1.7.11

On my agenda today was cleaning out my office in Emmett. Along with that meant lots of talking and having lunch with Janelle. I love this woman, seriously. I first met Janelle in February of 1999, when she interviewed and subsequently hired me as a juvenile probation officer. She became my boss, my mentor, my friend, and my confidant.

Janelle truly knows me and knows most details of my life over the last 12 years. In fact, she knew Jeff before I did. Today our conversation ran the gamut. We talked about work - both of ours. We talked about kids - both of ours. We talked about family, we talked about husbands. We talked about her grandkids. We don't just talk, we sit in the office with the door closed and cry kind of talk.

I feel so lucky to have her in my life and count her among my closest friends.

1.6.11

New friends. It feels like a long time since I have made new friends. I don't really have a lot of superficial friendships, when I am friends with someone it is an all or nothing thing. I have many acquaintances, but my friends are the ones that I can be myself around, that I can talk candidly to,who can see my quirks and still want to be my friend.

I was lucky enough to become friends with Leslie and Karen last semester. First we were cubicle buddies, then we became lunch buddies, and now we are stay-up-late-crafting-talking-about-life buddies. I think we will be buddies for a long time!

1.5.11

Rocking the cell phone camera today. Dinner date with the fam at Costco tonight. Hard to beat a $10.32 dinner with my favorite people!

1.4.11

Big sigh. I have spent a good chunk of the afternoon cleaning out my office at work. In 6 days I start my dream job. And as excited as I am, I am more emotional than I thought about leaving Youth Court. This is the job I took when Mylie was born. I left probation so I could work part-time after having her. And for the past 6 years, this is what I have done. And so as excited I am to start on Monday, I really feel like I am leaving behind this phase of my life. The part of my life when I was a mom with young kids. Mylie and Blake were both born during this job. They came to the office with me when they were babies. I have pictures stuck up all over the office that Mylie has colored.

But now Mylie and Blake are growing up . Today I also gave away all my baby stuff. And even though I love our little family of four and am completely content with my kiddos ... the physical act of handing over swings and exersaucers and strollers seems to give such finality to that portion of my life.

Big sigh again. Back to sorting, filing, purging, and getting ready to pass this program to a new director.

1.3.11

35 months old today ... one month until my baby is 3! A quick cell phone camera snap tonight at Carl's Jr. He got a new haircut yesterday, I think it made him taller!

1.2.11

A quick shot before church to show off her new pierced ears. She's looking older than 6 to me.

1.1.11