Paula Patselas

I have now been blogging for Realiteen for almost two years and have thoroughly enjoyed the experience to share the ebb and flow of life with three teens in the house. I am well seasoned with the teen scene, but learn something new and exciting almost every day still. I am blessed to be the very proud mom of three teens: Kassiane, 17; Austin, 16; and Lydia, 15. Yes, you read correctly – stair step teens. They were once 1, 2 and 3, if you can only imagine. That part seems like a blur now – thank goodness for photos and video. It has all happened so quickly and now they are in 10th, 11th and 12th grades. One of the first thoughts that now comes to mind when I tell someone their ages is that they will graduate from high school three years running; and of course, that means beginning college three years running, too. That means three cars, three more insurance policies, oh the horrors. We will cross those bridges soon enough. For now, the household is bustling; even teaming with activity and commotion and that is putting it politely. The “we” I mention includes my husband, Doctor Tim, who is a general surgeon, and practices with Onslow Surgical Clinic. It goes almost without saying, he is a very busy husband/dad. The great news is that he is a very involved, hands-on kind of dad and always has been. He comes home, rolls up his sleeves and pitches in with whatever needs to be done to manage the group. Early on we realized that we would have our hands full and being that there are three of “them” and two of “us”, the odds were against us. It has been a challenge keeping our ship afloat and keeping the kids steered, but always a joy and we would have never had it any other way. I am a real multi-tasking mom, too, with quite a few irons in the fire. I am a registered nurse, since 1982, with a clinical background in trauma and critical care nursing. In recent years, my focus has been in nursing education at Onslow Memorial Hospital; however, during the past two years, I have also been working PRN(filling in as needed), in out-patient clinics at the Naval Hospital and MCAS. The flexibility of PRN works great with managing the busy schedules of the teens, yet allows me to keep connected with my profession. I also volunteer in their schools and for the past three years have been helping to re-invent the Onslow County Medical Society Alliance, a physician spouses’ organization. I’ve also been a long standing soccer mom, an avid gardener and love to cook. When I say, never a dull moment – it truly means, NEVER a dull moment. I look forward to more blogging and sharing about life with the stair step teens. Stay tuned!

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First Day of School

September 1st, 2010 Tawana Humphrey

Which one of the three looks excited to go back to school? You’re right, Kiki! That child was up and ready to roll out at 6:21 am…ughhhhh! The other two, now they’re in a whole entire different league. Although I must admit that I didn’t need a backhoe to get them up, so that was a good thing. I don’t know if school came around too quickly or what, but even if you don’t like school, you’re always excited for that first day. I remember when it was Back to School Eve in my home. I would lie in the bed all night thinking about my friends. Thinking about my classes, my clothes, who was gonna change the most, my teachers, just so much stuff. My two oldest went out like a light and didn’t move until I woke them up!

Scootie also started football practice. He was so tired he could barely move poor thing. I too was in the same boat as Scootie. I stayed up late that night trying to make sure paper work was all signed and back packs were ready to be go. The next day, I knew I felt sluggish, but I just figured I was just a wee bit tired. I remember telling the kids to go and take baths and the next thing I knew, I was waking up to sign some papers. Soraya was at the side of my bed with a paper and pen in hand. I had to ask her if the other kids were in the bed because I was knocked out. I will be the first to say, if you don’t get rest, rest will get you…anywhere.

This week I’m hoping to be back into the swing of things. Hope all you have a great day and remember to take it easy!

5 Comments on “First Day of School”

Onslow Theckla September 2nd, 2010 4:05 pm
Tawana, that picture is too funny – none of them look very happy to be back at school! Hopefully they will have a great year. Are they liking their teachers?
Karen September 2nd, 2010 6:15 pm
I love that picture, too. Your posts always leave me with a smile on my face.
Tawana Humphrey September 3rd, 2010 10:42 am

Hello Theckla, my youngest just has one main teacher. The other two are junior high and high school, so they have their picks. So far we’re off to a good start. Here’s hoping we can keep it up!
Tawana Humphrey September 3rd, 2010 10:43 am

Thanks Karen and I’m glad you can get something out of them!
Paula Patselas September 4th, 2010 11:07 am
Hi Tawana,

The first week of the kids back in school always makes me unusually tired – not just the physical up and at em’ routine, but from the mere stress of “here we go again, another year of this pull and tug!”, and of course the mound of paperwork from the first day – and like you, I always have 3 sets to do that first night!!