Hello From Colorado

We are still here in Colorado. It has been fun with the grandkids, Meredith, J.T., Alex, Jake, and Samarah. Savannah left on Christmas day. Jake is leaving at 0345 in the morning. We are probably going to leave tomorrow as well. I hate the drive.

I work New Year's Eve. I wonder how many babies we will deliver. I asked the older kids what they wanted to accomplish in the new year. Jake wants to take some college classes. Alex doesn't know what he wants to do. Sami probably wants to take State again in track. Meredith is starting her Masters program. I haven't asked Savannah yet. I am sure that she wants to keep in better contact with Mr. T.

As for me, at this time most of my goals are professional. I have to take a refresher courses in ACLS, NPR, STABLE, and heart monitoring. I have to learn external fetal monitoring, how to circulate in the OR for c-sections/hysterectomies, PACU, NICU, and that is just off the top of my head. (PACU - post anesthesia care unit, NICU- neonatal intensive care unit)

On a personal note, I want to better balance my life, lose some extra pounds, and learn to do fun things.

Merry Christmas

Here I am in Colorado visiting with my children. For the space of a few hours, I had all 5 of them with Mark and I. We haven't had this happen in about 5 years. I am so blessed. I can't tell you how much this means to me. Savannah redid my hair. Thank you so much! Jake came in from California. It is awesome to see him. It has been almost a year. Alex is having fun visiting with his brother and comparing branches of the military. Meredith and Jake's house is fixed up so cute.
She has a real talent for turning a house into a home. J.T. has been so hospitable and welcoming to all of us Housers. It is fun to see the older kids interact with Samarah, as she has grown up so much in such a short time. I will post pictures later.

I want you all to know how much I love and appreciate you. In addition to my children, I have a wonderful husband who looks out for me. I have a great sister, Bobbi, that I look up to. I have my fabulous "F.N." who takes after MY side of the family. Well, actually, that is biologically impossible. I try to take credit for her whereever I can. LOL!

Thank you for all that you are in my life. I love you all.

Renée

Pvt. Alexander P. Houser, USA

 

We attended Alex's graduation from Ft. Leonard Wood. He looked so good. It was great to be with him again. The ceremony was very touching. Alex steered me away from his Drill Sargeants. I can't imagine why. (Although I did introduce myself the next day when he was elsewhere!) I am thinking that he thought I was going to say something like, "Do you know how long it took me to wean him?" Or, "Where can I get dog tags to match Alex's? I want to do a Mommy/Son match thing."

It was freezing cold back there, but very humid so we felt the cold. When we got back home, the temp was pretty much the same, but with the dryness we didn't feel the cold. Alex has been assigned to Ft. Richardson. This is in Anchorage, instead of Fairbanks. It is warmer in Anchorage because of the ocean.

Alex is at a friend's house in the Valley for a few days. This friend is going into the Army next month, so there is a lot to talk about apparently. We will meet up with him later in the week, and he will be doing Recruiter Assistance in Show Low.

Lance Corporal Jacob E. Houser

From Kamikazern's Realm

Jake called. He is on his way to 29 Palms for more training. He will be gone the next 12 days. He might call me again this am at 0200. I was taking report when he called the first time. He was just promoted to Lance Corporal. OOOOORAHHH!

Tomorrow we leave for Phoenix, then the morning after, we leave for Missouri. We see Alex on Thursday and will be home on Saturday. Hooooahhh!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I originally post something here, but I lost it. I would like to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving! I count all of you as blessings in my life.

To Mark: Thank you for marrying me. Many were not brave enough to take on the task. Some were deterred because I had been married before. You were kind enough to look into my heart and over look the past. After all these years, you still put up with my quirks. Thank you. I love you.

To My Children: What a wonderful blessing you are to me in my life. After my car accident I had been told that I would never be able to have children. So all of you are my miracle babies. I love each and every one of you. It has been a challenge to me to back off and let my adult children live their lives. I feel I am getting better with this, but know I am always here for you if you need me. I know that we man not agree with everything, but it is your life, not mine. Samarah, I enjoy watching you grow up. It is more relaxing to me because I have learned many things from your siblings and try not to make the same mistakes I made with them. I love and cherish you all. I am very proud of all of you. I am SO excited to see all of you.

To Bobbi: Thank you for taking a chance on me all those years ago. You went against "public opinion" and was my friend from the get-go. I look up to you and your talents. You influence me in a most positive way.

To FN (Coco): You know that I love you. You have such a wonderful sense of humor and I always have fun with you. You have inherited your mom's creativity. I am very proud of you for how you have handled life. You are a really good mom and wife. You do the family proud.

I love you all,

Renée

From My Pictures

From Savannah, Jess, Pantera

From Savannah, Jess, Pantera

From My Pictures

Home From Work

Wow, it was a crazy night. We flew a baby down to the valley, and another one will probably be joining him. The tech and secretary went to Walgreens around 0230, and wouldn't you know it, a laboring mom is 10 cm dilated and wants to push. I make the 2nd call to the doctor, he is in Pinetop going past the Safeway there. Will he make it in time? 3 of us go into deliver the baby. Doc gets there in time, two pushes and baby is out. Gotta love it. I love the drama.

Interesting hospital politics. I guess my boss isn't happy that they are trying to send me to ER tonight to work. She is fighting it. It is nice to be wanted...I guess. She had better watch it. The Empress still has not yet pardoned her for her actions of my last post. LOL. I wonder how the "Schrute Shun" would work?


Well, I have probably revealed too much here. All in all, it was a fun night. What will I do for an encore now that I am home? Well, I forgot that Sami has off of school, and called her at 0630 to ask if she needs a ride to school. Ooops! I could let the cat in our room so she can stare at Mark while he is sleeping. Naaah, that would be mean.

We leave a week from today for Alex's graduation. I am really excited. Well, off to bed.

From misc

The Empress' Ravings

I found this picture and I thought I'd post it. Poor thing always gets the maiden name of her gggrandma confused.

From headstones

I had a long talk with Bobbi the other evening. I really look up to her. She has a gift for bringing civility into a hostile world. I admire her for this. Her talents are many, and the best part is that she is really willing to share. I have been looking at a few of her recommended blogsites, and have learned a lot. Thank you, Bobbi. I love you.

Yesterday was not a fun day. Our unit is moving to the new tower. Well, it was postponed, again. I found out that I need to leave for the airport at 0400 on 12/3.
This would entail taking off 2 hours early from work. My boss would not let me. Although there is a nurse that works once a week from 1800 - 0200. I was told to find a replacement or trade. By the way, I also had to find a replacement for training as I am orienting a new nurse to the unit. Thus I had to find 2 nurses to cover me. Are they telling me that it takes 2 nurses to do my job? Heck, I better ask them for compensation in pay then. LOL. Anyway, it took me most of the day to get a hold of my boss, and work this out. I was so upset that I would miss Alex's graduation over a stupid change that admin made. I found nurses to cover me and extra ones called willing to help out too. I am so thankful for these wonderful women. I love each and every one of them. They all knew how much this meant to me. I am very blessed.

I found a song that I can't get out of my head. It is Coldplay's "Viva La Vida." I love it. It is about the French Revolution, and what happens to one when they think that they are all that, and they are really not. One could equate it to our country if people don't get their lives back on track with the Lord, and we don't get rid of our unrighteous law makers. Here it is:



Well, got to get ready for work. Love you all.

From misc

I Am So Grateful!

"You guys can come and visit me in Afghanistan. The only bad thing is that you'll have to watch out for snipers." Alex Houser in conversation with Dad.

Alex called us 3 times today. I spoke with Jake on Friday night, and Dad is on the phone with him now. Mark and I leave on 12/3/08 to see Alex and bring him home. I am so excited, I can't stand it. Jake is meeting us in Colorado for Christmas. He even had a long talk with Samarah, and couldn't believe how much she had grown up. He sounds really excited about the get together as well. I am so blessed, I could just cry. All of you know how very long I have prayed for something like this. If only Savannah and her family could make it to Colorado, we would have our own mini version of the gathering of Isreal!

Church was really great. Mark and I teach Sunday School. It was my turn this week. We went to Church with one of the kids in our class (16 y/o) when we lived in Alma 3rd Ward. He is Tom and Sheila Bennett's grandson. His uncles and great-grandma lived next door to the Smiths, one street down from us. We knew his family well, and loved them. Anyway, this kid is kind of shy. He asked his mom,"How come my Sunday School teachers know so much about our family." I guess we kind of "freaked him out" (as Ryan would put it). His mom explained while laughing.

I work on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Mark will be making the Thanksgiving dinner while I sleep. Hooahh and Ooorah!

Love,
Renée

Happy Birthday, Alex!

I can't believe that he is 21 today! I just had him yesterday!

Troubles With Background Changes

Thank you to Meredith for help with this. I wanted to change my background and thoroughly messed things up. My advise to anyone reading this: NEVER download "Webfetti" or any of their products. They sneakily infiltrate your computer and you can't get their junk off your website. It was time for me to clean house with my outdate political stuff anyway.

Love you all,
Renée