November Update

November flew by! Colin's family from Denver drove into town for Thanksgiving.  Because I happen to be on orientation through the holidays, I actually get both Christmas and Thanksgiving off this year. That may never happen again, so I am very grateful for that blessing this year.  I went with my brothers and Colin to see Day of the Doctor in the movie theater, and then we went with Colin's brother and SIL to go see Catching Fire - both movies were a lot of fun.  Although I was little disappointed that Billie Piper wasn't really playing Rose in that episode.

I started my new job in the Emergency Room and my same Hospital.  I really enjoy that job, and the pace. It's a lot of fun, and I am always busy so a 12 hour shift really flies by.  I am going to be working Mon, Weds, and Thursdays, and every third weekend.  It's a pretty ideal schedule as my mom won't have to babysit Finn for more than 1-2 days in a row and I will always have Tuesdays off which gives some predicability to my mother so she can always schedule her appointments for her and William on tuesdays.  I am not really sure what is going to happen with our county hospital after Jan. 1st changes with the new affordable care act, but I guess we will see.   I do feel more secure with my E.R. job then on the floor though, because I think people would be willing to come to our ER to avoid lines at the other ERs, I just don't think they will want to be admitted to our hospital, where they will have to share rooms when all the other hospitals in Des Moines have private rooms.

Finn has stopped taking naps in the am for the most part, and now only takes one nap later in the afternoon so I am going to make a habit of trying to go to Play and Learn every Tuesday that we can make it.  It's a lot of fun, Finn and I went with his friend Ezra from church and his mom and fun was had by all.  There is an hour of free play time, and then a 30 minute song, story and snack time.  Then we are given a free book. It's a great free event for families, which I am grateful that the United Way provides our community.

Finn had a fun time running around with his cousins.  One of Finn's favorite things to do is play with his grandfather's piano, and his cousins were able to join him on Thanksgiving.

I also started school in November as well. I am done with one class, and working on my second class right now, so it's going pretty well.  I was hoping I'd be able to accelerate faster than I think is going to be realistically possible while working full time and trying to be an awesome parent to Finn.  However, I am doing well, and school is a lot of fun for me.

Last week my brother's Fiancé was able to legally adopt their three foster boys, so after they get married in April my brother will be able to go through the legal process to also become their legal parent.  So that is exciting. Including another sibling of those three boys that they have guardianship of, they have 8 kids.  We had them all over for Thanksgiving dinner, along with my dad, and his roommate who was a high school friend of my brother.

It was a full house here on Thanksgiving, and we will have all the kids over at some point for Christmas as well, as my mom and I got all of the kids some gifts.   I am very excited for Christmas this year with Finn.  Colin's parents are coming over for Christmas as Nathan is on his mission, Austin is staying in Denver for Christmas this year, and Colin's grandma will be in Minnesota visiting her other kid whom she hasn't seen in a couple of years.  Just a few days left to wait!