Summer Tips

1. Don't leave home without your flip flops! When I went on vacation - I forgot my flip flops at home. (I know, how could I?) So, I thought "I will just buy some". This did not turn out well for me. I did end up buying 2 pairs of flip flops, one for Brennen, and one pair that doesn't fit me. This second pair is now just sitting in my closet looking very sad. But it did make me appreciate my own pair of flip flops. They are SO COMFORTABLE and reliable. I think they LOVE me!

After writing this, I went home (before publishing it) and what did I find.....
Amber wearing the 2nd pair of flip flops! That's great - now they aren't just staring at me. They have someone to love too.

2. SPRAY SUNSCREEN is not meant to be sprayed EVERYWHERE! We recently discovered this on Wednesday when Brennen wanted to go to the pool. I thought ok, he needs sunscreen at least on his face. I grabbed the only sunscreen we had (the spray from an aerosol can kind) and told Brennen - "SHUT YOUR EYES". As they closed, I started spraying his little face. Low and behold no sooner did I stop spraying, he opened his eyes (while the mist was still in the air). He started coughing and getting choked up and then he started hollering because his eyes were on fire. My reply? "I didn't tell you to open your eyes yet". Everyone else's reply? JESSICA! Ok. A little harsh I know but I thought that if he had let the mist settle down for a few seconds it wouldn't have burned. Anyway, not my finest "mom moment". So, the moral of the story: DON'T SRAY THE FACE!

3. When it is 105° outside you should NEVER wash dishes in hot water, next to the crockpot that is turned on (and in the middle of cooking), while cooking lunch on the griddle, in a house with a swamp cooler that seems to be barely working, surrounded by 4 very hyper little children! I could not understand why I was so frickin' HOT! Later thinking about it, I thought to myself, I should put a thermometer in here to see how hot it really is. I decided against it. At least if there is no proof I can try to convince myself that it is not as hot as it seems. Although I am sure it is that hot.

So, this last paragraph will lead into my next post.....MY NEW INTEREST

Officially; Temporarily.....

So, a few weeks ago I wrote a blog titled, "IT'S UNOFFICIAL". Well, it has become Official. I have been promoted at work into the Team Leader position. Although, while signing all of the necessary paperwork, I was told and then reminded repeatedly that, "This is only Temporary", "This is only for a few months", "When this situation is over then this position will no longer be needed", etc..., etc..... This was said on May 2nd as well, "when it was unofficial"; and here we are turning the corner from July. I do know that the future still isn't bright - the whole situation is caught up in a court battle. But I also have hope and some confidence that when it is said and done with I can keep my position or at least find a new one.

I have said it time and time again - I am tired of working direct care. I don't mind supervising those that do work direct care; I don't mind pushing the paperwork that direct care involves; I don't mind teaching people to do direct care; I AM JUST TIRED OF DOING IT. - But after 9 years who can really blame me. So, hopefully this will last for a little bit and then hopefully I will move into a new spot.

In other work related news, I have completed 1 year of employment with Tobosa Developmental Services as of Wednesday, June 19, 2013. So, that was good and I have been rewarded with a $1 an hour raise and 32 PTO hours (instead of 16).

We have been 1 staff short on my team since the end of last month and so, everyone on my team - including myself- have been working major overtime. I am averaging about 62 hours a week. So, I do apologize for my blog being empty for so long - but I am committed to blogging more because......

I hired a girl yesterday and she will start training this weekend - meaning....I will cut my hours back down to about 50 a week. That will be so much better on me (not on my paycheck). But I need to cut back. I am working almost 6 straight graveyards but then having to put in time at the office and in meetings and trainings as well. And I have had the pleasure of having Brennen for the last 2 weeks - so you know I don't sleep much when "MY TEENAGE AGE SON IS BORED"! Ha Ha.

I did take him to see the movie "The Internship" with Owen Wilson and Vince Vaghn. That movie was good. So, at least I got one afternoon of fun instead of sleeping.

Anyway, I have a report to finish before I get off out of here at 8am and go into a training until 10am and then another training until noon. And since I will have been here since 8pm last night I will then go home and eat lunch, see my family for about an hour, and then go to sleep only to return at 8pm tonight- So, have a GREAT FRIDAY and think about me as you lay your head down tonight!

Vacation Hang Over

I was very fortunate to get to go on vacation last week. I worked from Sun - Thursday. At 12am on Thursday I got off work. After putting gas in the car I went home to get Brennen (who had been way too excited). We left Roswell about 1:30am (NM time). Brennen made himself comfortable in the row behind me (of Krusti). With pillow, blanket, and Ipod he settled in quickly. We drove all night. About 8:00am (TX time) I pulled over on the far side of Abilene for a half hour nap at a rest stop. With a quick call to my sister (who got us back on the right track - no thanks to the TOM TOM) we finished our drive. We arrived in Temple, TX about 11:00am (I think). Spent about half an hour meeting Jaxen's sitter, and watching him wake from a nap and then off to bed I went. Brennen (who had slept all night) went with Nik for a while to the office and then lunch and some DISC GOLFING. I woke when my Sister came home for the day.

I had such a great time with my family. While we were there we got some great family time; we ran lots of errands; got some one on one time with Jaxen; got to know the "Temple Family"; and got to celebrate Jaxen's first birthday.

We didn't do a lot but managed to stay steadily busy. I really enjoyed just visiting. I wish I could do this about once a month but that is a pretty far way to go that often.

I didn't take nearly enough pictures while I was gone but here are a few I managed to capture:

Here is Jaxen playing the water one afternoon

Carla and Jaxen during his Birthday Party

Mamaw and Carla on Sunday afternoon

Jaxen with his new tricycle

Brennen left with Mamaw on Sunday afternoon. He went to stay a week with her. They were gonna do a little work and then play a little at a water park and go visit with Aunt Kay and Kim. I now he will have a good time. I on the other hand, left Temple on Monday morning. Drove home and then napped. I went to work that night.....so now you can see why I have a hangover. But I loved every minute of it.