The Best Parts of Each Season

When I thought of doing this post, I was simply planning on picking one or two photos for each season and that would be it.  However, when I started looking through my photo app. I started racking up quite a few--46 to be exact.  Observing the fantastic-ness and beauty of each season is really hard for me to narrow down.  My boys and I are SO lucky to live in Wisconsin; where we live and breathe each season for an average of 14 weeks.. (Winter came WAY early this year--it will be more like 21 or 22 this time around). True-to-form, my favorite season (summer) had the most pictures and my least favorite (winter) had the least.

Spring

 Watching the crops begin their journey and BLUE Skies!

After six months of gray and white--this is a welcome view.

 The daffodils and tulips are the first to announce we are close to warmer temperatures

--again, I love the color!

Our first trip up north to the cabin happens once the driveway snow melts (around 2nd week of April)

enough so we can let the vehicles in. 

I love watching the new little lives of ducks, deer and others grace the shore.

 Easter is probably my most favorite holiday. I love why we celebrate, I love the traditions surrounding it, I love the Easter egg hunts, I love the Peeps (yep, I am one of those people), I love the pastel colors, I love the jellybeans.   "Christ is Risen, Indeed!"  :-)

Lilacs and their scent.  I don't like the allergies they push on me--oh, but it's worth it.

The first trip to the garden center has to be one of my most favorite days of the year. 
The smell of dirt and seeds. 
Flowers and fertilizer. 
Coming home with the first potted plant of the year always makes me smile. 
Seeing the green grass NEXT to the potted plant; that calls for a grill out!
The FIRST grill out of the year!

 Playing outside can resume comfortably!
The days are getting longer.

Hydrangeas bloom near the end of May/beginning of June; they are absolutely my most FAVORITE
'flower' (bush) that exists in my region.

The trees begin to bud their flowers, and leaves are becoming abundant.  This is also another week where my allergies amplify--but I LOVE the beauty of the colors and life that comes out in nature. 

Summer

 The cabin. No filter, every sunset is different and just as beautiful.

Wildlife is everywhere.

Being on the water is best!  Water sports, swimming, fishing... all of it.

Sparkles on the water.

Watching the summer rain scatter across the lake from the deck.

Fun with family in the brilliant sunshine.

Again....Grilling out. An excellent brat with some Secret Stadium Sauce is BEST!

THE. Milwaukee Brewers! The games. Tailgating. Brats. Beer. Baseball cookies.

My Birthday is in the summer -- and I always try to take the day off from work, be with family, do something I enjoy and thank God for another year lived. 

Autumn

Leaves changing.  'Peak week' is usually the second week of October in these parts. 
That week is also celebrated now because of Carson's Birthday being then.... I am so thankful for the best part of autumn occurs the same week he was born.  
(Picture below) was taken 6 days before his birth; I was contracting irregularly from this day forward until he was born.  I believed that the delivery would never come... but he did! And was it ever worth the hard work!

The smell of wet leaves.  
Hiking in the woods in autumn.  Peaceful. Open.  Cool. 

 
Best part of Autumn???   The cabin... again.

Caramel apples. Sweatshirts. Fire in the fireplace.

The Canadian Geese come for a visit as they travel south... they spend many weeks in town.

Below is showing the best part of autumn: The last fishing day with Papa before the lake freezes.

Winter

Frost on the trees upon waking up has to be the best part of winter.

Sparkles in the snow.

Drinks in the snow: Major benefit of living in cold temperatures

Opportunities for snow forts

Snuggling with babies while watching Christmas Parades is a 'Best!'

Walking 'the hill' at (guess where?) THE CABIN... and SLEDDING!!!!!

Watchin' Da Packers (with these two cuties--my BFF)!

 

That's all I got for now....

A little bit random of a post, but hopefully you can feel the beauty that I see and experience throughout my year!  

Blessed to enjoy the best of the FOUR SEASONS where I live and love!

In God's Hands

With school behind me and the future ahead, I am in a holding pattern--circling the runway.  Waiting to land?  Waiting to take off?  Not sure.  Still circling.  Praying.  Resting.  Searching.  Dreaming.  (dreaming a lot actually--REAL dreams when I sleep; hasn't happened for a while!)  Reading excellent soul-filling and spirit reviving text.  Living every day in slow-motion as I anticipate my next steps and what/who/where lies ahead for me and the boys.  I feel like I am in a quiet, safe place with my boys right now.  There is a state of mind that bubbles up every 48 hours or so in which I become ridiculously restless, sad/angry/selfish and want to know the answer to everything.  I have to silence that with prayer and reflection and remember that this isn't my plan....as I accept it is His Plan.

In my human actions I can do all that I can to make every door open to myself that speaks to me, but knowing that it will be up to God to see I end up where He wants.  My verse, (Jeremiah 29:11) which I recognized of importance before the major trauma of my life occurred:  "For I know the plan I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  I always recognized that verse as one that spoke to me throughout my recent trials.  It wasn't until the past couple of weeks that I went back to this verse and read further.... Verse 12-14:  "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,' declares the Lord, 'and will bring you back from captivity."   These last few verses gave me chills as I read them out loud to myself as this was my goal in reading the Bible that particular day. I have felt locked away, desolate and solitary going through school.  I feel as though I didn't spend anywhere near the amount of time I wanted to in growing with God or teaching my boys His Gifts of mercy and forgiveness.  As I step forward I feel confident He lives with me and will continue to lead me where I can be close and serve Him.  "Because He Lives."

So, to share what has been happening in our little lives over the past two months, here are some photos.  Enjoy! 

Carson had a field trip that I chaperoned. 

Seventeen 3 year-olds.... Heaven help us!!

Mr. C turned FOUR!

 Nathaniel had a class field trip that I chaperoned! 

Lots of fun! 

Fun on the bus after a rainy, cold morning.

I fall more and more in love with these turkeys every day.

My little helper in the mornings (I love that he ASKS to help vacuum now).

Trick or Treat Downtown: C was TERRIFIED of his brother the whole time.

(Their dad kept them a comfortable distance apart).

 Once they are asleep I tip-toe to find them in the same bed, snuggled and snoring. 

I have a tendency to stare at them...for many, many minutes. Can't get enough-so perfect!

Each day I walk on the treadmill, this little guy insists on feeling the tread (I keep telling him his little fingers are going to get a burn. He is such a weirdo)!

Mr. N not only made it to 100 Books but also acquired Pink Eye!  WAY TO GO Buddy! ;0)

With that being said, I also have pink eye and Carson has strep throat (confirmed today at the docs), which he is on antibiotics for.  Such is life.  Hoping to clear this house of the bugs and then do some serious disinfection before the holidays come.  We had our first snowfall two nights ago and received about four inches in town.  Other cities to the north of us received over a foot of snow!  Excited for Thanksgiving, St. Nicholas' Visit, Christmas and New Years.  Always a fun time of the year with the kiddos!  

Delight in Everything

My **BIG** News is....  I am an

The days have come and gone; last day of nursing school.  Graduation day.  National testing for my license.... all of it.  Each day I have woke up, decided that I should move ahead with my dreams to become a nurse and finally... My dreams are realized.

With my goal being met I find myself in an awkward transition.  I am waiting for the hiring of a position in my new career. Multiple interviews have occurred at more than one location and I am rehearsing the verbiage 'It is hard to get work these days.'  I feel like when I was applying for a job over a decade ago, I basically walked into the place I wanted to work at, filled out an application, interviewed and was hired within two weeks.  I don't feel that way now.  I know that God's Plan for me is to enjoy what little time I have left with the boys before returning to work full-time in health care.  I am SO blessed to have this opportunity and I am able to Delight in Everything.

Long naps. Snuggles with Boomer on the couch. Doing the dishes/showering whenever.  Reading books (oh, how I have missed you books)! Taking field trips for school with both boys and volunteering at their school events (because I CAN!), raking the beautiful maple leaves on a perfect autumn day.  Sipping a hot cup of coffee on my front step watching the world race about.  I know that my days are numbered as to how much more I can be able to enjoy; so I take great Delight.  My brother emailed me with a simple reminder that soon enough I will be pleading for a vacation date here or there, someone will always have a deadline or expectation of me and I will have major responsibilities (this time, someones life) in my hands.  I recognize those sentiments and thanked him for keeping me focused on what I am able to enjoy, right in front of me.

As I sit here 'waiting' I have had multiple thoughts and plans bubble up.  Such as finally having the time to paint the boys bedroom and make it absolutely AWESOME!   I want to have something awesome for them to relax and play in when they are home.  Not that material items are a big deal to me, but learning, curiosity and bright colors are always what I have had in mind for them as they grow into little boys.  I want them to have an understanding of dinosaurs, sports, astronomy, books, faith, music, creativity/artistry, and kindness as they grow. I want them to have a room in which they can invite their friends over and truly enjoy hanging out in. I have looked through some pictures and these got me the most motivated:

So, yeah,... if you can figure out a way to incorporate my boy's bedroom all into one with each of those ideas on a VERY small budget, let me know.  :-)

I have also been doing some soul searching.  I am a list writer and if you saw my nightstand right now you would see about 15 post-it's with lists, a spiral bound notebook with verses, lists and thoughts, a few faith-centered reads and an empty coffee mug.  I am actively seeking out new motivations and goals: I feel lost when I don't have something to aim for. Having just met one of the 'biggies' I am in need of a challenge. I want to live to the fullest and define my dreams for my family.

A couple of them I have already mentioned above, some are materialistic (lame), but some are so simple I almost don't want to write them down.  However; proof is in the pudding, this has worked for me before:

-Lead my little men to Him.
-Be ACTIVE, get healthy!
-House projects
-Laugh.  Smile.  Smile some more.
-Enjoy old and new friendships.
-Feed my soul
-Set an amazing example for the boys.
-Budget with Dave 

There are more of course, but I will save those for myself.  In the meantime, I will Delight in Everything.  -Psalm 37:4

Boys Will Be Boys, Regardless of Toys

Regardless of the amount of toys, my boys will be boys, and they have a hard time cleaning up after themselves.  As of late, it has been a battle to get them to move a muscle without the "Clean Up Song," or threatening an early trip upstairs for bedtime.   This momma has also been frustrated with the amount of small Lego's, puzzle pieces, flashcards, cars and 'Ninja gear' that the boys have been enamored with since winter.   I needed to put a stop to the chaos.  With supplies I already had in my home (due to buying things at a clearance price and storing them for a rainy day project), my agenda to get the boys motivated for picking up after themselves took shape. 

First I started with these $1.00 pencil cases that I scored from Office Max when before school sales were in full swing.

I got all matching flashcards or instruction books within their own pouches.  I had mentioned above that the boys play with small 24 piece puzzles quite a bit.  By the time they have the box opened the first time, it is destroyed so I simply cut out the cover of the puzzle box, put all puzzle pieces in the pouch and sealed the deal.   I was giddy!

Next game the major project I have been putting off for weeks:  Organizing the toy bins (echo, echo, echo......)!  Every single toy in the living room went through my hands.  It either went into the donation paper bag (within arms reach), the garbage pile or one of the toy bins that housed their favorites.  Any small toys or 'dinky' things that I knew they didn't play with any more weren't given a second thought; they would be donated.   My boys are abundantly blessed with toys and books, it is a good life lesson to show them what kindness in giving (and not asking for anything in return) can do for them.  My prayers are that they carry this into their grown-up lives.  

At the start of sorting, I categorized and proceeded to take a picture of the themes that were developing so they could be placed on the outside of the toy bins.

As soon as everything was in its new 'home,' we both got excited and HAD to play with the Potato Heads (they appeared happy).

After the pictures were taken, I edited quick in Picasa and proceeded to print.  I grabbed the clear packing tape and ended up with pure perfection.

A way for the boys to easily categorize and put things away.  Everything has it's own home!  The items that don't fit in the smaller toy bins were placed in the large clear  'toy bin' so they can easily see what they are looking for.  Jessie and Woody were happy to 'Round Up' all the toys.

Once all was said and done and crumbs were vacuumed off the living room floor, I went out to the kitchen to find my son playing with the laundry basket 'jail' --not wanting to give it up!   I just can't win!

Dream: Command Center COMPLETE!

As silly as it sounds, I have been dreaming about a 'Command Center' in my home since the first time I came across the idea on Pinterest, two years ago.  Throughout the last few weeks of getting both boys going in their school year, and I. trying to organize the completion of nursing school with acquisition of a new job, there have been a LOT of papers flying around this house!  Every day the boys come home there are about four or five pieces of information I need to digest, artwork to smile at, things to sign and dates of upcoming events that I can not ignore. Not to mention that backpacks are thrown about randomly in the house (drives me *#BONKERS#*)!

I am a relatively organized person and when I began to understand the volume of 'incoming' I knew I needed to address it all PRONTO!  I had four different areas of my house that were frequently visited by me or the boys on a daily basis and I wanted to have ONE location where it all came together.... Hence, the Command Center. 

This is what a regular week of papers looked like in my home after searching through it one or five times to find 'that one paper,' I knew had a date for the 'thing,' with the phone number on it....




I needed to find a system in which I could easily drop information and such (after I made a serious consideration to 'File 13' initially it or not).  I also wanted to have my regular incoming mail and receipts (I save them for two weeks usually and then shred).  As I had my incoming mail and receipts holder on my fridge, I also brought that into the Command Center.  Here is the simple filing system I developed for all three of us in the household; mine has 'Random, Upcoming and To-Be Filed. 

When I am on the phone with someone or am coordinating any of our schedules I need to be able to grab anything in regards to all three of us in a quick moment.  This is hopefully going to save me from looking totally dis-shelved during communications.  For those who do not know the joys of having a household split 50/50 with children, it is a balancing act between not only 'the ex' but the boy's friends, school/daycare/bus drivers, extra-curriculars, grandparents wanting to visit and special activities. 

As the boys have been getting older, I have asked more of them around the house.  Nathaniel is very happy as of late to help get Boomer his dog food on a regular basis.  Both of the boys like to race each other either getting dressed or getting into their PJ's.  I have figured out that the best way to encourage this is to have them participate in a 'chore chart.'  The boys love to grab their step-stool and pick out three goals for their week.  They like to fill up as many days as possible as they know they can score an allowance (50 cents) when they fill up their week on all days with mommy.  (If I give it all in pennies they think they are millionaires!)  So this chart needed to make it into the Command Center as it is addressed frequently.

 

There were many ideas I had to implement into this Command Center but the most important was to have space for jotting a quick note, my big planner calendar, a clock, a weekly menu (when I get a free second I review my Google Calendar with pre-set meals and throw them on the board; saves me hours of contemplating).  I wanted to have a drop-zone for the boys backpacks when they came home and a place that I would be able to address the paperwork right away.  So.... THIS is what came to fruition in a quick two hours.  I am a VERY happy momma tonight and may or may not have sat and stared at it for 30 minutes as one of my dreams came true!  

Before

After

July 1st??? How did that happen?!

With a crazy amount of disbelief that it is July 1st, I begin this post.  It has been quite a while since I have filled you in on the Hopes, Wishes and Dreams that are playing out on a daily basis.  Let me do my best to catch you up in a condensed version that won't bore you to pieces. 

The last six months have been focused 100% on getting through my nursing program.  I have learned a ton, know that this is the path I am destined for and can not be happier to say that I am ALMOST finished!  When working the other night in the ER, one of my co-workers asked how much longer I have until I graduate...."12 Weeks," was my response.  As soon as I said it, I took a quick inhale as I felt that there was no way that was all that was left.  I remember my mother saying to me at the beginning of last year, "This is just a snapshot of your life, Jacki.  It is temporary and it will be done before you know it."  I knew she would be correct in her assessment and at times I did need to remind myself of those statements to get me through the discouraging days.  More than anything I am excited to give all of that 100% focus back to my boys.  They SO deserve it!

Really???   Twelve weeks from now?  Are you sure?

Between working in the ER, tutoring students (as my second 'job'), completing seven courses and maintaining a 'B average' throughout, completing three clinical requirements for class, getting Carson to completion of speech therapy, going through the legal process to solidify 50/50 placement of the boys, maintaining the home and simply getting the laundry done on a weekly basis; I am quite exhausted.  Being able to complete all of this gives me incentive to push out these last 11 weeks of class and preceptor-ship as a student nurse and walk across that stage in confidence.  As I prepare for the NCLEX-RN, I fear not passing.  I know I have the knowledge necessary to pass, I simply need to focus, be positive in my answers and show the State that I know what I am doing and I will have the minimum competency standards to prevent harm to any of my patients.   

The boys are growing so fast!  Nathaniel is currently in summer school and will be starting Kindergarten in the fall.  He is interested in baseball in the backyard, riding his bike down the sidewalk (still has training wheels), writing out letters in his name and catching some 'big whoppers' whenever he can. 

Carson has transformed into a "Skylander Loving" boy (I still don't understand what they are all about).  He enjoys playing with anything with wheels (still), loves dumping out ALL the Lego pieces onto the living room floor and leaving them.  He has also become a very good buddy to Boomer (our dog).  He is affectionate and very silly and will for certain be the social butterfly of our home. 

I love both of them so much!  The weather has improved to the point where we can go to the park almost every night when they are home with me.  Most recently we have gotten an ice cream cone and driven through the zoo in the evening hours, which they both enjoy very much. 

My Hopes:  I hope to coast through this last quarter of school with confidence, while still building my knowledge and skills for my graduation goal.

My Wishes:  The boys and I can enjoy these beautiful summer months and remain healthy throughout.

My Dreams:  Walk across that stage in 12 weeks to receive my Associate Degree in Nursing.  To pass the NCLEX-RN on my first attempt.  Acquire a full-time nursing position locally within two months of graduation.  My focus will be building a life for me and the boys that give them the opportunities to travel, learn in knowledge and God, and to guide them in becoming kind, polite and well-mannered, compassionate little men who have no qualms in reaching out to others who need a helping hand. 

Happy New Year

A new year.  A new day. 

Nursing school resumes full-time in three days.  We had homework over our winter break.  HOMEWORK!  Who does that?! 

The holidays were amazing and fantastic.  The house is de-Christma-fied.  The boys had SO much fun looking for Elf on the Shelf this year, opening presents and listening to all the great Christmas stories and movies.

We are currently in one of the coldest of cold snaps to hit the Midwest in a couple decades.  NOT loving it.  I despise cold.  Why do I live in Wisconsin?  Because my family and friends are here and I would take a few weeks of whining about the cold rather than living in an earthquake, hurricane, Nor'easter, tornado zone. 

I got another job as a tutor at my college.  That should be thrilling along with the 17 credits this quarter.  Only 80 days until I am through the other side.  I am pretty nervous about this one coming up.  SIX girls I believe have to retake the Clinical Rotation site that we are going to! That means they didn't PASS! (And they don't have that big of a class).  We shall see.  I just have to make it through one day at a time. 

Finished reading "The Book Thief," this morning.  I highly recommend it.  I read three novels over my break.  Feeling very relaxed.  I now realize why I enjoy going into those 'worlds.'  It just makes reality seem so much more 'light.'   Wanting to get motivated to workout (30 minutes a day of walking would be enough at this juncture)...  But I just am unable to muster up the gumption. Time will open up in the next 365 for me... I pray.  I hope to focus MUCH MORE on my physical and mental health wellness once I pass nursing school and am shooting for a passing N-CLEX!    Catch ya on the flip side!

Christmas Through the Years

Babble to Avoid Books

When I saw this picture, I had to chuckle.  This is EXACTLY how I feel today!  AND...I have most of those books in front of her and know how incredibly intimidating 'the pile' is to the right of this computer.  It IS that tall (but not nearly as colorful).

I started my next quarter and I am SO overwhelmed at the moment, that I am somewhat paralyzed.  There are small victories and little joys in regards to school (I got a passing grade on my first Med-Surg Exam).  Yet, I find myself slipping into a very uncomfortable feeling.  I could compare it to an elephant sitting on my back, the fur (if I had any) on my back being rubbed the wrong way, or having the feeling that something isn't quite finished,....EVER.  I go to bed with this feeling and wake up with the feeling.  I believe that part of nursing school is learning how to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.  There is SO much material (there is no possible way any human being could read this in the amount of time we have assigned and be able to complete all of our other assignments and study for exams).  It's just not a realistic goal to have ALL of my homework done.  I now know that I can only do so much before I am beating my head against the wall.  Today was the day when I finally came to grips with how I will study for my courses this quarter.  I believe that my first exam(s) today gave me the idea of how to study from this point forward.  I feel much more at peace in knowing that I can accomplish the things required of me and then 'go back over' information after the fact.  I have MANY friends who are nurses, and I am in awe of them right now.  I believe it is somewhat of a right of passage to have this much stress on your shoulders on a nursing school.  I don't want to be one of those students that 'drops' because of the pressure. I am going to plow through this.  My dyshidrotic eczema on my hands is flaring yesterday and today because the stress is physiological in me.  I understand I don't handle stress well but knowing what I CAN manage will make all the difference as I move forward in this quarter.  Most of my classmates are feeling similar in regards to overwhelming study requests...I am so thankful I am not alone in this.

My desk area upstairs is just perfect to get my homework and ATI Modules completed.  I spend a minimum of six hours each day up here.  If I had to run around the house and sit in uncomfortable places and not have enough light or paper or things nearby, it would just add to the stress level.    The roof on my house is currently being replaced as well.  The chimney came down this evening and there are currently about 150 broken up and chiseled bricks in the middle of my backyard...they will be making a trip to the dump tomorrow.   My parents are being wonderful in helping me out with picking up and dropping boys when I have my clinicals currently.  I couldn't do this without them.  Having them here once a week is also SO wonderful so I can vent and share some of this misery.    Most importantly, they are my cheerleaders and I couldn't be doing this without them. Having my laundry done and some meals made and providing help with the boys bedtime routine is incredibly invaluable when it's 'just me.'  I am blessed.  When looking at some of my classmates, I wonder how they are juggling it all.  Some of them just had a new baby, some drive from 2+ hours away!  Some don't have any prior medical knowledge.  In those situations, I know I would personally crack under the pressure.  My world is currently chaos, but I hope it simmers down eight weeks from now.

Good news:  I made the Honor's List for the summer quarter!