Fun With My Sibling

I am really enjoying how much my kids are enjoying each other these days. I love to watch them play, and listen to them giggle. Nathan is really lucky to have such a kind and gentle big sister. She is so nurturing to him. Yesterday, he was having a major meltdown because he hadn't helped pick up the toys, so he was denied a privilege. (Lauren had picked them all up.) In the midst of his meltdown, we had an appointment at the church to make. We loaded up the kids in the car, as he was hollering and crying. Lauren said, "It makes me sad when Nathan is crying. Here, Natie, hold my hand." Nathan stopped crying and held her hand.

All I Want For Christmas...

Well, the inevitable has happened. My baby no longer has her sweet front baby teeth. Good Golly, I think she is way too young for all of this maturation...I know it is all down hill from here. I'm not prepared to look at my kindergartener's jack-lantern mouth.

Seriously Behind...

I am way slacking these days. Today I finally downloaded pictures from fall. Whew, where does the time go? It is one of my favorite times of year, and we enjoyed our share of outdoor activities, savoring the last days of our Indian Summer. We took a few fall nature walks, sampled apple orchards, and enjoyed a visit from my brother and family from Arizona! My mom hosted a Halloween themed Birthday party for the kids while they were in town. It was a blast. For Trick-or-Treating, Lauren was a fairy and Nathan was a dinosaur. I was able to win a bid on a cool ptyeridactyl costume on e-bay, but the stinker refused to wear the costume at school. So, he looked like the poor kid whose mom was too lame to supply him with a costume. Thanks for making me look bad, Natie!

Happy Birthday Nathan

Nathan had a birthday! He turned 3 on September 1st (and he still is not potty trained!) We had a small party with my parents, sister and family, and our "long time" friends, Justin and Alecia. I can't post any pictures now, cuz I'm blogging at work. We had chicken and brats, salad, beans and cake! Nathan loved his presents (trucks, dinosaurs, and more trucks). It was a rockin' good time.

Nathan started childcare last week. This is the first time he has ever been "institutionalized". Over the summer, while I was working, we were lucky to have Daddy, grandmas, Aunt Hillary, and our friend, LeeAnne, to babysit. His first day was the toughest, with the most tears by him and me, but each day got progressively better. All the while, Mommy was feeling terribly guilty.

Lauren started all-day kindergarten today. At drop off-time, the parking lot was packed with every parent this side of the Mississippi. Quite the show of support, I must say. On our way to the school, I was thinking about how this this first day would be a breeze...Lauren has experienced lots of 1st days between preschool and A/K; she is a pro! Just as the teacher was gathering her ducklings to enter the building, Lauren looked up at me with tears in her eyes. That was enough to open my floodgates. I reassured her as best I could. The teacher noticed that she was having a moment, and came over to offer comfort, reassurance, and a hand to hold. She grabbed her hand and said, "You can walk in with me." Love that woman. Lauren's reaction was a surprise, but not a surprise. She is one of those slower to warm-up children, and the prospect of a new school building, new teacher, new students, new routine, was all too much!

Here and Now

Here and Now

9 Billion Dollar Research Grant

Now that we are on the subject of chemistry, my cousin, Joshua Coon's research lab at the University of Wisconsin is named in a Federal Research Grant for his work in proteomics and stem cell mass spectrometry. (I probably murdered that description, but it all just flies right over my head!) Way to go, Josh! This is the cousin that used to raise cows and ride dirt bikes up north. I guess someone got the brains in the family.

New Funding for UW Stem Cell Research

August 08, 2008

This week the University of Wisconsin-Madison was awarded almost $9 million in federal grants to continue research on human embryonic stem cells. One of the university’s research teams, the Coon Research Group, will use part of the funding to try to understand how to efficiently create stem cells from mature specialized cells. UW biochemistry professor Joshua Coon heads the research group and joins us in the Here and Now studios to explain recent findings and how new funds will expand research.

Click on the "Here and Now" post to view:
The Coon Research Group's Web site
To watch Joshua Coon (Windows Media)

I'm So Glad When Daddy Comes Home, Glad As I Can Be!

We are counting the days. The kids will see their daddy in 4 days. He is able to come home for the weekend, and then goes back for 2 more days on Sunday. I won't actually be able to spend any quality time until Wednesday the 20th, because I am working/sleeping all weekend. And then life as we have known it will forever change.
1) After being a semi "stay-at-home" Dad for May/June/July, Joe is now gonna have to hit the pavement running. I anticipate that he will burn some rubber in this new territory!

2) I am still working full-time night shift (3 days/week), which means that Joe will be doing the AM child-care drop off with both kids on the days I work.

3) Lauren starts all day kindergarten, everyday.

4) Nathan starts all day preschool/childcare. (I'm not sure whether to smile or cry on this one. It will be very strange, but I think that Nathan will benefit from his preschool experience. He is a very, very active child that tends to bore easily from my failed attempts to keep him occupied.)

On My Own, Pretending He's Beside Me...

Well, the upside is that Joe has a job, and is anxiously engaged in stimulating learning. The downside is that we have to miss him terribly for the 3 weeks of training. His mom came from Utah for 2 weeks to stay with the kids while I work. She has been a big help, keeping my belly full of rice, kimchee, and seaweed. Unfortunately, she is recovering from breast cancer is zapped of all energy from her medication. I think this has been a tough labor of love for her. We are trying to allow her to rest, but also do some fun things to divert the children's attention from missing Daddy.

Joe's training is pretty brutal, he says. He has to spend most of his time studying for tests, and today he observed 5 colonoscopies! Talk about a unique learning experience.

Soldier Surprises His Son

I recognize and am deeply appreciative of the sacrifice made by all the families (and children) with loved ones serving in the military. My cousin, Chris, is now serving a 3rd time in Iraq, while his 3 young daughters and wife anxiously await his safe return. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers, Chris.

We May Now Exhale

As of Monday, Joe officially has a new employer!!! Bye-bye BIG Pharma, hello, specialty pharma. It was a painstakingly long 5 step interview process, with interviews at the District, Regional, and Corporate level. He had the opportunity to interview with the VP in North Carolina, where he gained a feel for the corporate culture, which is quite relaxed and family friendly, in comparison to BIG Pharma culture. In reality, the job search moved quickly for him and we are grateful. This entire period of unemployment was very humbling. The uncertainties were killing us. I really missed the stability and predictability in life that we had come to enjoy.

I firmly believe that life's challenges strengthen your faith. I could see the hand of God in our lives. He prompted and prepared a way for me to find a job that I enjoy, at just the right time. He gave us peace and comfort, and put people in our path to help and support us. He blessed us with friends and family that would watch our children, and even loan us their car, so Joe could interview while I was at work. He blessed us with great friends that listened and cared, offering us feelings of hope and love. He offered us the perfect opportunity to really be grateful for our blessings.

I am keenly aware of how much Joe's unemployment was actually a blesssing. For the past year, as Joe struggled to balance work, travel, and his responsibilities with his family, he felt more and more squeezed. He would occasionally express feelings that maybe this wasn't the best situation for him and our family, and that maybe he should pursue another career avenue. Well, that other career avenue is now before us, and I know that it was given to him for a reason.

Classic Mothering Moment...

The other day I got a kudos from my mom for a great mothering moment. I don't always feel as though I have it all figured out when dealing with Nathan, so this was a triumphant occasion. Mom and I were in the car with Lauren, Nathan, and Lauren's friend that was coming over for a play date. The children were crammed into the backseat of Mom's Camry. The girls were giggling and having a good time together until Nathan started to spoil the fun. He began grabbing Lauren's shoulder seatbelt and yanking, causing her seat belt to get really untcomfortably tight. She alerted me as to his annoying behavior and I proceeded to go into rescue mode.

Amy: "Nathan, stop choking your sister with the seatbelt."
Nathan: No response.
Amy: "Nathan, let go of the seatbelt. You are hurting her."
Nathan: Yanks a little harder.
Lauren: "OOOWWCH"
Amy: "Does Nana need to pull this car over? Nathan, you are hurting your sister, now stop it."
Nathan: Grimace.
Amy: "Do you want to be able to ride your bike today? (starting to launch into punishment mode.)
Nathan: Nods.
Amy: "Only children that cooperate get to ride their bike. Do you understand?"
Nathan: Continues to hang on the seatbelt.
Amy: (Prompted with the thought 'Seek first to understand, then to be Understood' THANKYOU, STEVEN COVEY.) Realizing that punsishment may not be the best approach, "Nathan, why are you doing this?"
Nathan: blank stare
Amy: "Are you feeling left out? Do you want your sister to pay attention to you?"
Nathan: "Uh, huh." Death Grip softens.
Amy: "Well, I know your sister loves you and would gladly hold your hand if you let go of the seatbelt. Wouldn't you, Lauren?"
Lauren: "Yes."
Nathan: Lets go of the seatbelt and grabs her hand.

You'll Be In My Heart

I made this photostory last year for my dad for Father's Day. Gee, there seems to be some sort of theme here... I guess I'm just trying to give my blogger fans something to look at!

Happy Father's Day again...

Happy Father's Day! Joe you are the best. I know I am a day late and a dollar short on this post, but it took me a few days to figure out how to do this. I hope to have many, many more Father's Days with you.

Happy Father's Day

To the special men in my life-

Today is the day to say how great you are....

Dearest Dad, Dearest Joe, my husband,

Love you to pieces!

Spring in Michigan