Right now, I'm pretty much a stay-at-home Mom. Suzy and Andy keep me super busy and any time I do have to spare, I'm usually playing around with photos. Even that is mostly because of my kids. I think in pictures and I remember things like a photo album. Rob jokes that if I don't take a picture, it didn't happen. So, I try and chronicle our lives through photos. Maybe some day my kids will think it's great. If not, nurses can remind me who these beautiful children are as I rock in the old folks home with my sisters. I'm blessed to have a great, supportive husband and a lucrative career. So, I have some nice equipment. Sometimes people think I'm a pro photographer or aspiring to be one. Nah. It's too much work. ;) I love my career and although I'm only VERY part-time right now (like only 15-20 days per year), I may do more as my kids grow up.
So, people often ask me, "What do you do, anyhow?" I fly around the country and show people some slides. My brother would say that makes me an expert. I went to school to be an occupational therapist and it suites me perfectly. I use adaptive techniques and equipment to better the lives of any type of person or disability. I can literally work anywhere. The only common denominator in my field is that we enrich the lives of those we work with. We can work with old or young, mental or physical. I chose to work primarily in pediatrics with a ton of nursing home / rehab / home health on the side. You see, if you work in the schools, you get the teacher schedule and can therefore moonlight all kinds of places. I've always been a bit of a workaholic.
A few years ago, I was approached to do a seminar on teaching handwriting. I loved it instantly. My personality and therefore personal presenting style is very practical and creative. Not a lot of "fluff". Just honest to goodness tried and true techniques on how to get patients to recover quicker and lead more fulfilling lives. So, eventually I wrote more courses for Physical Rehab, Autism, General Home Health, Dementia, etc... I have ideas of literally thousands of tips and techniques. In the beginning, they were all my ideas. But now, God has blessed me with meeting literally thousands of amazing therapists who may only have one or two great ideas but they let me share them with everyone else. It all adds up. It's the best thing ever. I get to stand up and give hundreds of ideas and if each person in attendance is able to help just one or two people, I am so excited about the impact that just one seminar can have.
So that's it. When I put on my lipstick and "big girl clothes", I am an expert. I fly around the country and people actually pay to hear me gab - for hours. I usually fly out one day and speak all day the next. I'll then travel to another city and do it all again. I fly home that night. Go to bed exhausted but feeling like a super star.
I remember one time being on a plane and the lady next to me kept going on and on about how she was so excited to be going to Chicago to attend this really great course that she's been trying to make it to for a very long time. Turns out, she was flying up to see --- me. She was so flustered when she found out who I was, she fidgeted and fumbled the rest of the trip. My ego swelled and my head probably hit the overhead bins. Then, I come home and Andy wakes up way too early with his dirty diaper that humbles me. The ego leaves and I realize that right now I'm called to do the most important job of my life. It may not be my career, but it's my life. I love the saying that we make a living by what we earn, but we make a life by what we give.
This photo cracks me up. Since I travel solo, sometimes I have to get creative on how to transport my luggage. Sure, I can afford skycaps, but they aren't always the quickest way to get from point A to point B. Plus, my specialty is adaptivity, right? I carry bungee cords and zip ties everywhere. Oh, the travel stories I could tell. It seems all glamorous and exciting. I've presented at some really cool places. But, in reality, hotels and airports have a way of becoming very similar...
My last "tour" I had a long lay-over in Dallas and was able to eat lunch with my sweet Aunt Mary. I don't get to see her nearly enough. After looking at this picture, I'm amazed at how alike we look! It was so fun to catch up with her.
That same week I was able to re-connect with my dear friend, Holly, from Indiana. She's living in Arkansas right now and touching the lives of many very fortunate little ones. It was so fun to get to see both of these amazing women. :)
So, that's it. That's what I do. I love all of it.
I love how my kids are becoming such good "buddies". Andy wakes up from every nap looking for "oooeee!"
This is a little game Suzy likes to call "bump" It's pretty simple to see how it got its name. Both kids love it.
After nap (and the required nudeness party that we host almost every afternoon) we decided to make some home made pretzels. Pioneer Woman had the recipe and they looked oh, so good... Suzy loves to cook with me and Andy is starting to get interested.
I started with twists and braids and well.... as you can see we had to modify and do simple rings. Why can't I escape poop at my house? Seriously....
The verdict?
A definite make again recipe.
As for my gift, it needs a little explanation. And, what would a Marti blog post be without a big narrative? I really wanted a cordless drill. But, Rob convinced me to get him one for Father's Day since they may be on sale. Sure, whatever. The day before I had to attend some CME to keep my OT license current. I didn't realize I was up for renewal until literally a months notice. So, yes, I crammed two years worth of continuing ed into two weeks. CRAZY. I didn't have a ton of options to be choosy. So, I went to an Interactive Metronome course here in Austin. Yet another certification that I will barely ever use.... (Did you know I am now certified in Massage Therapy, Athletic Training, Advanced Rescue/Search and Recovery SCUBA, Ineractive Metronome, and of course CPR and First Aide? It's weird. I'll never use any of them. But, I guess it makes me a good candidate for the "Who do you want to be stuck with on an island" question....) IM is an interesting modality and has some good research, but it was crazy how expensive the software was. I kept thinking,... surely I could duplicate this. So, I did. I believe the Wii RockBand could be every bit as beneficial as their $3,000 computer simulator. And, a heck of a lot more fun. I may even get ambitious and do some research studies on it soon. Who knows. Until then, Marti Smith Seminars, Inc. purchased the Rock Band 2 game and Dance Dance Revolution for our Wii. Sure, it's a business expense. I love this thing. I really do. I really liked the Wii fit we got for Chirstmas, and this thing is even better. Rob is addicted and it's a blast to watch. 
The kids like it as well.
Even Deb and Bruce got in on the action this past weekend.
What a Happy Mother's Day, indeed. Thanks, sweet Rob, Suzy, and Andy. :)
