Update from Our Nest

I've really fallen way off the blogging bandwagon.  I just haven't had the motivation to do it lately.  No time.  No motivation.  I do like updating with various things though that will one day hopefully make it into a scrapbook.  And if they never make it into a scrapbook, then thankfully my children will have my blogs to read.

So here is an update on life in our nest over the last 6 months or so:

Aaron is still enjoying his job as a hospice chaplain.  There's been a lot of changes with his job lately but despite all the changes (good and bad) he's stuck with it for one simple reason...he loves his patients.  And they love him.  He's performed several funerals lately for some particularly special patients.  I love seeing him enjoying his job more now than he ever did when he was preaching full time.  It makes me happy to know that he has found something that he truly enjoys doing.

I'm working two night shifts a week on the palliative care unit at the local hospital.  Palliative is a big word meaning "alleviation of symptoms."  Basically, we do a lot of pain and other symptom management and we also care for patients at the end of life.  I continue to work a couple shifts a month at the inpatient hospice unit.  It's been quite a transition for our family.  While I love having weekends free, having to sleep during the day does take some getting used to!  Annagrace has been a HUGE help with watching her sisters while I sleep.  I seriously don't know how I'd do it without her.

Annagrace has grown so much over the last six months.  She's closing in on 5 feet tall, can wear my shoes and socks and definitely is moving into "tween" territory.  She still loves reading and it's rare to see her without a book in her hand.  She's not really into music that much but does love watching movies.  She really likes The Help and her favorite tv shows are Biggest Loser, Good Luck Charlie and Napoleon Dynamite.  She still hates math and loves science.

Madalyn is getting so tall!  I've really noticed lately how big she is getting.  She's still skinny as a rail though and I contribute that to the fact that she's the healthiest member of our family (in fact, she just finished off a pint of grape tomatoes tonight and she asked me this morning if she could please have a salad for lunch!).  She's struggling with reading aloud but I know that she can read much better than she lets on!  She's a math whiz and loves doing math speed drills.  As far as the rest of her schoolwork, she can take it or leave it.  She's definitely not the brainiac that Annagrace is and is much more of a free spirit.  She loves music.  LOVES it.  Her favorites are Michael Jackson, Adele, and Mandisa.  She loves to dance.  She loves to color and draw and loves watching tv and playing computer games.  Her favorite tv show is Good Luck Charlie.  She amazes me by how shy she gets when we are out in public but how outspoken and vocal she is at home!  She's like two different children!

Layla has been the best two year old out of our three so far.  I just commented tonight that she hasn't really hit the "terrible twos" full force yet (the other two started at about 18 months!).  She is the sweetest child.  She doesn't get into much trouble.  She rarely has a temper tantrum (and has yet to have an "Annagrace" tantrum--i.e. thrashing and throwing herself on the floor...in public).  She gives so many hugs and kisses to everyone.  Last week I was getting ready to leave for work and she grabbed hold of me and would not let go saying, "I want you mama."  So precious!  She's a smart little girl and already can say her ABCs and can count to 20 (only missing a few numbers here and there).  She also loves music and is currently obsessed with Matisyahu's "One Day."  I may, or may not, have had something to do with that!  When you ask her what her favorite song is, she says, "Got me on my knees, Layla"!  I love that she knows "her song" already!  She also loves singing "Merry Christmas", "Sesame Street", "Jingle Bells" and "Silent Night".  She sings or talks ALL THE TIME.  Seriously.  A few months ago I was wondering if she'd ever talk and now we are having to constantly tell her to be quiet!  So funny how things can change in just a few months.  She's sitting beside me right now singing "at the twilight's last gleaming."

It's been a crazy busy few months around here.  I'm looking forward to 2012 and all that it has to bring.  I'm praying that it brings good health for my family (especially my mom), lots of learning, and lots of good memories.