Count Down!

The count down has begun! One week and three days, until Mommy, me, is back in school. I feel the anxiety starting to calm and the pieces are falling into place better. Paul is very supportive and my parents have my back 100%. I had a sit down talk with Mitchell this last week about the changes that are coming and he seems to understand and hopefully will cope well.

With this new adventure being added into our already busy life I have found that one of my biggest struggles has been accepting the change that I have chosen. I discovered that with most of the bumps in the road of my life I tend to move forward. That is just the direction I have to take. I have to take what I have been given and move forward in the best way possible. But this change has been the hardest, by far. I made the choice. It wasn't forced upon me, I chose to make this change. I also didn't realize the major amount of changes this one choice would create for me and my family.

I now am facing a job change, switching my schedule, not seeing my friends from work as frequently, and juggling the kids more. It is weird I have to let go of Labor and Delivery in order to become a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Midwife. I have to change my position of leadership and comfort to become a learner again. Shifting my role to student, instead of teacher is exciting and humbling. I just pray everything will go well.

Paul has been so busy, gearing up for marijuana eradication in Southern Utah. And the kids are winding down the school year. Mitchell is finishing up third grade. I can't believe how quickly he is growing and changing. He stands at my shoulder right now, at the age of nine. I'm sure he will be my height by the time he is 12 or 13. I better keep stocking my pantry!

Madi is a social light. She needs to be in contact with someone at all times or have a planned play date waiting in the wings. She makes me laugh the amount of times a day she needs to change her outfit and do something different with her hair.

Mason is getting ready to finish his first year of preschool, and by far, my most easy going kid. He loves to hold small toys in his hands and is a cuddle bug to stuffed animals. He loves to be sung to every night. "The Lamanites Mom, the Lamanite song." he says every night! Ah, the simplicity of life! I love that my kids remind me of the simple things every day!

As a family, we are hoping to visit Mickey Mouse again this year over Thanksgiving. We will have to see what the finances hold in trying to budget for me going to Graduate school and the bare needs of clothes and food. But, Paul has a training opportunity there right before Thanksgiving and it would be a great opportunity for family time too. Let's hope he gets approved for the training.

A week of change

So many changes in life are occurring and it is slightly disturbing to my normal. Although I am use to many changes and riding the waves of life. I feel like I am in a spinning tornado, but by choice. I have chosen to go back to school to become a Nurse Practitioner and Midwife. I feel like I have made large strides in getting to where I am at, but have many more to conquer.

I am so thankful to have a supportive husband who realizes the importance of this change and supports me and holds me up at times. Okay, maybe a lot of times. When I cry in the garage and ask myself, "how am I going to do this?" He smiles and hugs me and just says, "You will do what you always do, you'll just do it." I love him forever and always.

I have to be honest though, Paul's job stresses me more than ever before. I keep a constant pray in my heart, night and day, for his safety. I love him so much and want to continue through this journey with him by my side.

Our three kids are growing faster with each passing day. They each bring their own unique challenges that makes me question frequently the lessons I have to learn from them.

Mitchell faces the challenges of everyday social interactions and how to calm his body during times of unease. Everyday is a challenge and sometimes he feels defeated and other days are a victory. He just found out that he gets to participate in safety patrol next year and he is extatic. He just turned 9 and is getting closer in height to his mother every day. Mitchell is doing better in kenpo and is working toward next belt level.

Madilynne is a beaming bright five year old with the spunk of a fire cracker. She is very independent and loving kindergarten. She is a great beginning reader and loves math. She is a social butterfly and loves to dress in pink and dresses. Her asthma seems to be well controlled right now. She is struggling a bit with headaches and we aren't sure of the cause of them now. They have lessened in intensity for her, but are still occurring frequently. We recently found out that her kidney reflux has worsened and she is in need of surgery. More to come with that later.

Mason just recently graduated from Speech therapy! Yah! Hi is a growing 4 year old with his own unique personality. When he speaks he wants to be heard clearly and without anyone else talking. He loves to play with his big brother and is a trooper, where ever mom needs to go. He loves to play with little hand held toys, hot wheels, and beyblades. After the second set of tubes, he seems to be hearing better. Let's hope they stay strong and he out grows the hearing problems!

As a family we are doing well. We work to together to keep the train moving. It may not always be clean, but it is moving.

4th of July 2011

BEAR LAKE

We had a great family trip to Bear Lake of the 4th of July with Paul's family.

We spent the weekend at the Cabin and lake. We had a great time at the lake with water toys and unlimited sand. We took a few rides on the 4-wheelers and enjoyed good company with family. Nana McNeely brought the ultimate crafts to help entertain the kids and adults. We had a wonderful time!

A night with the Bees

June 2011

We had a fabulous, relaxing, fun night @ the Bees game. We enjoyed the grass out past left field. All the boys took their gloves in hope for a fly ball. Mason convinced an out-fielder to throw him a practice ball and he was extatic. We ran into some good friends and the kids loved riding the train and have a little room to wiggle their bodies.

Paul had the megatron show for all to see. He was running for a fly ball and slipped on the steep slope of the grass. Both feet flew out from underneath him and he landed flat on his butt/back. The fly ball popped right off his toe. The entire crowd growned at his pain. He quickly recovered and retrieved his earned ball.

The summer night was warm with a light breeze. It was a great family night!

Shake your booty! Come on!

Little Miss Madilynne has been enjoying a year of dance. She has really enjoyed learning jazz, hip hop, ballet, and a little bit of tumbling. She has such a passion to move her body to music. I love to see the joy in her face as she shares her passion with others. Her team is called the Mini Starz and they have taken first place in every competition this year! Way to go Madilynne!

Simplicity

Madilynne was at the grocery store with me this week and we where making our way through the produce department. I picked up a watermelon and placed it into the cart. It might have been my hope of better weather and the desire for summer to come. For whatever reason, I decided it was time to have watermelon and much to my delight was Madilynne's response. "MOM, I HAVE BEEN DREAMING OF THIS!" she exclaimed as she wrapped her arms around the watermelon. I snickered inside as she hugged the watermelon all the way home!

A new year!

A new year to think about the potential of improvement and a good starting point. We, as a family, have faced many challenges in the last year and are excited to start a new year. We feel very blessed in being protected and watched. I look forward to an upward swing and know that what ever it might be we can continue with our heads held up.

I sometimes doubt myself. Okay, I doubt myself a lot. But I am learning that with God's help and humility, and lot of patience, things work out. Maybe not for what I feel they should be, but they work out. I am thankful for that and a few great friends that have a listening ear. Thanks!