Oregon Coast

This past week our family took advantage of Justin and I having a whole week of vacation together, and my mom and dad being in Portland, Or, for Dad's work. We packed up the car and headed off to Portland and the Oregon Coast. It was amazing. The boys and I had never seen the ocean before so, needless to say, we were amazed by its endless beauty and could not resist playing in the water regardless of the fact that we had to walk around in wet clothes for the rest of the day. We love spending time together and were so happy that Grandma and Grandpa were able to experience all it all with us. Thanks Mom and Dad for a great vacation, we can hardly wait until the next time.

The boys were seeing how they measured up to the bears at the Portland Zoo.
Just a glimpse of Oregon's beautiful landscape.


Hangin' out with their super cool new friends.

Justin better watch out he might have some competition.

Getting ready to jump the waves. The boys were soaked by the time we were done playing.

Trying to get our sea legs under us.

So happy to be together. By-the-way the only time I ever have any body in my hair is when the the wicked hair dresser known as humidity totally molests my my style (which usually doesn't need a lot of help to look bad). There was not one decent picture of me from this whole day but oh well I would so be willing to look like this again just to go back.

Danny smelling the roses and the Portland Rose Garden.

My Hercules strikin' a pose.

It's finally Over

After 2 long years of doubt and sacrifice I can finally say that I did it! I have finally graduated on August 1, 2009, from ISU with an RN degree from the ADRN program. Man it feels so good to be done with school. I will be super awesome to not have to worry about getting my assignments done, studying for the next tests, and how in the world I am going to get all of my clinical hours done. Woo-hoo!!

Justin was super awesome! He stepped up and was both Mom and Dad for 2 years. I would not have been able to do this without such a great and understanding husband.

My celebration jig


My sweet friend Nicholette who suffered right along with me for 2 long years and also graduated. (We were just a bit emotional.)

My boys have all given many different reasons why they are happy that I am done with school and it all centers on the idea that I will be home and spend more time with them. The boys have all been so understanding and accepting of the sacrifices that we had to make. I love that they have been so great now it is time to have some fun.

I am completely happy. I know that I could not have done this without the support of my beautiful family, especially Justin. Thank you, honey, you were always so supportive and willing to do what ever it took to make this journey as painless as possible. You are wonderful! I love you.

Bitter Sweet

2 years ago I was very reluctant to put Preston in a Preschool. I had been lucky to keep Preston at home with me until I had decided to finish my nursing degree but because of my school schedule something had to be done. I was very fortunate to find an opening for him at the hospital child care center, Kids Korner. It was very hard to leave him there the first couple of days but within a week I knew this preschool was going to be good and Preston would be well taken care of. Now that I have finished school and because Preston starts kindergarten in less than a month, Preston no longer has to go to school and can stay home with Justin and I.

Friday was Preston s last day at Kids Korner and I was so surprised to find that I was a little sad that I could no longer take him there. The staff at the school has always been so wonderful to him and treated him so well. I was grateful to be able to send him to a place that was so great. I am happy that they took such great care of him while I was so busy with school.

Preston and his 1st year teacher Miss Ashley
(Commonly known as "My Ashley")

Preston's second year teacher Miss Erica

Preston is excited to give all of his teachers a special gift to tell them thanks for all of their hard work.