Tumbleweeds.

Those seem to be the only things making their way across this blog...I apologize for my absence. I have posts aplenty to write, so stay tuned...

Full Time - Take Two.

Alright, folks.  It's officially.  I am employed full time.

Last Wednesday, I mailed in my application to St. Mary's Home for Boys, a residential treatment facility for 10-17 year old boys who are emotionally disturbed and behaviorally delinquent.  Thursday morning, I received a phone call, asking if I could come in at 2:00 that day for an interview.  I quickly got ready and had a half hour interview with the HR director there.  After that, she sent me to another room to complete a writing sample.  She came in to collect it and asked me if I could wait about 15 minutes to speak with the managers, who would complete the second part of the interview.  An hour later, two men came in and took me to a conference room, where they completed part two of the interview.  Once that was done, I asked the receptionist if I was allowed to leave or I needed to wait.  She said to wait, so I took a seat once again in the waiting room.  About 10 minutes later, the HR director came back in and said that, pending my reference checks, they'd like to offer me the job.  Within 36 hours, I went from considering applying for this position to being a residential counselor.

It was a whirlwind and while I felt extremely blessed, I also felt extremely overwhelmed.  I didn't feel like I had time to think about it, but it was too late.  I had already accepted.  The next day, I went in to do four hours of paperwork and policy reading.  As I started meeting people and reading through everything, I started to feel a little better, but still didn't feel totally confident.  But I think that's normal with a new job.  You're always nervous and apprehensive when you start. 

I'll start working on the cottage on Monday.  I'll be working with the 15-17 year old boys.  There's about 19 on the unit, and I'll have a case load of about four "specials" or "primary's," which are four boys that I spend a majority of my time with and am involved in their treatment.  I'm excited to see what doors this job opens for me.  It's fairly closely aligned with what I want to do and will absolutely help me to gain experience in working with this population.  Here's to hoping that all goes well!

Full Time.

Over two years ago, I began working in the Kid's Club at 24 Hour Fitness.  When I was first hired, I was a full time grad student.  They offered me a lot of flexibility and I was able to focus on school while still earning money.  Though it's been great, I'm ready to move on.  I've graduated, I have my master's degree, and I'm ready to work in my field.

I've added on the full time unpaid job of searching for jobs.  I'll be honest...I do not at all enjoy this process.  I feel as though I've applied for about 3849283927 jobs, but always get that "thanks, but no thanks" email.  Or they'll call for an interview and then go with someone else.  It has to be one of the most discouraging and disheartening processes ever.  Now that I've whined and complained...here are some positives...

This past week has been quite the uplifting one as far as the job hunt goes.  I had a second phone interview with a residential youth facility in Oregon and was offered a in-person interview and observation on the spot.  That's going to happen on Thursday, and I'm really looking forward to it.  It was so encouraging to have that happen.  While on the phone interviewing with the residential facility, Child Protective Services emailed me, inviting me to be a part of a group interview.  It was a great half hour for me!  That interview will happen in a couple weeks.

But here's the kicker...almost a month ago, I applied for a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP...or Q) position at MacLaren, one of the youth correctional facilities in Oregon, located in Woodburn.  Essentially, the position is what I did during my internship, just at the facility in Woodburn (my internship was in Salem).  As I applied, I wanted to pinch myself...I thought I was dreaming.  I don't think people realized just how much I loved and wanted this position.  I applied the day the position opened and have been sending up prayers every day since.  Last Friday, the position closed.  I hadn't heard anything, so I figured that once again, my application was a "thanks, but no thanks."  Tuesday morning, I was listening to a voicemail when I saw that I was getting a phone call from "MacLaren."  My stomach found it's way to my throat, but I somehow found a way to muster up a "Hello?"  I had been invited to interview for the Q position.  I literally almost exploded.  Thursday afternoon, I would be making my way to Woodburn to interview.

When Thursday finally arrived, I was a nervous wreck all morning.  I prayed all the way to Woodburn.  As soon as I hit the gate house, I was so excited to be back on OYA property.  I love these places.  This was where I was designed to work.  I made my way to the admin building and read the interview questions.  When my turn finally arrived, I walked into the HR office and did my best in that 30 minutes to tell them why I should be the new Q on the Troy unit.  They said it would be the middle to end of next week before I heard anything.  I have been waiting on pins and needles.  I'm doing the best I can to not get my hopes up, but it's so hard.  I want this job more than I can express.

Here's to staying encouraged despite the craziness, to moving forward, and to a God who answers our wildest of prayers.

Accomplished.

Well folks, it's finally happened...I graduated.  It's a bizarre feeling, really.  I've been in school since I was two years old.  The longest break I ever had from school was six months.  Now, I'm done.

I've tried to decide how I feel about and realized that, in all honesty, I really just need some more time to adjust to this big transition.  And that's what it is.  I find myself having to adjust from living the life of a student to living the life of an "adult."  I've worked through high school, college, and grad school, so adjusting to work won't really be the issue.  It's the days off that will throw me.  Usually, my off days were spent reading mental health books, doing homework, or getting together with people from school to work on a group project.  Now, I can read books that I want to read, take my dog for walks, and get together with people just to be with them.

The hooding ceremony was amazing.  As I walked across the stage, holding my hood, and being greeted by Michelle and Keith, I realized that this didn't just mark me receiving my degree.  As I knelt down and had them place my hood over me, I realized that I was being welcomed and accepted by two outstanding professionals in the counseling field.

Thankful doesn't even begin to describe how I'm feeling.  The last two years have been painful, joyful, tearful, and prayerful.  I wouldn't be where I am today had it not been for a massive number of graceful, helpful, prayerful people.  This degree...the fancy letters that now follow my name...they belong to you all, too.  As cliche as it sounds, I could not have done it without you.  My life is richly blessed by you and love you all dearly.

Sincerely,
Shannon S. Lee, MA

Fifth.

When her mama told us that she was pregnant, I couldn't wait.  Another baby to love on, kiss, and snuggle?  Nothing is better than that.  I hoped the baby would be a ginger, just like her daddy.  But I knew I'd love this baby no matter what she looked like.

On Christmas Day, my family gathered for our annual gift exchange.  Carrie had planned it so that how we figured out our gift selecting order would also be how they revealed the gender of the baby.  The notecards eventually spelled out "we're having a..." and we all attempted to guess, and then they finally told us...it was a girl!  We couldn't believe it.  My grandmother had seven granddaughters and no grandsons...she was convinced her first great-grandchild would be a boy.  But to our beautifully pleasant surprise, it was a girl.

When she finally graced us with her presence on May 7, my heart almost exploded with joy and love for this new little girl...this new little girl with red hair.

Emerson Elizabeth was never a shy girl.  Even as a baby, she would happily go with others and smile so wide that the smile would spread all the way around the room.  She still isn't a shy girl.  She'll tell a stranger at a restaurant to push in their chair and will ask the little girl across the street on Halloween if she wants to come over for some candy.  For such a little girl, she has a big personality.  And that big personality comes with a big heart full of a lot of love.

To my Emerson,
Today, you are a whole hand...you are five years old.  I am always amazed by you and your contagious joy.  You love your brother, your cousin, Dora, and princesses.  And I love you.  I'm blessed to be a part of your life and cannot tell you how wonderful it is to have you as a part of mine.  Keep being you, because whoever you are, that is perfect.  Love you with every inch of me.

Sixth.

It was the summer before my freshmen year of college when I found out that there was a special something going on in her mommy's belly.  As I went through my freshmen year of college, I anxiously awaited the arrival of this little bug.  Then, on April 28th, sister girl arrived.

As she went through the first year(s) of life, Audrey Elizabeth had the greatest baby mohawk I've ever seen in my life.  During bathtime, I loved making bug's hair into the most perfect mohawk.  Though I'm thankful for her beautiful brown locks now, sometimes I miss being able to style stink bug's hair like that.

On her first birthday, buggy got into her cake like I've never seen a baby do in my life.  I was so proud of sister bug as she dug in without fear...just like she continues to do now.

To my Audrey,
Today, you are you six years old.  I cannot believe it has already been six years since I praised God and smiled my face off as you joined our world.  You make me laugh all the time and I am continuously amazed by how stubborn you are.  You love trying to be sneaky, swim lessons, and running home from school as fast as you can.  I love that you allow me to share in your life and I'm thankful to be a part of yours.  You're beautiful...never forget that.  Love you with all I have.

Third.

I remember being in the Memorial Union at OSU when I found out that Caroline was just a twinkle in her daddy's eye and a peanut in her mommy's belly. I remember being so excited for Catherine and Audrey to be big sisters. I remember anxiously awaiting the arrival of this little baby, not knowing if she was going to be a William or a Caroline. I remember checking my email every five minutes, waiting to get one that said she had arrived. I remember getting an email with a subject line that read "It's a..." And it was a girl. But not just any girl. It was my Caroline Marie. My sweets.

Caroline Marie.

I remember meeting her for the first time. I played with the big girls while the little one napped. When she finally woke up, I snuggled her in my arms...smooching her sweet cheeks, taking in the warmth and joy that can only come from a newborn. Sweets had stolen my heart.

Snuggling my girl for the first time.

I remember celebrating her first birthday. She looked beautiful in her dress. She made a beautiful mess of the cake and still looked just as beautiful in her jams as she nestled into mama's lap to open presents (with the help of big sister, Audrey, of course). Lina-Loo was the life of the party.

It would appear that sister girl enjoyed her cake.

I remember when she first started walking. She was a "Franken-baby." Arms out wide, legs out wide...but she worked that floor like she owned it. Loo was the light of my life.

Ok, she's not walking in this picture, but she was right before it was taken!

What I don't remember is my girl growing up so quickly...

To my Caroline,
Today is your third birthday. I can't believe it's already been three years since you joined our world. I am so thankful that you did. You make me laugh and bring joy to me that is unimaginable. You love fruit snacks and Dora and love hanging out with Violet. You look up to Catherine and Audrey is your best friend and worst enemy. I love being a part of your life. Thank you for being exactly who you are. You're beautiful in every way. Keep shining, Loo Bear. Love you with all my heart.

Happy Birthday, Princess!