The Devil Cat's Adventure (as narrated by Simba)

Today I decided to seize the day. I have been staring out of screened windows all week long, waiting for the perfect opportunity. The boy's birthday party was today, and I just knew that in all the hustle and bustle I could make my escape. I planned it very carefully. The cuddly one had already left with the old one and the tail-pulling baby. The tall one was trying to herd the boy and the loud middle boy out the door, and he just didn't see me until too late. I was free! But the instant I was out the door, I knew I'd made a mistake. The light was soo bright, the ground was all hard, and it was so dirty! I wanted to get back in but the tall one was coming at me, and I panicked. I raced off for the nearest large green-thing that I could hide under. I was really hoping that someone would just rescue me at that point. Outside was turning out to be a lot more stressful than it looked like from the window-sill. Well, I waited for a rescue, but the next thing I heard was the great thundering roar of the tall one starting up his noisy wheel-machine and driving off with the boys! There was nothing else I could do. I had to make the best of it. I might have stayed under the green bushy-thing all day... but then I saw one of those tweeting flying things. It was so close, I was sure I could catch it. I practiced my very best stalker-pose. I focused, I took a deep breath and I pounced! The bird must have gotten frightened by the dog that was walking by, because really my technique was absolutely perfect. I did what any self-respecting cat would do and started to fix my fur. Wouldn't you know that dog decided to chase me! Those slobbering beasts have no manners. I would have stayed around to give it a lesson, but I really wanted to go exploring down by the lake anyway. I could smell that wonderful fishy-smell from blocks away. Most cats don't like water very much, but I have no such hindrances. I spent the rest of my day of freedom down by the waterside, basking in the sun and dabbling my paws in the water every once in a while. Unfortunately as the sun went down I realized that I really wanted my gourmet kibble dinner, and I wasn't going to find anyone but my cuddly-mama to give it to me. So I made my way back to the neighbor's yard, but those old fogey cats of theirs had already eaten all their food. As I was scouting around for any left-overs, my sharp-eared mama heard my bell ringing on my collar. (Good thing they left the windows open!) She rushed outside and finally I was rescued. Dinner never tasted so good. Would you believe I even missed the tail-pulling one enough to play with him... a little...

So am I really crazy, or...?

Here's today's pictures of my angels (and the devil-cat).




The general opinion is that I'm crazy. First, people tend to find out that I'm taking this advanced program and getting my second bachelor's degree in just twelve months. That's crazy enough in it's own right. Then I slip in that I'm married. Eyebrows raise. Finally I mention something about one of the boys, and the eyebrows go back up "Oh, how old are you?" Well, I'm twenty-eight. "You look so young!" Yeah... with my hair pulled back you can't see how quickly it's turning white. At this point I generally give in and say that I actually have three boys, 4, 2, and 10 months old. That's when I get one of two inevitable comments:

"How can you do all that? You must be going crazy!"
or
"You do *know* what causes pregnancy, right?"

Ha ha ha. Even my husband thinks I've lost my mind. Not only do I want to go back to school for more (I want my doctorate!) I also want another child. Okay, he's probably right.

Anyway. I finished my first clinical day, with my first patient of my very own. It was a pretty good day. I saw or assisted with a number of good procedures, and though I felt remarkably incapable I know that much of what I need will come in time. After all, I've only been in school for 6 weeks... I've got another 40 or so to go. Lots to learn. Lots.

And I must say I am so grateful for my health. The women I helped treat today have so much pain, and so many health problems... I have been blessed with health, both my own and my children and extended family. If nursing does nothing else for me, it will definitely make me appreciate how good I've got it.

So here's a picture of me in my oh-so-adorable student nurse uniform on my first day in the hospital. I really can't wait until I can wear something other than white. Not only is it completely unflattering, I walk on eggshells trying to keep myself clean and presentable for more than an hour. (Strawberry jam on toast does *NOT* go well with white lab coats)

These are the moments

There are times when being a mother is the most rewarding of experiences. Those times when you know that there is a deeper meaning to life, and you can see it in your child's eyes, and hear it in their laughter. And then there are the times when they vomit explosively all over you for the second time in their short life, and you question your sanity. Yes, it's the stomach virus back to conquer the mushroom family once again. It reminds me vaguely of the vomit scene from Stand By Me. I will just chalk it up as practice for nursing clinical. This time at least we were at home. Last time the K-mushroom made me a target we were walking in the door of the local warehouse. Hardly any hit the floor. We spent a good thirty minutes in the bathroom, me washing out my clothes, him crying as women came in and gave us some very curious looks. Surely they couldn't figure out why a woman with a huge belly was standing half naked in the public restroom with a crying child and her shirt soaking in the sink. This was not one of my finer moments. Lucky me, it was a warm spring, because I had to go home in a soaking wet shirt and pants.

Sorry for the vomit story... it just came out.

Back, and smarter than ever.

Well, clearly I am not the most committed of bloggers. Since my last post I successfully ran the St. Jude Marathon. I started my journey through the accelerated nursing school program, and had my first clinical rotation in a hospital. The baby has progressed through crawling to cruising. The K-mushroom can now read. Our little E-mushroom is honing his manipulative skills. Daddy mushroom has made it through his first year of small business ownership, and we're hoping to get through taxes without ending up in jail. So now I'll try to keep up on a more regular basis, even though at this point I'm sure no one reads my blog anymore. So here's a few more recent pictures of my darling mushroom boys. For anyone still out there reading my blog... Enjoy!