My Big Announcement

Maybe some of you have noticed that January has been a rather dry month for my blog. I've been meaning to make a big update with the explanation of where in the heck I've been and why there are so few new photos for the month of January, but it seems to always get pushed to the back of my list of daily duties.

Well my big announcement is that after over 11 years as a stay-at-home mom, I have now officially joined the ranks of moms who work outside of home!

I wasn't exactly looking for this, but when the opportunity to work the same hours that my kids are in school presented itself to me, I considered looking into it. When I discovered that it was also a job in which I could bring Alaire and Curran with me, I seriously began to consider it. I took a full week to really reflect on the idea and pray about it, then once I decided I would go for it, I had a solid month to prepare for it before the position began. That really helped me to prepare the entire family for the transition that was about to take place, and it gave me a lot of time to wrap my own mind around the idea that I was taking a huge and very scary step. Who knew there would be so many emotions to work through?!

So on January 5, when the excitement of the holidays was behind us, and the chaos of Aaron's hospitalization had almost subsided, Alaire, Curran, and myself all set out on a new adventure. You see, this job I've taken is at a preschool. My great friend Sofie is the director and pre-k teacher of a cozy and warm Christian preschool, and she's now my boss! :) Alaire spends her mornings learning, laughing, playing and praying in Sofie's class, and I am assisting in the class of 2-3-year-olds--which means Curran is in class with Mommy! That, by the way, has been the trickiest part since the little stinker thinks school rules do not necessarily apply to him.

The two classes enjoy outdoor playtime together everyday, (Alaire and Curran can usually be found holding hands together as they play with their friends) and by 1:00, naptime and afternoon play consists of both classes mixed, so Alaire and Curran are both with me. I don't feel as though I'm missing out on my time with them, and they're both enjoying this new adventure very much...even after a month of it! I've even been blessed with the opportunity to have Ramsey and Maren bussed from their school to mine every afternoon, so I know they are safe and sound and studying by 3:30 each afternoon.

We seem to be successfully managing household tasks, and I've discovered that staying one step ahead of laundry and cooking really does go a long way when the hours at home are so limited. And of course, Aaron is helping out with a good bit of household duties and has been a tremendous supporter of this decision.

All holidays and summer vacations will coincide with my children's school schedule, so this really seems to be the best way for me to bring in a little extra income and still feel as though I'm as present at home as ever. It also provides a unique way for Alaire and Curran to attend preschool while still being within arm's reach to me. And for a mommy who has a hard time letting go, this is a pretty good deal.

Still Mommy's Baby

even though he's getting so big.

Matching Hats :)

Four and A Half Candles!

Alaire Camille at exactly 4 1/2 years old.

Raiding Paw's Orange Tree

This bunch of cousins had a lot of fun Sunday practicing the proper "twist" technique of picking the satsumas without harming the tree or damaging the satsuma skins.

Daddy's Home!

Finally! With a definitive diagnosis, medication that seems to be helping, and no more fever, Aaron was discharged from the hospital today. These two have been enjoying this position for the past two hours and counting... =)

How We Rang in 2009

Whew.

Sorry for the lack of new stories, pictures, and cuteness this week. Last Saturday while my girlfriend and her family were here, Aaron escaped to our bedroom. When everyone left, I discovered him feeling terrible. Sunday, he felt worse. Let's just say it was fever, body aches, and really disgusting stuff spewing from him in all directions and just leave it at that. Monday, just as bad. Monday night, worse yet, and he decided he had to see a physician right away. After a few hours in the ER, it was decided that he would be admitted. That was Tuesday, it is now Friday evening, and he hasn't come home yet. :(

After several days of bloodwork, various cultures, iv rehydration and antibiotics, medications for pain, nausea, fever, and diarrhea, and a liquid diet followed by a soft diet followed by a BRAT diet, I think we've finally reached a diagnosis. We still aren't clear on what started it, possibly food poisoning, but a c/t scan and an endoscopy revealed it ultimately resulted in duodenitis and will take a while yet (and an array of new medications) for his gut to recover from the trauma it's been through. We are praying he's fever free tomorrow and able to come on home.

The 4 Cajun Grandparents have been a tremendous help to us this week with the children. Every one of them having to change, postpone, and cancel holiday get-aways in order to give me a hand at home so that I was able to lend Aaron a hand in the hospital (or at least keep him company).

He's spent many New Year's Eves and New Year's Days at the hospital over the years. He's even spent quite a few of our wedding anniversaries (today) there at the hospital. But this was the first year I ever spent those at the hospital WITH him, and certainly the first time he was there as the patient rather than the nurse.