I mentioned a few months back that Mike was interviewing for a job with an ambulance company. This job would combine two of Mike's passions- nursing and EMS. The interviewers took one look at Mike's resume, full of years of ambulance experience as well as 5.5 years working the the Burn/Trauma units at two major universities and couldn't believe their luck! They offered, and Mike accepted, a job working a single 12 hour shift a week, working around Mike's shift as UCH. Not only will Mike be back on the ambulance , but he'll be part of a specialized team that transports critically ill ICU patients from one facility to another,depending on the type of treatment they need. Mike will be working under his nursing license but also gets his EMS fix. He really likes the crew he'll be working with and is already acknowledged for his expertise. Mike finishes up training this weekend and will be on the road again next week! It would be great if this could somehow work into a career that combines to things Mike is passionate about. Only time will tell!
Today was a great day! We all went to bed with a hint of anticipation. Mike and I had gotten blizzard warnings on our phones from the national weather service. We went to bed with clear roads but woke up to about three inches of the white stuff on the ground and fiercely falling snow. Since it was a bit too windy to go out , Mack and I put Mason down for a nap and she helped me fold the laundry before we put on a movie and cuddled up on the couch while the flakes flew.
After Mason woke up, we had lunch and I tossed together a chicken noodle soup. The kids and I played for a while before Mack had some quiet time and Mason a nap. By then, the wind had died down but the snow was still falling. Mack and I suited up and headed out! I measured about 7 inches of snow but during the hour we were outside playing, another inch and a half fell . Mack and I shoveled as much snow as we could into a huge pile ( that Ellie intermittently traipsed through as she ran laps in the snow) . Once it was packed down, it was ready for sledding!
"Ready, Steady, GO! "
When we could no longer feel our fingers, we came in for coffee and cocoa and fed Mason a warm bottle before we dressed him in his warm clothes and all three headed outside. Mason wasn't very impressed with the snow although he did giggle as the flakes fell on our heads and he munched on a tiny handful of snow . Then he was ready to come inside where he watched Mackenzie from the window, enjoying his afternoon snack.
Snow dog!
Soon the sun was setting so I plopped my two popsicles into a warm bath before dinner. After dinner, Mack wanted to play " Chase and crawl" which also happens to be Mason's favorite game ( we basically just crawl around chasing each other. Both kids retreat in peels of laughter as you had toward them at a freakishly fast crawl). Before we knew it, it was time for Mason to head to bed which left a peacefully quiet house as we played a board game together.
It was such a great day. The only thing that kept it from being perfect was that Mike was working on the ambulance and had to miss our fun day. As it turns out, though, Mack has a snow day tomorrow and Mike has the morning off. Here's hoping for a repeat!
Mason has gone from crawling, to pulling up, to now cruising and occasionally letting go for a split second to stand solo. He's got a bit of a clutzy side to start but being more mobile has earned him the nick name " Bruise"
Mackenzie is the worlds best ( self proclaimed) dog trainer. You wouldn't know it by looking at our mangy, slightly spoiled ( and well loved ) mutt, Ellie. Still, when there's food up for grabs, Ellie minds her manners pretty well. With Mack's love for dogs, we thought a trip to the Colorado dog show was in order! We had so much fun watching the agility competition and also the judging of the Australian shepherds ( the breed that I grew up with) as well as walking around watching groomings and petting dogs as we encountered them. One dog trainer complimented Mackenzie on the way she approached the dogs, letting them sniff her first after asking permission from the owner. That dog went on to win the best of it's breed! Mike thinks Mackenzie was a good luck charm.
Mack especially loved riding to and from the even on the shuttle bus
Mike and Mason watching agility competitions
Mack was a great cheerleader for the Border Collies
