Sayonara

Today is a mighty fine day... Steve is getting rid of his 5 year old, raggedy pants, full of rips and stains from who knows where. He got a new pair of them from his beloved this Christmas. So he parted with the old and there may have been a tear shed on his part.

I really got tired of seeing his complete left knee cap and left butt cheek fully exposed in these.

If you stood close enough to him standing you could see where his boxers ended (yes the skin), and nope... he didn't really care.

See ya!!

Benny's Christmas Program

Vocally challenged like his Mom? I think not!! My Benny baby sang his Christmas songs with all of his friends in his preschool class with style and grace this year.

Here is my handsome man, who will wear a necktie for any occasion if given the chance to. He has quite the tie collection at age 4. We were shopping for Dad's Christmas present the other day when we were walking through the men's section. I saw the whole selection of ties and said "Benny, look!" He looked back and stood there just in awe of the hundreds of ties that were in front of him. It was like he was planning his adulthood of ties, right then and there. He even napped in a tie the other day.

Good job Benny!! MWA!

Happy Birthday Sergeant Stink!

6 years ago today, at 12:23pm I had my first baby. My Sergeant Stink was born. I can now say it was one of the most life changing experiences I have had. Like Johnson and Johnson says, "having a baby changes everything." It truly does. Even though he isn't quite a baby anymore, he will always be in my heart. He is now getting sick of hearing all my annoying stories from the womb. They probably sound like tales from the crypt to him. I am now starting to embrace sports a little thanks to him and Benny, and realize that I don't have to let out that motherly gasp just because he is jumping off of something entirely high or doing tricks on the monkey bars or seeing how much "air" he gets when bicycling off his ramp... because 95% of the time he ends up ok, and I'd look like a gasping freak if I did that every time. Besides he told me the other day, " I'm ok mom, see, no blood". Quick and simple that boy is. No blood, no hurt. We celebrated his 6th birthday at a roller rink. It was so much fun!!



They all reminded me of the scene in Bambi where the deer and animals try to walk on ice. Their little legs would just go, kerplunk. Then they would get back up and do it again.



Sergeant Stink got to say his name and how old he was turning on the DJ's mic. He thought he was pretty cool. They asked him what his favorite song was so they could play it and he said, "who led da dush oud" in his crazy voice that he does with all his friends, interpreted as "who let the dogs out" and to top it all off he let out a whoof-whoof-whoof, whoof, whoof afterwards.



Here he is in the "green machine". He is not claustrophobic thank God, but I think we would have found out at this point. They shut him in this box with tons of tickets and turn the air on the set the tickets off flying. He has to try and catch as many as he can, and he got a whole 415 tickets worth... whoo hoo babes! Happy birthday Stink, Mama loves ya!! :)

A Column of Thanks

As most of you know, I had my Pinning Ceremony on Monday, honoring completion of the Nursing Program. It was beautiful.

I am so proud of myself for completing this goal in life. Thank you Lord for being my rock and strength as I fulfilled Your calling for me in life. I look forward to the many experiences filled with: joy, sorrow, life, death, smiles, cries, and the growth that this profession brings. I hope to be the best Nurse I can be.

Thanks to my great friend Dawn. We have gone through everything together from day 1 of Nursing School. I not only appreciate her genuine self, but have gained a lifelong friendship.

Thank you Amy, for understanding that my life has been busy these past two years. 7 years of friendship we have, and many more to come.

Thank you Heidi, for everything you have done. From friend to babysitter in need... you were there. It is greatly appreciated.

Thank you wild, crazy, fun, loving, supportive neighbor girlfriends of mine. I love you all, and you all hold a special place in my heart. I am so lucky to have wonderful people so close to me. Thanks for being such great support!!

Thank you Dad and Shari for taking care of me growing up and for understanding that my life was crazy busy these past two years. I love you two.

Thank you Mom, for being the Nurse Role Model in my life. It is you who I looked at and decided to be a Nurse. I love you.

Thank you Grandpa and Grandma. You have supported, loved, and guided me all through childhood and continue all that in my adult years. My best memories of childhood are captured in my heart with you two. Thanks for being the best Grandparents. I love you.

Thank you Sweet P. for being the greatest support I could have ever asked for. You are an amazing man, and I love you. Thank you for loving me and supporting me, even though it was challenging at times.

Thank you, baby boys. I couldn't ask for better sons. It is you who inspire me. Mommy is back and I can't wait to spend all the time in the world with you now that I can... because that is what you deserve. I love my babies!

Calepitar Update...

Ryan the "calepitar" is no longer what he was. He has turned into... get ready... are you ready... a moth!!! Yes, all that stinkin' anticipation about a beautiful butterfly and we got a neutral colored moth. The boys didn't seem to mind though, they thought it was the coolest thing.

It was really a neat process to witness, right on our kitchen counter, cross contamination and all (I've got clorox wipes). I was so excited plus disgusted when I looked at it. It was out, but there was this splattered stuff all on the side of the jar. Poop? I dunno. It was gross though.

We decided to take him out front and set him free from his jar of captivity. You can still see his brown cocoon shell in the jar.

Then here is cowardly Ryan in the rocks. He wanted nothing to do with flying. He just decided to crawl under a rock. Poor guy, I think he was intimidated by all this flying stuff, and a little cold. Then I started thinking. He is a total different bug now, how does he know what to do? Maybe he needed to scope out the mothage before he took flight. We checked on him throughout the day, and still he was, under that rock. I checked the other day however and he was gone. Enjoy your new life Ryan...

Merry Blissmas

We were full of cheer today, yes we were. It was in the 50's n' feeling like winter for once. Today was a great day because we were picking out our Christmas Tree, but the best part was that we were all together. So there we were choosing the tree, this one seemed just right and we saw it right away. Perfectly proportioned, full, and standing tall... all by it's lonesome, waiting for us to take it home and dress it with our love. The tree came all the way from Oregon. Never been there... but glad to have a piece of it at our place. There is nothing like the crisp Christmas tree smell throughout the home during the holidays, love it!! So that's when I started feelin' it... the holly jolly spirit. The kind that makes you wanna dance and be completely silly, so that's what I did. And it was contagious.

So while Dad was unloading and lugging in our Oregon Beauty I cranked up the Christmas music and started dancing like I was in high school again. Only with less grace and some not so pointy toes. These two handsome men decided to join me...

So we danced...

And twirled...

And dipped...

Here we are with our unfinished Douglas Fir, right on my dance floor, how dare you.

So here we all are (even my sweet Pursie) with our 2008 Christmas tree, including all of our personal touches.

I love you guys!!

They made their lists...

Mom checked it twice... and yes, they were both some naughty and some nice this year. I thought this was too cute not to post. The boys didn't really get too crazy and ask for tons of things from Santa this year. The boys don't play a lot of video games, so this was a little funny to me. Steve and I are trying to make it simple, so that the true meaning of Christmas is remembered and not blurred with all the "stuff".

Sergeant Stink
XBox 360
Bakugan feild
Wii
Webkinz
Hulk Hands
Nintendo DS
Air Hawks
and we both couldn't make out what the last one was...

Benny
XBox 360
2 Pirate Ships
Scooter
Monster Truck
Motorcycle Ben Ten
Dad
Big Car***

***K, so I have to add a special note about the "Big Car" on Benny's wish list. Every time we go to the store he looks this thing up and down, opens the hood and the whole bit like he is seriously shopping for a new car. It's the red convertible mustang mini car for kids... and yeah like $300. I am trying to prevent as much heartache as I can before Christmas. We had the talk of "Santa doesn't bring you everything on your list" talk. Hopefully my sweet Benny will understand... Merry Christmas!!! :)

Family Photos 2008

Ryan the Calepitar

As Sergeant Stink would say it. He found his "calepitar" at Grandma Jana's house, inside! He gave it a name too, Ryan. Grandma Jana and Sergeant Stink came up with a cozy habitat in a jar filled with sticks and leaves. When it was time to go home, I wasn't sure if I really wanted to take this along... but Grandma Jana wasn't letting me leave without it! I thought it was dying because after we brought it home it really wasn't moving a whole lot. I figured after dropping and rolling around on the floor of the car during the ride home, he had some serious "calepitar" injuries.

Well, Thanksgiving morning we woke up and there was some weird stuff going on in that jar. I saw what looked like a dried up caterpillar and this brown thing. I thought it died. It took me a minute but I found out it was the skin shedding and a cocoon!! We now have a very thrilled 5 year old and a soon to be butterfly/moth/flying thing plus a little education on metamorphosis.

Thanksgiving Benny

So, my sweet Benny boy says to me the other day, "Mom, I like to lick my cheeks cus my cheeks taste good!" As he wore his grape juice stain in mustache form, like he does every morning. He was even wearing his boxers only still when he said this to me, so it made me want to snuggle and squeeze the love out my cute baby. Which I would have but we were in the car taking Sergeant Stink to school. (He likes to stay in his jammies or boxers while we take brother to school). I chuckled and said, "I bet! They look tasty to me!!" So I tried to get a picture of this, and he suddenly became shy about his yummy cheeks... no such luck.

Yesterday Morning chef Benny wanted to help make cinnamon rolls for our Thanksgiving breakfast. For those of you that don't know... Benny loves to cook and help in the kitchen a lot. So I made some hot chocolate for us, put on Jon & Kate Plus 8 and we started.

Here he is, and they were yummy, I bet as yummy as his sweet cheeks. And yes, he even did it in his boxers. Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy 4th Anniversary Baby!!

11/13/04

Okay, so I am late on blogging this and everything else!! I have been super busy with Nursing School ending so tonight, being its over (yeahyeh) I am doing some "back blogging".

I am so in love with my husband and really, truly enjoy the life we share together. I can't believe that it's already been 4 years... it goes by so quickly, yet feels like I've been with him forever. So, I have decided to share a story some of you might not know about our wedding day. This is in honor of our Anniversary of course. :)

The Butterflies

On the "big day" Steve had Benny and Sergeant Stink. Now, Benny was only 4 months old and still nursing at the time. Being the bride and all, I had to go through a series of primping to perfection for our day, which took all day. So Steve had the kid duty until we met at our wedding place. So right before I was going to walk down the aisle, I wanted to hold my sweet Benny. Well, when I took him into my arms the child was all over me... starved. I found out that he didn't get fed all day. So, I was a little upset at first, but the sweetest gift came out of that, and then a not so sweet gift. I got to nurse my Benny baby right before the aisle which was a soothing, motherly experience in a world of it's own. Then, being late down the aisle... caused everything to move back. Well, we were supposed to have a butterfly release during the ceremony. Having a wedding in November, comes with chilly evenings. So we got our chilly evening as we went to release the butterflies from the box and they decided it was too warm and cozy inside the box to come out. I blew at them... nothing. Oh well... we laughed... and my baby got fed... and we still got married... and I still love him to pieces.

BTW: Thank you Chels for the best 1st Anniversary gift: a butterfly wind chime and a card that said "This butterfly will fly".

Yeah, not the butterflies story you were thinking when you first read this huh. I am happy to say that we got to release them the next day and they flew on that warm and sunny afternoon...

I'm There.

Yes, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel because I am standing right in it!! Nursing School is over. I had my final yesterday and my last clinical day ended two hours ago. I can't believe it. This day is here. I can say that I was so fortunate to go to a school with great instructors who I feel prepared me as well as a new Nurse could be prepared. I have met some wonderful people, and made lifelong friendships along this way. Thank you Lord for getting me through this and doing it oh so graciously.

I start my preceptorship on Sunday. I work eight shifts with my Nurse and then I have my pinning ceremony in December. I take my "boards test" with the AZ State Board of Nursing sometime soon. I have applied and just waiting to hear back so that I can pick a date to take the exam. Passing that exam will allow me to get my license and work as a Nurse. Now is the time I start looking for my RN job... eeeeeeeeee! That's so exciting, yet nerve racking. I started off wanting to do NICU, still do but not quite sure. Maybe tele, who knows where I will find my landing spot. All I know is I am so darn pumped for this chapter to be over, and to start a new one.

T-Bawlers

My lil' guys just got done with their first season of being on a team together. They played TBall... Benny's first season, and Sergeant Stink's second. It was a blast for them and even more enjoyable for me to watch. They had this really hot coach too... named Steve. :)

Coach Daddy did a magnificent job with the team and I really cherish all the effort he made for our kids and the others to have an awesome season. It really came from the heart because working 2 jobs and having a cranky wife in Nursing School really showed the love and effort on his part to put this together. We were so blessed to have such a rockin' team: they were mostly the boys from our street and then a few other super cool people that were joys to meet.

Some memories that I have from them is Sergeant Stink going after the ball, no matter where is was headed. Yeah, the ball could be on the other side from where he was and he would still run for it. Benny was more intrigued with the fine dirt that is on the BBall field than running from base to base. My sweet boy would just stand there in awe sifting the dirt through his fingers. Yeah, that really didn't leave good marks inside a black interior car. Good job boys, love ya!!

A Little Late

But better late, than never... right?! We are busy, what can I say. Sergeant Stink and Benny had a wonderful Halloween. Stink was a "Skeleton Zombie" and Benny a "White Rhino Ranger". They were too cute. I'm a bit jealous I must admit.. I had clinicals so Steve was on the trick-or-treating duties. When I got home the boys were already indulged in candy and occupied with friends. I was greeted with "Mom, don't kiss me right here with all my friends please." courtesy of Sergeant Stink. Huh, fine then! Even though my view is he is way too young to start with that line. They enjoyed the rest of their night with our wonderful neighborhood friends in the cul-de-sac until about, eh, 10ish. The sugar just kept em' goin'. It was good to sleep in the next day though!!


Since then, my sweet Benny knows how much his mommy loves chocolate. So he will pick out chocolates from his Halloween bag (when I say it's okay of course) and give them to me. Sweet or what? I love that kid! It also scores him an extra piece of sugar too. :)

Josey

Why do you not tell your sister about your "you-tube" posting??

Because she'll share it!!

HA! I love it... my sweet sister trying to obtain cheap fame! You got it!

Bringin' It Back

Okay, so I am so completely sick of school- I could barf up a textbook. Some how I managed to earn A's last semester, and this semester seems like it is ridiculously, intensely, hard. I don't know if it's because it is harder content, maybe I am burnt out, or a good combo. I have always been told that this was the hardest semester in school, and I am feeling it. I have a B, but those who know me, know that my skin crawls if I do nothing but the best. I am trying my best, I know that's all that really matters, but I want an A dangit!! Sorry for my sickening rants, but I have decided to have a "normal" day tomorrow, something I felt like I haven't had in a while. My sweet, dear husband just cleaned the entire house, so this is possible and achievable. :)

Here it goes: The boys have requested a pancake breakfast tomorrow, and I am going to make it for them. Then take Sergeant Stink and Benny to school. I will then start to paint the kids' bathroom- something I have wanted to do for a while. Then I will pick up my boys, do homework, then either play outside or take a nice bike ride to the park. After that I will make them a nice ribs dinner and follow it up with a round of Candyland. Then I will get them all ready for bed and we will snuggle in our nest and read some stories. I will kiss my boys nighty night and feel like their true mommy, again. I will pour a nice glass of wine, light some candles, and soak in the tub... then go to bed, early.

Fire-Ninja/Ranger

Sadly, we went to the Hall of Flame museum without Dad. It was a lazy Saturday and the 10th Anniversary of the museum (so the kids got in free). How could a thrifty mom resist? I don't think the boys were old enough to appreciate the super cool, old, horse pulling fire engines... but enjoyed the "play on Fire Truck". The highlight of the festivities was going for a ride on one of the older fire trucks. It was such a beautiful day, and we were on top of the truck so we got to enjoy the breeze. I was thankful most of my hair was in a hat, which allowed me to enjoy the breeze to the fullest. My favorite part was when the engine horn blew and I saw smiles from ear to ear on the boys.

Oh, yeah. They went in their costumes too. I love it when they romp around in play suits, its what kids should do. Grown-ups get to play around like that once a year if they go to a Halloween Party... so let kids be kids. They love the attension they get by all the adults when they wear them. I must say the power ranger suit has been loved to death by Benny so much that the zipper doesn't work anymore.

I thought this was really neat. They had a medical helicopter (which I have never seen). Benny got right up there and fastened himself in. We of course landed in the gift shop afterwards and got some Firefighter stuff. Benny picked out a "Future Firefighter" shirt that he immediatly put on when he got home- along with a fire badge and hat. He told me that he's ready for work now. They both tell me that when they grow up they want to be Firefighters.