I did it! I'm a nurse!

This past week I concluded my journey of becoming a nurse, when I took the NCLEX and learned less than 24 hours later that I passed!  It's official, I'm finally a nurse!!!!

Can you see the relief on my face? My gosh I was so stressed after the exam and I was convinced it didn't go as I had hoped.  I'm ever so grateful that my fears were wrong and I passed.  

Here are a few photos of the graduation celebrations that happened a few weeks ago.  I'm so grateful for all the support my family has given to me these past many years.  Going to nursing school was definitely one of the hardest things I've chosen to do, and never would I have expected how difficult it would have been with the pandemic thrown in the middle.

Oh and then add in having another little one to the family in the middle of school....

Here I am the day after Finn was born... studying in the hospital because I had finals the following week...

I'm so grateful for this family and those kiddos (including Gabe) as they've given me lots of practical experience for learning about pediatric nursing illnesses. 

And Jarrett... Jarrett assumed the bulk of the extra work that was needed when I had to study or I had to be at clinicals til late.  He reassured me I could do it when I doubted myself over and over.

It was definitely a family journey to get here and I'm so grateful for each of them.

It was nice to celebrate with our parents and I'm grateful for their help as well.  Nana and Papa cared for the little guys many many many days and my parents helped by listening to me stress and worry about how my exam went.

I was honored to be one of two students selected to give the graduation remarks.  I feel so honored to be a part of this profession but it is only because of the experience we had with Noah and the efforts of so many nurses who helped him and our family, that I was finally motivated to follow the dream I've held onto for many many years.

Here's the link to my student speech...  Mine starts around 37 minutes in.

A few days after the pinning ceremony at Mesa Community College, I was lucky enough to celebrate my BSN graduation from ASU.  

I am lucky enough to get to work at the college so it was even more special.  Our Dean, Dr. Judith Karshmer and our Assoc. Dean, Kathy Kenny are some of the wonderful ladies I get to work with.

It was such a wonderful day to celebrate and I am so so so so honored to be joining this profession.  It has been a dream I've held onto for many years.  At 18 years old I shared at my high school, that I wanted to be a NICU nurse.  Finally, all those dreams are coming true. 

 Finally, a nurse.  God has been so good, and I'm so grateful for this journey and that I can finally say I'm a nurse.

Because of so manys support, motivation and source of inspiration, I can finally say it.  

Including this guy... I am thankful for him being my reason to finally go back and follow this dream

Until next time

Angie

Happy 7th birthday Noah!

 Happy birthday Noah. Seven years ago this night I remember being so happy that you were alive, and as scared as I was for you, the joy and love you brought with your arrival was beyond measure. Today we celebrated your birthday by talking about you, sharing pictures with the younger kids and enjoying rainbow cookies (thanks to the kindness from a dear friend). It’s amazing to me how Noah is still very much a part of our family even as he lives in Heaven. The first thing Jennings said when he woke up today was “Happy Birthday Noah”, Madelyn asked out of the blue to visit Noah at his resting garden and today at school Belle said rainbows appeared out of nowhere on her paper. Each of us have a special and unique bond, and it is for me a constant reminder that love never dies. Happy birthday to our littlest angel… love you always and forever.

Until next time,

Angie

Swim Belle Swim...

 Today Isabelle resumed our normal summer activities of swim team and she competed for the first time in 3 years at her swim meet.  It just so happened that it is one of the hottest days of the year and we were sweating at 6:00 am but it was all worth it.

Isabelle was so nervous and afraid she was going to get last place but she did such an incredibly good job.  She got second place in the butterfly, the free style and the breast stroke and she placed third in the back-stroke. 

I'm so proud of her mainly because of the confidence I witnessed in her growing from one stroke to the next.  She is even excited about the next week's meet.  

What a fun start to the swim season.  It was super hot and not gonna lie, I'm kind of ready for bed after getting up at 5 am, but so glad she was able to find success and increased confidence in her abilities.

So proud of you Isabelle!

Until next time,

Angie

A fun summer Friday....

Schools out for summer.  And that means Friday's are days at home with mom.  Michael, Isabelle, Madelyn, Jennings and Finn.  Today we decided to go to the library where it was arts and crafts day.  The kids had fun and Madelyn ended up making a King crown for Jennings (or as Madelyn calls him JJ).  When we got home then Madelyn wore her birthday crown and Jennings wore his and together they played.  It is fun to watch them play.  They are the closest of friends and sometimes the greatest to argue with one another.  Today they were buddies.

The other things we did today, because it as only 116 out (sadly not an exaggeration) was spend time in the pool.  The pool already feels like bath water, so it's perfect for mom to get in. 

Summer is off to a great and I am enjoying the time to spend together, although I will say, they definitely tire me out.

Meanwhile, here's our little Finn(ers).  He's growing like a weed and choosing to sit anywhere he can, except in the chairs. Gosh I'm trying to savor the last of these moments of having a baby in the house.  I already miss the baby stage (which Jarrett reminds me that it means someday we might sleep again).  

Tomorrow we'll be up early and headed to the first swim meet of the season.  Cheers to summer!

Until next time,

Angie

 

MIA: Wow it's been a long time

 Wow, it's been a while.  I'm honestly impressed I remembered my password on the first try to get back into here.  So much has happened in the last few years that I feel kind of silly even attempting to come back on here and recount where life has taken us.

Honestly, it's been a wild ride and then throwing COVID in there, honestly I'm just thankful we are all still alive.  In the last two years so much of my life has been sucked into starting, surviving and completing nursing school.  In between having 6 children, a job, a spouse and diving back into school... unfortunately writing in this blog had to be put up on the shelf.  

A month ago today, on May 9, I graduated from nursing school and received the degree of BSN.  I completed an accelerated program that combined an associates and a bachelors into 2 years instead of 4.  I knew it was going to be hard, but what I didn't know (or expect/plan) was that I'd be going through nursing school in the middle of the pandemic and that we would be having another little one join our family.  Finn is truly wonderful and I guess God surely knew what he was doing, because our family wouldn't be complete with out him.

There has been so many things that have happened, so many birthday's I've unfortunately skipped over and so many events I wasn't able to post about in here.  I've looked forward many times to getting to a point in life where things slow down a bit and I could get back to this blog.  Its kind of like therapy for me, a way to get out my thoughts, but also a way to record for our family, the kids what their childhood has been like.  I have in the past printed out these posts into books and it has become one of the favorites in our house for the kids to read and look back upon.  I look forward to getting back into the routine of doing this again.

So there it is... that's where I've been.  Its been a long while, I feel like I've been MIA but I'm glad to have found my way back....

While I've been MIA in here, we are still living life, still celebrating moments together and still looking for all the goodness life provides.

Until next time,

Angie

Today you're 16!

Happy 16th birthday Gabe!  I can't believe today has come. I hope you have a nice day l and that you know how much Dad, your siblings and I love you.  

While you are almost fully grown, I still see you as the little boy who came into our hearts so happy and bubbly.  

This picture was taken on the first day we met you and on our first ride.  My goodness while you were excited, you have no idea how much dad and I were too.

My wish for you this year Gabe is that you find true joy in your heart, guidance from God as you move forward in your life, and perseverance to work hard and achieve your goals.  We love you very much Gabe.  We wish you all the happiness, health and love. 

Happy 16th birthday.

Love, 

mom and dad