Swimming Lessons Day 5

Today was the LAST day of swimming lessons this week.  They have four days of lessons next week...but I will be working....which means today was the last day I will get to see them at swimming lessons :'(  I am still amazed by how much improvement they continue to show.  Every time Spencer gets on the diving board, jumps in and swims to the edge by himself...I start thinking back to the first time he had swimming lessons.  He stood in the three foot section of the pool with his hands over his face like he was praying....he was so scared.  Morgan has amazed me this week too.  She has been in the twelve foot learning to tread water, learning the correct way to dive, floating on her front & back, practicing & tweaking her strokes....it is amazing how much both kids have grown in the last two years of lessons.  I hate that I am going to miss them next week...makes me really sad...but my NEW job is calling my name.  Here are a few pictures from today.



Morgan doing the "pencil dive"



Spencer

Morgan's feet :-)

Spencer doing the "pencil dive"

Spencer jumping off the diving board

SPLASH

Morgan

Morgan...what a hair do ;)

After swimming lessons the kids went to their daddy's for the weekend.  I had to go to BG for some more pre-employment screenings.  I went and met with my unit manager and got some of my paper work.  She briefly went over a few things, but told me not to worry they would go over them more in depth next week.  I think they are changing their RNA orientation....from what I gathered we will start working on the floor on Wednesday...WOW.  When they first came and talked to us they said we would have three weeks in the classroom orientation before starting on the floor....guess we will find all of this out for sure Monday.  I did go buy me two sets of seal blue scrubs just in case we are on the floor next week.  I am EXCITED, NERVOUS, ANXIOUS to see where this journey takes me!  Thanks to everyone for all your support and encouragement!

Next week will be a CRAZY, BUSY week....but really that is my life on a daily basis...so I am sure I will adjust just fine...back to very little sleep and RUN, RUN, RUN....No major decisions being made right now.  I am going to give everything a couple of weeks and see what happens before making any live changing decisions.  I did find out I will be on nights after orientation is over...so this may put a whole new perspective on things.  I also found out I WILL be able to take off to go to the beach & the weekend trip to see SUGARLAND. :-)

Swimming Lessons Day 4

Just a few pictures from today....

Spencer practicing his "strokes"

Jumping in the 12ft

There he goes :-)

Morgan jumping off the diving board

Morgan holding on to her goggles for dear life

Memories....CHERISH THEM :-)  Love being able to look back at certain things/moments and SMILE :)

Swimming Lessons Day 3

Day three of swimming lessons are over.  The kids practiced everything they had learned so far this week.  After practicing they got to play a game called "Shark".  The kids enjoyed it, but Morgan got kicked in the mouth.  She was fine though...no blood...only a few tears.  Here are a few pictures.

Morgan

Spencer

This was right after Morgan got kicked...and Spencer just happened to be near, but he didn't do it :-)

Spencer...all smiles =)

Morgan & Spencer

After swimming lessons the kids went to Nanny & Pa's for the night.  They hadn't been up there in a week so they were ready to go play.  Spencer was supposed to go froggin with Sharp & Jimmy.  He has never been, so I hope you has a good time.

I had to go to BG for some pre-employment screenings.  I was there almost two hours.  I had to have a physical, drug test, fit test and vision screening.  Everything is slowing coming together and hopefully everything will be done in time.  I have to go back on Friday for some more pre-employment screenings and I am still waiting on my RNA license.

CMT music awards are on...so I am laying in the bed waiting for Sugarland to perform.  It WON'T be long until I get some SUGARLAND therapy....2 months and 5 days till Indy :-)

Swimming Lessons Day 2

Today was day two of swimming lessons.  The kids were all tired and wore out.  They didn't want to roll our of bed this morning...mostly because we didn't get home until 10:30 last night.  Spencer had a ballgame that was supposed to start at 8 pm and it didn't get started until 9.  This was the first game they had lost, but it was good for them to know that they could loose.  They made a few bad plays and it cost them some runs.  It is good for the kids at this age to know that you win some and loose some.  They have to learn they can't win all the time.

I can already see an improvement in the kids this year in only 2 days.  Spencer swam from one side of the pool to the other today.  This is the farthest I have ever seen him swim.  Morgan decided she was going to jump off the diving board today....YAY

Spencer swimming across the pool

Morgan jumping off the diving board

After swimming lessons we went over to a friends house and fellow blogger.  The kids had a BLAST swimming.  We laid out by the pool and relaxed while the kids played and when we would start "cooking" we would get in the water to cool down.  Jessica said I should put some baby oil on to help me tan....so I did.  Needless to say I am a "CRISP" lobster :)  I'm sure it will all go in and be tan by morning, but I right now I am RED!

Spencer doing a cannon ball at Jessica's

Morgan

After swimming most of the day we came home and ALL took a nap.  It felt nice to lay down and take a nap.  I knew the kids were exhausted and so was I.  After napping it was time to head back to the ballpark.  Spencer had another game tonight and his team pictures.  They won their game tonight and played really good ball.   Only two more games and ball will be over for the year.  :(

Spencer

Spencer running hard....he got an inside the park homerun again tonight =)

Spencer playing first base

Our bedtime routine at house tonight consisted of swimmer's ear drops, neosporin and aloe....yep its definately SUMMER TIME!  Spencer scrapped his knee at the ballgame tonight.  Every year Morgan gets swimmer's ear during the summer from all the water/swimming...we had some drops left from last year and she started complaining so I went ahead and put some drops in her ears.  The aloe we all got....the kids faces got a little red today & I used LOTS of sunscreen...maybe we were just outside a little too long. 

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY COHEN!   His birthday blog from his mom is HERE....you should read it =)

Swimming Lessons Day 1 & Randomness

Today was the first day of swimming lessons for the kids.  I am always amazed at how far they have come since the previous year and look forward to see all the new things they will do this year.   This morning I got a little emotional (imagine that).  I have always had to opportunity to go to all the kids swimming lessons/other activities and I am very thankful for having this opportunity.  Next week will be a totally different story.  I start my new job next week and I am very excited, but I will miss a whole week of swimming lessons....this also got me to thinking there will be a lot of things I will miss out on now.  There will be holiday's I have to work, because there are always patients in the hospital.  I think Christmas will be the hardest holiday to miss, because I have always seen the kids open Santa gifts :(  I knew all of this was a possibility when I chose to go back to school to become a nurse, but I know that this is the best thing for the kids & myself at this time.  We will have so many more opportunities now that I will be working.  We will be able to do more things together.  It will be nice not to struggle from week to week and bill to bill.  The kids have so many things they want to do once I start working and we get financial stable.  We have big dreams and hopefully now we can start living them.  A Disney cruise is top on the list....I have heard this for about three years & we will be going next summer or fall.  Spencer is wanting to go to Chicago to watch the Cubs & White Sox play baseball and Morgan is wanting to go the the American Girl Doll Store in Chicago...so this is on our to do list too.  I am excited that we will be able to do these things as a family.  Now back to swimming lessons.  Morgan is in Level 4 this year.  When she first started three years ago she was level 2; Last year she moved up to Level 3 and now this year she is in Level 4.  She still makes me nervous at times.  Today they were down in the 12 ft section of the pool doing strokes across & swimming under water from one side to the other.  She has improved so much and does so well, but when I looked down one time she was treading water in the 12 ft and I got kindof freaked out....I guess it is mother instinct.  She was fine, but I wasn't used to seeing her do that...so it scared me.  Spencer is in Level 3 this year; when he started he was in Level 2.  The first year he wouldn't even put his head under water.  Last year he moved up to Level 3 and he even dived off the diving board on the last day.  He stayed in Level 3 for another year because he still isn't good at swimming long distances, but he is improving.  He got on the diving board today and jumped the first time...a big step from last year.  Last year he would get out on the board everyday and then he would get scared and go back...finally the last day he starting jumping off.  I didn't know if he would try to jump this year or if it would make him nervous, but he got up there and jumped right off.  Here are a few pictures from swimming lessons today.

Morgan, Spencer, Lucas & Logan

Morgan doing her back stroke across the 12 ft section of the pool

Spencer headed to the diving board

off he goes

Morgan is finished...She didn't want to dive today

Morgan watching the boys dive

Spencer all smiles :)

As I said earlier I start working next Monday...with this will bring so many changes...good changes, but changes.  I told the kids that when I graduated and started working I would STOP smoking.  This is a HUGE step for me.  I have smoked for way too long (almost 17 year).  I have tried to quit a few times but was unsuccessful...mostly because I started gaining weight.  When my step-brother Eric passed away in 2006 I quit for three months with the help of Chantix...which gave me terrible nightmares and insomnia. I have tried the nicotine patches before too and they seem to help. I am not sure if I am going to try to us anything to help me quit this time or if I am going cold turkey....we will see

I think I finally have everything for work sent in/paid/scheduled.  I applied for my license, NCLEX, background check on Saturday.  Today I mailed my FBI fingerprint background check in, scheduled my drug screening & physical.  I have to be in BG on Wednesday and Friday for pre-employment screenings.

Another goal I have before I start work is to get my house back in order and bring back my organization skills that somehow got used in nursing school, but not my house.  The kids came home and cleaned their rooms...and were putting things in boxes for the yard sale.  My kids NEVER want to get rid of anything...Morgan is the worst she is my pack rat.  I was impressed to see that they were actually sitting things out a yard sale.  I definitely need to have a yard sale...I haven't had a yard sale in 2 years.  There are enough clothes in my building to open a consignment store...some with tags still on them.  We are hoping to have a yard sale at mom's the first weekend in July to have some extra spending money to take to the beach.  Speaking of the beach...I hope I will be able to get off work to go.  We have been planning this trip for almost two years and I would really hate to miss it.

I have spoke about Cohen in many of my previous blogs.  I have followed his mom's blog for a while now here is a "short" recap of their story.  They found out at 23weeks that Cohen's heart was broken and didn't know if he would survive after birth.  Tomorrow is his 1st birthday, but he will be celebrating it in heaven.  He lived for 12 days and in his first four days of life he had five surgeries.  He was a fighter and he has touched many people's life's.  Cohen is going to be a big brother X 2.  Cohen's mom is 26 weeks pregnant with twins.  Here is a link to the her blog...I would recommend if you have extra time to read this story and follow them.  http://www.inthiswonderfullife.com/  HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY COHEN!!!!

Guess that is it for now...back to cleaning....

What a week...

I didn't realize it had been a week since I had posted a blog. There has been so much going on.

Swimming lessons are OVER...the kids learned so much and has LOTS of fun! I am so glad I am able to spend this time with my kids. They didn't have swimming lessons on Tuesday because of the rain. On Wednesday, Spencer decided he was going to jump of the diving board...
making his way up the steps

...out to the diving board...

...but just "NOT READY" to jump. Maybe tomorrow =)
We stayed after on Wednesday to swim.

Poor Spencer is wore out & ready to go home...

Morgan says, "NO more pictures, mom"

Break time...

Thursday was the last day of swimming lessons. The kids had mixed feelings on this...they were glad they wouldn't have to get up so early, but they were sad that they wouldn't get to swim everyday.
Spencer made it to the steps again...Let's see if he will jump today....

...now out on the diving board...

...and there he goes....


He was SO proud of himself. This was a HUGE accomplishment because last year he wouldn't even put his head under water. After he jumped once he was back in line to do it over & over & over again!

Morgan moved up to Level 4 next year & Spencer will stay down in Level 3 again next year (but he needs that extra year)!

So PROUD of my kiddo's!!!!!

Busy as usual

I haven't had a chance to post the last couple of days. We had swimming lessons all week last week. Here are some of my favorite pictures...

A PrOdUcTiVe day!

Yesterday was day 2 of swimming lessons. When we first got their they took both of the kids to the 12ft. water. I don't know who was more nervous...me or the kids...

They told them they were going to practice diving. Needless to say Morgan jumped right in.
Spencer on the other hand...had to think about it a little.
In this one it looks like he is praying.
Ok now let's try again

Then the lifeguard had to get him into the water to show him it was OK

Then he got back up & jumped right in...while I wasn't paying attention.

After he got used to it...HE LOVED IT! He was diving everytime I turned around.


After swimming lessons the kids went to Nanny & Pa's to play for the afternoon. Then we took a trip to the park to play a little & watch some ball practice.

I don't have pictures from swimming lessons today on my computer yet, but will try to get them on tomorrow & will post about what they did today with the pictures. After lessons today we came home & cleaned house. When we first got home Morgan was really into helping. She took out the trash, sorted laundry & helped me make tuna fish. Then she was finished & took off to her room to play. I got all my laundry caught up today & a lot accomplished on the house. It has been HOT all day & I have been lucky the kids didn't want to be outside.