Flippin' out.

It's 5 o'clock, I've got a meatloaf in the oven, and my kids are moments away from being sold to the nearest gypsies. I pull out the meatloaf to baste it, catch the edge of the pan *just right*, and flip the entire thing over on the counter. Instead of starting over, I just scoop it up into a loaf pan and throw it back in the oven. 

Can anyone guess what tonight's dessert course is?

New Frontiers

On August 8, 2007, my life changed forever.  Our Sam was born.  But, if I am being honest, my life changed on May 12th, 2007, when my obstetrician told me that my new job was to lay in bed all day and focus on bringing a healthy, full term baby into the world.  My boss knew that I was thinking about becoming a stay at home parent, and Sam's scary pregnancy and our previous losses only bolstered my decision. On May 12th, I took my doctor's note to my boss, cried in her office, and then packed up and left my position as a scientist for a position as incubator.

Fast forward to 2014, and things are beginning to look as scary as they did that day in May when I turned my world upside down.  Sam now has a sister, and in the fall of this year, both children will be attending school. For the first time in 7 years, I have entire afternoons and mornings to myself.

It goes without saying that I've hardly gone without a job for the past 7 years, it's just that my job has looked a whole lot different than I envisioned when I was in college. I gave up petri dishes for potty dances, and paychecks for hugs.  We've thrived as a family with one income, mostly due to good budgeting and my husband's hard work.

I feel sad that my official job for the past 7 years is sort of "over."  My kids don't need someone to change their pants and feed them and rock them anymore.  They can get their own milk and cereal and make their own waffles and go to school. They are becoming self sufficient humans, and I am so proud, but so paralyzed by the new options presented for me.

With both kids in school, I'm in a weird transition period. I still want our family to have the niceties of having a parent at home. I want to pick them up, and be involved with their schools, and make dinner and bitch about being the only one that cleans. But, the thought of being able to use my college education and contribute financially to our household is appealing as well. 

I know that whatever decision I make, I have the full support of my husband. I just wish I knew what it was I wanted to do now that my babies aren't babies anymore.

Let's Get Up To Speed, Shall We?

Last time I left off, I was fresh off an ACL replacement surgery and a move across town.  Things settled down...sort of. :)

 So pretty.

Sam started 1st grade at Twitchell Elementary school. He is in Ms. Kessler's SLD program, and I am proud to say he is now doing great.  He can read, his writing has improved 100%, and he is making friends. It makes me happy.

Sloane also started school. She takes Pre-K classes at the Henderson Multi-generational Center. This week, I also received her Kindergarten enrollment package. (insert sobbing "where did my baby go" dialogue here)  She's also quite the little ballerina, and participated in her first recital in December.

Johnny celebrated another birthday. He's still the news editor for local news at the Las Vegas Sun newspaper.  Because of his job, we get to do some pretty cool "not in Kansas anymore" stuff. It's been fun! There is a lot to do in and around Las Vegas, and of course the weather is awesome.

Opening of Hakkasan nightclub

Red Rock Canyon hike

First family UNLV Rebels game

Las Vegas Weekly anniversary party at the Tropicana's Havana Room

Christmas at Bellagio

The kiddos with Gregory Popovich at his comedy pet theater.

I celebrated an anniversary of my 25th birthday, too.

We had some wonderful friends and family in town to visit.

Aunt Treece and Lolo came to visit. Sloane and Sam (and mom and dad) were so happy!

Sam and Rachel on our tour of gluttony.

My childhood besties with John and I at the Welcome to Vegas sign.

Things here have been good. We love our new smaller house, and the kids love their school.  I'm rehabbing my knee and preparing to run my first post-injury 10 K in the early summer.

We are excited to take trips back to the midwest this year for a family wedding and just for fun!  The kids got to visit the ocean for the first time in January, when we took a weekend trip to San Diego.

That's pretty much a wrap.  I'm excited to share some of the fun and weird and hilarious tales of our fam in the coming months. Stay tuned. :)