Back to Business!

Ok, So the truth is we have had a little something, something brewing that we have been keeping under wraps lately….

We did it.

Hilton Harbor Therapy is REAL and I officially own my own private practice!

I say we did it because honestly I’m not sure if i ever would have pursued it if it weren’t for Alex and even if I had pursued it I had no idea how to make it happen….

Not only did he encourage, push me and repeatedly ask me to start my own practice but when I came home one day in late April and purposed an idea… “What if I turn in my notice, take the summer off of work to be with Lola and study for the LCSW exam and then I can focus on building my own private  practice”.

His response “Sounds good”.

He has bought and read books on it, he researched the insurance/medicaid requirement and licenses, he  bought the domain less than 24 hours after I decided on a name and reached out to several other LCSWs and SW websites for tips and help along the way! A side form this he built and designed my website and we are SO very proud of it!

I had no idea how hard and time consuming it all would be but it has been one of the longest and hardest things ever!

Needless to say 100% of it all was done during an hour or two a day during Lola’s nap and  we were lucky if we got an hour done at night before bed…. and yes EVERYTHING else got put on the back burner in our lives pretty much!

Lou spent a countless number of hours starring at screens like this after coming home from work where he starred (I assume) at other screens like this all day!

Bless him..

For me it was forms after forms, codes and numbers galore… lets not forget dealing with government agencies for good ol’ Medicaid!

Which includes being on hold a countless number of times for a record of 1 hour and 27 minutes!

WHEW!

Thankfully I was able to stay in touch with the schools I was practicing at through Cobb County and they are willing to have me back as a private practice so that has been an extra blessing!

Hilton Harbor is now on Cobb’s Coalition for Prevention Board so that I can continue to return to serve children in Cobb County schools!

We even have a Pinterest and Twitter account (with amazing fans like Dayday!)!     So if your wondering if I am still pinching myself the answer is YES! It has been under wraps for 6 months now and then all of a sudden it was “ready”! Still doesn’t seem real but I guess it won’t until we have our first client!

The good news is that less than 24 hours after we launched I got an email requesting to make some referrals to me for group counseling!

WOOHOOO!

It’s weird knowing I was so close to just brushing it off and thinking it’s something I would do later in life…when I had time but then you realize how much you push off and when you think about it… Life is just passing by faster and faster.

It seems very clear that this is what I was supposed to do and I have told the story a hundred times about when I was little (Like brand new to elementary school little) when I decided I wanted to be a counselor… I wanted a big office where I had my own secretary and I could have a button where I could buzz people in… they would sit on the couch and tell me all about their problems and I would fix them

Sounds simple huh…. Well the life of a Social Worker and counselor has not quite been that glamorous… it’s anything but actually.

You get paid skittles and work hard… like really hard with often times no breaks.

My first three years after grad school I worked in residential where their were no breaks, sometimes no running water and a constant roach infestation. My char for my desk hat I sat in everyday for those three years was a chair I found at the apartment complex (that we worked out of) dumpster.

On top of that, the clients were difficult, really difficult..they were withdrawing, they were manipulative, they had trust issues and they had bad tempers…

I left each day thinking that would be the saddest most traumatic story I could ever hear and the next day I would go back and hear a worse story.

Whenever I am asked why this job…. I am usually left fumbling  on my words. It’s not something I consciously strive for or hope to be or have… Most of the time I don’t even feel like I chose it.

It chose me. 

It’s something you just do because your born with it and you never ever question it, you just do.

It seems like just yesterday I started fresh out of grad school not having a clue as to what to expect and now with my own practice I feel parts of that again…

For now we are just going to take a big WHEW for how far we have made it and be glad for where we are now!

It’s real and it’s out there!

Here’s the website link below for our website:

Click here

In other news…. something else has sort  of fallen in my lap (literally) the last month and I could not be more excited about it!

The same day we launched the website was also my first day of orientation at CHOA!

Oh yes! This is really happening too!

(My cheerleader)

I honestly couldn’t have planned it better if i tried…. I was chatting with my old colleague from Grady days who I had not spoken to since I was pregnant with Lola and somehow we started talking about me doing PRN (picking up shifts randomly –when you want) Social work at a hospital… she mentioned her old supervisor was looking for someone to do weekend positions and told me to contact her… I did and it went well so I went in to meet her just for a chat.

She pushed me through to the head supervisor who asked me to come in the SAME week for an official interview… It was for a weekend position which I did not even want but as Lou says we always keep our options open so I went just to see how it would go…

While there everything went well until she asked me “so what makes you want to do weekends”…  I couldn’t lie… I told her I didn’t actually want weekends… I wanted PRN but it wasn’t available from what I heard.

She kindly informed me “Oh we are actually looking to hire a PRN social worker we just haven’t posted it yet.. would  you like us to slate you for that instead?”

I’m telling you I cant make this stuff  up!

The day we got home from Ireland I was officially offered the job for PRN and can do as many or as little amount of shifts that I want!

Seems like the perfect fit for our little family and the private practice portion of it all! Not to mention I am panning on doing evening from about 5pm-midnight so Lola won’t need a nanny or need to go to childcare!

(She even came with  me to my HR appointment- below)

I knew new things were in store with us and this new venture of opening up our own private practice but I am constantly amazed at how just when I think  I have something planned perfectly I get surprised with icing on top!

I officially started last Monday and the first week has just been orientation but it is such a PLESANT place to work and they truly value their employees! I will be at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Scottish Rite location in all units and am SO very excited for what’s to come!

Big, BIG, BIG news!!!!

Andy and Rachel…

..are engaged!!!!!!

Yes, you heard right!!! I could not be MORE excited for these too and I am already being the annoying bride friend of the bride wanting to go shopping for dresses and possible locations!!

I keep forgetting it’s not my wedding!

Ok so I will give you a sneak peak of the “engagement story” because I’m leaving it to Rachel to tell the real story on her new blog!!

Which by the way you can start following her now on “Jenmademedoit.blogspot.com”

Ok not really but she did promise me about two years ago that she would start blogging when she got engaged and did I mention I rarely forget anything ;)

Here we go:

So about noon last Friday Andy text me to ask if I have time to talk, well apparently I didn’t because I didn’t text him back until about 4 and he replied with “Do you think Rachel would like if I purposed to her at the sundial restaurant?”

Well let me just say I had not gone into panic mode yet because I didn’t know he meant THAT NIGHT!!

See, Andy took me with him about 2 months ago to buy the ring and he has just been teasing me since then as far as when he is going to purpose to her…… So I thought this was just talk…

Well it wasn’t!! He had already made plans for that night “September 30” at the Sundial for dinner, drinks, roses and a proposal!!!

We decided he should add a sentimental value to it and being their first date was at Ecco he decided to have everyone meet up at Ecco for champagne and a CELEBRATION!!

I could NOT WAIT to get to Ecco, I had just about peed on myself and my hands were sweaty with excitement each time my phone rang!! I was impatiently waiting for Andy to respond to my bazillion text of “did you do it yet” and after getting to Ecco I wondered why he had not slapped me…

Rachel said “yeah his phone was going off like crazy and he got up to go to the bathroom 4 times during dinner”!

(My bad!)

Love your pose Andy ;)

I could not be happier for these two and absolutely can not wait to plan fun wedding stuff!!! I’m (selfishly) all about a destination wedding, I think it’s one of those things I would have never been brave enough to do but it’s perfect for a best friend to do…. or SISTER IN LAW!!! :)

Welcome “officially” to the family!

The entire night I was obsessed with trying to get a good picture with my phone and this does not do her BEAUTIFUL ring justice by any means but it gives you the idea:

So once again, Congratulation Andy and Rachel!!!

Ya’ll could not be more perfect for each other, let the wedding planning begin!!!!

We took the lovebirds home and the next morning I text Rachel asap to instruct them to make Mimosa’s for breakfast!!

Good girl Rachel :)

(I’m allowed to do that because I remembered leaving 2 bottles of champagne at their house when they moved in!!)

Saturday the celebration continued but for another reason…..

Autumns Birthday!!!

So we had a little get together that night at our house and then walked to Las Margaritas to see her favorite little “men” and to down some Mexican goodness!

Wooo Hoo for being 21 (again)!!!

   Happy Birthday Autumn!!

Sunday was quite a big deal as well….. I mean Hello??

We had cracker barrel!!

Yes, Cracker barrel is a very big deal in this house but an even bigger deal was that we had Cracker Barrel on the way to my first Festival of Fall!

On our awfully long and painful walk (which I decided “yeah, this is one of those moments that won’t be funny to look back on and laugh until maybe this time next year” ) we were able to keep our focus and momentum up thanks to the smell of fried food, and thoughts of funnel cakes and boiled peanuts!!

We then decided it was a good thing we had a long walk because we burned off some calories from eating everything in site at Cracker barrel and made room for more food!

These people in particular knew how to fry everything!!!

Literally, they even fried Kool-Aid and Oreos!! I actuallty overheard someone asking them how they fry Kool-Aid and they  said they fry the powder from Kool-Aid, whatever that means?

I opted not to try out the Fried Kool-Aid…. what’s the need when you have Ritas Italian Ice??

I hope everyone who sees these signs (below) really appreciates them because I seriously got cussed out for taking this picture… After I snapped it she came up to me and asked me to delete the picture and not to take anymore…..

I obviously smiled and nicely agreed…..   :)

She then told Lance  that her sign clearly states “no pictures”…

His response: Oh yeah, next to all the other signs you have hanging up? Ya  gotta love Lance!

Downtown Norcross was just too cute!! Our bellies were finally full though so it was time to contemplate the awful long walk home?!?!?!

I love the picture below of Kayla and I in deep thought on how to get back to our car….

Answer: Ok we will just send the boys back and then go get more funnel cakes and boiled peanuts while we wait for them to pick us up!

Love it?

I know I have the best ideas!

Luckily (for the boys) we took the shuttle home!!

Oh yes, and for Tucker too! He was a bit excited when his mom got home, I can’t blame him though, I smelled of Sugar pecans and boiled peanuts… his favorite!!

I do have one last announcement……

Milly, please remove your head from your ass and listen to mommy… 

You too Tucker!!

Mommy was called into work a bit earlier than usual Thursday as you know only to have my boss tell me that they are offering me a FULL TIME POSITION at my agency!!

Yes, I know for you and your dad that it’s very bad news…. It;s true that I won’t have as much time to spend with you two especially on my “domestic mama Wednesdays” that we love so much, but it will be good for us too!!

Kayla, I’m sorry to you too, no more fun Wednesday lunch date… unless you drive to Marietta to see me :)

Let’s just say looking back I’m really glad that I enjoyed the Wednesdays I had off to the fullest!!!

This Monday will be the beginning of my new schedule, please pray for me as the thought of dealing with addicts EVERYDAY of the week is a bit overwhelming to me….

Tucker and Mlly, please don’t take your anger out on the house by getting into the trash everyday like you do every SINGLE time mommy has a shift in her schedule!!

Lou, please don’t get stressed out seeing me stressed out as I’m sure I will be in the beginning getting re-adjusted to the new schedule. I think you love the fact that I have Wednesdays off and only work half days on Thursdays even more than I do but I promise I will be just  fine :) Other people work full time and survive and although “Full-time” is by no means something that has ever appealed to me I think I should try it out :)

So Cheers, Congrats and Best Wishes to all of those with something to celebrate!!

Leaving My Side Kick!

(FYI: this was written yesterday at the airport waiting to board. I  safely made it to New Orleans and am having a great time with mama! Can’t wait to write about that!!)

Last night we counted down the hours until we went to bed because we know once we went to bed we would have to wake up and say goodbye!

“Only 4 more hours”

“crap only 3 hours til’ bed time”

“ahh its bed time!”

Everyone out of the loop probably thinks we are leaving each other for a month! haha

Lou was able to meet me at the pool just for a bit before heading home for dinner yesterday…. which was of course Maggianos leftover # 3!

I couldn’t help but think how lucky I was as we left the pool and I followed him home. The pool is only about 3 miles from our house but he could not stand for a car to be between us, he waved back to me at every red light we caught and as we pulled on to our street he pulled over and waited for me to catch up because I had to wait for traffic to turn.

This is all normal behavior for him but I guess since all I could think as we separated from each other for the car ride home was missing him so it made me appreciate those silly little things he does a bit more…..

Mom said our hubbys would appreciate us more when we got back, does it count that I started appreciating him more just thinking about leaving? haha

I really do, the boy never complains! He works his tail off with extremely long days and then rides home in a hot car and thinks nothing of it as he comes home and gives me the BIGGEST smile and hug with a soaking wet back! He often embarrasses himself with that cute smile, the other day I asked why he was hiding his face as I had picked him up from work and he said “man you know I can’t help but smile when I see you”!

I told myself to start writing things like that down somewhere, (besides the blog) and have yet to do so but for now the memories are safe in blog world!

How priceless!?!?

It’s only 3 days- we got this Lou!

This morning we arrived to the airport, knots filled my stomach but probably not nearly as badly as his!!

Thank you for walking me all the way to the security gate Lou, even though you wanted to have a little talk with the pilot :)

I do have some good news that I will be looking forward to when I get back from my little trip Ana and Alex are coming to visit me with Tara for the weekend and we have big plans (just not sure what they are yet but they will definitely involve a water park)!!

I am so excited to get back and see Lou, the pups and those sweet babies that I miss so much!!!

Until then I will be enjoying New Orleans (a side from all the meeting) with mama  and I promise once I get there I will be excited!! Ha isn’t it sad that my first “business travel” I coerce mom to meet me there so I don’t have to be alone!!

If only my work knew who they were dealing with!!

Here’s to my first solo flight!