Health Care is Thriving

by Tamar Snyder, ClassesUSA.com

"Worried about the effect of the recession on your career prospects? Don't be. Even in an economic downturn, one sector is staying strong -- health care.

"According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) Current Employment Statistics, health care employment continued to grow in the first few months of 2008. During the past 12 months, the health care sector overall has grown by 363,000 jobs, making it the largest industry in the United States, accounting for 13.5 million jobs.

"Better yet, the health care sector will generate 3 million new jobs by 2016, more than any other industry -- thanks, in part, to aging baby boomers and increased numbers of retirees. Plus, most positions will require less than four years of college education. Here's a look at the four accessible health care jobs -- and the education or training necessary to break into this growing field.

Registered Nurse

"Registered nurses are in high demand. If you're nurturing, detail oriented, and capable of staying calm in stressful situations, a career in nursing may prove a good fit. By 2010, 1.7 million nurses will be needed, but only 635,000 will be available. Demand is highest for nurses in emergency room, operating room, intensive care, pediatrics and labor and delivery room. Median salary in 2006 was $57,280. To become a nurse, enroll in a nursing program, which range from bachelor's, associate degrees, and diplomas."

(FYI: The above picture is not my husband)

When we married I did not know what Darrel was going to choose as a career and profession (leap of faith on my part :D) but, as the years have passed, he has found the perfect fit. Nursing has been a great career for him and our family lifestyle. Yes, it has flexible hours etc. but, there are nights and weekends which is hard for our family too. Overall, we like the lifestyle and most importantly for me, the job security. Before I married, I always said that I wanted my husband to be in a profession or have a job that he enjoyed going to each day. This is it.

I know it is not easy for him to get up each morning or each night but he does and I know it is because he loves me and he loves our children. He wants to provide the best possible life for us and he's doing a great job.

"I love you, Babe".

Dyson!

I have waited a long time for this! When my friend went to Brazil she left me with her Dyson, to watch over and protect while she was gone. For anyone who has one knows what this means and how dear of a friend she is. Ever since then it has been my desire to have my very own. June 6, 2008 we took the plunge and walked into Target on a mission. I entered with my husband and four children and we left with an addition to the family.

Everyone... meet BEE. She is a delight and so fun to have around the house. We just love her!

Eczema... AHHHHHH!

Eczema (from Greek έκζεμα) is a form of dermatitis, or inflammation of the upper layers of the skin. The term eczema is broadly applied to a range of persistent skin conditions. These include dryness and recurring skin rashes which are characterized by one or more of these symptoms: redness, skin edema (swelling), itching and dryness, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing, or bleeding. Areas of temporary skin discoloration may appear and are sometimes due to healed lesions, although scarring is rare.



We all have our challenges. Recently, Darrel asked me if I could choose another challenge or ailment to replace eczema, what would it be. After thinking about it, I decided that I'll stick with eczema. I don't know if I could bear something else but the Lord thinks I can handle this one. I have had it for as long as I can remember and all of my children have it to one degree or another. Baby Spencer has had a really bad outbreak that we just can't get under control. It's sad to see the little guy scratching his tummy and legs. I know how miserable it is. You just want it to go AWAY!!



At times I feel like a leper. My hands are especially bad right now and I wash them 100+ times a day between the 100+ diapers I am changing throughout the day which doesn't help. Oh well. We all have something. For any of you who battle this condition, you know that the cause is very obscure and it is almost impossible to pinpoint the cause. I had a friend in Arizona move her family to another state in hopes of the climate change to help her daughter's condition to improve. I think that I would do the same. Maybe we will if we don't find some type of relief.

RN,BSN,CCRN

Critical Care Registered Nurse - The CCRN is the most recognized critical care credential in the world ( according to Pro Ed Nursing). Attainment of this credential garners respect from nurses, physicians and administrators.

Tuesday Darrel took his CCRN exam and passed!!! He has been studying for one exam after another and this one seemed to come with such ease in comparison to recent ones. Congratulations to Darrel!! One step closer to our goal.

No Air

There are several things about Darrel that I really love. One is being his love for music. He knows song titles and artists to a variety of genres and his memory is incredible. Well, more than this I like to hear him sing the songs the get stuck in his head. Darrel is so serious sometimes, I need to see the lighter side of him and here it is! For the past couple of days, No Air by Jordon Sparks and Chris Brown has been in his head and I'll catch him singing it and doing a little dance to accompany the lyrics. I think it's cute.

Trader Joe's

Once we a week we visit this lovely establishment...Trader Joe's. The kids love it just as much as "Bee Jay's!" (BJ's Wholesale) Why do they love it? At the cashier there are BALLOONS!!!!



This is a blessing and a curse.

1. I have to endure the repeated calls and shouts for a "BALLOON" whenever we round the isle at the front of the store. The kids are practically jumping out of the cart with out-stretched arms.

2. I have to tie the balloon to the kids clothes or arm. Nicolas let his go once we left the store the first time and this little piggy screamed "BALLOON!" ALL the way home.

3. For the rest of the day the kids are completely and totally entertained by their balloons and I have time to MYSELF!

4. After a day... the balloons become more of a problem. The kids want to take them everywhere and that is not always convenient. The helium is gone and I have to find a way to dispose of them without the kids noticing...NOT!

It's Time For A Change

I highly recommend this book if you have not already read it. When people call me for design advice I find that I have been tackling another issue before I can even offer design ideas. That issue is CLUTTER. The principles and concepts addressed in the book relate to us all.

Here are a few MAGIC questions to ask yourself,
"What type of life do I want to live?"
"Is stuff more important than relationships?"
"Why am I holding on to all this stuff?"

My husband is the exact opposite of me when it comes to clutter. I save and he doesn't. For those of you who have seen our home, if you think we are minimalists now, watch out because we're about to do a complete overhaul!

I find myself saying that I am overwhelmed. The source is not my children, IT"S ME! I am constantly distracted by the four large bins of fabric sitting in my laundry room waiting to be used. Or the 20 boxes of notes, tests, and projects from college. Laundry! Do my kids really need ALL those clothes? And the toys! Do I buy them for me or the kids? Some of them the kids don't even play with and I am still holding on to them waiting for that fateful day when they realize how cool they are.

It's time for a change. Wish me luck!

Opps!

Mother's Day was May 11. Darrel worked Saturday and was going to work Sunday night which meant I would not see him very much that "special" weekend and I didn't. Saturday night when he came home, I was just about to go to bed and we exchanged a few words before our heads hit the pillow (typical). Sunday morning however, I arose early with the children and he lay fast asleep in bed (typical). I wasn't upset, I wasn't expecting anything like breakfast in bed or...anything. I have learned to not expect things like this because when they don't come - I get a little upset. So, back to the story, I had gone downstairs to fix the kids breakfast and quickly returned to the project I was determined to complete. When Darrel did awake, I was at the computer - deep into my control journal (see flylady.net). He kissed me on the cheek and greeted me with, "Happy Mother's Day". "Thank you" I quickly replied and returned my focus back to the computer screen. Again, I am not upset, simply focused. He then sat next to me and started to make small talk. All the while I am thinking, "Honey, not right now, I really want to finish my control journal and besides, it's my special day. Can I PLEASE have a moment to myself!" He continued to talk and started to act funny. saying random things and asking random questions and starring at me in a peculiar way. Now, I'm getting bugged. What does he want from me? After 5 -10 min. of wierdness from him and total "I'm ignoring you" from me, he asked, "Did you like your Mother's Day present?" I freeze in mid typing sentence. "What present?" I questioned. He thought I was joking. I was not. So, we walked downstairs together and sure enough, there on the dining room table were beautiful, pink Tulips in a vase WITH A CARD! I felt my heart sink. How SWEET and thoughtful of him! How rude of me! I was so preoccupied with my "important" project that I did not even notice the flowers. I quickly apologized and told him he was the best husband ever (because he is) and exclaimed how happy I was that he remembered me on Mother's Day.

Jump Around!

"Jump around! Jump around! Jump up, Jump up and get down!"

The kids LOVE the moon bounce. I could not get them out. Each time I would call for them they would pretend like they didn't hear me and race to the back again. Meanwhile bigger kids are pouring in and I am afraid my little guys are going to get squashed. It is a treat to see how happy they are just being kids.

"What does the fire truck say?"

We have read countless books about fire trucks. Most recently, Fireman Small by Wong Herbert Yee. On this particular day we went to a Children's Festival where booths were set up with information, games and crafts for the kids. I spotted the fire department's booth and upon leaving, I collected three fireman hats for each child. Well, it was a great idea to begin with but, they didn't want to take them off. So, I'm trying to strap them into their car seats and of course the bill of the hat is in the back so each time they put their head back the hat pops off. Corey screams, "Hat! Hat fall off!" and I am suppose to immediately place it back on his little head. I do, because I am an obedient mother and as soon as I crawl out of the back seat and stand erect again, he screams "Hat! Hat fall off!". I could see where this was going and I suggest that he take the hat off and hold it until we get out of the truck. "NOOO!" and the tears fall "I want hat! WAAAAAHHH!" (sigh) Once more I replace the hat and explain to him why it keeps coming off. In my head, I am preparing myself to hear him scream while I drive because this is the last time I going to put the hat on his head. Bless his heart, he sat in his car seat with his head forward for fifteen minutes until we reached our next destination. The hat stayed on.

Grandma Ree and Grandma C

Daryl, Corey and Nicolas think they are the luckiest kids ever because they have TWO grandmas! And they are lucky. They have two wonderful grandmas that love them to pieces. There is not one thing these two women would not do for their precious grandchildren. I wish every child in the world was blessed with a "Grandma Ree" and a "Grandma C". The world would be a better place. Above is Grandma Ree holding Spencer with a gleeful Daryl LaRue sitting beside her. Below is Grandma C showing the kids how to play with the airplanes. "Pull it back...Let go... and watch them FLY across the floor!"

I'm H.A.P.P.Y

The kids were sick a couple of weeks ago. It was torture for me. Everyone was whining and crying and clinging to my every limb. Daryl and Nic would wipe their runny noses on my clothes, Corey would fall to pieces when his nose would run and he needed a tissue. Not fun. So, everyone is healthy again and I am H.A.P.P.Y! Since I don't have any pictures of myself, I thought smiley pictures of Daryl would suffice.

Say...I Love You and CHEESE!

The kids have been playing extremely well together lately. This is Daryl and Nicolas. After Ballet we decided to go for a walk. The kids were just having a grand time walking, running chasing each other and of course... posing for Mom.