What Have I Gotten My Self Into?

Hi all!

I began my Capstone class this past Monday, which is my FINAL class to wrap up my BSN!

Let me tell you, I have three, count them, three assignments due each Sunday! In addition to answering two discussion questions, and replying to six of my classmates discussion questions, yet the responses must be substantial.

I am going to create a countdown to track my progress! Let me tell you, I've passed my last ten (or eleven, I've lost count) classes with an A+! Not just an A, but an A+! I'm on the dean's list, and am so proud of myself! I've never tried so hard in my life to obtain all A's, and for a while thought I'd give up on the choice to attempt A's, but decided I'd come that far and wasn't about to give up!

So, what is a Capstone you ask? It's an intensive research oriented writing class, where you write a 5,000 word paper on an identified situation of which you can implement an educational program. I'd originally wanted to write on Death with Dignity (DWD), however am now trying to decipher between DWD or mental health in firefighters, given the recent situation that the fire department has been struggling with. I have to site 15 (yes 15) research articles throughout the paper. Oy vey, I'm in for it!

P.S. I'm too tired to proof read this, please disregard anything that doesn't quite make sense!

My Name Is Michael~

Today I am reflecting on my childhood, and what a wonderful one it was. I cherish the memories that I hold deep in my soul. I recall many times traveling a short distance to one of my cousins house on the weekend, or during the summer, or having one to three of my cousins stay with us. I recall camping along the Nestucca river many times throughout the year. I also recall camping at Gold Beach, which I wrote about in fifth grade, and I stumbled along that paper the other day. I have so many fond memories of traveling to my grandparents house in Colorado, as I would stay for a week or two throughout the summer. My grandma had purchased an adorable towel with a teddy bear on it, which I have held onto. I also recall going to McDonalds and some sort of a children's museum with my auntie and two of my cousins. They sure don't make playgrounds at McDonalds as they use to!

Having these memories has made me realize how much I want to move and be near family, as I want Michael to have memories to reflect on later in life. I am anxiously awaiting Adams nearing retirement so we can pack the years of memories that we've made in Arizona, to move near family! I am ready to leave Arizona, as I have such a desire to be near family. Thirteen years here, and I never thought I'd say that I'm ready to move, as the weather is amazing. Yet it all comes back to family.

My grandma and I had a song that we would sing together, which the words are listed below. What I find fascinating is that it's about a little boy named Michael. How fitting is it that our little mans name is Michael? Perhaps it's a coincidence, although I think it was a preconceived notion!

My name is Michael
I've got a nickel
I've got a nickel shiny and new
I'm going to buy me some cotton candy
That's what I'm gonna do

A New Day~

Good morning all!

I had a heck of a time falling asleep last night as I couldn't stop watching the new episode of Grey's Anatomy. I can't get enough of that show, however I've noticed that the Grey Sloan Memorial hospital has an overwhelming amount of tragedies that occur!

Today I begin the first day of a new diet. I've gained weight since beginning school as I'm primarily on my computer. So here goes! I woke up @ 0430 with a wonderful amount of energy, and am now blogging! Michael continues to snore away in our warm and comfortable bed.

Hope you all have a wonderful day! It's time for me to work on a bit of homework!

May's Sew Sampler Reveal!

I was gently awoken by Michael this morning. He walked around to my side of the bed and laid his little head on my arm (while gazing into my eyes), and he said, "Good morning mommy, are you awake?" It's these little moments that I will forever cherish!

My May Sew Sampler Box arrived yesterday, and it was a great box! See the video for the new goods!

Upon further examination, the monthly block recipe card is not the same as last months.

Since you are all aware of my love for all beach themed items, a friend showed me these adorable sheets on Groupon, and I simply couldn't resist! They are in the washing machine as I type! Can't wait to make my bed!

Happy Sunday everyone! Hope you all have a great day!

Happy Mother's Day, Take 2

Today is my second take at Mother's Day as Adam was sick last Sunday, while I was coming down with the nasty GI bug that Adam so kindly shared. It runs around like a wildfire, surprisingly Michael has yet to catch it! It's spread through the firehouse and around my work too. I had hoped to lose a pound or two, and was surprised when I stepped on the scale and hadn't budged even a half of a pound!

Today, I was awoken to breakfast in bed, and have a massage scheduled (from Adam & Mikey) at noon! We're having lobster for dinner (Safeway has another great sale), and will likely play in the pool a little later.

Michael's little love gift that he made at school. I absolutely cherish every little piece of artwork.

Below is Michael's rendition of T Rex! He's requested a dinosaur (he pronounces it as dino whore) themed fourth birthday!

Meet My Mando! Or soon to be...

Mother's Day~

Happy Mother's Day to all of the mama's out there! Today, I am most grateful to hear my little love call me mommy or mama. He is my everything in life, and the bond that we share warms my soul. I thank breast feeding as I feel that is helped to build our bond. My poor husband came home from work with either food poisoning or a GI bug. Needless to say, Mikey & I will spend the afternoon at my parents house and swim our little hearts away!

Michael slept with me last night while Adam was at work. Wouldn't you know it, he had to sleep on me rather than his side of the bed!

One of my precious Mother's Day gifts from my boys~

This is so very true. I will always be Michael's biggest supporters! While I don't want him to grow up, I know that he's going to do great things in life!

Thank you Michael, for blessing me as your mommy. Words will never describe how much you mean to me. Everything your daddy & I do, we do to provide only the best experiences for you. Mommy & daddy will always be here for you, and will forever support your dreams, desires, and simply just you. It amazes your daddy & I how much you take after us, and act like us. It's amazing as there are times that we forget that we do not match genetically, yet every characteristic of you, we see us in.

Day Before Mommy's Day~

Happy Saturday all!

I woke up feeling so content and whole! I have had such a weight lifted from my shoulders since Adam's been home. He adored Colorado, which is great as he is further in love with moving to CO!

Furthermore, I feel such a weight lifted from my soul since ridding my life of the added negativity.

I've got a bunch of ideas of things to do around the house as my time with school is dwindling down! I want to repaint rooms, remodel our two bathrooms, all of which will help to increase the value of our casa.

This Mother's Day is by far my favorite thus far, as Michael is so excited! Adam & Mikey went shopping yesterday, and I was surprised to find a beautiful necklace from Brighton that says "Mom." Mikey picked it out, which means more to me than anything! He woke up this morning and told me that he's happy that it's Mother's Day, and that he wants me to open my big gift. I think I know what it is, as I kept reminding Mikey what I wanted. Time will tell.

This is so very true for Michael & I, which I absolutely adore!

I came home from work yesterday & Mikey wanted to cuddle.

 

My Love~

My love made it home from Colorado last night, and boy were Michael & I ever excited to see him! Adam brought Michael home a T Rex hand puppet which Mikey absolutely adores, and insisted on sleeping with last night. Michael didn't want to let Adam out of his sight, and kept saying, "I missed you daddy!"

My heart and our home now feel complete. If ever there's a battle to fight for, it's hands down my little family!

There's Nothing Like a Little Piece of Home to Warm Your Soul~

Oregon oh Oregon, how many fond memories our sweet little family have made while in our home state. Here's to many more!

Lazy Sunday = Funday!

Good morning all!

Mikey's at his grandma & papa's casa, and I'm left home alone to work on my darn paper that's due today. I can't begin to tell you how tired I am of writing papers! Although, the fact that I have three months to go is an incentive! I love sitting in my craft room with the windows open, listening to the sweet little chirps from the birds, and feeling the light breeze. Add in the delectable scents of whichever candle I have burning away.

Did you know that lavender is my favorite scent? It is also one of Mikey's favorites too!

I saw this while looking at photos on Instagram... I see owning this in my near future!

This caption is perfect for the second day of nurses week! While working at St. Mary's hospital, we had a large portion of patients from the nearby reservation. Often times, they wouldn't groom their feet, leaving this little situation to happen...

I adore this cute little lamp that Mikey & I found at Target yesterday, however I just can't justify spending $30 on a lamp! Now fabric on the other hand, that's a different story!

Nurses Week 2017!

It's that time of year again all, it's Nurses Week 2017!

Woohoo!

Nursing to me is helping those in need, either spiritually or physically. I can't recall the countless lives I've been a part of saving, which is monumental for me. Whether I've helped someone's heart to regain beating again via means of CPR, or helping as a part of the Donor Network team in providing life for many via means of harvesting organs. Other means includes arriving to many scenes of motor vehicle accidents, or those being hit by a motor vehicle (I kid you not with this one), or driving and overhearing a mother pleading for help as her young child was choking, therefore performing the Heimlich maneuver. Or simply using the Heimlich maneuver on Michael as a toddler as he would often place a rather large handful of something delicious in his mouth, while attempting to swallow the entire huge handful.  

What does it mean to Michael as having a mommy as a nurse? It means we only go to the emergency department when he has a fracture, burn (that I am unable to take care of at home), or something life threatening. I suppose it can be difficult having a mommy as a nurse, however Adam & I must be doing something right as Michael swears that he wants to be a medic when he grows up. This seems to be the middle ground between a nurse and a fire fighter/EMT like his daddy.

Nursing to me, is a large piece of why I feel that I was placed in my body. Happy Nurses Week to all of my amazing colleagues! Cheers to us!

My nursing photo, taken 8 years ago. Here's to many more years of nursing!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Happy Cinco de Mayo all! Mikey & I are staying in tonight, where the wine and juice boxes are flowing. Who am I kidding, I still have yet to drink more than a glass of wine and not get tipsy! Thanks to breastfeeding, I lost my tolerance which in essence, isn't a bad thing!

Michael's first school photos went unbelievably well, my buggy is photogenic! I've e-mailed the photos to everyone that I could think of who follows my blog, please let me know if I've forgotten you in error! I'll mail them upon their arrival here! This is perfect timing, as I've wanted to do family portraits again, however this time it will be Adam, Michael & myself! I can't wait, as it's been a few years since we had family photos done.

I continue to fall deeper and deeper in love with Michael as the things he says are absolutely precious. I had questioned before his birth what type of bond we would have, and if I could love him as though he's my own. There's no doubt that our bond is the strongest as he comes to me for reassurance, love and affection, and pure comfort. He goes to Adam for play time/wrestle mania! He told me the other day shortly upon me telling him that I love him, he simply replied, "You melt my heart mommy!" He also says, "You're my girl mommy!" Oh my goodness, the simple things in life such as these moments are so wonderful!

Michael's and my favorite song to sing together~

Amen to this! It warms my heart & soul to see Michael smiling in every photo~ I can tell that he's happy in our little family of three!

While daddy's away, the baby will sleep in his spot! Our bed looks tiny, yet it's a queen!

Mommy's little goofball!

Colorado Is Where Our Hearts Are!

Since we've decided that Colorado is where we're moving, I can't help but gaze at the same beautiful house over and over. It's official, I've fallen in love with this one! I love the open and airy feeling. And, the paint colors aren't too shabby, they seem to be within my color scheme!