Nursing Graduation

Well I did it. WE did it. Nursing school involves the whole family. After two (plus) years of hard work I finally have my RN! I am so excited! I can't imagine anything I'd rather do:) Thank you EVERYONE that has supported me through this very long and exhausting process. This wasn't easy on any of us. I remember the day I was accepted to nursing school. I received an email on my phone at the hospital the day after I gave birth to my little Cohen. I was so happy I cried (or maybe it was the hormones). So off to school I went, Cohen just 3 months of age, and a hubby that looked at me as I skipped out the door with a look of "what the hell am I supposed to do now" on his lovely face. Little did we know that was just the beginning. 

On to semester two, I started to go blind and then found out I had MS. It was such a shock and so devastating to the whole family. We somehow survived- and with me getting an A's and B's (remember 75% is failing). 

Semester three was pretty uneventful, however our little Tshirt business slowed WAYYY down and we had some medical bills and school to pay for. But we made it through.

Semester four-the last one. Hardest by far. Had a relapse of my MS, and more medical tests. I couldn't concentrate this time. Business still slow, more medical bills, more medicine that made me sick, more devastation for all but...

WE SURVIVED!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH TO MY WONDERFUL HUSBAND NOAH AND COHEN AND CAROL FOR ALL THE FREE BABYSITTING, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, AND PHLOP SHOP SERVICE. TO MY FAMILY FOR ALL THE PHONE CALLS AND SUPPORT THROUGH THE TOUGH TIMES. SPECIAL THANKS TO GRANDMA AND GRANDPA KENYON FOR MAKING THIS ALL POSSIBLE. WITHOUT YOU I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GO TO SCHOOL. THANK YOU FRIENDS (you know who you are) WHO WERE ALWAYS THERE FOR ME AND MAKING SURE I WAS OK. NONE OF THIS WOULD BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT ALL OF YOU!

Independence Day Celebrations

The 4th of July is always fun for us. We are so lucky to have Adam and Courtney's BBQ each year and of course the famous fireworks at their community clubhouse. It's never too crowded and it's just a walk away from their home. This is the first time Cohen is actually old enough to understand fireworks so we were kinda nervous how he would react. Since it was past his bedtime he reacted only tired. I'd like to think he enjoyed them. I know he enjoyed the two cupcakes he had for dinner that night!

Family Picture at the fireworks show

(cohen not too interested in the camera)

Everyone watching fireworks...except Cohen who is pouring water on daddy

Not sure what to think about the "BOOMS" and "POPS"

Noah and I

Adam and Courtney

It was really really hot with NO wind and Cohen was still running around like he was in a race

(FYI: his shirt doesn't have sweat, it's water. But it totally looks funny)

Somebody's excited for fireworks!

Gramma Carol feeding me sugar

LOVED the cookies. They were soooo yummy .Think I had 3...lost track

We had so much fun and we were all tuckered out at the end of the night. Thanks Adam and Courtney for another great party! You always throw the best shindigs!

Camp Verde!

Camp Verde is where Noah's grandparents have a vacation home. Noah used to spend many days as a child up at Camp Verde and has so many memories there. For his birthday Noah wanted to take us up there (our first trip) to make some of our own family memories. Great grandma and grandpa were there along with Aunt Cortney and Uncle Adam and Addison and Grandma Carol. We had so much fun hiking and eating cake!

Great Grandma Marilyn enjoying cake

Adam

Noah opening bday presents

Mommy and Cohen down at the creek

Cortney, Addison, Cohen and Amanda

Cortney and Addison

Cohen and Daddy

Feeling the dirt between his fingers on our hike

Cousins, so cute!

Pretty much our only family picture in Camp Verde

GG Marilyn

Noah and his Grandpa Jack

Had to stick one in on Grandma Carol signing to Cohen. Yes he is dancing and twirling his arm as always!

Rawhide

A few weeks ago the fam went to rawhide. It was truly a southwestern experience. We did sundown cookout complete with hayride and country western band. We had a blast. Thanks Adam and Courtney!

Addison's Arizona Adventure!

Well today was Addison's birthday party. And boy was it a party! He had custom made cups and napkins with "Addison's Arizona Adventure" on them, snakes and creatures all over and tons of food! (which was my fav part!) Then the"snake" lady came with all her snakes and other reptiles to show all the kids. We got some great shots of the big man who is now 5 years old! It was such a blast! Thanks to Courtney and Adam for a GREAT party:), and happy birthday Addison!