In my job I see many kids with health issues. Actually, these are usually my favorite kids. With a case load like that, however, it means hospitalizations. When these kidsa re in the hospital, I always try to visit them. The visit is just as much for the parents as for the child. The stress of a hospitalized child is huge, but around Christmas it's that much worse. I got a call from the parent of one of these kids today. Her child was admitted and it's looking like they will be there over Christmas. While this is hard on them, it's also really hard on her older sisters. So tonight I will be making another trip to Children's.
Each time I'm there it's a good reminder to me of why I do what I do. Kids are amazing, especially the ones with lots of odds stacked against them. They continue to inspire me more each day. As do their parents with their amazing strength and love.

Gifts of Thanks

 

A gift card to a book store is one of the best gifts that I can receive. I was completely blessed by a sizeable one to a local bookstore this week. It was given to me by a fmaily that I have been seeing for around a year. I was the person that did the intake on their micropreemie twins when they came home from the NICU and have been with them ever since. They are a wonderful family with children that I look forward to seeing each week. What was just as special, if not more, was the card that they attached. Mom and dad both wrote about how wonderful it has been having me as the therapist that visits each week. They commented on the advice (only when asked for) and support that I have given that has helped them through the last year. Melted my heart.
Ironically later that day a box arrived for me at my office. It was from another family of twins. I was with them for around the same amount of time. Their twins were early, but no where near that early. They are doing well and were discharged from Early Intervention a few weeks ago. I was totally surprised to get a box from them with a gift and photos of the children.
My job is tough and many times thankless. I give everything I can to these families, sometimes to the point of pure emotional exhaustion. A kind word, especially on a painting by a 13 month old, goes a really long way.

The best song....

I was serenaded last night by 2 of the kids that I babysitt for. They came into the kitchen as I was baking cookies and told me they had a song for me. It was "we wish you a merry christmas." However, these were the altered lyrics: We wish you a merry c'mas (times 3) because you're the best babysitter ever! Yep, I melted. =)

How do you like it? How do you like it?

Today someone asked me why I love my job. This was my answer:

I love my job because it challenges me every day. I see things that most people don't know exists or don't want to realize exists. It takes me into the lives of people during their joy, heartbreak, immense grief, and every other human emotion. It's amazing to see people learn to connect with their children, appreciate what they have and come to terms with it not being their ideal, and experiencing babies/children do things that doctors swore they would never be able to do. Many times these things are completely and utterly frustrating, but when I step back I feel amazingly honored to be part of it all.

hallelujah!

 

 

Friday night Sarah's mom took both of us to Handel's Messiah at symphony hall. The one condition was that we couldn't sing along....hense the 1st picture while drinking wine during intermission.

Celtics #2

 

 

 

 

Last week I went to my 2nd Celtics game of the season. Again with my husband, of course. He rocked this amazing shirt due to it being the 1st night of Hannukah. Relax, he only worse it because it was horrible enough to attract the cameras. And it worked. We were on the jumbotron TWICE!

All in a day's work

I was hoping for an easy work week. Only 3 days. However, instead I got punched in the face and a shoe lace was put around my neck in an attempt to strangle me. Nice. Happy Thanksgiving, Michelle.

the best kind of thanksgiving...

 

 

 

 

sarah and i had quite the thanksgiving. ours started wednesday night. a fun time was had by all.
1. Starting the party with cocktails
2. Pumpkin pie is so yummy
3. Sledding down the stairs makes a great YouTube video
4. mmmm....pie

Go Celtics!

 

My husband and me at the Celtics game..a couple of weeks ago. So much fun!
Don't get too excited...I'm still gay

Craft Discovery!

 

 

 

 

I have been on a purging mission for the last 6 wks or so. Getting rid of things that I don't use, need, wear, etc. It's amazing how much I have gotten rid of and how it's almost impossible to tell! Tonight I found a pair of shorts that never fit right. They were a cute print and an idea came to me. The pockets in the back are the kind that fold over and button. I knew that I could do somthing with them. I ended up making a little pouch in less than 20 mins! It was so easy and best of all, there was no pattern. I am NOT good at following directions. Plus, when I do a project I have to start it and finish it within a small amount of time or I lose interest. Check out the pictures!

Weekend in Providence

 

 

 

 

After work Friday I headed down to see my wife. We happened to find some awesome cat couture, a very cute dog, and a great tutu! What a day!

 

 

 

 

Starting off the evening before heading out to AMAZING Indian food. Kurrant vodka and Steaz...YUM! Add in a little Sex and the City and stir. Pearl didn't think we were that fun.

Kristin & Michelle take NYC!

 

 

 

 

Kristin came to visit and we headed down to NYC. It was so much fun! We had great food, amazing drinks, and fabulous shopping. Pic #2 is at M & M world and #3 is a crazy pair of boots we found at Century21.

NYC

 

 

 

 

Kristin and me in the apt that we rented, syringes full of chocolate (not as creepy as it sounds), and city photos

Look out....

.....here we come!

yum

 

There is a big batch of butternut squash and apple soup cooking on my stove top right now. The recipe is pretty easy. The most time consuming part is chopping everything. I highly recommend it and it freezes well.

Halloween

 

I spent this afternoon and evening with the fabulous family that I babysitt for. They are just the best. Trick-or-treating through the South End was awesome. The brownstones were decorated and people were out on their stoops. Most of the people passing out candy were sipping on glasses of wine. That's my idea of trick-or-treat. This dude was in a BP suit and covered in oil. Amazing.

Sunday in New England

 

 

 

 

A church that I randomly found today. It was too good to not take pictures.