Thursday, January 30, 2014

Congrats, Matt!



At work yesterday, Jim announced that Matt won a Clinician of the Year award!  There are 125 branches that span 11 states in Encompass. Colorado Springs is just one of the branches and he got this award!

I guess each branch sends a selection for clinician (therapy or nursing), home health aide and office staff. Then these are sent to corporate for April Anthony (CEO), Tracy Kruse (COO) to choose the top 5-8 from each category (Clinician, Home Health Aide, Office Staff) of the company.  So there are usually about 15 total awarded with the three categories combined.  Each Branch Director writes up a report on why their people deserve the award. Jennifer, Matt's Branch Director, even showed him the report yesterday of words from his patients, fellow clinicians and office staff praising his effort, attitude and aptitude.

I'm so proud of him! But I always have been really. I guess I'm just floored that he works at a place that regularly recognizes and appreciates him. It's unreal. It makes what he does so rewarding on a daily basis. If not from his patients, from his supervisor or even all the way to the top. It's just crazy. I think it makes his work incredibly fulfilling. I know not everyone can say this.  We are grateful.  In just the last week or so, three patients have written in to the office to let them know how much they enjoyed working with Matt. He really is in the right career for his abilities and bent. And he is blessed by those who take the time to appreciate that. It really says a lot about his patients!

The boys and I made the banner for him yesterday for when he got home.


I asked him before going to bed about it again. He said he still couldn't really believe it. I'm just so proud of him and grateful that others seem to see what I see in him. It's not all about clinical knowledge (that's an important part though!), I think his attitude gets him far. He doesn't complain, he's appreciative and considerate and he tries to refrain from or join in on negativity. He's also very content exactly where he is. I'm probably going to get in trouble for this post (from Matt), but if I can't brag about him to our closest family and friends, then who can I? I know some of you will (and should!) feel great pride and joy in this unexpected award. You helped to shape him into who he is today.

I'm so glad the boys have him for a daddy to emulate. Here's Nathan with his banner...and his foot?


Nathan chose all of the colors specifically for daddy. He liked the sparkles on the black, red and blue ones!  He loved cutting the papers, punching the holes, writing the letters (with my help, of course), and stringing them up!  In case you can't tell, the gray paper by the "S" has a "green snake" and "fireworks" on it :)


He is invited to Las Vegas in March for Encompass' annual meeting where he will stay at the Bellagio and receive his award!


We are so proud of you, Babe!!!!!!

January 1-9

It's 2014!!!  Let's play with some trains :)


I had a brilliant idea (or not so) to make brackets for the playoffs.  I didn't expect Matt to take his so seriously.  He was so upset when he realized he did his lines wrong! ha ha.  I love learning every day different things about this man.  We both have our areas of desired perfection.  This was one of his!


Nathan & Matt's.  I will say, Matt's looks nice.  He used a ruler for lines and measurements :)  Nathan sold out on the Eagles and picked them to lose in the first game!!!

Turns out he's a smart kid.  He was right!

Matt's with mine.  I hurriedly drew mine and he laughed when he saw how "not-centered" it was!

My bracket was awful.  I had the Eagles and the Chiefs in the SuperBowl!

Nice of Nathan to share his apple with Josh, huh?


I think he ate this whole apple.  Why have I bothered peeling and cutting these up all this time?


Randomly, we decided to take Nathan's crib rail off.  Josh helping.

They loved climbing up in his bed!






Changed the sheet out too (with a new one of Josh's) to make it feel more "big boy like".


All ready for bed!


Or not.   See the blankets on the floor?  During my time of rocking/chatting/praying with him he was worried about falling out.  So we put the blankets on the floor and practiced him rolling out.  But once I went to leave, he tried to follow me out, flipping on his light switch on the way!  In the end, we put it back on for him to go to sleep.  He wanted it back on and we were too tired and not in the right mind to stick with it.  Plus, we will probably put up a low rail to make him feel more safe.  I'd imagine it's difficult going from a big rail to nothing at all.  Especially for him.  He doesn't love change.  So we will try again in February, maybe!


Ikea trip!  New chairs and table for the boys.




This kid.


The boys playing at the table in Nathan's room.


Daddy putting Nathan's book shelf/cubby hole thing together for Nathan's big boy room!


Moved the boys to Josh's room so Matt could work.  Yes, Nathan wanted to be a parrot.

How in the world does that costume still fit him???

Josh with the piggy banks.  He loves that chair.


Brushing teeth before bed.

Last Week of December

Christmas is over and it's the last week of 2013!  Josh playing while Nathan naps.


He learned to get on his CAT all by himself!


The boys in their Christmas outfits from Aunt Court on Sunday!


Nathan's face. Kills me.




Do you think my mom and mother 'n law planned to coordinate their Christmas cards this year? :)  They have good taste!  Very pretty.


Eagles day. 


Yes.  Even George.


I love the looks on Nathan's face in the next two...




Hey cutie!


Some wrestling shots!  Josh always starts it and then Nathan rolls him around :)






See?  Josh always come back for more!


Aww.


Apparently these are wrestling mats too!


They like to just lay on them as well.




I hope they always love each other!


Check out Josh working the excavator!


Nathan is rescuing a dalmatian with his fire truck and fireman!


Got him!


I told him the dalmatian was licking the fireman to tell him "thank you!"  Then Nathan licks the dog.  Then he looks at me and says, "I don't know why I licked him, mommy."


Another nice day for the  boys to get some fresh air.










We rented Planes for New Year's Eve!  We need to get this movie.


These boys love their daddy!  I love Josh's face in this picture.  Talk about contentment and joy all wrapped in one!


Mama's turn for some love :)