LPN Graduation

Never did I think that nursing was the career I wanted to follow. From about my sophomore year in high school I wanted to be a dental hygienist. I started working as a dental assistant while we were living in Pocatello, Idaho and I learned that dental was just not the path for me. After I had Krew I got the urge to start looking into nursing. Then I got a push from Jorden's parents saying they'll be more than happy to watch Krew while I go to school. It was just what I needed to hear. I needed more CNA hours in order to apply for the LPN program. As soon as I got a job working as a CNA I immediately felt nursing was the direction I needed to go, not dental. 

The LPN program was 3 semesters long. In my second semester, I became pregnant with Myla and was so sick. I even fainted at clinicals one day while getting report at Blackfoot South (A mental hospital) Now that was fun! A few months after I became pregnant, Jorden got the job offer we were waiting for. He immediately moved down to Utah which left me and Krew in Idaho Falls, putting our house on the market, packing up our house, being sick from pregnancy, AND trying to finish the LPN program. We lived in different states for 6 months. So to say I was shocked when I graduated with honors would be quite the understatement. But dang I worked hard!

There's no possible way I would have been able to finish the program without Jorden's parents. I am eternally grateful to them. They took Krew almost every single day and Krew loved every minute of it. They even had to put up with time when he dumped out an entire bag of powdered sugar. It left a layer of powdered sugar all over their kitchen. Literally from ceiling to floor.

 I also wouldn't have been able to finish without my parents. I remember the first day of school my instructor said no one will graduate this program without some tears shed; boy was that true! My poor parents were the ones who listened to those tears the most. They are amazing and are always so positive and encouraging. 

My parents came down from Billings to come to my pinning ceremony and The Pearsons came down from Rexburg. It meant so much to me that they would come support me.

Before the pinning ceremony we went to Stockman's in Idaho Falls.

(Jorden's parents were out of town but they were there in spirit!)

McKay with Brinlee, Ashley, Jorden, Me, Mom, Dad with Krew

Brinlee and Krew playing at the restaurant.

Then we headed to the school for the pinning. I spent almost every single day on this floor!

Getting ready for the ceremony to start.

Krew is getting so big, Grandpa can barely lift him!

They had a slide-show of our year together. Here I am passing off a skill in the skills lab with Taylor Hansen.

Jorden "pinning" me

4 months pregnant. :)

Stating the Nurse's Oath.

 

What an experience this program was! It was one of the hardest things I've ever done but also one of the most rewarding!

Graduation!

 A couple of weeks ago my little sister Ashley graduated from BYU-I with a Bachelor's in Health Science. I am so stinkin' proud of her. She is a smarty pants and did it all with a baby! At her graduation M. Russell Ballard gave an incredible talk. We got really good seats, this is how close we were,

Okay. Not really. This is the picture of the big screen. We were almost on the back row. But the big screen really did make us feel like we were a lot closer then we were.

Ashley with her cute little girl Brinlee. I think Brin was more interested in her Mom's hat than taking a picture! 

And she didn't give up until it was hers!

 A bonus to Ashley's graduation was my parents came down from Billings. It was so good to see them!

Ashley's husband McKay graduated last semester and just got into dental school. We sure will miss them when they move to Oregon! 

Me with my cute sister and cute niece!

A cute one of Grandpa and little Brinlee!

Do they get cuter then this?!

Congratulations Ashley!

Rexburg Rapids

It has been pretty hot the last couple of weeks, especially with no a.c! So Krew and I went out to get a little pool for the backyard.

He loved cooling off in it, and loved to show me that water does in fact come out of the hose.

But Krew needed a little more. So we headed up to Rexburg Rapids with the Pearsons and Megan.

Brinlee preferred to sleep in her comfy car seat instead of swimming.

But Krew immediately grabbed Uncle McKay to go check out the pool.

The people in the very front of the line is Me with Krew and Megan. We waited in line for about 20 minutes.

Right as I stepped into the slide with Krew the life guard said, "Nope! He's too little"

I said, "Well I can hold him on my lap."

"Nope. No double ridding."

Could he not have told me that 20 minutes ago?! Or at least put a sign up at the bottom of the slide? Krew was really disappointed and the whole walk down the stairs Krew kept saying, "I sorry Momma."

Me: "No I'm sorry you didn't get to go down."
Krew: "I sorry too!"

It was pretty sad.

But we didn't let that ruin our fun. We watch McKay go down :)

And we went tubing down the lazy river.

Megan is either hitch-hiking or telling Ashley how far behind Krew and I are.

Krew loved riding the tube but hated when our tube went under the waterfall and water got in his eyes.

Krew sandwich!

Ashley & McKay going down the lazy river.

Ashley, Jessica, Megan

Megan and I were playing with Krew in the wading pool when I turned to Megan and said, "Do you smell that?" I checked Krew. Thank goodness it wasn't him. about a minute later all the life guards blew their whistles and had everyone get out of the pool. I guess someone didn't quite make it to the bathroom in time.

About 15 minutes later we were able to go back in. Krew loved the little water fountains.

except when it got in his eyes!

He also loved this miniature water slide, meant for 4-8 years old.

He only went down it half a million times!

What Krew didn't love was when this bucket got too full and spilled over.

Two beach babes!

Megan, come back soon! Krew misses you!

We had so much fun. But we really wore Krew out. Not long after we got home Krew fell asleep with his favorite truck and favorite blankey.

Trip To Montana!

 I can hardly believe it but my youngest sister, Megan, graduated from high school on Sunday the 29th. (I can hardly believe it because it seems like she should still be in middle school, not because I didn't think she could do it!)

Jorden went on a fishing trip with his Dad and brother to Henry's Lake, so Krew and I made the the trip up to Billings. From the time I pulled out of my drive way in Idaho Falls, picked up Ashley and McKay in Rexburg and pulled up to my parents house, it took about 7 hours. 7 hours is a long time in the car for a 2 year old, Luckily we brought the lap top and lots of movies to entertain him for at least a little bit.

If only those darn earphones would stay in without having to lean sideways.

My older sister Shelly, or as I like to call her, "Superwoman"  drove all the way from Sioux Falls, South Dakota with her 5 kids. It took her 15 hours because of several detours, but I am SO glad she came. Krew absolutely loved playing with all of his cousins!

Eating breakfast with cousins, Caden and Chase. I think all kids love Lucky Charms! Especially a certain part of Lucky Charms...the marshmallows! As you can see the non-marshmallows are scattered on the floor.

Saturday morning was Megan's graduation open house. All the girls made the food, cleaned and decorated.

Me, Shelly and Chase working on the food.

Once again Uncle McKay was so awesome about playing/entertaining all the kids while the girls worked. What would we do without him?!

Krew and cousin Chase waiting for the party to start.

Caden and Krew guarded the cooler to make sure no one got into it before the party started!

The kids getting rid of some energy!

Ashley and Ava (Shelly's baby) coordinated just for the party :)

Jordan and Kailyn helping decorate.

The food:

And the cutest graduate of 2011!

I cannot believe the turn out we had! I think everyone at Skyview High attended!!

Sadly, not everyone thought the party was fun.

The after party:

Some were just plain worn out from all the festivities!

Graduation Day finally arrived. We came a hour and a half early to get good seats! Luckily Krew slept for most of that wait!

Ashley, Jessica with Krew, and Shelly.

 Krew woke up right before the ceremony started but was still a little tired :)

 There she is! The cute one with the honor tassels.

Let me just add this.

No I am not taking pictures of random people's head. See the lady scrunched down by the bars in the red coat. That's my Mom, or in Shelly's words that's, "Mrs. Paparazzi." She was the first one out of her seat and down there wanting to get a good shot of Megan walking out. Oh how I love my Mom!!

That's Megan on stage getting her diploma!

When we headed onto the floor to try and find Megan it was so crowded! So these two cuties kept a look out!

All the sisters. L to R

Amy, Ashley, Megan, Shelly, Jessica

Megan and the proud parents.

Megan and Shelly.

Megan with the Pearsons.

Me with Krew and Megan.

Congratulations Megan! We are so proud of you. We can't wait for you to move to Idaho!!

After graduation Krew stole Megan's cap. I think he's getting a little ahead of himself. First we need to work on getting you potty trained Krew!

Krew and I also went over to visit my Uncle Cliff and Aunt Diane where he sat on Cliff's motorcycle. He has been talking about motorcycles since....Krew, you're getting WAY ahead of yourself! Like by 100 years!

Over the weekend Krew played rough and tough with his older cousins and for some reason Krew seemed to run into everything! I think he was distracted by all the fun! It's hard to tell from the pictures but by the time I brought him home he had scratches and bruises all over his face. Including a black left eye, which is now a pretty shade of purple and blue.

Hopefully no one turns me into child services!

He's still a handsome lookin' boy!

And for the first time in 5 years, I celebrated my birthday in Billings. Which is the way to do it because when I went home I received a second birthday party. Wow am I spoiled or what?! 

I can't believe I'm 24! Really?! I guess it's bound to happen but that seems so old!

I had a wonderful group of kids to help me blow out all the candles!

Thanks family for making my birthday a special day!

On the way home we saw some more buffalo. Krew was so excited and kept saying, "Touch it!" He was a little bit upset when we told him they'll bite.

Goodbye Montana, Hopefully we'll see you soon...or hopefully some Joneses can come see Idaho soon! Hint, hint ;)