February: A BIG month

February:

This month I do recall more. Lots of things going on. Some good. Some great. Some bad. Let's start off on a positive note. I got a JOB!!!! I accepted a job with AuPair Care as an Area Director. I really, really, really wanted this job. So I am so thrilled that it worked out. I was offered 2 other jobs that were full time and went with my "gut" and took the part time one. Thankful that Darrell supported me on this too! I just really wanted to ease my way back into the work world and knew that part time work was the best fit for me. I can work from home too and I love that. My territory is the Naperville/Aurora/Hinsdale/Oakbrook area. I will be a liason between host families and international AuPairs (nannies). I am so looking forward to learning about new cultures and seeing where this career path takes me! Keep you posted~

Illinios got one of the biggest snow storms ever this month too. They called it "Bizzard 2011" We got over 22 inches of snow. It was INSANE. Schools and businesses were all shut down. All the roads were closed down. People were stranded in their cars. We were given a couple day notice to prepare for this big storm. So of course I made a mad dash to the grocery store. Let's just say I had to get creative and find lots of "indoor" activities for us all to do. Thankfully, everyone we know and love were able to stay safe and warm.

Carter had a busy month at school between his school "Good Night" pagent and Valentine's Day parties. We are so proud of him and how well he is doing at school. His teacher Ms. Russell always compliments him on being the "best cleaner upper kid" He is always earning stickers for being such a good helper :)

Our family also took a "mini" vacation to Key Lime Cove indoor water park and then stayed 1 night in the city and went to the Shed Aquarium. It was Gavin's first time at the Shed and the look on his face when he saw all the fish was priceless. Gavin loves fish. He gets so excited when he sees them. He recently started to love taking bubble baths because he lays on his belly and pretends to be a fish swimming. He says "Look momma, I a FISSSSSSSSH!" Carter really enjoyed Key Lime Cove and all the big kid waterslides that he got to do on with Daddy. Carter has always been a fearless child and is going to be my "got to get that adrenline rush" kind of guy. I enjoyed the lazy river the most and leisurely going down it on a big raft. We really had a nice couple of days. It was nice to spend quality time with Darrell. He has been working a lot. Definitely not by choice, but he works hard and I really enjoy when he is able to "unwind" and get to see all those little goofy daily things that the boys do.

February is also the month that has been a hard time both physically and mentally for my dad. Mentally for my mom as well. My heart just is so sadden for them. My dad has been off work since October with a bad back. Over the past couple of months his foot has been really hurting him too. Walking became difficult. Numbiness. Swollen. Discolored. So after many tests, he was told he has a blood clot in his leg. We had to take him to St. Francis in Peoria were much to our surprise he ended up staying 6 nights. 5 nights in ICU. 4 angiograms later and many other tests done, he is still not out of the clear. He has to go back this week to try one more round of the angiograms and if it does not work, we may be looking into a by-pass surgery. Through out all of this scary experience I have found some positive lights. I am thankful that my dads heart is ok. At first they made mention that there could be something going on with that. Test cleared him of that. I am thankful for all the love and support that so many friends have reached out and given to my mom and my family. I am thankful that my dad has my mom. Please don't take this the wrong way dad, but mom is your rock. You are so fortunate to have her by your side. Never forget that, even when times suck and she does goofy things like loses your wallet. I am thankful that my mom has Rene. Rene has been such amazing help. Rene is probably the most loyal person I know. And I am so glad that she is in my family and on my side. You don't want Rene on your bad side!~ I am thankful for Darrell. He really stepped it up and gave me free range to go be with dad and never for once did I have to worry about the boys because I knew they were with him and well cared for. He definitely had to be "super dad" for one very long weekend. Although I think it finally took a weekend like this for him "to get it"and what my days consists of, I know he really enjoyed his time alone with the boys. He and Gavin (big time momma's boy) really bonded that weekend too, which is so cute. I came home to hearing Gavin say "dee-dee" apparantly that is his new nickname for Darrell. Most of all though, I am thankful for my dad and proud of him. He has some major lifestyle changes to be had. No more Bud Light. No more cigarettes. I would never judge someone on their habits. To each there own. However, I can honestly say I commend him for breaking a 30+ years habit/addiction. I think it finally sunk in to him that he has to take better care of himself. I think that it helps too though that I have Carter & Gavin. They are his 2 "driving forces" to getting better. He wants to live to see them play highschool football of course and he will! So as my motto goes" Pray for strength, not an easy life" that is what we shall do....