Time....

I was at work last night and we were talking about how fast time goes by. What is it that catches us every once in a while and makes us stop and think about this? The past few months so many things have happened in my life. A lot of changes. Some my choice and some not. Some that effect my day to day life and some that make me stop and reflect on what is important.

Maybe it's because I don't want my kids to get any older. It's hard enough that I no longer have babies, toddlers or preschoolers around. But then I look at my kids and love the ages they are now.

Maybe it's loosing an uncle and realizing once again how quickly life can change and what a miracle the plan of salvation is.

Maybe its starting a new job and worrying about leaving my family. Will my kids be ok? Will they remember my working or will they remember me being home with them?

Maybe it is becoming a nurse and realizing that time goes by no matter what you do. The five years it took me would have gone by either way.

Maybe it is having a birthday and turning "thirty-something". I remember my parents at this age.

Maybe it is the anticipation of becoming an aunt, again!!

I just want to look back at my life no matter how long or short and think wow that was great. What makes you think........Time, where does it go?

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!