Life as I know it...

A strange anniversary to celebrate...

2011-01-25T18:01:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it has been three years. But yes indeed, it has. My good friend (and co-worker) Jeni Bishop was killed in the Tinley Park Murders at the local Lane Bryant store. The anniversary of her death falls on February 2nd. I miss her terribly.

Last year during the week of this anniversary my co-workers and I celebrated Jeni's life by wearing pink (she loved it), drinking Starbuck's coffee (she LOOOVED it), eating apples (classic Jeni) and having "carry-ins" or potlucks at work (another of her loves). We focused our carry-in's on foods that are showcased in our Nursing Measures Cookbook (compiled and published with proceeds donated to her children by our very own ICU).

This year will be a similar celebration of her life. We will wear pink in honor of her and cook great food for carry-ins throughout the week in her remembrance.

For me this 3rd anniversary is stirring up lots of emotions. I miss her terribly and my professional life hasn't been the same since she's been gone. At first I kept thinking she would walk around the corner or into the break room in the morning. Then I stopped looking for her in tangible places. I turned my grief into sheer determination. I became (and still am) determined to do all of the things I told myself I always would.

So, here I am. Insanely focused on school, working every Fri, Sat, Sun, spending many hours devoted to committees at work (in my free time...ha ha) and in between I am a Mom and Wife. All of a sudden with 2/2 looming this feels slightly backwards. Jeni didn't even get to see her youngest son take his first steps. Yes, my school work matters and no, I won't stop with the committee work. But yes I am going to start to look for Jeni again. This time I'm sure I will find her on the faces of my little girls.

Here is a copy of the memo that will float through the hospital to invite everyone to celebrate Jeni's life. Even if you didn't know her, feel free to put on some pink and celebrate with us!

In Honor and Celebration

Jeni Bishop

1/29/1974 - 2/2/2008

The third anniversary of the death of Jeni Bishop is quick on the horizon. Three years ago on February 2nd Jeni's life was taken and she left behind her husband Brian and three children: Jake, Joci and A.J. Jeni is easily remembered as a quick witted, intelligent and sassy nurse/friend. Jeni was loved by her Memorial Hospital family and we have a few things planned in remembrance and celebration of her. Jeni loved hot pink, so the weeks of Jan 30th to Feb 5th please wear pink in honor of her! Jeni also had a strong fondness for Starbuck's coffee and work "carry-ins". Some of these things are planned to take place in the CVICU but please feel free to join us or take part on your own individual units.

It's been awhile

2010-12-01T17:15:00.000-08:00

Oops! Life got busy and blogging took a back seat!

Let's jump a few months to now....Its Christmas Season! Today we had our first good snow. It is pretty and very very cold outside. The kids are loving their snowpants and playing in the snow already. Maybe because they get hot chocolate when they come inside :)

Thanksgiving was busy with lots of memorable family moments, some great and some not so great. I will leave that for a separate blog post.

On to Christmas. We are busy decorating the house, making lists for Santa and getting our tree tomorrow. One of the things we do every year is a fun picture Christmas card. We usually use Shutterfly to upload our pictures and since they offer a ton of great card ideas, we usually end up making a card online thru their site and then picking them up at either Walgreens or Target! How convenient! Here is the link to check out for your own Christmas cards, www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationary/christmas-photo-cards I haven't yet picked the background we are going to use this year. But, here are a few of the pictures that are in the running...

I usually like to have a picture of the girls together and then one of them each individually. Maybe I can take another picture of Livi in the snow to match Alex's?
This year Shutterfly is doing a promotion with bloggers. Tell your friends (via your blog) why you use or plan to use Shutterfly and get 50 Christmas Cards for free! How perfect, since we usually use Shutterfly anyways!

We have used cards with pictures for lots of things...On Alex's first birthday we used Shutterfly to make birthday party invites, they were adorable! Here is the link to check it out, www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationary-birthday-cards-stationary. Last year for Christmas we made a picture calendar with our kids and their cousins for a great grandparent gift. It was a hit (link= www.shutterfly.com/calendars).

Everybody should check out Shutterfly this year to make adorable and affordable Christmas cards!

School for Everybody...almost

2010-09-15T07:23:00.000-07:00

I love Fall. Its my favorite season. Cooler air, sweaters, light weight jackets and scarves, leaves and yummy scented candles! Plus we celebrate many of birthdays in the Fall...My mother-in-law, my dad, my Alex, Nicholas, Ruby, and Gram Young. So we are busy, just like I like it!

Of course with Fall comes the school year. This is Livi's first year in Kindergarten. She is loving it and other than not getting to sleep in, she wouldn't change a thing! Here she is on her first day...

Alex started Preschool this year. Alex is our shy child and is enjoying school as much as she can at the moment, she is getting to know everyone very slowly. I saw a smile on Monday when she was there, so it is getting easier. Here is a picture of her on her first day...

I've started my next class...Statistics. Not so much fun, but I am plugging along. I am getting used to working every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It is working out well to keep up with the kids and school. It is fun to be home with the family all week long.

Jason is still loving the dairy farm. I suppose you could say is in school also...with the cows. We took the kids to visit with Daddy's Cows, here are some adorable pictures of the visit...

We love summer!

2010-07-14T17:04:00.000-07:00

We really do live in small town USA! Some days we crack jokes about it, but today we simplyenjoyed it. The girls and I (plus my friend Tracy) went to an organic blueberry farm today. We picked about 2 pounds of blueberries. We had a lot of fun! Today we are loving southwest Michigan/Northern Indiana.

Flower Girl

2010-07-07T13:19:00.000-07:00

One of my girlfriends from work, Sara got married! Livi was her flower girl and she did a great job! She made it down the aisle, posed for pictures, and danced all night long.

Livi wore this boa when she was introduced into the reception. She made quite the entrance...she came in with the made of honor and pulled the best man into the room by his tie!

Unfortunately Alex got sick and had to go home early with Jason. Livi and I were dancing partners all night long! She was a great date!

Congrats Sara and Dusten Jelinski!

This is Livi at the rehearsal dinner. It was a black and white wedding with a little lime green mixed in. The bride gave Livi this dress....it was perfect!

Work Peeps!

2010-06-19T13:47:00.000-07:00

I work with some of the best people ever! These are two of my absolute favorites. In the middle is Ashley, she is a recent addition to the ICU. She has been a blessing to us and I am thankful that she isn't just a co-worker but a friend too! You can follow her @ www.acbontrager.blogspot.com ! On the other side of Ashely is one of my best-friends Debi! Thank god she's in my life! I am blessed to go to work with my best friend (and partner in crime). I mean seriously, aren't they hot! Our workplace/group is amazing! I'm a lucky duck!

SUUUUUUMMMMMERRRRRRR

2010-06-19T13:35:00.000-07:00

Summer is here! Its hot and humid and we are busy busy! I don't have a break from school so I am still juggling full-time work, crazy children, a cranky husband and lots of school work. I'm sure its not on purpose but the class that I am in now and will be for the bulk of the summer is really really hard for me. But its all part of the journey, right? RIGHT! I am also fitting in lots of TBall games, preparations for Livi to be the cutest flower girl ever, some great girl's night and of course the summer veggie garden and Durren family dinner nights! That's right, summer is in full swing at our house!

Spring is here!

2010-04-04T17:43:00.000-07:00

Phew...we have been very busy!

I am on a week break from school. I am keeping up good grades but feel busier than I've ever been. Work is staying busy enough. Livi is still loving school and getting excited about it warming up outside. Alex loves everything! She is the happiest little girl. She loves being outside and doing anything that Livi is doing.

Easter weekend has been great. Easter is always fun for us. The church service was great and we stayed busy with many egg hunts and family gatherings.

Let's catch up a little...

2010-02-26T10:25:00.001-08:00

Livi turned 5! Yikes. Here is some things about her now that she is a whole hand in age:

sassy

far to wise

loving spelling

a whiz with school

quick witted

has the best memory (unfortunately, sometimes)

learning to read

loves to talk on the phone

loves to play school with her sister, as long as she can be the teacher

likes to cook

always seems to have a cough

wants to start cheerleading or gymnastics

here's a doozy, she can spell and write her whole name: OLIVIA GRACE PATURALSKI

Alex is doing pretty well herself as she is almost completely potty trained and speaks in full sentences 80% of the time.

Jason is working on a local dairy farm and couldn't be happier! I am still working full time and have finished my first class and am knee deep into my second. It is going very fast. One class every 5 weeks is keeping me on my toes and very organized. This program is great because it is for people who are already in the work force. So, I am getting to relate my studies to current position. Seems like I will be able to make a smooth transition into Hospital Administration!

We went to the waterpark for Livi's 5th birthday...Livi, Jack, Alex, my friend Sarah G and myself. Tons of fun except, Jack got the stomach flu and had to leave early, I got a speeding ticket and shortly after we got home the entire family got the wicked stomach flu. I love you Jack, but sheesh it was a doozy!

It's been a loooong time, but I'm back!

2010-01-07T14:41:00.001-08:00

I realize I've not written anything in a long time. Much has happened...Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, somwhat of a promotion (new title anyways), more tradgedy in the ICU and some serious self-evaluation.

Thanksgiving was wonderful (I wasn't working) and I loved hearing the girls tell what they were thankful for!

Christmas was awesome. We spent great time with family, on both sides. Had a wonderful family oriented church service. Saw my kids become even more spoiled rotten than usual.

New Years was as usual...we didn't do anything spectacular and I was in bed before the New Year. I spent New Years day with my "icu family". Unfortunatley 2010 didn't start out well for us at the hospital. My co-workers husband was killed in a sledding accient. Yes, I know...more tradgedy for the ICU. It is awful and not right. I've spent this week, going to the visitation and funeral. I'm very sad for her and her family and am keeping them close to my heart and spending lots of time praying for them and for everyone in the ICU. Yes, we deal with trauma everyday, but when it is someone in your inner-circle it hurts like you've never experienced it before.

I became a Charge Nurse in the ICU. Those who know me well won't be surprised. Me "in charge", I know, I know. :)

I've been really counting my blessings, taking time to be thankful and hugging my kids a lot!

I've re-focused myself...applied for admission to Indiana Wesleyan University. I will be finishing my Bachelor's in Business Administration. I am excited about it and the possibilities that it brings for me.

I am going to start my journey toward my original career goals...Administration. I will try to keep you updated on my progress! Feel free to send some prayers and good thoughts my way!

Its been awhile...

2009-11-01T17:11:00.000-08:00

My computer crashed a few weeks ago...yes, i've been freaking out. But I'm back in business. Here's what we've been up to...

Livi is loving school and doing very well. She went on field trips to the pumpkin patch and to the firestation. She had her first school party (fall harvest) and we will go to her first parent/teacher conference in two weeks! She dressed up as Ariel (the little mermaid) for Halloween!

Alex turned 2! She has been very busy stringing sentences together and starting to potty train. She was the most adorable monkey for Halloween!

Jason and I went on a bus trip to Chicago for our friends Time & Debi's 40th bday party! It was a lot of fun and we stayed out later than we have in a very very long time!

I am keeping very busy with work and Jason is still in Lansing during the week. We are enjoying the Fall weather and colors! I hope you enjoy the pictures!

Fall Fling 2009

2009-09-27T10:22:00.000-07:00

Last night was Church of the Mediator's Fall Fling. It is a silent auction/dinner that raises money for their building fund...we are building a new church. My whole family always goes (grandparents, aunt, cousins, etc...) and this year my in-laws came as well. It was good food, good company and a great auction. We are going to be going on a trip to Sarasota, FL, with my in-laws. Disney here we come!

A new favorite...

2009-09-27T10:20:00.000-07:00

We started a new tradition at the "Durren Family Xmas Eve" get together. We all make gifts and then exchange. For example, last year I made homemade Kahlua. So, I made 8 bottles and all of the families got the same thing. My wheels are already turning for this year. While I was googling for some canning directions and how-to's, I came across a new website... www.pickyourown.org. This is one of my new favorites, you should check it out.

2009-09-23T11:51:00.000-07:00

Silly girl.

2009-09-15T04:28:00.000-07:00

Alex and I were headed to drop Livi off at school and then to the "Y" for mama's workout. Livi of course had her back pack and Alex needed a bag for the "Y". Livi passed on her princess back pack for her to use. Alex thought that it was simply the greatest thing ever. I thought I was going to have to strap her in the carseat with it on her back.

So here she is, this picture is pure Alex...leopard print hoodie, pink princess back pack (or pack-pack, as she says it) and her paci upside down!

Adorable.

10 things...

2009-09-12T16:15:00.000-07:00

Here are 10 random things about me...
1. I truly believe (for me anyways...) blond is better
2. I break out in hives A LOT...stress, excitement, confrontation, nervous, etc, etc, etc...
3. I love my job, even though its hard to always act like it
4. I love being a domestic diva
5. I wish I owned my own business...probably a bakery
6. I love color but my house is very khaki
7. I love my husband but he irritates more than anybody else
8. I wish I went to church more often than I do
9. I think that if you are a provider of health care you should receive it for free at the place in which you provide....ugh to health care bills
10.I really do care what people think...

Off to school on the bus...

2009-09-09T11:26:00.000-07:00

Oh yeah...

2009-09-08T13:17:00.001-07:00

We went on our first trip with the camper we bought nearly 2 years ago! It was fun and we learned a lot. Flooded the camper a little, couldn't get the tv to work and didn't get the awning pulled down. But, all in all, it was good and we will do it again. We went to a Jellystone, Yogi Bear campground and the facility was awesome. It was cold and a little rainy but the kids didn't care. They had a blast and that is why we went in the first place.

School Days...

2009-09-08T13:13:00.001-07:00

The top 3 things I first thought of today about Livi starting pre-school:

1. Thank God! She needs rules and a good strong schedule. She needs to be challenged a little more with learning to keep her interested and out of trouble.

2. I'm excited that Livi will be making new friends. These could be the people that she is friends with for many years to come and that is awesome!

3. Oh my God! I can't believe that I have a daughter old enough for school. Yikes, my "baby" is grown up. sigh, tear up and then get it together!

ugh...

2009-08-20T12:50:00.000-07:00

My kids are testing me today. Livi with her craziness and Alex with her constant fuss from the hurting ears. I feel horrible for Alex and the hurt and Poor Livi is super crazy cause the WEATHER IS HORRIBLE, and she couldn't go outside and play all morning. But, honestly I think that going to camp was tiring for me and I didn't have any "time off" before hand and I haven't really had a rest since we got back. Every mommy needs to take some mommy-time and I am simply not getting any. My only break from momming-it, is at work at my full-time job. Yikes. I need a mama day, to just be ME. Hopefully I will recognize myself when I get it.

EYC 2009

2009-08-15T16:24:00.000-07:00

Livi modeling the 2009 Camp T-Shirt. Theme: Filled with the Holy Spirit.

Livi at lunch! She loved being in a cabin with the Pumpkins (Staff kids).

Alex loved to hunt for frogs outside of our cabin, the Med Shed!

All of us girls ready for the banquet on the last night. Aren't we fancy?

The girls and I just got home from church camp. I was Nursie for the week, Livi was a member of the Pumpkin Patch (the staff kid cabin), Alex was simply cute and my Dad was there to help with Alex, organize my med shed and play music for the campers. It was a GREAT week. We had 100 or so campers from 3rd grade through 8th grade. The place (Camp Newaygo) was packed with Episcopalians! Yahoo! The theme was "Filled with the Holy Spirit", and I think that the week was just that!

The best part of this camp for me is knowing that Livi and Alex will "grow up" in this camp. I have been going to this camp since I was in the 3rd grade and still have relationships with many of the people that I met when I was only in elementary school. Seems like the friends that you make at church camp are truly friends for life. I am glad that my kids can share in this!

We had a wonderful staff, that love to work with kids, share God's word and most of all have FUN! We certainly did have crazy fun. It was exhausting, but we made it thru and now we are home to gear up for the school year. Yes, that's right, the school year. This is Livi's first year in school...preschool. She will go 4 days a week, for a half day. The kicker is, she will ride the bus. She is very excited and Mom and Dad are a little anxious and nervous. I am excited for her but its a little sad that she is growing up so fast. We will be buying her "school supplies" this week. She could burst she is so very excited about the whole thing (mostly the bus riding). I will keep you posted on the goings on of school...

Before school starts we are going to go on our first Paturalski Family Camping Trip. By "camping" I mean, in our travel trailer with a full bathroom and beds for everyone, air conditioning and a kitchen. We are going to a Yogi Bear Campground in Indiana that has a toddler water park, a small lake and many playgrounds. I am very excited and hoping that all goes well as this is our first outing with the camper!

2009-08-08T07:33:00.000-07:00

Just a quick cute picture of Livi to make you smile! I am headed to camp and I am taking with me...Livi, Alex and my Dad. I am going to be the camp RN for the week. Livi will be in the pumpkin patch, ie: the staff kid cabin and Alex and my Dad are bunking with me! Hopefully it will be a good and relaxing time. My mom and sister will return from their week at camp today, and sounds like they had a good time. I will be sure to post some good "camp" pics when I return!

A pic me up!

2009-07-17T04:54:00.000-07:00

I just needed a cute picture to brighten my day (and yours). This is Alex one year ago at Church camp. We are starting to get excited about camp this year. I am going to be the camp nurse again, Livi will be in the pumpkin cabin, Alex will be with me and my dad, who is coming to help with the kids, have fun and play his guitar. Alex has grown up so much from this picture. She will be two soon and I can barely believe it! What a cutie. She still makes funny faces like this one. I love it!

7/4/09

2009-07-08T06:51:00.000-07:00

The first adorable picture of Alex, is at Houlihan's in Mishawaka. We went with the whole Paturalski clan for brunch on Sunday before Brian had to head back to Florida. The food was great and we were in a room with essentially no other people....so we didn't disturb too many with all of the kids (Jason's sister Jen was in town with her three too!)

The bottom picture is of us waiting for the fireworks in BerrienSpring, MI. We took Livi and our neice Kaitlin. They were so good while we waited and we sat in a very non-crowded spot. We were far enough away that the noise wasn't too bad, and no one was scared. It was perfect!

After we did Houlihan's on Sunday, we went to my parents' house for an afternoon BBQ with the Durren family. It was really great to see everyone....Rachel/Jack, Jeremy, Zach/Jen, Jenna/John and kids, Aunt Amy, Gram/Gramps, uncle Brian (my mom's little brother) us and my parents. It was great food and great people.

Oh yeah...the flag cake was a delicious success.

Happy 4th of July!

2009-07-04T13:00:00.001-07:00

I found this cake on the cover of Family Circle magazine this month. It is a light and fluffy lemon cake with strawberry swirls inside, then with homemade lemon frosting. Perfect for a Fourth of July cookout!

Yummy...

2009-06-30T15:45:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my friend Kari for giving me the "Crab Melt" recipe. Its a Weight Watchers recipe and it is definetly a keeper for our household. Lately I've been cooking some new and interesting foods. I can usually get Livi to try it and like it, but tonight was a no go. However, my mother-in-law and I decided that this will be a recurring recipe for us!

Oh yeah...Jason works out of town Mon-Fri and on the nights that I don't work, we have dinner with my in-laws. Its wonderful cause they are wonderful.

Here's the recipe for anyone who wants to try a bite.

Crab Melt Sandwiches

2 8oz packages of crab (pulled apart)

1/4 cup roasted red peppers minced

1/3 cup low fat mayo

2 tsp (more if you like) dijon mustard

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

4 slices pumpernickel or rye bread

4 slices low fat swiss cheese

Mix all ingredients except the bread and cheese. Spread evenly between the four slices of bread and top with swiss cheese. Put under a preheated broiler for approx 3-4 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly.

Enjoy!

5 WW Points.

I served the crab melts with corn on the cob (1 WW Point).

Yummy!

Summertime.

2009-06-29T08:52:00.000-07:00

Summer is finally underway. There was so much rain in May and the beginning of June that I feel like summer really just started, and yet it is almost half done. Ugh.

Livi is just finishing up TBall. I think that she is secretly happy its almost done. Its a little hot for her to be standing in the outfield. And lets face it, there really isn't much baseball in T-Ball. But there is a whole lot of cuteness. Its fun to watch, and she is already better than she was at the first game, so we will call is a success.

Alex would live outside if you let her. Thank goodness for good sunscreen. That girl literally wants to be outside at all times, no matter how hot it is! She loves the water and will flop herself into it at any moment.

I ordered a swingset for the backyard a couple of weeks ago. It has arrived and is in many pieces in the backyard. Hopefully Jason will have it put together before too long. I think that the girls will be spending lots of time playing on it!

No huge vacations planned for the Paturalski family this summer. We are going to go on a little camping trip in August (our first trip with the camper) to a Jellystone/Yogi Bear campground! I can't wait!

Work is tough this week....

2009-06-16T08:32:00.000-07:00

Work is tough this week. As an ICU nurse, you never want to have to walk into work in plain clothes and be a visitor...a decision maker for a child who is unconscious. Never. I never want to sit next to my child while she lays in an ICU bed unconscious. Its almost unthinkable. Well, not this week it isn't. As I write a co-worker of mine is sitting next to her daughter as she lays in an ICU bed. My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family continuously this morning. She is being a very strong woman and I will lift her up in all the prayer I have today. Every thought...she is in my every thought.
I am glad that I am a nurse and am able to care for people and their families in their greatest moments of need. But this is tough. Our ICU has been rocked hard the last year and half. Jeni's very tragic and sudden death, Angie's husband and now Corene. Its tough. I know that we do what we do for a reason, but its tough to keep a good perspective on things.
As hard as it is to be at work, its seems to be even harder to be at home today. My thoughts are in the ICU. It will tough to be back there tomorrow, but I will. And I will be strong. But I sure will give a lot of hugs and kind words. Cause you know what...I am a nurse, and that is what we do.

Here I go...

2009-06-09T10:22:00.001-07:00

Here we are. Jason, Olivia, Me and Alex. This is our cute family. I'm not quite sure what all I am going to use this blog for, maybe....keeping you updated on our kids, sharing my experiences with weight watchers (i'm a new user) and using this as an outlet when my job gets stressfull, fun and challenging (i'm an ICU RN) .

We live in small town Michigan. The bottom of the mitten. Good ole' Bucktown...Buchanan, MI. We both grew up here, I went to college very close to here and our parents live close by. We moved when we were first married and three years later when we had Olivia, we knew that we needed to be close to family to raise our kids the way we envisioned. So here we are, and dare I say I'm glad we are here and I love our small town.

Since we've moved, we have done a lot...I fell in love with trauma nursing and the role of the preceptor, we had another daughter...little Miss Alex and Jason has spent a lot of time working out of town, thanks economy!

Our kids are 4 and 1 1/2. Livi is miss personality, she likes to tell you how it is and then snuggle you to smooth it over. She's a negotiator with a smile. She is excited about riding the bus to pre-school this year (mom and dad are freaking out!) and making lots of new friends. Alex is a love bug who is in love with doing what her sister is doing. That being said, we are starting to see a lot of Livi come out in her. She was our calm, passive girlie, but she is starting to grow out of it and its pretty cute to watch her stretch her wings. She loves to use the potty and loves to play outside. We had originally thought that we would call her "Lexi", so that we would have a Livi and a Lexi. Cute, right? Well she hasn't turned out to be a Lexi, for now she is Alex or "big Al". We'll see what she becomes....

Besides my kids I'm sure that I will be writing a lot about what I am cooking. I've recently started to love cooking. Those that know me well know that I've always loved baking. Since I've signed up with Weight Watchers I've started cooking interesting things and I'm loving it. So, I'm sure I'll be sharing our food journey with you!

Then theres my job...I've always been a critical care RN, but when we moved back here to Buck town I ventured into the world of TRAUMA. I love it. I work day shift at the trauma center near here. We have a great staff and a great educator who has inspired me (and cohersed) me to spend most of my time orienting new employees. And mostly new-graduate nurses for that matter. I love it! I'm lucky to have a job where I love my role right as it is. I also like to talk our unit up quite a bit, so I'm sure you will read a lot about us!

Thats it for now folks, stay tuned...I'm just getting started!