Things To Be Thankful For

Sometimes I look at my life and wonder why things happen the way they do. I wonder why every time something goes wrong, my husband is not able to be with me. Why seems to be a big question in my daily life these days and I have come to the conclusion that the reason we have a big wind storm, a tree falls on our fence, our power goes out, my son wakes up in the middle of the night and I go into to comfort him by sitting with him in his rocking chair, but completely miss the chair while sitting down, then we have a small earthquake that scares me because my first thought is my children, my dog of 5 years (who is house broken) poops on my white carpet and I have to replace it, just to go into the other room and unknowingly step in a second pile of poo, then to have my daughter poop her pants, it falls out of her pants onto the floor and I drag my foot through it and then step in a pile of puke on my way to clean up all the poo and all while my husband is gone for a week and two of my very best friends have moved to other states, as well as most of my family, is because I don't let go of things the way I should. I know God is stripping me of some of my biggest support systems so I will lean on Him more. This is something that is so hard for me, but I am determined to continue every day to look at the life He has blessed me with, recognize all the good things and wonderful people I am surrounded with and be thankful. Even when I step in a pile of poo (barefoot). I know some of these things sound trivial, but one after another leads to a very trying day. But I know life is good. I have two beautiful children, amazing friends and family and the opportunity to go to school and fulfill my dream to become a nurse. Thank you to all of you who have always been there for Jonathan, our children and myself. Thank you for never judging, but being supportive, loving and selfless. Thank you for showing me how to have faith in God no matter what happens in life and reminding me that even when it feels like the world is crumbling down around us it's really just new doors opening and providing us with new opportunities, memories and the ability to take something difficult or troubling and turn it into something good. I am thankful to have you in our lives!

Bussling About

These last 4 months have been very busy for us! This summer was full of weddings, softball tournaments, family reunions, birthdays, the puyallup fair and mommy being at school and getting her hunter's safety course done. This means I get to go hunting with the hubster! I'm so stoked and can't wait for some one on one time with him. He's super excited too; even got me shotgun for my birthday! I had three weeks off in August and just started back the end of Sept. for my 3rd quarter. The time is flying by and it seems like I will be done with this program in no time! I can't wait! This is the quarter I have been most looking forward to. I am in clinicals for the majority of the time and as of yet I am still in my first rotation at Western State Hospital. If you're not familiar with this hospital, it for the mentally ill and to put it lightly, there really aren't very many dull moments there. The kids and Jonathan are still adjusting to my school schedule (because it changes all the time) and to me being gone all too often. And I'm trying to adjust to not seeing my family as much as I'd like to. It seems as though everytime I'm home my husband is gone making money to support us. But together, we are working well as a team and we are so luck to have him. He's a good man. He's been staying home on his days off to take care of the kids when I go to school. It's a lot of hard work for him, but I can see his bond with the kids grow stronger everyday from it, and he can too. He's a wonderful daddy, and they love him so much! Below I posted some pictures from the puyallup fair, but hopefully I will have updated pictures of the kids that Melanie took for us soon :)





Jake and Hailey loved petting all the animals!




On the carousel... the only ride Jake could go on.

This was Hailey's favorite ride. She couldn't go on many either because she's so short, so we did some serious searching, but this one was worth all the hard work just to see her smile like she did. She rode this ride twice in a row.

Having a snack with Mimi

Jake loved this contraption with all sorts of fun stuff to bang on. He loves music!

Hailey was having a blast riding in this boat... it's funny the only rides she was allowed on were ones that went up in the air, and on water. But she could ride strapped down in a little car that went in a circle on a track, go figure.

How time flies....

Wow! I can't believe it's almost been a year since my last post. A lot has happened in the last year, but to sum it up Jonathan has been working hard, as usual, and occassionally getting some time to play, Hailey is as busy as ever and just celebrated her 2nd birthday, Jake is walking, talking, running and today started twirling and is getting ready to celebrate his 1st birthday, Porter is loving having the kids to play with and throw his toy for him, and I will be starting my second quarter of nursing school in a week! We found a new home church in DuPont that we absolutely LOVE! The Pastor and congregation are incredible. We have a bible study we attend on Tues nights that is on building healthy marriages/relationships so if you're in the area and would like to join us it's at 6pm and we'd love to have you :) Other than that, there's not a whole lot going on. I am planning on keeping you updated much more often and hoping to share some new things I've learned too!

I will post pictures as soon as I can so all of you can see the munchkins!

The last of the summer days

Well the weather has really taken a change, but luckily Melanie took some pictures of the kids while it was still sunny and warm out :) We are so lucky to have Mels around. Not only is she a wonderful sister and auntie, but she is always willing and excited to take pictures of the family whenever we need her to! She's such a talented photographer and I'm so grateful to have her capture the memories of my children that otherwise may have just gone by the way side. I hope you enjoy her work and our kiddos as much as we do!

Below are just A FEW of my favorites...


Hailey loves giving her brother kisses!!


Relaxin in the summer sun


Something smells funny!


Life is good :)


When Jake's awake, he's all smiles


There just aren't words to describe this one.

Jake's Two Month Check-Up

It completely amazes me how different Hailey and Jake are in size. I took Jake in for his two month check-up yesterday and the doctor said he looks great, which is always good news! But to me Jake is H-U-G-E! He weighed in yesterday at 14lbs. 10oz. (90%) and was 24 1/2 inches (90%) in length with a head circumference of 15.5 inches (25%). What this means is that Jake is only 3 1/2 pounds and 4 1/2 inches behind Hailey and is pretty much wearing 3-6 month and 6month clothes! Absolutely amazing.... I'm at a loss for words.

Melanie took some pictures of the kids the other day. When I get a CD of them I will post some new pictures!

The Ocean

Last weekend, Jonathan, the kids and I went down to Oregon to visit my family. We only got to spend an afternoon and evening with Grandpa & Nona and some other family, but were able to spend a couple of days with Auntie Anna at the beach house! It was really nice to get to see everybody! We miss you all very much!

This was Hailey's second trip and Jake's first trip to the ocean. Hailey had a blast at the beach. She loved the ocean and kept pulling Jonathan and I further into the water with her! Jake just kinda hung out with us on the shore, but looked as though he was enjoying himself. Best of all, the weather was amazing. It was about 75-80 degrees and beautiful.

I love my sister!

Daddy & Hailey playing in the ocean!

Building a sand castle

Little Jacob was so good!

Grandpa K and the kids :) This visit was way overdue.

Jonathan's showing Anna how to practice safe driving ;)

Growing Up!

Jake is only 6 weeks but looks like Hailey did at three or four months! It's amazing how each child is so different from the next. Not only has he grown physically, but he is starting to get a little personality! He's smiling a lot more lately and starting to stay awake for longer periods throughout the day. I can't wait to see what life is going to be like in a few months... It's so much fun watching them grow!

Meanwhile, Hailey has been working on her potty skills! She loves going on the potty like a big girl, we just have to work on her getting distracted and forgetting she needs to go :) But today she would stop playing and tell me she needed to go so I think we're making progress! Life is good.