Life of a CNA

Growing up in such a large family it’s pretty neat the career/job choices of all my siblings. But being a CNA pretty much tops them all.

Christina has been a certified nurses assistant for about a year and let me tell you it’s not a job to be envied. Trust me from the stories she tells me I wouldn’t want to trade places with her.

God Made a CNA

And on the 8th day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, “I need a caretaker of the people.” So God made a CNA.

God said, “I need somebody willing to get up before dawn, or stay up through the night to answer call lights, work on their feet for a whole shift, stay over when someone calls off, then go home to cook dinner, help with homework, laundry, baths, all in order to take care of their own family. Even when their whole body aches from work.” So God made a CNA.

God said, “I need somebody willing to work at double speed for 8, 12, or 16 hours, I need somebody willing to spend Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas holidays with them instead of with their own family, someone who will keep smiling with a positive attitude throughout.” So God made a CNA.

God Said, “I need somebody with arms strong enough to pick them up and put them to bed, but yet gentle enough to reposition without waking them in the middle of the night. I need somebody to give showers, change briefs, dress them, or push them, to where they want to go, feed the hungry, fill water pitchers, get snacks, and then change yet another brief. I need somebody who, while doing this, can take the time to listen and talk with a caring heart, a kind voice, and mean it.” So God made a CNA.

God Said, “I need somebody willing to comfort, provide care, and hold a hand in times of need. And if no one is there for them, do the same while they lie dying at the end. I need somebody who can comfort their family members with a hug, and tell them that their loved one will be missed, all while not letting them see you dry your eyes.” So God made a CNA.

Yep she’s all that…and I think the world of her.

Do you know any CNA? 

~Photo-a-day~ Jan. 22-28

So I’m to my fourth “photo-a-day” post! I hope you all are enjoying this as much as I am…please leave comment and let my know your thoughts.

Day 22

~where I sleep~

embarrassing! Seriously….we were in the middle of renovating our room (Christina’s and mine) so this is where I have been sleeping/living for a little over two months. We moved upstairs to Victoria and Hannah’s room. Sleeping on an queen air-up mattress with Christina. First time I’ve had to share a bed with someone other than at a hotel!  It’s been interesting…kinda getting to know my sisters all over again. We moved back downstairs yesterday and I have to admit I’m soooo glad to have my room back but I’m going to miss Victoria and Hannah. And please ignore the stuffed animals…I wish I could say they were Christina’s but there not and I’ll just leave it at that.

Day 23

~object~

An herb mortar and pestle (don't know what this is?)

Day 24

~breakfast~

I LOVE this breakfast…overnight oatmeal is amazing! Seriously nothing is better than oatmeal…okay I’ll stop=) But I really do love oatmeal!

Day 25

~smile~

There free take one=)

Day 26

~big~

My big sisters…Grace Hannah and Victoria. I’m totally in LoVE with this picture=)

Day 27

~looking up~

Self explanatory…lol! When all else fails just ask Isaac=)

Day 28

~beautiful~

Have a wonderful Wednesday! and don’t forget to tell me what you think…

All Atherton Guys…but not all the Atherton guys

So we’re having new carpet put in next Monday…so excited!  Then Christina and I get to move back into our room…pictures will follow of our new decorated, painted and carpeted room. Did I say “I’M SO EXCITED!?!?!?!?!”

Anyway…they guys went a head and pulled the carpet up around the entry and put in this hardwood entry way…it’s beautiful! It’s perfect!

The three Atherton guys who laid it…=) (the other two weren’t around that weekend)

What Jonathan’s boys were doing in the meantime…

Jonathan’s many face expressions as he slowly turns around after I’ve been bugging him for awhile…=)

Gotta’ love that face!

Isaac cleaning up…this job fall to him a lot, being the youngest and all. But believe me he’s better because of it. I trust him doing anything I do (besides cooking, haha) and I can’t say that about just any of the guys I know.

Mom grading school. Never ceases to amaze me how she can do this with all the conversations, etc. going on around her.

Dad watching the clean up process…he finally sat down! (Believe me it was the first time) If I could be more like this when I’m working on a project, seriously I think I’m entitled to a break after the first hour. And any excuse will work…head ache maybe=)

The piece of wood both Jonathan and Isaac wanted to put in. Mom said ‘'NO”. yeah it’s neat and all but it would stick out like a sore thumb. What do you think?

So that’s our new entry way…enough room for all of our boots. We won’t be destroying our carpet either….so a win/win, huh?

~Photo-a-day~ Jan.15-21

This week has been tough…I hate to admit it but I seriously had to climb out of bed one night because I remembered “I need to take a picture”…I just have so much going on and so many mental self-set deadlines to meet, that my picture taking got put off till last possible moment.

But in the end I can say I took a picture everyday! yay!!!

Day 15

~night~

Day 16

~shadow~

trying to capture the famous wedding ring photo…turned out pretty neat. But I could have opened the Bible to a better section!!!!!

Day 17

~play~

Victoria playing the piano…I lovvve listening to her play! probably the only reason why is because um….I can’t…  as a kid I dreamed about playing piano at concerts as an adult. don’t laugh I’m serious! =)

Day 18

~pattern~

I’ve written elderly lady since I was at least 12. She was a neighbor of my parents when they lived in Ohio. I’ve only seen her twice in my life. (I wasn’t alive when my parents lived in Ohio) She used to quilt until recently, because of her age –eye sight and health- she had to give it up for good. She’s 97 years old. I expressed an interest in her quilting and she (out of the kindness of her heart) sent me this “windmill” quilt pattern. I made a wall hanging quilt out of it a few years back, but still haven’t quilted the backing onto it. mental note: that needs to be done before this April. Well when I saw that todays word was pattern I had to jump on it and take a picture of this pattern. Look at her handwriting so beautiful!

Day 19

~reflection~

I tried my reflection in the mirror…I feel like every picture I take of myself looks the same. So when my sister suggested I take one of Isaac I was all for it…this is the only serious picture I got of him. Seriously you try not to laugh when someone is taking a picture of you brushing your teeth=)

Day 20

~blue~

I schedule a test. Didn’t pay attention. And the day before I was to take it.  Monday. I noticed something. It was for payroll not adjusting entries. Seriously!!!!!! I’ve been studying the wrong thing! I feel about as blue as this book. So I rescheduled and will be taking Payroll on Saturday (like in this Saturday, I have barely anytime to study yikes!!!! ).

Day 21

~read~

Anyone reading any good books this year? Maybe even a book reading list for 2014?

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

~Photo-a-day~ Jan. 8-14

Day 8

~I am…~

I am making my lunch…salad nothing exciting.

Day 9

~Favorite~

my favorite hands….my mom’s beautiful hands

Her Hands

Her hands held me gently from the day I took my first breath.
Her hands helped to guide me as I took my first step.
Her hands held me close when the tears would start to fall.
Her hands were quick to show me that she would take care of it all.

Her hands were there to brush my hair, or straighten a wayward bow.
Her hands were often there to comfort the hurts that didn't always show.
Her hands helped hold the stars in place, and encouraged me to reach.
Her hands would clap and cheer and praise when I captured them at length.

Her hands would also push me, though not down or in harms way.
Her hands would punctuate the words, just do what I say.
Her hands sometimes had to discipline, to help bend this young tree.
Her hands would shape and mold me into all she knew I could be.

Her hands are now aged with years of work,
Her hand still gentle rub away lives hurt. 
Her hands are more beautiful than anything can be.
Her hands are the reason I am me.

I loVE this poem! =) okay on to more pictures

Day 10

~to do…~

to do dishes=) I had just made pumpkin pancakes here and was preparing to wash the dishes that I used.

Day 11

~TV show~

The three stooges…anyone remember watching these?

Day 12

~dance~

Day 13

~shoes~

Day 14

~in my bag~

I thought it best not to embarrass myself by taking a picture of all the stuff I carry with me everywhere…so I just pulled out the most important things to me at the moment and left the rest out. Yeah your welcome=) With braces I HAVE to carry a toothbrush with me everywhere…especially when I have rubber bands in. Also shown is my portable pedicure set.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

The great puzzle called LIFE.

“Life is like a puzzle. There may be difficulties finding the right pieces but in the end your puzzle will be complete.”

“This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations.” Isaiah 14:26

“Thus saith the Lord that made thee, and formed thee from the womb…” Isaiah 44:2

Ever since I can remember Victoria (here) has done puzzles…I’ve never been that much of a fan of them myself. But I saw her doing it the other night and snapped a few pictures.  I couldn’t help but see all those pieces and think that’s how my life is….at age twenty I barely have any pieces put together at all.

Happy Tuesday!!!!

They celebrated 41 years of marriage!!!

My wonderful parents married on January 6, 1973  (41 years ago!!!!!=)

We were snowed in…I had to go to work so I missed the afternoon meal celebration for them (with cake etc.=( ) They spent the evening playing “apples to apples” with their children. Ally and Grace were the ones not here. Then they watched mom’s favorite movie (at the moment)  "The Christmas Card".

I came down the stairs later and they were sitting on the couch together….all cozy…looking through our family scrapbooks.

I love my parent so much…I hope their day was special and that their night out will happen soon after the roads clear up=)

my wonderful mom=)

Happy Friday!!!