After the week I have had, I would love to say that I couldn't be happier that it's Friday, but I'm really not.
Next week is Dan's fourth week away from us in just the past two months. Hopefully the last. I have multiple fingers and toes crossed on that.
Also next week, I have not one, but two customer FATs. For the majority of you not in the pharma industry (although I know I have a couple of you!), that's when our customer comes here to test their software and equipment. It's exhausting. I get to see my girls less because I have to work longer and that always makes me grumpy. Not with them. With work.
And that's just the beginning of a summer filled with almost back to back FATs for the next three months.
I do have to toot-toot my horn a bit and then I'll stop talking about my job.
We had customers in this week for a Design Qualification. Basically, they ask a lot of very, very specific questions and want an actual document to prove each one is accomplished by our hardware and software.
It was fun times, kids. Better than Disneyworld.
But it also brought me some very rewarding moments.
This week, I surprised myself and most certainly the customers, with my knowledge. I was answering questions and finding just the right reference in hundreds of pages of documentation because I know this all backwards and forwards now.
I've learned so much these past four years because it's just been me doing all the work, and it's been a lot. My "group," which consisted of only me until just last month, became one of the only profitable groups in our company, which is saying quite a bit for a start-up.
(Guess who the other profitable "group" was? That would be my husband's, who was also a group of one until just recently. Yes, we work together. I know, weird. But it works for us. Probably because we are weird.)
Toot-toot!
Seriously, though. I spend each day going to work and leaving my girls at home. I don't know a working mother who doesn't sometimes question her decision to do this. I'm the same. Especially lately.
But then a week like this happens.
A week when I'm the lone woman among all the men, as usual. And I prove, again and again, that I know what I'm talking about. I do great work. I am accomplished and smart and capable. And yes, I'm a woman
and a mother. (This is typically surprising to my customers. Not the woman part. The mother part. And usually the smart part.)
One of the reasons I go to work is because I want my girls to grow up seeing that women can do anything they want. There are no limits. Men do not have the corner on math and science and engineering. Women can choose to stay home and have a rewarding career there, or we can go into the workforce and stand toe-to-toe with men.
No limits.
There have been some
troubling events and
commentary in our country over the past few months in regards to women's place in our society. I have experienced moments watching the news when I wondered if we had time-traveled back a century. As a woman and a mother to two girls, it troubles me when I see women's rights being set back rather than moved into equality with men.
I refuse to allow my girls to believe that their course in life is determined by their gender or that they are less equal than men.
I hope that I am helping to illustrate this by going to my job every day, working in a field dominated by men who tend to treat a woman with thinly veiled contempt, disbelief in her abilities and intelligence, or sometimes outright derision. And proving every day how wrong they are in their assumptions.
It makes it a little easier to leave them every day when I believe strongly that I am making this world better for them by my leaving.
And now... we return to your regular programming and this week's highlights as captured by Instagram.
This first one isn't from this week, but I found it on Dan's camera and couldn't resist. It's actually from Easter.
Making silly faces and then asking to see the picture.
I got this the first morning Dan stayed home with the girls this week. He just bought this onesie this weekend. His text with the pic was, "It didn't take me long!" See what is written on the shirt?
I let P watch her new favorite show, Doc McStuffins, while she ate dinner one night. I don't bother trying to talk to her when it's on; notice her intent and focused expression.
Oh, and she's licking her fingers. Not picking her nose. Every bit of ranch must be consumed. I had to bribe her to eat her chicken, though, by saying she couldn't have a second helping of broccoli until she ate a piece of chicken.
Yes, you read that right.
My drive to work one morning. I love the rain clouds coming in over the mountains.
Livie's footrest as she's sleeping. Our three cats are all patient with the girls, but Chloe is pretty amazing. She genuinely loves them and puts up with quite a bit from P just to get some loving from her. She let Livie rest her foot on her for several hours and gave it an occasional lick.
On our way to the park. Ensemble selected by Paityn.
Swinging. Her absolute favorite thing to do. Livie quite enjoyed watching.
Paityn played outside
by herself for a little while last night. I was so impressed. Of course, she was joined by Funny Bunny Pete, her favorite imaginary friend. After some time, she came to the door and said through the screen, "Mama, Funny Bunny Pete says he's ready to come in. He wants a snack and Doc McStuffins."
