Saturday Night Live

After going into work early yesterday morning and staying all day, I was whipped when I got home. Ryan's sister offered to watch the kids so we could go out for a while, but we passed it up- the thought of getting ready exhausted me. I now wonder if we needed a night out after you see how silly things got at our house..... :)

Yes people, I think we have officially proclaimed our silliness. Or in other words, we were bored and got tired of playing Hi Ho Cherrio.

Just thought this deserved a post of it's own. I am so blessed with this man. He is such an amazing person- father, husband, best friend. Next week, we will have been married only 4 years. That is such a short amount of time compared to what I hope is in store for us. We still continue to grow- we have come so incredibly far. This past year has brought many changes and hasn't been easy for us- but how meaningful to look back and know we got through it, one more thing to stack on the foundation of our marriage- and continue to grow. Heck, we're still rookies with two kids.

Baby girl

Ryan has been going into work a little later these days, so when Mayci wakes up and he's still home- she gets a lil' excited. I caught some cuddle time this morning....




Unfortunately, today is a day I have to be gone. I know it will probably never be 'easy' to drop Mayci off at Kim's (our sitter), only because I sometimes feel selfish- not sure if that's the right word- for going back to school. I have to stop and give myself a little pep talk that I'm doing this not only for myself and my family- but it's also I what I felt called to do at this point. I was truly blessed to be home for this long and only work part time. So each day is one day closer to me being done...July 27 to be exact... and although I will still work after being done with school- it just feels different. Anyway- it's all about choices right. I felt good about this choice from the beginning and still do... just somedays are easier than others. ;) So anyway- I had Mayci's stuff packed for the day- she brings a little backpack filled with her favorite things, her blankie and her monkey George. She has been doing really well on the potty and I thought it was appropriate to (first, bleach it) and take it to Kim's. She really doesn't like to go on the 'big one'- and so.. yep, whatever. I brought it. ;) WELLLL... Apparently while I was busy folding laundry- she had to go. So here she is, ever so sweet, using her potty- in the middle of the kitchen! LOL! She never said anything to me- just felt she had to do her business all by herself! ;)

Have a good day.

For you, Mom

Pictures you asked for, instead of my ramblings ;)... some of them are from Maddie's camera! Enjoy your warm week in Arizona!

Stayin' dry!

A few months back- I was working on potty training Mayci. I mean to the point where we were going places without a diaper b/c my hope was that she would catch on. Obviously, it ended up being way more work for ME b/c she did not catch on and I was always cleaning up the mess. But, I thought- no big deal, I'm just not going to push this. It was silly to push it, all kids eventually get it someday. Well, let me share that yesterday and today were that someday. It finally clicked. She has not had an accident in two whole days. Of course, I was gone last night but according to Ryan- she stayed dry or told him she had to go everytime. All day today- UNDIES! No accidents. Brought herself right to the bathroom and whoop, there she went. I am just amazed at how kids all of a sudden do this. She acts like she is SO done with diapers- she was very adament not to even put one on for her nap today- which she also stayed completely dry and went as soon as she got up! Crazy! Its almost too good to be true- I'm kind of waiting for her to wake up tomorrow and decide, well, she was just testing the water- just kidding mom! Go buy me some more size 6's! ;) Hopefully that's not the case and I can actually speak truth when I say I HAVE NO MORE IN DIAPERS!!!!

Van-tasy

I could almost count down the days until my lease is up. August 09. However many days it is- it's not too far. We've been van shopping for some time now- we almost opted early out of our lease to buy an Odyssey- but I'm glad we didn't fork over the little cash we have just because I'm impatient. So, I thought I had Ryan convinced that a van would be the next sweet thing sitting in our garage. He has refused to give in and I thought I had it this time... but he caught his eyes on something else- a crossover type SUV by either GMC/Saturn, they are very similar actually- almost identical just different makes. There are bucket seats and an opening to the back and tons of room. I think my luck just ran out! Apparently, he's had his eyes on these for a while and was thrilled to show me at the Auto Show. My vantasy is over. I can't argue with roomy, economical, and all wheel drive. I also can't say there will be another car seat back there anytime soon. I have to rest my case.

Sweets

As many of you already know, and probably don't need to hear about all the time, I have been working pretty hard hitting the books. This semester I am on a Cardiac Unit/Intermediate Care Unit (a step down from CCU)and have learned SO much in the past 4 weeks- I can't even think right now of all that I have learned and possibly not retained ;) Anyway- we are assigned patients and have to work up a care plan, assessments, nursing diagnoses, basic needs, all meds, just every stinkin detail you can think of. We also ask questions related to culture and religion. I had a pt last week who was a total sweetheart and very accepting of my interventions as a student nurse. However, when I got to the deeper questions as part of my assessment, I found this person was not a Christian. Or should I say- not anymore. I am just going to call this person 'Sweets' b/c I don't want to say if it was a man or a woman, or give away any details. So, 'Sweets' had said that he/she used to be a Christian, used to believe in Jesus Christ, and grew up going to church all his/her life. Sweets was just to the point where his/her Faith had deteriorated. The heart wasn't working the same and had multiple complications because of it. Sweets recently divorced and moved in with his/her youngest child. Sweets also lost his/her job due to the economic status. He/she went into much more details but I feel I have gotten my point across.... Sweets was in the dumps. Can you even imagine!?!?! To lose your health, your spouse, your job, and now depend on your child for emotional/physical/financial support. And to top it ALL off- to give up on God?? My heart was broken. Honestly. To hear what this person had gone through and to know that at this point, there was no faith nor hope. As a Christian, I wanted to get more in depth, but as a professional- I can not impose my own religious beliefs. Do you even KNOW how tough that is?? I'm sure you do- especially if you have strong beliefs. I did not know asking a religious background on this patient would open such a can of worms- but I needed to know from a professional stand point- some Jehovah's witnesses do not accept certain treatments and some Buddhists do not accept certain genders depending on the situation... so I had to ask. It was just very sad to me. How to be fishers of men then? Its all just complicated politics to not be able to sit at someones bedside and talk about the simple truth that 'Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible told me so.' I drove home that night thinking of Sweets and praying for his/her salvation, health, hope, faith. Sorry to blog about something SO depressing- but I tell ya what- it's going on. It's happening. And frankly, it stinks.

Haven't fall off...

the Earth that is. I've taken a little hiatus from blogging- mainly due to time contraints. Like Facebook and homework ;) I would love to upload pictures, but I'm sitting at gymnastics at the moment. I will have some soon though!

So, lately it's been busy but things are great. I'll start with Miss Mayci. First off- she went potty on the toilet all on her own- and as promised, we got her some new undies. We went to Target (of course, its just the first thing that comes to mind) and she got herself some new princess undies. She is super proud. This morning, I asked her which ones she wanted to wear- b/c there are a few different designs... Cindarella, Ariel, Sleeping Beauty... you get where I'm going. So, she pondered.... and looked at all of them a couple times and I'm like- seriously just pick out some dang underwear. But I didn't say anything- just tried to wait patiently when all of a sudden she spurted out 'shake your booty' very non-chalantly, I might add. Obviously, I started laughing when she grabbed the sleeping beauty ones- b/c at that point I know she meant to say 'Sleeping Beauty' but rather 'Shake your booty' came out! Oh my goodness. What have we taught her. ;) She makes me laugh everyday.

Maddie is becoming such a little lady- with sass. She has grown so much, not just in height, but on the inside too. She genuinely cares about other people. This weekend, I made it known that I had to study for a while. Ryan took Mayci downstairs to watch a movie, and Maddie asked if she could read quietly by me. After about 20 minutes of quiet- Maddie had said 'Mom, I bet it's hard to have homework and take care of me and Mayci and Dad too.' Isn't that SWEET?? I obviously reassured her I am nothing short of super woman and can do almost anything. ;) She knows that I will be done with school by her birthday this summer- and that I just need to get through it until then. I promised her something special for her birthday this year- just for being a great sport. (Well she has thus far) Ryan and I have talked about getting her a dog- she wants one SO bad- Ryan isn't keen on the whole thing, but I know he would do it for her- as long as she agreed to help take care of it. I'm not promising anything- but we've considered it. We've also considered a few other things which I won't even say, mainly b/c I, myself, would be disappointed if we didn't do it. Let's just say it's someplace warm. We'll see!

My handsome hubs is still working- I can't be more thankful. We were definately prepared for a lay off by now- but God has provided each and every week. I know He would either way, but I'm thankful that there has been work. Obviously, this is a tough economy for many trades. He has been plowing off and on as the weather permits- and I think it's really grown on him. He was at first opposed to putting a plow on his truck- but now I think that he thinks it's fun. He turns up the radio and pushes snow around.... whatever! He took the kids sledding at Pigeon Creek/Pigeon Lodge on Saturday and they had a blast. I went to a baby shower, so I 'had' to miss out on the festivities. Shoot. ;) Being cold and bruising my butt is my favorite thing to do in the winter. ;)

As for me, I need glasses again. I had them for reading years ago, but have misplaced them thinking I could get by without them. I think my eyes are worse now. I believe it to only be a muscular issue- like my eyes are just tired from focusing- but I can hardle focus without headaches. So- the appt has been made. Time for another exam and prescription I guess! ;) School is going great. I get VERY nervous with quizzes and exams- I freeze up and shake when I'm writing. I'm terrible with it. BUT- I have passed everyone with an awesome grade so far and that gives me hope!! I feel like I forget everything as soon as the paper is in front of me- but apparently it's just nerves. Nothing calms me down. I try deep breathing. I pray. I chew gum. I try it all. It's complete test anxiety and I have it BAD. If you have any pointers- please feel free to dish them out! Another mom from Zeeland is doing this with me- and she always gets a good laugh b/c even if I don't say anything about how I nervous I am - which I try not to b/c I dont want to make her nervous- apparently I shake my foot and she picks up on it. ;) LOL.

Anyway- I hope this finds all fellow blog readers happy and healthy! Have a great week.

Packed nerves

Ok, girls' bags are packed and ready to go for tomorrow. Clothes are out and even a little bow for Mayci. I'm feeling a little nervous.... majority of the time I'm home with my girls. My work schedule has been so flexible, and this school schedule obviously is not. But I'm trying not to think about it that way. Ryan keeps reminding me just to take it day to day. That's tough for me- the 'planner' who likes things just so. The independence of coming and going as I please. For the next 7 months, my hands may be a little tied.

I will be at Mercy General in Muskegon Tues/Weds nights 2:30-10:30 and then still have to drive home, finish my work ups, care plans, and meds sheets. Hello, little bit o' sleep. I will SO miss tucking my babies in on those nights. Helping Mayci brush her teeth and read her a book. Maddie- still likes me to tuck her in and kiss her forehead... aww! I have to keep telling myself- it's only two nights. It's a small sacrifice and really, it will be good for them. Also, this is good for me. There have really been moments lately that I could have easily thrown in the towel and said forget it. But if you're called to do something- you just trust it's the right thing to do and it will all work out. Just a few pre-first day back jitters.

So, my 'bag' is packed too! ;) I have no idea what I need, I just printed up the syllabus, packed my lab values and nursing diagnosis book from years ago and am ready to go I guess. We'll see!

Random... Did anyone watch Bachelor last night??? Wow. It's going to be a good one.

Have a good night.

Picture post

Just a few pics from the weekend. Newenhouse's and Geerling's came over Friday night for pizza- here are the kids plus little Taylor (our neice). My brother was in Atlanta for 4 days for work so we gave Apryl a break by taking Taylor overnight Friday night. She is such a good little girl and we love her like our own!

Little Miss Taylor- an absolute mini version of my brother Nolan.

So, school is back in session. It's a good thing for all of us. ;) My classes start Wednesday instead of today, but other than that I will have class every Monday and clinical rotations at Mercy Tues/Weds nights. Just now getting a little anxious.

Maddie woke up this morning congested and coughing. She said she didn't sleep much last night- but she woke up raring to go and see her friends, so I think she's fine. I ran to Family Fare quick just for a decongestant, hopefully that will give her some relief!

Maddie got to go to Libby Lu one last time before it closes- so here is her post-hair do. The girl has some hair! Thick and full!


Mayci woke up this morning asking if E could come to her house to play. She was thrilled that he came over and here they are talking business over some Cheerios. During this exact moment, Mayci was asking E if he liked her shirt. lol. These kids are just too cute. Thanks for coming to play Elliot! Although Mayci isn't always as sweet as she may look- she really does love you.

Enjoy the routine again this week!

Welcome 2009!

Another year.... I believe there is alot in store for us this year. I have a feeling it will be a great one!
Here we are fresh as ever- (jk) and ready to go hang out with some fantastic friends on NYE! Thanks again to Matt and Lynette for tacos ;), booking a babysitter, and letting Maddie overstay at your house! Thanks mucho to Ryan and Sarah for hosting a great NYE party and allowing us to make a mess in your house!


More pics from NYE can be viewed at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=13217&l=78be3&id=1068843108. (can someone show me how to rename the link sometime?) ;)


So Happy New Year to you and yours.

Makin' a list....

I was thinking of the things I wanted as a child for Christmas while I was wrapping my last few presents tonight. I was laughing at some of the stuff I was remembering... everything from a pogo stick to speed skates, Popples, Debbie Gibson cassettes and Electric Youth perfume, a curling iron that would magically curl my bangs the 'right' way- not the kinked way(Lynette, you know where I'm going with this), my own set of skiis, and the list went on of course! So just for the heck of it, I've updated a few things. I'm finding I've must have been a good girl! ;)

1) A powerful and loving marriage (check)
2) Healthy, happy, giggly little girls (check)
3) A warm, cozy home of our own (check)
4) A dependable vehicle to drive (check)
5) An amazing set of parents, both sides (check)
6) Loyal, truly wonderful friends (check)
7) A sister, please!!! (in laws count ;) Julie, Cam, and Apryl (check) Step-sisters Jasmine and Julianna (check, check)
8) An iPod- to not think about things sometimes (check) I need music.
9) A plowed driveway- hallelujah! (check)
10) A job that I honestly enjoy, most days ;) (check)
11) A study bible to read the Word, and understand it! (check)
12) A church where we feel is the best fit for our family (check)
13) My own kitchen to cook in! (check)
14) A friend that I can call any hour of the night if I needed to (check)
15) A friend who tells it like it is! (check)
16) A friend to share a bottle of wine and dance with (check)
17) A husband that helps around the house (check)
18) A truly devoted father to my children (check)
19) Making Christ the center of my home (check)
20) Brothers to remind me that life is a journey ;) (check)
21) Blogger and a computer to let it out! (check)

Whew. I could go on, but really I think my list is complete for now! This time of year is truly about remembering our Savior's birth and recognizing what it is we are here to do. Love up your husband and kids, spend time with loved ones, and cherish those unforgettable, irreplaceable moments.

Merry Christmas!

Getting ridiculous folks....

well, besides the weather- it's the fact that I have seen Barney way too many dang times this month!!! We watch the same stinkin' movie over and over. We take it in the truck when we leave. We transfer it into Ryan's truck when he takes the girls to plow. We then take it back inside- and the cycle goes on!!! Seriously. How r-i-d-i-c-u-l-o-u-s are WE?? The sweet demands of a 2 year old have taken over!! ;) I am ready to throw the thing in the snow and see what happens to the happy go lucky dinosaur digital video device itself! Then the song pops into my head 'If all the snowflakes were candybars and milkshakes, oh what a snow that would be...' bah!! I am living a purple dinosaur love song nightmare! The frustrating part is that I am allowing this. I should say no. I should say we're not watching Barney any more today. Once is ENOUGH. Actually, she doesn't even sit and watch it the whole time- she just kind of likes to have it in the background while she plays or colors. And I don't watch tv during the day at all, usually I'm cleaning or playing w/ her (or dinking around on the computer) ;)...

Ok. This is my announcement that I am putting the cabash on Barney all day long if it's the last thing I do!

Happy Dance!

As much as we have been anticipating this.... Maddie was rewarded tonight for her hard, solid work in gymanstics!!!! She is officially a level 3!!!
She couldn't open this letter until she got home tonight (per her coach)- but it was a moment of sweet accomplishment!!! Her face turned bright red and she got teary-eyed, at first I didn't know what it was, but she then said it a very calm voice 'I moved up.' and literally fell into my arms crying. (dramatic, I know) I thought something was wrong with her so I peeled her off me at first to make sure she was ok, I just don't think she knew how to process those emotions! She has been waiting so patiently for this- they told us a while back she was ready and most likely in Decemeber they would move her up. So the first couple weeks went by and we hadn't heard, until tonight. ;) Way to go girl.

Then once she got her composure, the little drama queen she is, we started cheering for her. I told her to do a little happy dance to let it all out! (I kept quiet during video taping of course ;) But Mayci was all about it!
*video is sideways, sorry!

Jammies

Our niece, Taylor, with our girls last night. (I know Maddie's long leg is showing, and Mayci... in her mixed match PJ's, but oh well! ;)

Ramblings

I'm getting SO excited for Christmas. Maddie and I wrapped a few presents yesterday for everyone... well, actually my plan was to put my iPod on and have some alone time in our room to wrap up presents- but she REALLY wanted to help. To the point where she was pouting that I wasn't letting her help me. (Mainly for the fact that I just wanted to get it done!) Ugh, I can't handle the pouting and head-hanging... it drives me crazy. So, I caved and let her help with a few. There really was no reason she couldn't- I just had my mind set. Anyway- GIRL for ya.

I feel like I've been a scatterbrain lately trying to keep everything straight w/ Christmas parties, gifts, programs, concerts, a birthday party, working, just being a good mom and wife, etc, etc. I love this time of year so much- but do you sometimes just feel overwhelmed a little?? I have a ton of education to complete at the hospital too- just annual stuff that I have put off. Now it hangs over my head! This soon shall pass!

We took the girls to see Santa Friday night. Actually, we drove all around 8th street looking for the guy- Santa's House was supposed to be from 5-8:30 and we couldn't find him. So we ended up going to the mall- which was fine- but I forgot to bring my camera in. They were cute. All Mayci wanted was 'a purple present and Barney movie'. Maddie- she rambled on and on. It was funny b/c she's the one who doesn't believe in Santa, yet she had lots to say! ;)





I went out w/ a few girl friends last night... so much fun. We went to hear Sweet Japonic play at Founder's in Grand Rapids. They have really, really good music- sort of like a Dave Matthews Band feel. Founder's brews it own beer and I had the Cherry Ale- yum. We also shared a beer-cheese dip that was dee-lish! Anything with cream cheese I'm all about!



Ryan took the girls out for a night to play games/win tickets at Craig's Cruisers. They were pretty excited to show me what they won this morning.

Ok, I'm off to work for a couple hours. I taught SS this morning, Ryan is at our church service w/ the girls and I need to quick change into scrubs.

Have a great day!

Got it back... and A crush

Email is up and running again... I had to reset all of my internet settings/security/privacy and b/c Ryan and I have different logins (he uses SBC Yahoo and I use internet explorer) I just reset everything. It was fairly easy, but let's hope I did it right! ;)

So, Mayci is in her 3rd night of her big girl bed! We are so excited about this. I thought it would be a very long time, but the transition has gone incredibly well! I put a basket for her books and her mini-doodle right next to her bed (the toddler bed sits so low to the ground) and she just plays and looks at books, whatever. I don't want to jinx myself so I will just stop right there. It's adorable, but our little girl is just getting so big ;( I will post a picture later when I have a little more time.

Lastly, just to brief you.... Maddie has a little crush, so to speak, at school. Nothing major, just a boy she thought was funny and cute. We talk about it every now and then, I am just nosy and want to hear what she says. Maddie has told NO ONE this secret (not even her friends according to her) so I've been sworn to secrecy myself (of his name at least). Anyway, the reason I'm telling you this is b/c I was tucking her in tonight and she was telling me about the 3rd grade concert coming up and how they had to do a quick dance with a boy. So I teased her just a little about ****** (this boy) and said 'Ooh, I bet you want to dance with him!' Her comment... 'No way! He just got a really bad haircut!' I started laughing but she was so blunt and serious about it. Poor kid!!

Off to get my comfies on! Prison Break tonight!

Email issues

If you have sent me an email within the last, oh 3 days or so, I have not been able to get into my hotmail account. I need to make a phone call today!

Hope you had a great, snowy weekend!

Idiot on campus

** I hope this is read with my sarcasm in mind! I was laughing as I typed it!
Yes, that would be me. You'd think I would have it down pat since I took classes last Winter- but honestly most of them were online and the only one I had to actually go to was a lab- and it was a single destination. The last time I was in the nursing dept. was 4 years ago, and with alot of construction- everywhere- there have been alot of location changes. So, today I had to bring in copies of my CPR card and nursing license. I walk down to the nursing dept to hand them in. The admin assistant says 'oh, you will need to make copies of those for us'. I'm thinking to myself, 'ok, can't you do it real quick since there's a copy machine right behind you?' But I just smiled politely and said 'where is the closest copy machine?' Thinking she would offer the one behind her.. but NOOoo, the closest one is in the library. Ok. I know where the library is. I'll be back. So I grab my stuff, walk up 2 flights of stairs, all the way around the building to the library. Except it's not the library anymore. Honestly, I didn't know what it was. I walked into this big lit up room to the front desk. 'Hi, ma'am. Can you tell me where the library is?' She gave me the 'look' and said 'you don't know where the library is??' and she smirked. 'Uh, no ma'am I don't that's why I'm asking. I haven't been here in 4 years and the last time I was here, this is where it was.' Ahh, yes. Now she knows why I was asking such a stupid question. So she tells me how to get there. Once again, grab my stuff(apparently I kept setting it down) and walk all the way around the other side of the building, now up 1 flight of stairs to where I thought she directed me. Nope. Financial Aid office. Crap. Ok, next lady to help me. 'Hi, can you tell me where the library is?' She also gives me the look- like are you from the moon or what. She gave me much clearer directions and I walked now the last mile of the building back to where I literally parked. There's the library. Right where I walked in. Hmm. Never saw it. Ok, so I walk up to the lady at this desk. I'm in the library. 'Hi, I need to make copies and get my student nurse badge picture taken. Can you show me where to go?' Oh sure, now I had to go BACK down a flight of stairs 2nd floor commons area of the library for all of this. Great, thanks. Freaking stair stepping today and I feel like I AM from the moon. So I get downstairs... find a copy machine. 10 cents to make copies!!! Are you serious??? So I dig thru my wallet and find a quarter, thinking to myself 'please make change!' Which it did. Whew. Next I'm walking to the desk for my badge. Tell them what I need and had to fill out all kinds of paperwork. Ok, easy enough. Finally, get my copies and bring them back to the nursing dept. Then, I'm off to a scrubs store downtown Muskegon to get my MCC emblem sewn to my lab coat. I printed up directions (smart, eh?)and they also gave me pre-printed directions- so was on my way. It tells me to take the North Muskegon BR South and turn right on Pine. Only about 2.9 miles. So, I do... and I'm looking for Pine.... and looking for Pine... and end up on the business loop in Norton Shores heading to who knows where!! By this time, I got anxious b/c I truly didn't know where I was and it was completley WHITE outside. Grrr. So I move over lanes to try and back track and oops, pulled right in front of someone. Sorry. I waved like 'hmm, yes, I'm the idiot of the day'. Thankfully I called my mom who was able to tell me where I was and I found the ramp to head back toward Grand Haven after about 15 minutes of driving nowhere!! So, needless to say, I didn't make it the scrubs shop and don't really care! ;) It was just one of those days that I could laugh or cry at the situation. Today, I chose to laugh!