PUBLISHED!!!!!

Let me just say from the get-go that this is going to be a brag session about my husband. If you're not interested, don't read it. But if you are, here's the way it goes.

A few months ago Paul realized a need for a custom surgical prep tray for the surgery department where he works. He began working on this project, customizing it, as well as implementing a new prep solution in the prep tray. The details are many and I don't know them all, however, through this customized prep tray that he designed, he has been able to save St. Vincent 29% over their previous tray cost, lowering the price by $2.78 per tray. This saving is significant. His work has not gone unnoticed by those around him. This month, in a national magazine published by Medline Industries, Inc., they published a two-page spread article about what he has done. They have a web-site, but you cannot access the article unless you subscribe. However, if you click on this link you will see the cover of the magazine in which this article is published. And if you click on the little link in the lower left corner of the screen where it says "OR Issues", you will see that this article is one listed there: "Great Ideas from Your Peers: Surgical Skin Prep Soultions". http://www.medline.com/orc/default.asp

Here are a couple of pictures of the two page spread that I just scanned into my computer.

The name of the article is: "Great Ideas from Your Peers", and you can see his picture at the bottom of the second picture. Let me just say, I believe that Paul is one of the best in his field. This is not just my opinion, it is the opinion of his peers and his boss as well. A couple of weeks ago he had his annual performance review. Here are some of the exact words from his boss on this evaluation:

"Paul provides safe, quality care for his patients. His excellent assessment skills, years of experience, including ED and technical skills have resulted in quick critical thinking skills that have saved patient lives." (On more than one occasion, I might add.)

"Paul’s ability to circulate or scrub provides increased staffing flexibility to meet patient or surgeon needs. Paul also seeks opportunities to develop himself as well as others. Paul is truly an asset to the Surgery Department and organization."

Not only did she say these things, she also backed it up by giving him the highest possible rating on his evaluation: 4.0! On this same evaluation one of his peers said: "He is genuine...he is very motivated".

Honey, I'm so proud of you, and I love you so. You truly have earned a standing ovation! You are awesome at what you do, and you deserve to be recognized and congratulated!!! Please help me congratulate him by posting your comments. I will certainly pass them on to him!

Side note: About three years ago he designed a special helmet for surgery. The engineers came and met with him, and took down his prototype. The engineers went back and made one, brought it back for him to "tweak". It is being marketed by Stryker, and is set for national distribution soon. Unfortunately, he didn't hire an attorney, and he won't be receiving any type of kick-back. We live and learn!!!! Next time there WILL be an attorney!

Here Again, Finally!!!

I really don't know where to start, so I'll just start. We had a wonderful time at camp. It was great to be spiritually refreshed and physically rested as well. The kids had a great time and spent hours and hours in the sand. Jonathan and some other children getting buried in the sand...yuck!!! Jonathan said he had sand fleas in his ears. DaNae, Kallie and Jada at camp. "BFF" !

We made it home from camp, and the next morning I headed to the chruch to begin the decorating for our VBS. Since I lost the day to getting unpacked and laundry caught up, I spent the next several days doing so. My kids thoroughly enjoyed VBS, and it seemed to be a great experience for all.

Also the week immediately following our return from camp, along with VBS, my sister, Cyretha, and her family made the tremendous move to Overland Park, KS. Her husband got a job out there and thus the move ensued. Unfortunately for my sister, he had started his job back in June and was already in KS. She stayed behind to sell their house, etc. So the move in August fell mostly her responsibility, and she is wore out. They made the move safely, and they are now trying to "get settled". Lots of adjustments and emotions, to say the least. Here is a pic of moving day, and one of her and Sammy and Elizabeth.

While we were at camp we found out that we were expecting again...and she would arrive the weekend after we got home from camp. We have made the cutest little addition to our family, and her name is "Sparkle". She was 7 1/2 weeks old when we got her and she is just adorable. She has a personality to match her name, and we are in love. She loves the kids and is doing well with her obedience.
She is a "yellow/white" lab. If bred correctly we should get all white pups. Of course that will be a couple of years from now, but we're enjoying HER as a puppy.
Sparkle promptly got a UTI the day after we got her. So forget trying any of the potty training stuff. It was not an option. She's all better now and doing well.

The next week we spend getting ready for school, buying uniforms, purchasing crayons, glue and hand sanitizer. Jeffrey started first grade Thursday, and is really enjoying it. Jonathan and DaNae started on Friday with a half day. This week was back in full swing. Here's Jeffrey ready for his first day of 1st Grade!!!

Also, Paul's parent flew in last Wednesday and was here for about a week. We put up 1 1/2-2 bushel of corn, rearranged the boys room, went to the state fair, had a picnic in the park on Sunday, just to name a few of the things we did while they were here. They are back home in NY now, but we had a great time, and always enjoy them being here. Makayla and grandpa sure are buddies.

So that's pretty much my last two and half weeks in a nutshell...laundry, VBS, looking at houses (we want to get a place with a little more land and at least another bedroom), helping family move, freezing/canning, company, getting ready for school, going to PTF, school open house, nursing a sick puppy, potty training the puppy, state fair, etc., etc. I'm ready for another 10 day vacation. I feel like Makayla looks. (After we got back from camp, she was so wore out, one day as I was trying to get caught up on laundry, I turned around and she had crawled in the laundry basket, just "chillin".)