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?!?