A strange anniversary to celebrate...

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

of

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

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

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!

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

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!

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

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!

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...

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!

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...

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

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...

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.

Silly girl.

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...

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...

Oh yeah...

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...

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...

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.