious wife, mother, daughter, sister, niece…

Nurses and doctors attended to their patients with sadness beyond sadness...

Some were at home, tossing in their beds, fighting for sleep, pushing nightmares out of their head, asking God "Why this woman, why me?"....

Oh, how I wish I could give you the details…but it is not the right thing to do

I can tell you this. There truly was nothing that could have saved this poor lady and her baby.

It was beyond human intervention.

Prayer. Presence. Listening.

These are the only human measures that can benefit the people who mourn this lovely lady and her unborn baby.

Today, I am hurting.

But my pain is minimal compared to that of a family who eagerly anticipated the joy of a new baby, but now plans a funeral.

My Home: A Blank Canvas

Perfectionists.

We can be perfectionists at times.

All or nothing.

That was true of our decorating. All or nothing.

Well, we leaned towards “nothing” for a good 7 years.

Bare walls. No pictures. Old furniture

Do it right, or don’t do it at all.

Then I found my inspiration…

Domino magazine.

I loved this gals funky taste.

Vintage prints.

Simple.

Blues.

So we went for it!

Loved this so much, I just outright copied it!

My green does not photograph well.

It has much more life than this!

Chalkboard paint (another exact copy, just had to do it!)

Firehubby drew the line here! DARN!

Looks like fun to me!

(Update:My awesome bloggy friend Mighty M just told me that Domino Magazine went out of business. I have just confirmed it. What a shame.)

True Story Tuesday

Rachel at Once Upon a Miracle is such an awesome bloggy friend that I cannot resist joining her in her really fun blog carnival...
When I was a nurse in Hawaii, I had a roommate and he was so cute. We actually shared a bed. He slept in it when I wasn’t home.

It has crossed my mind that he may have snuck into bed with me at night, when I was actually home. But it really gives me the heebeegeebees to think about it.

Now firehubby is gonna be so mad that I posted his picture (and even told this story), but, I tell you this guy was special to me!

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He was my own little gecko (maybe I was his "own girl" as he lived there before me).

He was actually a better roomie than in my previous Hawaiian condo, but that will have to wait for another TSTuesday!

Ok, Ok, this is not actually him. But, I'll bet this is his cousin.

Come on, the guy was adorable!

Who can resist those awesome little feet.

There was one big down-side to having him as my roommate:

Every morning that I came back from work, I had to change my pillow case. My roomie always left me a special "present" to show how much he loved me.

Ok, that was not so cute, or sweet!

Yep, this is my true story!

I know your day wouldn't have been the same without hearing it ")

Happy Tuesday!

Not Me Monday- Birth Day Edition

May 18th, 2009

Happy Not Me Monday everyone. It's a great day to join MckMama at My Charming Kids in this fun blog carnival-Not Me Monday.

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In honor of Scout’s birthday I have decided that I will NOT embarrass him (and myself) and share a little about his actual BIRTH DAY.

So, here is part of the story of a crazy L&D nurse having a baby after 7 years of helping other women have babies...NOT ME!

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When it was becoming clear that I was going into labor, I did NOT think it would be a great idea to have a nice Mexican dinner. After all, I would be breastfeeding and who knows when I would be able to enjoy beans and spicy food again...

I realized that was NOT a huge mistake when my tiny newborn was squealing and then having major TOOTS just hours after he had his first meal of

Spicy Mexican colostrum!
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For years, I did NOT fantasize about how I would spend my time getting through

early labor. Yes, I was sure that I would labor in the bathtub. That would be so relaxing...
NOT! I got in the tub and didn’t even get through the first contraction before I literally jumped out of the bath water. I did NOT spend the next couple of hours on my hands and knees, washing the kitchen floor.

No, it did NOT feel better than any bath that I could have imagined.
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Acting like my own nurse NEVER crossed my mind. I did NOT fill out my own admission assessment, put myself on the monitor, and give myself an IV bolus when my blood pressure bottomed out after my epidural.

And finally, I did NOT scream “GET. IT. OUT!” as my baby was crowning.

(no one told me it hurt really bad at the end!)

I did NOT freak out at that moment thinking that everyone at the nurse's station might have heard!

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Happy 12th Birthday Scout!

(Thanks for forgiving me for the salsa and refried beans!)

A Moment to Treasure

Firehubby is at work tonight. I’ve been catching up on reading blogs and erasing shows off of my DVR…

A few minutes ago I was startled by the sound of sobbing coming from upstairs. Racing up the staircase, I found my boy standing in the hallway crying his eyes out.

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?

“Yes, I’m fine,” he replied.

“Then why are you crying?” I asked, as I led him to the edge of my bed to sit down and talk.

“I’m crying because I had such a good day today that I don’t want it to end.”

Oh my gosh, how sweet.

I have to admit, I have not heard anything like this before. Sitting beside him, watching the tears stream down his face, I was simply baffled, but in a good way.

“So, what made today so very special?” I asked him, after he calmed down.

He shared that the wonderful parts of his day were when:

· I woke him up this morning and told him he could sleep in while I went to work on a special project downtown.

· I called him and told him that he could have his left over birthday cake for breakfast “)

· he enjoyed watching TV for a long time.

· he playing his new Risk game, by himself.

· he had so much fun playing his new DSi.

· I left him home alone for the first time for an extended time.

· he and his sister watched the new DVD I bought (Hotel for Dogs).


I was learning something about my boy. He is very sensitive, maybe even sentimental.

Tonight my heart just melted.

He will be 12 years old on Monday. He will go off to middle school in a short 3 months.

I loved this moment tonight. I like the young man my little boy is growing into.

Wordless Wednesday

p.s. I'm looking forward to posting a new Stories From the Delivery Room on Friday ")

Not Me Monday- The Bad Mommy Edition

Yep, I’m joining MckMama again this week for her awesome blog carnival. I think I shall take this opportunity to make a couple of confessions…

Let’s just establish that this is NOT my daughter’s fish bowl!

I would NOT let her put off this chore for a month(or more)!

I just would NOT allow this! NOT this awesome mommy ;)

When I was little, I did NOT do the same thing with my fish.

My fish did NOT live to be older than any fish

in the neighborhood because of this loving care!!!


Next, I want to say “Happy Belated Mother’s Day” to all of you babymomma’s.
I helped two sweet ladies celebrate their mommyhood yesterday.

One C-Section, one natural.

I do NOT love my job!


We celebrated my Mother’s Day Saturday night.

I did not buy myself this cupcake bouquet on Friday when

Firehubby got called away so suddenly because of the fires.

(I did NOT leave it sideways because I am running out the door

to go to a conference!)

Well, those cupcakes did NOT call my name…they did NOT haunt me!

I did NOT sneak one from the bouquet on Friday night!

NO, that would have been WRONG!

Then, I did NOT strategically move the cupcakes into place as to avoid being caught by my family.

That could ruin the specialness of the great celebrations.

NOT ME! “)

Happy Not Me Monday!!!!

The Life of a Firewife

Just returned from lunch with my friend in real life, Elaine, from Matters of the Heart.

I tell you, she is just the sweetest friend!

Firehubby and I were going to have a date today, and I was really looking forward to it. Afterall, there are only 5 more weeks until summer break and then we will have to put a pause on our dating while the kids are at school. I cherish this time with my hubby and it is hard to have evening dates with the high cost of babysitters.

Anyway, I digressed…

Firehubby was recalled! For those of you not familiar with fire lingo, that means forced to go to work at a moments notice. His recall is important to his department as they are sending firefighters out to Santa Barbara. He won’t actually be going to S.B., he will be filling in for firefighters who are on their way to that major disaster.

Side note: Two firefighters have been burned fighting the Santa Barbara wildfires. I know that they, their families, and the citizens of S.B. could certainly use many prayers!

Ok, back to my other train of thought…

So, no date with Firehubby, I will adjust my attitude, because clearly others need him more today.

May I digress again?

One challenge of being a Firewife is that you have to change your life at a moments notice and make sacrifices, just as the firefighter does. This can be very stressful.

Today is no different. I am scheduled to work tomorrow. Remember, I only work when Firehubby is off duty and there is not such thing as a childcare provider for our family. So, I need to find someone to watch my kids at 0545 tomorrow morning. Not such an easy task on a Saturday morn. Plus, it is possible that Firehubby will not be released at all. They could actually keep him on duty for days. So, I have to be sure to line someone up for the entire day. Plus, I am scheduled for Mother’s day. The hospital cannot do without me either. I don’t know how I am going to do this…

Thanks for listening friends…it helps to get it off my chest.

Back to the highlight of my day…

Lunch with Elaine and Rooney was so nice! Delicious food and great company!
Now, let me BRAG about that little Rooney. He is 2 1/2 and is above and beyond intelligent. I sat in amazement as he spelled his name, identified and then actually counted objects and knew the sounds to all of the letters that he pointed out.

I can brag, because he is not my boy “) WOW! This is Rooney. My brilliant little friend! And cute as a button!

Well, thanks again for listening. I usually try to be positive in my posts, but this is quite a day.

A Thousand Words Thursday-Bicycle Blues

I'm joining The Mom Jen over at Cheaper Than Therapy today

for her "A Thousand WordsThursday".

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.

This is especially true of this picture of Scout.

Poor kid!

Firehubby has me laughing!

I'm loving Firehubby's true firefighter story today. Click here.

Swing by for a good laugh after you read my True Story Tuesday-Super Julie post ")

True Story Tuesday-Super Julie

Sometimes when I think about it, I think that it was actually a dream.

Then, I really contemplate the event…yes, it was real. It is a true story.

Rachel over at Once Upon a Miracle has a great blog carnival called True Story Tuesday.

I think I will join her and share this true story with you…

It was a cool fall morning in Southern California. I was in my freshman year of college and was getting ready to go off to class. The drone of a helicopter could be heard in the distance and, as always, I was interested in finding out why it was around.

The local sheriff’s department often sent helicopters out to search our neighborhoods. Not really sure why most of the time, but they would circle and circle and circle. At night, a spotlight would illuminate the ground as the officers above surveiled the suburban sprawl below. Often, I would sit inside my home and wonder if a criminal was creeping just outside my window, evading the brilliant spotlight.

But this was different, it was broad daylight.

What could they be looking for?

Soon, I heard the muffled sound of a loudspeaker. Was it coming from the helicopter? Running outside, I stood on the driveway looking for the airship.

Within a minute, I could see it coming towards me.

“We are looking for a lost boy,” the pilot announced, “7 years old, blue shirt, blue pants. Please call 911 with information on his location.”

The helicopter circled around, closer to my home.

“We are looking for a lost boy, 7 years old, blue shirt, blue pants. Please call 911 with information on his location,” the crew repeated.

A lost boy? I’m going to go find him!

I have always been a can-do kind of girl, and this was a job for Super-Julie!

Dashing into the house, I grabbed my purse and keys. I ran back out and hopped into my car.

That’s when it happened... I had a clear vision of the boy walking outside of the department store of our local mall.

Driving out of my cul-de-sac and through my subdivision, I hit the main road in town. Racing towards the mall, I felt an incredible sense of urgency. I had to get to this young child before anyone else does.

It was less than a mile away, so I arrived quickly. Driving to the backside of the mall, I headed directly to the area that had flashed through my mind. As it was only around 08:30 in the morning, the place was deserted. I parked as close as possible to the store fronts. Quickly, I unfastened my seatbelt and raced towards the buildings.

From a distance, I could see a small figure in blue.

Could it be?

As I got closer, I could see that indeed, it was a young boy.

Slowing down, I approached him cautiously, not wanting to alarm him.

“Hi there, I’m Julie. Are you here alone?”

He looked at me sheepishly, but he did not seem to be frightened.

“Yep,” he replied, avoiding eye contact.

“Where is your family?”

“At home,” this time he looked me in the eye.

“Well, I think that people may be looking for you. Please, come and walk this way with me.”

We walked together to the parking lot, and I began to wonder how I was going to get this boy into the hands of his family or law enforcement.

Don’t faint or laugh your bottoms off, but this was before the days of cell phones. OK, I have just aged myself.

So, I decided that I should try to walk him towards the boulevard and see if I could find a police officer.

We chatted casually as we walked through the parking lot. Then, at a distance, I saw a sheriff’s car. Waving my arms in a huge gesture, I tried to flag them down.

They saw me! Great!

The sheriff pulled up and rolled down his window.

“Sir, I think that this is the boy you are looking for,” I blurted out.

“Why is he with you?” the officer said with a furrowed brow.

“Well, I heard the helicopter announcement and I came out to look for him.”

He looked genuinely baffled, as he stroked his bushy mustache.

Then he shrugged, “Okay, hop on in,” he said to the boy.

The boy scurried into the back seat, and the black and white drove off through the vacant parking lot and disappeared around the corner.

I stood there stunned, trying to take in what the previous 10 minutes had held.

Then I turned and walked to my car.

School awaited.

Not Me Monday

I am NOT extremely excited that Baby Stellan is doing so well that MckMama is back at her awesome carnival~

Not Me Monday!

Please know, I always have my act together…

Well, the other day, I was driving to work and I did NOT notice that my feet felt a bit strange. I was NOT shocked when I looked down and did NOT find that somehow I had slipped on my chunky, casual sandals accidentally, instead of my nice dress shoes!

There was no way that I could miss the important consultation. So, I absolutely did NOT go and see a patient in my ugly get-up! I was NOT mortified!!!

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The other night, when Firehubby was at the station, I did NOT stay up extremely late.

I just would NOT do that. No, my family deserves a well-rested me, that way I am always functioning at my highest. Not a grouchy…(I shall go no farther)

I did NOT make so much noise, acting like it was the middle of the day, that I woke my kids.

A half an hour later, they were not heard giggling in Scout’s room. When I opened the door, I did NOT find two little kids watching a movie on the portable DVD player.

It was NOT two in the morning!

I really looked nothing like this the next day. Not even for a minute.

Grouchy...tired...NOT ME!

I am so happy now though, because I am off to check-out all of the things that you DIDN'T do at NOT ME MONDAY!

Vlogemotion-A Huge Stretch

I am so excited to be joining Tim @ Fort Thompson in this new blog carnival.

This is a huge stretch, but after seeing Beth over at Outnumbered, Three to One join in, I was inspired. She pointed out that Tim was hoping to give everyone a chance to see each other’s personalities, hear how their voices sound, and get to know them even better. Terrific.

I tell you, it’s working! I really do feel like I know people better.

Today, I found that Mimi at He&Me+3 was excited about it

and Tarah at Eyeglasses & Endzones was all in a rage,

not even to mention Kameron at A Wrinke in Time being so happy about it that she decide that it was a great time to share some BIG news!

So, here I go…

This was a GINORMOUS leap for me! Come on, take the plunge, we all want to get to know you better!

Thanks Tim, great idea. You are expanding horizons.

Thanks Starbucks

I went into Starbucks a few days ago and the barista asked me if I would like to buy a pound of coffee for a U.S. service member in Iraq. Starbucks would ship it over at no extra charge.

“Yeah, I would!”

“Would you like to write on the package?”

“Absolutely!”

How cool is that of Starbucks?!

What a great opportunity to show gratitude to our troops.

Thanks Starbucks!

By the way, have you tried Starbucks oatmeal with the nuts, dried fruit, and brown sugar?

Surprisingly tasty.

That, with a tall Latte for under $4.

(A simple pleasure, especially on those days when I forget to make time to eat.)

Slllllluuuurrrp…aaaah! “)