Taylor and Santa

Oh he is a cute boy! At first he was very leery of sitting on the big man's lap... after Santa gave him a Mr. Potato Head his mind changed very quickly. Apparently, Santa is an ok guy.

Our JessiBear Turns 8!

Jessica turned 8 yesterday. She is so excited to FINALLY (as she puts it) be 8. We wanted to make sure that she felt really special so she had a roller skating party. She was also spoiled rotten- she got a new room makeover (Tinkerbell of course), roller skates, scriptures, her baptism dress, and a sparkly cloak to go with the dress. I am pretty sure that she is so spoiled she stinks now! All in all, it was a great day. Yesterday we took her over to the studio and took her baptism pics. I will be making and getting out the invites to her baptism soon. We think it will be the first Sat. in Jan. I should know for sure this week.

I have to say that we are so thankful that Jessica is in our life. She can bring a smile to your face even when your upset. Jessica has a real talent for making me laugh when I should be getting upset at her. My dad tells me all the time that she not only looks like me but acts just like I did at her age! (sorry mom and dad- I am really sorry for all I did!) We are so very thankful that she is in our family and that she is growing up to be such a wonderful young lady.

Christmas At Our Home

My favorite time of year is finally here! I love the love and warmth that comes with the Christmas season. I also love all of the traditions that we have. One of them is to go to the Festival of Trees. This is a huge fundraiser for Primary Children's Hospital. People decorate and donate Christmas trees and they are then auctioned off to raise funds. I took the kids and my mom this year. It was, as always, amazing. I love that our community does this each year for such a worthy cause. Kelsi's 5th grade class decorated 2 trees this year and both of them sold in the auction. She was very excited to find her trees and to point out which ornaments she had made. It was great for her to see her hard work pay off.
As to our own Christmas tree- we have two. One is the family tree which has all of the kids decorations that they have made. The other is "Mommy's tree". I changed the theme of my tree this year to, what else, Mickey Mouse. I have to say that I do love this tree and I think the theme will be around for a few years! It makes me happy to look at it and remember all of the fun that we have as a family at Disneyland. Hopefully, we will be going back soon.
Another thing to mention this post is Kelsi's play. Our school has a wonderful 4-H program with after school clubs. This semester, Kelsi chose to be in the drama club. After a lot, and I mean a lot of really hard work, the kids put on a play called "Cowboys and Mummies". Kelsi had one of the leading roles as Dotty Com. It was very cute and she had a great time. Our little drama queen is quite the actress...Life is great around our home. And I hope that it is for your family as well. This is a wonderful time of year and we are very thankful for how blessed we are. We are trying hard amid all of the presents and candy to teach our children the true meaning of Christmas. On our family card this year I put one of my favorite quotes from the Grinch- it is one lesson that I hope my children can really learn.

Moving and Getting Settled

Thanksgiving morning dawned bright and clear and Ryan and I decided to just get it done and move that day. I know, I know that's a horrible day to move- but everyone that helped received the gift of burning off calories BEFORE dinner! One of the major advantages of moving WAY too many times is that I really know how to pack and we were able to get everything in one load (OK 1 big trailer and about 4 cars full) So now we are all moved in, boxes are mostly unpacked and the pictures are being hung up. The best part about this whole thing is the amount of room we have! Going from an 1100 sq foot condo to a 2600 sq foot two story home really makes me appreciate all the sacrifices that my family made for me so that I could go to Nursing school. Thankfully, that part of our life is over and we are now reaping the rewards.

The kids (especially Taylor) don't know quite what to do with all of this space. Tag and hide and seek have become a favorite pass time! Kelsi and Jessica have their own space and separate rooms! This is making for a lot less fighting and much cleaner rooms. Kelsi even has her own bathroom- she is already turning into a tween and obsessing about hair etc.

I guess that I just have to say that this Thanksgiving I have a lot to be thankful for. The new home has really made me realize just how much we have accomplished in the last two years. It was very difficult but I am very thankful for the challenge and improvement in our lives. We made it through in one piece. All of our kids are alive and happy and Ryan and my relationship is stronger than ever.

I am looking forward to the holidays in our new home. Both trees are already up and the kids are very excited that we have a fireplace for Santa to come down! I can't help but be thankful for all that I have and the many blessings that occur in our life. I posted a picture of the home- it's off Google maps (I haven't found the camera yet!)

Halloween in Colorado Springs

This Halloween we flew over to Colorado and spent the weekend with one of my best friends and her family. We had a great time! The kids enjoyed trick or treating and came home with entirely too much candy! It was fun to see Taylor and Blake (4) play together- they loved each other. Course it was even funner to dress them up as Buzz and Woody. The kids got a real kick out of going on airplane- and of course had an argument over who exactly got to sit where. So- on to the photos...

Oh- How He Makes Me Laugh!

I just have to laugh- and share... This is how I found Taylor watching Mickey Mouse this morning! I guess the tubes from swimming last night didn't get put away and he found another use for them.

Weekend Away

Ryan and I decided that we would take the kids and go away this weekend. I have to say that it was great fun. We went up to Park City and stayed in the Westgate Hotel. I picked it because the room was pretty cheep and it looked promising. All I can say is WoW! Our room had a fully equipped kitchen, a living room with pullout sleeper couch, a patio with table and chairs, and a master bedroom with a king sized bed and a jacuzzi tub. It was wonderful! The hotel also had a game room that the kids had a blast in. The only downside was how huge the hotel was- it was very easy to get lost...
Today, after a breakfast cooked in the hotel room, we headed off to the outlet mall. I spent about 100 bucks and fully outfitted the girls for school. Can't beat that, right! We then headed up to the alpine slide. We had taken the kids up here a couple weeks before and it was cold and rainy. They had fun so we agreed we could go again when it was warmer. Today was almost too warm, LOL! All of us have sunburned faces!
I had gone to Costco and bought the 10 pack pass thing so we were able to take the kids on the Alpine slide and then the Alpine coaster 2x. They loved it! Jessica was so brave this time that she flipped herself out of the Alpine slide! No worries- she skinned up an elbow and will have a bruised shoulder but she's ok. The amazing thing was that she got right back in and finished going down the mountain without even shedding a tear.
I do have to say though that the Alpine coaster is by far the better ride. It was so much fun to ride up the mountain in the little sled and then come flying down it. The girls could be heard screaming and laughing the entire way.
We had such a great time that I was too busy to take pictures- oh well! It's all about the memories, right?!? It was great to escape for a bit and just play with our kids.

Baseball and Fireworks

Ryan and I decided that we would spend the 24th of July at the ball game. The Orem Owlz play at UVU and they were having a game and firework night. The kids thought this was a great idea. They loved that we were able to sit so close to the field. Both Jessica and Kelsi caught baseballs- how do we rate?!? After the game, there was a great display of fireworks! Over all, it was a great night and we plan on doing it again soon. However, I think this time I will spend a little extra money and pay for seats- sliding down the general admission hill all night wasn't exactly comfortable! I took some cute pics. The first is of the kids watching the players warm up. Taylor kept telling us that they were "those guys", LOL. The second is of Taylor wearing Daddy's glove so that he could "catch it".

New Job!

Well, life is slowly getting back to pre-nursing school craziness. The kids are adjusting to having a mom again and have even started suggesting things for us to do this summer! I am also happy to report that I am now employed full-time as an RN. I took a job at the State Developmental Center working with mentally handicapped adults. This isn't my first choice of jobs but I took it for a couple of reasons-
1- the benefits are incredible! 24 paid days off a year and complete health, dental, and vision benefits for less than $100 a month
2- the patients here are really what inspired me to go into nursing in the first place. I worked here for 3 years before school and loved the interaction so much that I decided this was my lifelong calling- I feel I owe these patients something for their inspiration
3- there is something to be said for patients that- love me unconditionally, get excited when they see me, and in general are completely innocent of the world around them.
4- the schedule allows Ryan or I to be with the kids for all of about 4 hours each day. After two years of school, they really need and are enjoying having a parent around most of the time. And, I have Fri and Sat off which means lots of mini-vacations this summer!

I really do not see myself here for a very long time, maybe only a few months, but I am enjoying the slower paced environment, while earning RN wages. I look forward to when I can get back into the hospital but, for now, this really is the best place for me to be.

Climbing Mountains

On Thursday I made the very long, stressful drive to a little company called Pearson Vue. I walked into the office and waited in line, listened to their little spill about confidentiality at least 4 times, had my right index fingerprint taken 4 times, was given a white board and pen, had to turn my pockets inside out to prove they were empty, was again fingerprinted and told about confidentiality and finally told I could begin.

Sitting in front of that computer again was a little daunting. We had worked for two years so that I could take this one test. No pressure, right! For those that are not familiar with the Nclex test, it is a computerized adaptive test. It is smart enough to judge how "safe" of a nurse you will be. The test can have anywhere from 75-265 questions- all dependent upon how you answered your previous questions. Once it has determined that you will or won't be a good nurse, the computer simply turns off. When I took my LPN boards- the computer turning off made me want to cry- "I wasn't finished, please let me keep answering these awful questions!" This time when I hit question 75 all I could think was, "please turn off, please turn off, please turn off" Magically, it did!

However, then comes the 48 hours of absolute agony! I am not a patient person and waiting for test results like this is horrible. Especially since the people at Pearson Vue know how you did the minute the computer flips off- probably even before that! Ryan was, of course, confident of my success and told me numerous times that I had nothing to worry about.

Yesterday morning, the 48 hours were over and I even left work to go to my parents house and check my results. After listening to the spill about this not "being official until the license comes in the mail" and I "am not allowed to practice as a Registered Nurse until that time" the funny voice on the phone said, "Congratulations, you passed!" Whew- 2 years and the 48 hour wait is really over. I am a Registered Nurse! Our life can go on- we have climbed this huge difficult mountain and the view from the top is incredible!

Graduation Day

After 2 long years of blood, sweat and tears... graduation finally arrived. It was a nice ceremony at the Provo Tabernacle. But, it was even better to feel that sense of accomplishment and know that we were officially finished.

As I look back, it is amazing to realize that our life has really been in a holding pattern for the last two years. Taylor was 4 months old when I started school- he is now 2 1/2. Jessica was still in preschool- she is now going into the 2nd grade. And Kelsi, due to being the oldest, has been the one that really missed having a full time mom around. Thankfully, we have been able to pull together as a family and get through all that nursing school has entailed.

I really have to give credit where it is due though... Ryan has been my rock through all of this. He has laughed with me, cried with me, listened to me vent, helped me to study, cleaned the house and taken care of the kids alone for numerous hours- I think that he has seen what it would be like to be single. Thankfully, after all that, he is still here and together we are stronger then we were before we began.

It has been a long two years that went by quickly. And as I approached that stand to gain my diploma it really hit me that we are closing this chapter in our lives only to open a new one. Like all chapters of our lives, the pages are blank and waiting for us to fill them. I am so thankful that I get to write them with my wonderful husband and children and that together we know we can accomplish anything... we made it through nursing school after all.

Outside the tabernacle

My incredible husband

My nursing school buddies- Never would have guessed that I would make lifelong friends during school- but these two have been a real blessing

Getting my diploma
(OK, so it's just a quote and the real thing comes in the mail but hey I'm done!)

Burn, Baby Burn!!

I have been required to wear these blue smurf scrubs at least three times a week for the last two years. I can distinctly remember just how excited I was the first day I wore them... I was finally going to Nursing school! Two years later and many, many hours in the smurf scrubs - I have to say that I took great enjoyment in watching my school scrubs burn!

Graduation Announcement

Here it is... after two years of hard work! I am FINALLY graduating. Today, I attended my last class, next week I have finals and the week after that I get to walk with my graduating class, receiving my Registered Nurse, Associates of Science degree. Words cannot express the excitement that I am feeling about this accomplishment. For those of you that want a "hard copy" of the announcement, leave your address and we'll send it to you.

An Update...

Those that are in the medical field will truly appreciate the significance of this update. Yesterday, the physical therapist had Drew standing, yes, standing. It is amazing to see what a priesthood blessing and a little faith can do. He is still pretty weak and it hurts to stand, but considering the fact that he had one of his vertebrae removed on Monday, this is incredible progress. The doctors are very encouraged by his progress and have even moved him to the rehab unit for physical therapy. I have to say that I am very encouraged that Drew will be home before we know it. I am also hoping that the long term effects will not be too serious and life can go on, like it always does.

A Ladder and a broken back...

Yesterday, while sitting in school, my mom tried to call me- but I didn't answer. I went out a few minutes later on a break and before I could call her back, my brother called and said, "how bad is he?" This, of course put me into immediately panic mode- "How is WHO? WHAT are you talking about?" He then told me that my youngest brother, Drew, had fallen off of a ladder, broke his back and was at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. I think, no, I know that was the fastest I have even driven from Draper to Provo- I made it in less than 15 minutes... thankfully, my guardian angel is able to fly quickly!
So, long story short...
Drew was helping my dad clean up some trees that had broken limbs from the last heavy snow fall. He climbed up on Grandma Dot's shed and had anchored a ladder to the taller tree. The ladder was all tied into the tree- he really was trying to be careful. Drew made it across, cut the branch 90% off and was climbing back across the ladder when the ladder failed and broke, sending Drew down about 20 feet onto his back. Thankfully my dad was near by and was able to call the ambulance and tend to Drew until they arrived.
At the hospital, it was seen that L1 in his spine was shattered and L2 was broken. The decision was made to perform surgery and remove the broken pieces, then fuse the upper two and lower two vertebrae together, placing rods throughout the area for strength.
Before going into surgery, Drew was given a blessing by my dad and Elder Hafen of the 70- he is my parent's neighbor and just happened to be at a doctor's appointment with the surgeon when the call came into the doctor that he was needed for emergency surgery.
As a family, we sat for over 6 hours while the doctors worked. Everything went well and the doctors are very encouraged. Thankfully, after the surgery, Drew was able to move both feet and the numbness is slowly going away.
As I type, Drew is in the ICU at UVRMC. He has a really long road ahead of him. The true extent of the injury will not be seen for days, weeks, or maybe even months. He will be fitted for a turtle shell cast- it goes around his chest and abdomen to help stabilize his back and is removable for sleeping. The cast will be worn for at least three months. At this point, all we can do is let the doctors and nurses take care of him and pray that he will have a full recovery.
I will keep this updated as things change. Any prayers in our family's behalf are greatly appreciated.

11 Wonderful Years and counting...

Today marks 11 years since Ryan and I were married. It always amazes me how quickly the time goes by. I really do not feel like I should be as old as I am. Recently, I have really been reflecting on just how much Ryan means to me. I am so thankful that I have such a wonderful man in my life. He takes care of the kids, cleans the house, does the laundry, and works full time without so much as a complaint.He has been my rock for the last eleven years. We have been through many of life's challenges together but they don't seem nearly as tough when facing them together. I love that even the thought of him makes me smile and it helps keep me going. I know that I never would have made it through nursing school without his constant and unwavering support. I can not even comprehend life without him. I know that I take him for granted most of the time and that I don't say thank you near enough. Thankfully we have these days to sit and reflect about the importance of each other. I truly hope that Ryan knows how very much I love him- my world would crumble without him. The thought of spending eternity with him makes me want to be a better person. After 11 years of marriage I can only say that I hope we have million more together.

Tests and Toilets

The last couple of weeks marked a couple of milestones for our family.

First off was Taylor potty training. He has been ready for quite some time but it is difficult to get everyone on board with the idea, including me, when there is a babysitter, siblings, Daddy, and grandparents that all help out with childcare duties. The big change came when we changed babysitters. The new babysitter is wonderful and totally on board with potty training. In less than a week, Taylor is wearing big boy pants and having very few accidents! Absolutely wonderful in my book.
The second milestone was completed yesterday when I took my very last midterm of Nursing school! Hip, Hip, Hooray!! These midterms have been especially difficult because of all the time I am spending completing hours at the hospital and working. Last week alone, I spent over 55 hours away from home between school, work and hospital hours. Thankfully, we only have two more weeks of long hours. After that, my hospital hours will be complete and I can focus on getting our lives back to how it was before school started.... whew! I haven't quite figured out what I will do with all of my free time.... hmmmm....

Our Final Day at My Happiest Place on Earth

Our third and final day has come and gone... we have had a great time. I love seeing the pure joy in my children's faces whenever we are here. It makes me happy to know that we are creating great memories with them. Seeing that look really makes this my happiest place on earth...Taylor kissing Mickey Mouse. He LOVES the characters. It was so fun to see his excitement over seeing them.
Taylor loves his autograph book and would spend any down time in line looking at it and naming all the characters. He is such a cute kid.
Ahhh, the girls on the tea cups- I personally do not enjoy this ride, makes me sick (I know, I'm getting old) but the girls LOVED it and the faster the spinning the better! I really think they would have stayed on all day if we didn't reminded them about all the other rides...
All six, yes, count them, six kids with Mickey. Yes, we are crazy- two families, two hotels rooms, six kids and 4 adults- I think that the kids ruled the roost most of the time but they had a great time and that's all that really matters, right?!?

Day Two at Disneyland

Kelsi driving on Autotopia- she loves that she is "finally" tall enough to go by herself!
Ryan wearing Taylor's Woody hat- love those Kodak moments...
The girls waiting oh so patiently to see Tinkerbell in the new Pixie Hallow- Which I might add is rather amazing in the true Disney style. You hear pixies fly around and talking as you approach and then the grass gets taller and taller and you "shrink to pixie size"
The kiddos with Silvermist and Rosetta (Kelsi is dressed as Silvermist)
Jessica and Tinkerbell- she was sooo very excited to finally get to meet her.

Day One at Disneyland

We're having sooo much fun... I love how magical it all is to the kiddos.

Waiting for the bus!

Another one of my favorite people

When I started Nursing school, it was with the thinking that I was there to learn, not necessarily to make friends. I knew my goal and what I had to do to accomplish it. School had to be the first priority and I needed to spend my time studying and getting good grades, not socializing. Like most things, life often throws in things that we don't always expect. During my first semester in clinicals, I met Shaunda. The thing I remember most was her telling the teacher- "It's Shaunda, like Honda" and she has kept me laughing ever since. It's great to know that I have a cohort to go through this experience with. She has become someone that I can vent to and she totally understands my pain. Shaunda is the one that I can call at any moment, at anytime and I know that she would help me out. I really appreciate the fact that she understands me, my sense of humor, my sarcasms and she loves me anyways- it has really made the long, difficult days more bearable. I really didn't expect to gain a new best friend from Nursing school- thankfully, I was blessed enough to have Shaunda come into my life. Happy Birthday Shaun, Shaun- just think we only have 2 months, and three weeks left until freedom- and we'll make it through together.

One of my Favorite People...

Today is my mom's birthday. I think she is turning 29 (again). This post is all about her and the reasons that she is one of my favorite people...

She loves me, my husband and my kids- always has and always will

She encourages me in everything I do

She listens to me

She loves to tease (just don't tease back)

She loves my dad with her whole heart

She taught me how to be a good mom

She taught me to be patient by always being patient with me

She still gets excited over the wonderful things her kids and grandkids do

She cheats at games and denies it completely

She makes her house a home that is always open to her kids

She cooks Sunday dinner every Sunday for all of her kids, and we always know that we're welcome

She sends me funny emails

Her grandchildren love being at her home

She takes the time to sit and listen to each of her grandchildren

She is a naturally happy person

She taught me that I am beautiful

She has faith

Her support is always available. I can call her for anything and she will do everything in her power to help me

She makes me laugh

She is strong- mentally and physically

She sends my kids stuff in the mail- and they love it

Most importantly- no matter what I have done, where I have gone, or mistakes that I have made, she loves me!

Happy birthday mom- I really could not have asked for a better mother. You have taught me things that no one else could and I am so thankful to have you!

Head stopper...

I am beginning to wonder how many times Taylor is going to hit his head before he learns to use his hands as a stopping point... well the one good thing is that cuts and bruises will heal (hopefully without any major damage)

The Things Kids Say...

I really just have to stop sometimes and laugh my head off at the things my kids say. It amazes me to hear what they are thinking. This has been especially true of Taylor since he has learned to talk. It is so fun to hear what he comes up with...

Taylor- "I the president"
Ryan- (chuckling), "of what buddy?"
Taylor- "I the president!" (he was very confused about the of what question and stated the last one in a very stern voice LOL)

"I big enough, I big enough! I go to Mickey's house now?"
This is said while standing next to our measuring chart and jumping up and down, nearly everyday!

"I do it! I do it!"

this is said to reference of anything at anytime

"I kick you!"

He does this when he gets mad at his sisters and then he will actually kick them!

"3, 3, 3, 2, 1!"

When you hear this at our house, be prepared for whatever Taylor has in his hands to come flying at you- this could be anything from a ball to food to himself jumping at you!

"Goodbye water, love you"

Taylor says this everytime he is done with his bath as he watches the water drain out- he refuses to get out of the tub until all the water is gone and he has said his goodbyes.

"I like it!"

he told me this one day when I had done my makeup and hair to go out with Ryan- I guess he just isn't use to seeing me like that.

"hotdog, hotdog, hotdog"

Taylor sings this whenever he wants to watch Mickey Mouse- for those that don't have a child addicted to Mickey Mouse clubhouse, this is part of the theme song

"I going to Grandma's!"

he said this to me last week when he was really upset at me

"Cachoow! Vrrroooommm!"

this is his Lighting McQueen impression and very cute

"Hello? I up. Let me out!"

he usually says this while kicking his door in the mornings and after nap time

"I hear it, I hear it, they're coming!"

Taylor says this whenever he hears the ambulance go by (we live a mile from the hospital so it happens all the time.)

"You feet stink!"

he tells his sisters this all the time LOL truth hurts, right?!?

"Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas!"

this has been an everyday thing since Christmas- I try to explain that it isn't Christmas anymore and then he will say, "Santa on vacation"

Needless to say, he is growing by leaps and bounds and it is fun to watch his little mind work in it's unique way. I love that he makes us laugh- it makes up for all the times he makes me want to pull my hair out!

Only One More To Go...

This week was finals. After all the studying and major stress, I passed! So we only have ONE, count it, one more semester until graduation! It seems crazy that time is flying by so fast. Everyone tells you that it will and you think they're crazy, but it really has gone by quickly. I am very excited to be moving into my capstone. For those non-nurses, that's when the student nurse spends a ton of hours (160) following the same nurse. It will be much better to be with one nurse and to see how she does things on a day to day basis. I know that this next semester will be busy but after that we will be done!
I am also excited to say that I started my new job today and it seems to be really good. I enjoyed being the nurse and not the CNA. I look forward to learning a lot from this new experience. It's going to take some time to get back onto a day shift schedule but seeing my husband more often is going to be incredible!

Candids

Can I just say that I love it, love it, love it when I manage to get a candid of my kids. No posing, no fake smiles, just them completely unaware of the camera.

(Course I did edit them a bit and unfortunately Taylor loves the camera so it is very hard to get a candid of him... he always knows where the camera is!)

New Job

I found out today that I have been officially hired to work as an LPN! I'm really excited to start using my skills and getting experience working as a nurse. It's so nice to realize how much I will be getting paid and think that school is actually going to start paying off!
So the details... I will be working the day shift (no more sleepless nights) at Orchard Park Rehab. It's a rehab and and a rest home. Then have a really good reputation and some of my friends from school already work there. I have been hesitant to work in a retirement home but I think this is a great one and that it will provide lots of good experience for me. The best part is that I will now be able to work less hours and make more money! This will help tons next semester when I am doing my capstone hours. (for those that aren't in nursing- a capstone is when the student follows around one nurse for a set amount of hours, mine happens to be 160 hours)
I am really sad to be leaving all of the many friends that I have made at the hospital. The nice thing is knowing that it really is only a temporary thing because I will be an RN in 4 months. So here's to life's changes and the new adventures that come with them!

Really... am I that old?!?

I always have to laugh when my kids imply that

I am older than dirt!

The other day I was typing a paper for school on my laptop. Jessica sat down next to me and said, "wow mom, you can type really fast!" Kelsi intervened at this point and said, "Jessica (patronizing voice) she types that fast because when she was little all they had were typewriters!" I started laughing and said, "you think so?" Kelsi replied, "well, yea, you're old!" This cracked me up as I once again reminded my children that

I am really not THAT old

and did indeed have computers when I was in school. Kelsi then stated,

"maybe, but they were HUGE!"

I give up... pick out my casket... apparently, I lived in the time of the dinosaurs...

sigh.

Snow Fort

My little brother, yes he is 28, decided to help the kids build a snow fort. Thankfully he had the bright idea to use the metal picnic table as the starting point. The fort is huge, fitting all the kids at once. They had a great time and were entertained for hours! They also realized that the fort made a great hill on top for sledding down.