Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

So, in the last 72 hours we've had rain, 20 below and now a beautiful snow is falling. I'm a total indoor girl, but there is nothing prettier than watching big snowflakes fall outside. (of course, I'm inside with hot chocolate and a blanket)

This time of year always gets me thinking about what I've accomplished this past year and what I want to change for the year coming up. My career is a new thing in my life. Since 2005 I've gone from being a student, to be a certified physician coder, to getting fired and being unemployed for 10 months to being hired and trained as a facility coder. All that means little if anything to most of you, but it has been a journey where I have learned a lot about my strengths, even more about my weaknesses and learned about just how hard it is to be a really good working mom. I'm so blessed to have a boss who saw more in me than my skill set, who took a chance on me, hired me, trained me in a new type of coding and, as a devoted mom herself, has offered one of the first home coding jobs in Madison. I am blessed to have the ability to walk from my bedroom to my office to go to work. I have the flexibility to be here in the morning for my kids and make them breakfast and be here for them after school - and still work a full time job. My self esteem took a beating last year when I got fired and was unemployed for so long, but I'm now in a place where I can do a good job for my employer and still be a good mom. Right now, my career is one thing I don't want to change at all.

In the picture above, I'm working - ignore the back fat; I'm working on that one.

2008 is here

New year, very busy! I hosted our family Christmas gathering this year and along with all the holiday craziness I've also been working a lot. We were lucky enough that Santa brought us a Wii and the kids have loved playing it.

Finally with the new year I have been finding time to scrapbook - it feels so good to have my creative release back again. Making a dent in my pictures and mountain of supplies feels good too.

so... where did those 3 months go?

So, I'm probably the worst blogger ever. My life is just so crazy sometimes. So, quick recap of the last 3 months...
Nicolas went to 2 more sleep away camps this summer and fell in love with his counselors at both camps. He started 7th grade at the beginning of September and is doing well. This year we hope he'll grow a lot academically because he's adjusted to the school he's in. Unfortunately, 6th grade was a transition year for him, not much growth because he needed to get used to being in middle school.
Sophie is Sophie. My nine year old going on 40. One new thing for Sophie this year is her participation in competitive cheerleading at Badger All Stars here in Madison. Its a great program and I already see her self confidence building. We'll be traveling to competitions, the first is October 19th in Peoria, IL.
Work at home has been slow, but I've taken a new position as an on-call coder at St. Mary's Hospital. It seems like a very good fit for us with the kids needing me home by 3 pm every day.
I turned 35 on August 17th - and to treat myself I finally bought my red convertible I've been wanting. Lucky me!
On August 23rd a tree fell on the house, crushing and destroying the master bedroom closet. Nice to get a big check for shopping, not so nice to have to deal with the water, the contractors and the mess. Just about done cleaning it up and I used the opportunity to move my laundry upstairs... woohoo!!

My nephew Kendric is smoking up the football field as the varsity captain at Monona Grove High School. We try to catch all his home games. He also made homecoming court!

My neice Alyssa is doing well with her baby Rhianna. Sophie's biggest complaint is that we don't get to see her enough.

My neice Chandra and her husband Nick welcomed their son, Wyatt to the world on October 2, 2007 after a crash c-section. Mom and baby are doing well and he looks a lot like his daddy.

I really want to try to keep up better... this really is a good way to keep everyone up to date on what's going on with us...

coming soon.... pictures of my awesome red car!