I got to meet for lunch with a friend of mine, on Saturday. She lives in Nevada and came this way for the weekend. It was so wonderful to see her! Her daughter is absolutely adorable and seeing her interact with Pres, was priceless.
I'm so lucky to have so many wonderful friends in my life. Whether I see them often, or never, I know that I have amazing people to count on. I love my c-mommas and c-babies! :)
Final grades are in!
Physiology: B+
Microbiology: A
Woo hoo! I'm kinda sad that I didn't pull at least an A- in Physiology. But, I can't be too sad, because I worked my butt off for that B+. Seriously. Hardest class I've taken, yet.
When the prof admits that only the pre-med students get A's on his tests and that they are smarter than him...I'll take my B+.
I'm so proud of myself. Every semester that I've been back in school (six!), something traumatic has happened in my life. Every. Single. Semester.
However, I still overcame my hurdles and kept pushing forward. I have to keep reminding myself of that, on my days that I get overwhelmed and I feel like I can't handle it anymore. I have to remind myself that I have made it through worse and that there is nothing that I can't handle if I break it down. Week by week, day by day...sometimes, hour by hour.
I will persevere. I will finish.
I am woman...hear me roar. :)
I have survived! I took my last final tonight! One more semester under this momma's belt and I am one step closer to working at a hospital near you! :)
I don't know what my final grades are yet and at this point, I don't know that I even care. (Okay, I do....but, goodness, I'm exhausted!) It was a crazy hard semester and it's only going to get worse next semester. Thankfully, my professors for next semester are the same professors I have this semester, so I know their teaching/testing style. Thats good and bad. Let's just say that I hope that one of my professor improves over Christmas break...
So, I am now facing 24 consecutive days off. I like to think that I'll have all this extra time and lots of stuff will get done. Eh. Who am I kidding? All I really want to do is sleep for 3 straight days.
I owe my kids a lot of "mommy" time. My house is still decorated for Halloween, so we'll be fixing that tomorrow night. They are pretty darn excited.
I owe Josh some "wifey" time. Not like that....don't think thoughts like that...my grandparents read this, you know! We just haven't had a lot of "us" time and we are long overdue for some cuddling and movies.
So, that's my plan...spend the next 3 1/2 weeks being the best mommy and wife, that I can. Thankfully, they love me and understand that come January 4th...mommy goes back into student mode.
Like I keep saying...one day...this will all be worth it.
Sometimes when I can't fall asleep, I'll tell Josh to tell me a story. Lame? Perhaps...but it's what I do. Sometimes I'll give him a random topic and he'll have to tell me a story about it. Usually, it provokes a story from his childhood and I love hearing those.
So, the other night....
Me: "Tell me a story."
Josh: "It's really hard when you put me on the spot."
Me: "I know. Then tell me something I don't know."
Josh: (without missing a beat) "You're beautiful."
Yeah...I totally cried.
<3
I have always written a birthday poem and put it in our local paper, for my kids' first birthday. Presley's ran in last night's paper, but those of you that are too far away to get it...here you go! :)
I can’t believe it Peanut,Marriages fail because of two people.
Marriages succeed because of two people.
A failed marriage is not the sole fault of one person.
A successful marriage is not the sole achievement of one person.
Choosing to make your marriage work is not easy. It doesn't mean there will never be set backs or bumps in the road.
It just means that together, you will overcome them.
It means that together, you have made the choice that what you have, is worth fighting for.
It means that you have chosen to forgive each other of past mistakes.
It means that you know that things will not always be perfect and there will be misunderstandings.
It means that you have realized that life is not a fairytale.
You cannot create a new beginning to your story...but you can choose how your story ends.
Hey, hey, hey!
I'm still alive and kicking...as I dive into my last week of school! Can I get a woot! woot!? Next week is finals and I am hoping and praying... and praying and hoping... that I have somehow pulled A's in both classes. It would be nothing short of a MIRACLE if I did...but stranger things have happened.
Right?
Right?
I finally got Presley's birthday party pictures taken off my camera. We had so many people over and she loved all the attention. Thank you so much to everyone that came to make our baby girl's day extra special.
"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, dear Presley! Happy birthday to you!"
She dove right in!
Things are going to be a little different this year. I know that and I'm okay with it. Mostly. However, some traditions of mom's I just didn't want to let go, because my kids loved them so much.
She loved making everyone these turkey cookies. Every year at our place at the dinner table, was a little turkey.
While gathering the things to make the cookies, I realized how much thought actually went into making these cookies. It never occurred to me to buy extra candy corn at Halloween and horde them for Thanksgiving. Well, after visiting every store in the county, I was realizing that I should have! Apparently candy corn is a big seller at Thanksgiving, too...because if I found a spot on the shelf where it was labeled that they should be...it was empty. I finally found some and turkey making was on!
Notice Avery's turkey on the far left. I don't know what happened to that poor bird, but his beak was connected to his feet. :)
Even Presley was allowed a taste. The girl LOVES food!
HAPPY THANKSGIVINGI'm thankful for healthy, happy, perfect children. They may make me scream, but they also make me laugh. They may make me crazy, but they also make me proud. They may make me cry, but they also make me smile. They make me "Mommy". It is not just a title, but a responsibility that I embrace wholeheartedly.
I'm thankful for my husband and for the second chance that life has given us. Like the saying goes, "We may not have it all together...but together we have it all."
I'm thankful for the memories I have of Mom. I strive everyday to make her proud of me. I miss her so much, but I would rather remember the wonderful moments, than cry about the missed ones.
I'm thankful for the opportunity to go to school. That wouldn't be possible without the love and support of people in my life. I cannot wait to fulfill my dreams and prove to my children that with determination, anything is possible.
I'm thankful for all of the material things that I have in this world. While they may not be the "best", they are mine. Josh and I have worked hard, to have what we have.
I'm thankful for my job that is incredibly flexible. It allows me to work around the most important things in my life.
I'm thankful for my family. All of you. Each person plays an important role in who I am and who I'm becoming.
I'm thankful for my friends. I am blessed with an amazing number of friends, that come from all walks of life. I always know that no matter what type of support I need, there is always someone will to step up and be there...no questions asked.
I'm thankful for each part of my life. The past. The present. The future. The people in it. The people that used to be. The people that will be.
All of this, sewn together, is my life's patchwork quilt.
It may be worn in places. Some colors may have faded. The stitching may have come undone in spots.
But, all together, it tells a story.
My story.
Bailey: "How come you don't wear fingernail polish anymore?"
Me: "I've never really worn fingernail polish."
Bailey: "Not even when you were younger?"
Me: "Nope, not even then."
Bailey: "Ohhhh, (like she finally understands), they hadn't discovered it, yet?"
I feel like I have closed another chapter of my life. I feel a weight lifted off my shoulders, when I didn't even know that one was there.
Presley turning one this weekend has made me realize how quickly time passes. I am done with pregnancies and newborn phases. I can't go back...and I'm okay with that.
I'm looking toward the future and I like what I see! My kids are all at varying levels of independence, but progressing. It's so wonderful and amazing to see them grow and change. Now I get to focus on raising my family, rather than adding to it.
This epiphany couldn't have come at a better time. I've had this sense of urgency over the last few weeks, that I feel I need to pay attention to. I don't know what is evoking these feelings, but I've found in the past that when I recognize these promptings, I had better pay attention to them.
I am loving school. It's stressful and crazy, but I love it. I've been back at it for two years now and I figured I probably had another two or three before I would even consider nursing school. I wanted Presley to get a bit older, before I tackled something like that. Lately, I've felt something pushing me forward. Something is telling me that I shouldn't drag this out and that I need to hurry it up. I don't know what it is, but I'm going to meet with my counselor next week and figure out what I need to do. I've talked to another mom that is currently a 2nd year nursing student and she hasn't sugarcoated it...but she's made me feel that I can do this!
I don't know what pre-req's I still have to do, so I need to find out and start checking them off. I'll probably throw in online classes where I can, so that I'm not gone from the house more often then necessary.
It's gonna be crazy. It's gonna be stressful.
It's gonna be worth it.
I told you I've been busy! This was a lot of work, but so worth it. It's 10 minutes long, but so amazing to watch her grow and change.
One year ago today, my life changed. Forever.
My perfect, preemie princess came into this world seven weeks early. She was beautiful and tiny. She was strong and perfect. She was sweet and soft. She was my everything.
And she still is.
Over the past year, I have fallen in love with this little girl. I thought I loved her the moment I saw her, but it doesn't even compare to the love I feel for her now. There isn't a day that goes by that she doesn't make me smile and laugh.
Mom would be so in love with this little peanut. It's hard, knowing that she won't be here to celebrate her birth with us, today. I know that she's watching over her...but I would love to have her here, holding my baby girl and smothering her with kisses.
Forgive me for being so busy lately! Sunday evening, I'll share with all of you what I've been busy doing! I can't wait to show everyone.
However, I did find time this week to get my hair done! It's been a while since I've done a really hairstyle, because I spent so long growing it out. However, I think it looks fabulous!
