Back in the Saddle

Today was my first day back to work for the first time in a long time. As many of you know, I've been working from home on an as-needed basis for the past 16 months. But today was the start of what will be a month and a half full-time run.

I forgot what it's like to sit in a chair for the majority of the day. I forgot what it's like not to have to answer a bazillion questions from curious children. I forgot what it's like to work with adults!

It should be interesting to see how this next month and a half goes...especially considering my children are being taken care of by a different care-giver every single day! Aside from being watched by my sisters this week, they'll not be in the same place two days in a row for the next 45 days! I must say, though, that they'll be in the care of the best care-givers around!

Surgery Reschedule...ment

Since we found out a couple of days ago that the company Seth works for is changing insurances, we're changing our surgery date. The insurance we have now (one which no one has ever heard of) didn't pre-approve us for Madison's Otoplasty. (If you're totally lost as to what I'm talking about, see here, here and here.) Up until this point, we were going to go ahead with the surgery anyway, and pray that some/most/all of it would be covered. Now that we have another option, we're going to go ahead and take it. At the very least, we'll have a head start on our 2009 deductible.

So anyway, instead of Madison going in for surgery on the 22nd, it's now changed to January 5th. I'm a little bummed we had to change the date for two reasons: 1: She's actually supposed to be in school that day, instead of starting her two week Christmas break, and 2: I'm supposed to be working the whole month of January in the office. I hate to have to take more time off than necessary since I'm sort-of "filling in". I am, however, happy it's being postponed because Seth and I promised Madison she'd have her own (newly decorated) room after the surgery. This gives me more time to complete all of the little projects I have planned for her little "Garden Paradise".

So instead of painting Mathias' current room this weekend, and moving a ton of furniture, Seth and I may be able to finish our Christmas shopping.

There's a novel idea...

Weekend in Chicago

As you know, if you've read this post, our company Christmas party this year was a 4 day trip to Chicago.

Here's a little re-cap of this past weekend:

We left the office at Noon on Thursday, and made our way via Tourbus to Chicago. We played cards, watched movies, chatted with friends and, if we were lucky, caught some shut-eye. 9 1/2 hours later, we arrived at our hotel: the Hyatt McCormick Place.

The view of the city from our room was spectacular! And it's so big, it touched the horizon!

When we arrived Thursday night, the Bears were playing in Soldier field, and we could see the game on the JumboTron

Friday morning, we left the hotel at 8am to head to Burns Harbor for our Steel Mill Tour. Arcelor Mittal is one of the mills our company buys steel from. Although they weren't running at full capacity on this particular day, and a bar of steel got jammed in the machine that stretches it into coil form, it was a very informative tour, and very interesting.

Abbey and I striking our hot model poses in our HOTT Mill Tour GetUp

Molten hot steel about to be poured from the ladle

The steel was poured into bars, and left to cool. These particular bars are still red hot.

These "StarWars" looking vehicles were used to transport the bars to a different facility to be stretched into thin coils.

After the tour, we headed back to the hotel to get ready for our big night. We all met in Steve and Anne's suite to "mingle" and play a game. My team won the game, and the prize was $100 cash!

One HOTT buncha gals! (L-R: Sue, Jeannie, Mandy, Abbey, and myself)

And our husbands (plus Bob, who's wife couldn't make the trip to Chicago). L-R: Aaron (Jeannie's), Bob, Joe (Sue's), Brooks (Mandy's), Ben (Abbey's), and Seth (Mine)We ate a delicious supper at Carnivale Chicago, then bussed over to the Ford Theatre for a Wicked experience!

Aaron and Jeannie at Carnivale

Seth and I
Steve and Anne (the ones we all have to thank for such an amazing experience!)

Saturday morning, we met again in Steve and Anne's suite to break into teams for a scavenger hunt. A portfolio of clues led us all over the McCormick center campus. And, once again, my team were the winners! This time, the prize was a T-Shirt and a DVD. Oh, and $100 dollars was given to everyone who didn't win the game the night before. So we were all winners!

After the hunt, a bunch of us left for shopping on the Magnificent Mile, Michigan Ave. Abbey and Ben, Aaron and Jeannie and Seth and I ate lunch (and dessert) at The Cheesecake Factory.

Saturday Lunch at The Cheesecake Factory!

Sunday morning, we checked out of our hotel, and left for home, but not without an amazing church service at Willow Creek Community Church. I've never been to a "Mega Church" before, but I have to say, it was a good experience. We spent the first 25 minutes of the service singing Christmas Carols, and then, instead of a message by Bill Hybels, Gary Haugen, of International Justice Mission, spoke. He gave a moving message of hope-of men and women in foreign countries who, for most of their lives, have been exploited and abused, until attorneys and officials partnering with IJM are able to bring them to justice.

After the service, we hopped back on the bus for the trek home. We were worried about blizzard rumors in Minnesota and wanted to make it back in one piece. As it turned out, we pulled into the office parking lot around 8pm.

I have to say, I'm really glad to be home with my kids again, but this past weekend was a nice vacation with my husband and some friends...and I can't wait for the next one! (hint, hint) :D

QUICK Little Update...

Since Seth and I leave tomorrow for Chicago, and all I've done to prepare so far is laundry, I really have to make this brief...

We've finally set a date for Madison's surgery: December 22nd. It's the first day of their Christmas vacation, so she'll have plenty of time to heal before heading back to school in January. We still don't know if insurance will cover it, as they've said that we don't need prior authorization from them to proceed with the surgery...I'm taking that to mean nothing's guaranteed...so you can pray for that :

Madison turned 6 on November 19th! I can't believe I have a six year old! Six days later, I had my golden 25th birthday. Seth and I went out to Applebee's (one of our favorites) and when we got home, my sisters and mom were at my house to surprise me! Seth brought out a cake and everything. It was a nice surprise.

Well, that's all I have time for today. I'll post pictures and more when I get back from Chicago!

Toodles!