Happy Birthday Jackson!!

7 years ago today I became a monther for the first time. What an overwhelming, amazing experience and opportunity to be the mother of such a perfect boy. Not a day goes by that I don't think about him and what life would be like with him in our home. Happy birthday to my sweeet Angel, Jackson.

It's Amazing!

I really can't believe it's actually happened but... I am a REAL REGISTERED NURSE! I took my RN NCLEX on Friday June 4, 2010. I got 75 questions of which I was sure I got 2 or 3 correct. I was sure I had bombed the exam. I had to wait 48 hrs to get my results. I have had a few very horrible 48 hr stretches but this I might say was among one of the worst. I was so relieved when I found out I passed that all I could do was cry. I am so glad that's over with. It's so unreal that I am finished with that part of my life.
I have been working full time orienting as an RN on the Infant medical/surgical unit and it has been awesome. At first I was EXTREMELY overwhelmed with the prospect of remembering so many protocols and so much information and providing extraordinary care to my patients. The good thing is, each shift I feel better about being on my own. I work with so many amazing, helpful people and I know I will always be able to use them as resources during my nursing career. I really can honestly say, I love my job! What an amazing time of life!

Tball

Peyton is playing Tball for his first time, and is LOVING it! We decided to have him play in Syracuse with one of his buddies becasue they have the coach pitch first then have the kids hit off the tee. He has been playing well and making Dan and I proud. He looks so cute in his uniform, I love game days!! I'm not sure who's loving it more, me or Peyton :)

Disneyland 2010

BEWARE: LOTS OF PICTURES AHEAD!

In May we were able to take the kids to Disneyland for a week. We kept it a secret until we got to the hotel, we just kept telling the kids were running errands. I can't believe Dan and I kept a secret that long, we're the type of people that have a hard time keeping anything a secret! We were pretty proud of ourselves but now wish we would have just told the kids when we got to the airport to fly to California. Peyton had multiple breakdowns because he just wanted to play with his friends and was very unsure of the whole thing (what can I say, he's like me...not OK with not knowing the future). I think we may have gotten a better reaction had we told them earlier. We had a great time despite the rough start.

Pictures from the airport and airplane.

Video of us breaking the news.

This pictures was just after we told the kids what our "errands" were, they were fighting over who stood where in the picture.

We decided to stay at a Disney hotel Paradise Pier, It was nice and close to the parks. The weather could have been a little warmer for swimming, but it was nice that we weren't roasting at the parks.

Aunt Kathy met us there and spent the whole time at Disneyland with us. It was so great to see her! I really can't believe it but I don't have any pictures of her with Bailey! That just shows how slowly Bailey takes to warm up to people.

The kids loved the parades! We watched the Celebrate parade 3 times while we were there!

Here are some of Bailey's favorite characters, besides the Disney Princesses of course.

And some pictures of Peyton with his favorites.

More characters...

Some of our favorite rides...

And more silly pictures of the family...

Bailey LOVED meeting all the princesses. Upon meeting each of them she would cover her mouth and act shy, with most of them she asked to see their shoes. She was very unimpressed with Mulan's shoes because they were not very dainty. One of the mornings we were there we went to breakfast at Ariel's Grotto which was so fun and nice because Bailey was able to meet all of the princesses during our Disneyland vacation.

Most of the princesses were very friendly and talkative with Bailey. I love this one of Tiana telling Bailey a story.

Peyton was able to do the Jedi Training Academy. We were pretty nervous that he would get scared and start crying when Darth Vader came up out of the stage (he's just a little tender, gets that from his Dad). He did really well though. The show was different from the last time we saw it, now they have added Darth Maul, who looked scarier then ever! When the Darth's came up out of the stage Peyton got a look of concern on his face and took off running toward us! Just as he was bolting across the floor toward us a Jedi Master clothes lined him and pulled him back to where the other trainees were. After that Peyton seemed OK, just very concerned (no crying at all!) and went on to fight Darth Maul, it was so awesome! I think he was just thinking what the BLEEP, this doesn't look good I better get outta here (see beginning of the video below)!!

Dan being silly in Toon Town

Graduation...

Graduation went well, besides the speaker at our departments ceremony, coulda done without her! It was nice to have so much family support. Here are some pictures from the day.

TOMORROW...

...I graduate from Nursing school!!! For so long this day has seemed so far away, I really can't believe it's here already! It seems like this was just yesterday. I am so excited yet so scared of what happens now!
Where do I go from here? Well, I start full time at PCMC on May 2nd! I orient until I get authorization to take and then PASS my Nursing Boards then I integrate for a bit then on my own. I'm gonna give full time a try for now since the kids really like daycare but we'll see how it goes.
Graduation pictures to come.

Baby Animal Days 2010...

Every year at Easter time we love to go up to Wellsville for the Baby Animal Days at the American West Heritage Center. We all love to see the baby animals and over the years the festivities have grown.
This year Peyton tried the mutton bustin'! I was so nervous for him, I think I told him at least 10 times "grab on tight and squeeze the wool as tight as you can, oh and wrap your legs around his belly!" He just looked at me like, "yeah, yeah I know Mom, just chill out, I got this". Well, he didn't stay on for very long, I think he thought he knew what was going to happen but then when the sheep took off he got a little freaked out. I told him he'll have to practice for next year by riding bucking Dad.

Bailey rode the pony for the first time and loved it!

Of course the blow up slides are always a hit, at least with Peyton. Bailey usually goes down once then decides she's done.

They both loved holding the ducks and all was well until Bailey decided she was finished and tossed the little thing! After we reprimanded her she swore it had scratched her hand and that's why she jumped, not sure if that really happened but no one was actually injured so all is well.

Spring Soccer

Peyton started soccer a few weeks ago. Already he is doing much better then he did in the fall and has spent the majority of both games on his feet! Hopefully his interest will last. He's a little discouraged because he hasn't gotten a goal yet, but last game he had at least 3 assists. We have tried to explain to him that assists are pretty much as good as a goal but he doesn't seem to believe us :0).