I made it.....

This blurry picture is of me being pinned at my nursing graduation. I graduated on Friday from SLCC's nursing program. It has been a long road for my family and I could not have done it without them. I decided to go back to school just before Owen turned one. I took a year to do the prerequisites and then waited two years to start the nursing program. During those two years I did general classes and did take one summer off. Needless to say my kids don't know much different than me going to school. During this time we have moved from the home we became a family in.....

and started a new adventure........ nursing school and slowly remodling a new home.

Well we made it through this part of our lives. It was such a growing experience for me. I learned more than I thought possible and made some new friends. I just keep telling Ken that I've spent two years cramming as much information as possible into my head and then recalling it for test after test after test. Then they give you a little pin and say, "OK, go keep people alive."

I'm not sure I'm ready for this but here goes!

Thanks to everyone who helped me get here. Everyone who took my kids for me while I studied took tests and went to clinicals, I couldn't have done it without you.

kids temporary bedroom

So here are a few before and after pictures. There are still many finishing touches but it is a huge step for our family to be sleeping in our new rooms after 2 1/2 years! The kids will be in here until we finish the attic (hopefully sooner than later) then it will be an office.

how was your halloween?

We dipped apples......(do you want to try)

We carved pumpkins.......

We had a fun day. These pictures were taken on Halloween. Who's heard of 70 degree temps on Halloween?

(These kids don't know what Halloween in Salt Lake really is....... Wearing parkas under your costumes or freezing your hands off carrying your candy around the neighborhood)

Monthly update...

Here is a little update since it's been a month...

We had a crazy birthday party. Thanks to everyone that came and celebrated with us.

We invited this poor little child in for the party...(hee hee)

When Owen found out that I had to do a clinical rotation on his birthday his little eyes filled with tears. So I got up and made him his favorite breakfast.....Cinnamon toast with sprinkles and a glass of pink milk

The kids started gymnastics. This is Sydni in the black. She tried both a tumbling class and an all round class. She settled on the all round which is more fun to watch. (Yes I said the kids which includes Owen, however it has taken a little time and tears to get him out there so I will try to get some pictures now that he likes it a little more)

The kids had crazy hair day at school.

Ken and I had the opportunity to take his mom and aunt Mabel to the choir broadcast. It was amazing. There were two guests performing with the choir. President Monson was there to thank them for singing with the choir.

....and who could forget little Lucy had a birthday too!!

Oh the things Owen does...

Owen has done some pretty cute things lately. I have told some of you about them but I wanted to write them down.

Owen comes out of his classroom with a bag of candy

Ken: Were did you ge theat candy?
Owen: For my birthday from my teacher.
Ken: It's not your birthday though.
Owen: I know.

I get home from school later that afternoon. Sydni came up to me saying Owen wouldn't share his candy with her.

Mandy: Owen where did you get candy?
Owen: From my teacher.
Mandy: Why is your teacher giving you candy?
Owen : For my birthday.
Mandy: Owen it's not your birthday.
Owen: I know.
Mandy: Didn't you tell her it wasn't your birthday?
Owen: No.

So I thought about this for a while and then went to his backpack to see what was in there. My instinct was right. There in his folder was a packet of birthday cards from all of his classmates. I took these over to Owen and asked, "what are these?"

Owen: Birthday cards from my class. They gave me cards and sang "Happy Birthday" to me.
Mandy: Owen it is NOT your birthday. When is your birthday?
Owen: October 23rd.
Mandy: Today is October 2nd

He just smiled and looked up at me.

When we went in to talk to his teacher the next day he told her it wasn't his birthday yesterday. She looked at me and said, "He told us it was his birthday and I just believed him. I did think to check."

I don't thing he was truly trying to tell a lie. I like to think he was so excited for it to finally be October he just figured it was time for HIS birthday.

Parker and Owen had a sleepover a few weeks ago and when they got up in the morning they wanted pancakes. So I was making them breakfast and as I listened to their conversation. It went a little like this:

Owen: Parker what is you favorite Number?
Parker: I don't know. What is yours?
Owen: 3000
Parker: Oh...well mine is 136. Is that bigger than 3000?
Owen: No
Parker: Well what number is bigger than 3000?
Owen: I think that is the biggest number
Parker: Well that is my favorite number too.

ok it's time....

So it's been a while since my last post. I can only say that I have barely survived the last 6 weeks and only 9 more to go. I've been on survival mode since I started school again. Survival mode for me means the only things I get done are those that are a matter of life and death. So.......can my family live with toys all over the house, yes, but we do have to eat.........how clean does the bathroom really have to be, not very, unless the kids ask if they can clean it.......will anyone really notice how long it's been since I mopped the kitchen floor, yes, but can I live with that?????

These are some of the things I have to try to ignore while I sit and try to study. I am crossing the weeks off like I was pregnant again and counting down to my due date. (except I've been pregnant with this baby for about 5 years now) Everything else is going well. My poor family is just as excited as I am to be done. Ken is great. He gets the kids up and off to school when I have to leave early. He asks how my tests are each week and doesn't take it too personally when I get overwhelmed.

When I look at my life though I realize how blessed I am. I have been able to go to school and get a degree in an area I never thought I was smart enough for. I have an awesome husband and two great kids (that only drive me crazy some of the time :). We are all healthy and happy and that's all that counts at the end of the day!

The Fair

Make a Smilebox postcard

My mom invited us to go to the fair last weekend. The kids were very excited and it was a great way to spend a Friday night. We had a Navajo taco and the kids had corn dogs for dinner. I am happy just watching the people walk around the fair. It is better than people watching at the airport. I discovered that scrapbooking is quite popular as a fair entry and canning is becoming a lost art.

Labor Day Bowl

So we decided to take the kids bowling for labor day. It was a great way to spend the afternoon. We started out heading for a movie but the one PG movie was sold, so we went to Fat Cats to go bowling. Well it was an hour and a half wait and we didn't want to spend an hour and a half worth of quarters in the arcade to wait so we found this little dive of a bowing ally and surprise.....no waiting! It was Owens first time and Syd hasn't been for a while so we all had a great time.

Family Home Evening

Monday night for FHE we practiced the kids parts for the primary program. Each of the kids has to sing part of a song with a group of other kids. So I was having them sing along with the songs and I noticed that Owen's changed the words to "I Love to see the Temple". You know the first vs that goes, "For the Temple is a house of God" Owen sings "For the Temple is a house of FUN".


Anyone up for some fun?

Fish Lake.....again!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

So we took papa with us to fish lake last weekend and just relaxed with the kids and Cosmo. Here is a look at the trip.

Happy 32nd!

I just wanted to tell Kirstie Happy Birthday!

We had a fun party for her that Jeff gave. He BBQ'd chicken that was delicious and everyone brought something to share! All the kids ran around having a great time. There arn't many of Kirstie's Birthdays that I can remember where there was school the next day. So we did have to cut the party short (but i don't think Kirstie minded at all...........hee hee)

..............anyway Happy Birthday to the best sister!

frankie and florence

Stay at home mom....

I've been looking forward to these past two weeks for a while. Mostly out of curiosity. This is my first year with both kids in school all day long. I had grand plans as to what I could get done with all this time to myself.

I have to say I've not done any of the things I thought I would be able to get done. Last week I was able to take my grandma on some errands a couple of the days. This is one of my favorite things to do. I feel so lucky to spend this time with her. I get to know things about her like what movies she likes (she bought a few new ones at Shopko) and what kind of socks she buys!

I have been running around everyday trying to get the carnival organized for PTA, the incentive store up and running for the kids school, selling those *@#* t-shirts everyday after school, back to school night organized (where the teachers out numbered the families....ughhh) and trying to get ready for my last semester of nursing program. Need less to say this time has flown by too quickly. I haven't accomplished what I thought I was going to, but the trade off has been worth it. I love being at the kids school getting to know the kids in their classes and seeing their cute smiles when they see me in the office and say "Hi Mom!" and then all the kids around saying "Hi Owen's Mom!" I get to spend time with my grandma without the kids and I can just talk to her without interruption.

The ironic thing is I've had two other mom's say to me, "I don't know how you just stay home all day I would be so bored, aren't you going back to work? I could never stay home." I quickly reply that I am going to finish nursing school this fall, but why do I have to feel like I have to justify myself just because I stay home?

I've thought about what I would do at this point in my life. I love being a stay at home mom. I love being able to be at my kids school. I love taking them to school and picking them up. I like getting laundry done during the day and going to the grocery store. Why is it that being a stay at home Mom doesn't qualify as a job? Why do I have to feel like I have to justify not having a job in addition to being a stay at home mom? Do people really think a stay at home mom has nothing to do?

I don't know what the answer is. All I know is that I have the constant struggle within myself about this topic. Let me know what you think.

First day of School

So this post is a little late but I wanted to post it anyway. Sydni started school on Aug 4th. This is her all ready to head off to 3rd grade. She's in Mrs. Bergen's class. So far she making it through. The first week was hard because she was the only one in school since Owen didn't start until the following Monday.

Owen wanted to get in on the pictures even though he wasn't ready for the day. (I think he was just glad it wasn't him going to school!)

So now there should be a picture of Owen on his first day right?..... Well it was sad around our house on Owen's first day and I didn't get the pictures. I was lucky to get him to school and get him to stay. There were tears (No, not me they were all Owen tears) and many promises that had to be made, including a promise to not leave the house while he was at school, in order to get him to stay. When I went to pick him up he was all smiles. So I guess it was a good day. He did say it was a looooong day but he had a good time.

Mom's Birthday

Happy Birthday Mom!

I am so glad we finally got to have a party for you. Thank you for being such a great grandma to all these cute kids. They love you so much. I'm so glad to have you as a friend. It's been fun to spend time with you this summer. I hope it's a great year for you.

Happy Birthday!

Meet Chip....

We added a new member to our family

Meet chip

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Sydni had a run in with the side of the pool wall. I think the wall won. She ended up with this chipped tooth. Wouldn't you know it was a long holiday weekend so the dentist was out of the office. We are trying to get in to see him tomorrow. I'll let you know how it all goes.

Kids

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Here's a look into our July....

An afternoon in grandma's backyard

Brett took the boys under the house for a tour! None of the girls were brave enough to go with them.

Ok, I love the 24th of July parade. I loved being in it in high school. It was so fun to see all the people who had come to see the parade and to go by my family and hear them cheer! I took Sydni to it when she was 2 but hadn't been back since. So this year I really wanted to go. Well, Dad called and asked what we were doing so I invited him to go with us. Caryn called and decided to go with us too. I'm so glad she did because the kids had a lot of fun together.

The picture just above is President Monson and his wife

Sydni got out her bonnet and we had to iron it. She decided that it was hot though. I think it looked pretty cute while she had it on.