Happy, oh so happy!

So this is what its like...to have a REAL JOB!!!!
I've been busy, busy, busy on the computer- researching medical plan options, retirement account options and basically figuring out how to take advantage of all my BENEFITS!!!
I know it may sound like something silly to be excited about but being an independant contractor for so many years and having mostly part-time jobs, I've never been paid for a day off or had health insurance through an employer- I've always had to buy my own (or my mother bought it anyway : ) ...and yes my mother is awesome by the way.

I think I have it all figured out...I have to go with a pricey plan though, since I really USE my health insurance a lot with all my conditions.
I am just so thankful.
I am thankful that I gambled on this job and stuck it out for six months...
I am thankful that I jumped at the opportunity to work at Wayne, eventhough it was low paying and part time in the beginning.
I am thankful that I made good connections while in school and kept my GPA high- I am in the one field where that actually matters!
I am amazed by the excellent benefits Wayne offers and look forward to using them.

But what I think I am looking forward to most is feeling valuable and worthy...after all these years of working my butt off in school I not only have a decent job with great benefits, but a job I actually enjoy!
You can't ask for much better!

The hubby and I are so optimistic about our future for the first time in awhile.
It feels good.
It feels good to be so happy : )

YES!!!

After over six months of waiting...and waiting...and waiting- I finally found out that...
I GOT THE JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have been wanting this job for so long, and I knew it would utilize my skills and be a really good fit for me. The job is at Wayne State University, and I love the academia world- always have. I used to tell hubby and my parents, "If I could just get paid to go to school..."
Well now I will be!!!!

My new title will be : Manager of Research Support
I will basically be handling all the research projects and work that comes through the research center; delegating tasks to students, organizing support for the school and participating in research tasks.

I am absolutely ecstatic. Even more ecstatic because they offered me more money than I was expecting and the benefits are out of this world.
Finally, after all of the hard work, graduate school and health hardships I've had- it has paid off.

A birth, a loss and a holiday

This past 4th of July weekend hubby and I went to Illinois to visit our friends Jake and Carrie. In addition to celebrating the holiday we were also excite to meet their newest addition, Cain Augustus. There were many friends there visiting also and we had a great, relaxing time.

Here is a shot of the kiddies waiting for Jake to light the fireworks. Later in the night the girls curled up with Fred to watch the larger fireworks and the boy piled on my lap.
(Maverick, Quinn, Electra and Emma)
And here are a few shots of Cain, the newest Newman- what a good baby! He is so calm and relaxed. He rarely fusses and is pretty content. I had a ton of fun snuggling him and taking care of him for mommy so she could get a rest- I actually miss caring for infants, its been awhile since I've fed, bathed, clothed and changed a baby...although I was not the one getting up with him LOL!...but then again she is breastfeeding so I couldn't do that for her LOL!
I also gave the tired mommy a massage while Cain took a nap.

In much sadder news Fred's mother's sister passed away this past Sunday from complications of Cancer. Fred's mother was devastated and it was pretty hard on the entire family. She left behind a husband, two sisters, four children, twelve grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Aunt Shirley you will be missed!

Happy Birthday Zuzbol!!!

Had a great time last night with some friends. We were out celebrating my good friend Lori's big 29th birthday. We went to Fishbones in St. Claire Shores for drinks and pool. It was a pretty fun night, we hung out with some of Lori's work friends, super cool people, and got to catch up with a friend I hadn't seen in awhile- good times!

Glad you had a good night girl and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! : )

A gift for myself ; )

Well after months of not buying myself much of anything, except desperately needed work clothes, I thought it was time to treat myself to a new camera lens.
I got the Canon 50mm f 1.8/II - and I absolutely love it! Such a great portrait lens!Love, love, love this shot of my husband...

...and practicing with my new lens on one of my favorite models...Ms. Sugar Fatbelly

Praying for the first time in a long time.

In a previous post I mentioned that my aunt is pregnant and is very high risk. Well early Monday morning I get a message that she is in the hospital again, a clot in her calf moved to her thigh and broke off sending two small clots to her lungs (pulmonary emboli). I spent all evening Monday with her after work and was just devastated for her. She looked ill, swollen, sad...well she just looked bad. To top off the clotting issue my aunt suffers from horrible migraines...so the poor thing was throwing up all afternoon. She was showing...a lot...and had already gained a lot of weight...she is only 5' 2" like me...
Tuesday we get the results of the ultrasound. She is eight weeks along. However, she has two placenta clots in addition to the leg and lung clots, one that is small and dissolving with little danger to her or the baby...the other...destroyed one of the twins she was carrying!
No wonder she looked so big already! But seriously, how horrible!
She is back home now but on bed rest. I am so incredibly worried about her and the baby she is carrying. I love my aunt to death, she is like a big sister to me and we have always been very close...and while I would love to see this pregnancy come to full term, not at the risk of my aunts life.
I just hope that whatever happens she is ok. I can't imagine losing her. I won't imagine losing her. And I can't help but worry for myself too. My aunt and I, while close, are the most similar physically to anyone in our families. We react to medication the same way, we have many of the same ailments and abilities. And I can't help but see all of this trouble she is having and wonder if attempting to have a child myself will essentially mean risking my life. I can't help but look at her and wonder if its a forecast of my future. I sure hope not.
Auntie- I LOVE YOU...more than I can say, please hang in there.
Your "Curly Cue" needs you.

Hilarious

So, anyone that really knows me knows I love kids. I mean seriously they are hilarious! And they can get away with things you can't get away with again until your like 80!!!
Our friend Claire sent us an e-mail today of her daugther and this is what it said:

I closed the door and she wanted to play in there. This is what happened next....










Awesome.