This summer Isabelle has been in swim team and she is rocking it! It's the first time since before COVID that we've returned to competition meets. It has been so fun watching her confidence in her abilities grow and seeing her enjoy it!
It is still hot sitting outside but we've really enjoyed it.
She only has one meet left before the season ends and soon enough they will be back to school. Here are a few photos from her most recent swim meet where she got two first places and two second places!
Go Belle Go!
Swim Belle Swim!
Even though its hot, I find myself seeing so much beauty in this state. Trying to be present in all moments this summer.
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
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.
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.
