Did you miss me?!

I know it's been a while, ladies and gentlemen... I was told recently that I needed to start writing again. By an abundance of people, actually. So, here goes. I wish I could say I've been out curing world hunger, but the truth is, I can't even keep up with my own hunger! 😂

Anyway, here's the deal. I'm a nurse. Most of you know (or have gathered) that. I work in labor and delivery and it is the love of my life (one of them anyway, and most days). I love what makes my living and I wish that upon everyone!!

The last year has been one of turmoil for me, though. I was given an opportunity to take an "8-5" type job. Managing the hotel I used to work for. So I snagged it. Blindly. I thought the hours would be great. I'd have more time for my first love... My family. But ironically, that wasn't the case. Sure, 8-5 looks great on paper. Til your night shifter quits without notice and you have to pick up those shifts. Or the number of nursing shifts I picked up because that's what I love doing. The hours turned out to be worse. Plus, I wasn't doing what I love anymore.

As summer was approaching, I took a leap of faith and quit hotel management. I put forth my interest in travel nursing, and told my hospital I'd like to return to full time at the end of summer.

I wasn't sure how this would pan out. I was very picky about my travel assignment request. It had to be summer only. June, July, & August. It had to be in the Houston area within a reasonable commuting distance to my sister's or my mom's houses. And it had to be Labor & Delivery. A million recruiters contacted me. And a million of them assured me they could find me that perfect job. But one of them made me feel like a friend, and not a commission. And so I ran with it! And it worked beautifully.

In my time here, I have learned so very much. I have done new things, and I have spent quality time with my family here. I brought my youngest 2 boys with me to spend the summer hanging out with their cousins. It was sure a lot more fun for them than the alternative of being at home all summer.

It has been a little bit bittersweet for me. I miss my husband. Like for real. We have had a few visits, but not living together doesn't really work for me. I'm not expecting pity, and I know there are military wives/husbands that deal with such a larger scale of this, and I respect them tremendously... I'm just glad it isn't me!

Also, our foreign exchange student that left a year ago, came back this summer for a visit. She is spending 3 weeks here and I got 7 short days with her at home. When I left from that visit, I hugged her, told her I loved her, and that I couldn't wait to see her again... And then I had to hurry and walk away before the tears started. I refuse to acknowledge that I have no idea when I'll see her again. And it broke my heart just as much with this goodbye as it did the last. She is my kid! She just happens to also have another mom, and live an ocean away. :(

All in all, I'm happy I took that leap of faith. It has been an amazing experience, and a really fun summer. But I sure am excited to live at home again too! And I cannot wait to go back to that hospital that is my 2nd home!

I'm hoping to write more often. As I've always said, I'm not an every day blogger. I don't "promote" my blog or expect it to reach more than my close friends or family. And that's perfect for me. It's just my word vomit that I sometimes have to spew before my head explodes!

Later homies...

DRD