second year

Its here! My graduation year!!!!!! June 9th 2017 I will graduate nursing school!

Tomorrow starts winter quarter of my second year. I have come so far, but feel like I have SO far to go. I know that a lot of my learning wont start until after I become an RN and start working. But thankfully I am an Extern at Kadlec Regional Medical center, so hopefully I will have a job there once I graduate :)

The kids are getting older and TALLER. Celina turns 10 in 4 days and is less than a foot shorter than me. She is growing up in so many ways, but she is such a kind girl. She has issues like any child does. She is becoming quite the rider as well, I can't wait until we can get her riding consistently.

Afton and Anthony turn 9 this year, and are probably the sweetest caring boys I have ever met. They are so sensitive. They have a bit of attitude and do things wrong as well, but their hearts are pure gold.

I honestly can not complain about my children, they are amazing kids and I love them so much!

Jake finished his bachelors in business management through WGU and I couldn't be prouder of him! I cant wait to see what doors this opens up for him.

We ended up getting Jackie back (you can find her story further back), she was thin, but she is healthy now. We have ended up retiring her, she just doesn't enjoy being ridden. Im sure we could find something to do with her, but I think she deserves a good life of just being a horse.

So many changes have happened and so many changes to come!

Here I am

I am still in the nursing program at WWCC, and doing pretty well. I am a week into spring quarter, even though I already feel behind. Just trying to work on my time management skills as time goes on. I definitely have days where I am wondering "what am I doing? and WHY did I sign up for this?" But it will be worth it in the end.

Jake is currently working on his Bachelors in Business Management through WGU, the kids are starting baseball next week (I think? Still havent heard about practice), Celina is in 4H, and I have doctors appts, eye appts, and dental appts scheduled over the next 3 weeks. I may or may not make through April lol.

Speaking of April the boys will be EIGHT YEARS OLD this year! Every year I say this but it still rings true, how are they that old already? Celina is nine, and I am scared of the coming few years. Not sure how Ill handle a teenager. But, like with everything, I will get through it.

NURSING PROGRAM!

So basically I know that no one really reads this, and thats ok. I post here as a diary of sorts to see where I have come from and what has changed in our life.

We have animals coming out our ears it seems lol. With 6 chickens, 4 horses, 3 dogs, a sheep and a cat that claims us as her own it can get a little crazy around here. However we kind of like it this way.

The kids started school less then a week ago and its been quiet around the house. I am still on summer break. Celina is in THIRD grade (How did THAT happen?) and the boys are in SECOND grade now. Its so much fun seeing how much they learn and how independent they are becoming. They are hitting an age where they have more freedom to make their own choices and they don't have to be watched every second. They are all becoming quite the little riders as well. Celina can walk, trot and canter without stirrups, I think its going to be difficult to convince here to use stirrups in the future. Afton is getting quite good and walks and trots really well. Hes still too nervous for cantering but hell get there. Anthony has come a long way ever since we switched him to riding dusty. As long as dusty keeps his head out of the grass (hes starving you know) Anthony can walk and trot on him :)

Celina was given Loki as a Christmas present this last year and she shares him with Afton at the moment. Anthony will eventually be given dusty. Those two hit it off like gang busters.

On the horse subject Jake has a new horse. An approx 12 year old quarter type mare named Kahlua. She was a good 300 lbs under weight and extremely timid, but Jake worked his magic on her and she now follows him around like a lost puppy.

So now back to the title of todays blog! At the beginning of August I received my conditional acceptance into the WWCC Nursing program! I was shaking really bad and was jumping up and down like an idiot. Probably gonna frame the dumb letter haha. The conditions were that I passed Anatomy and Physiology 2 (which I was currently in) and to pass my NAC state boards.
Aug 6th was my last day off classes and I passed A and P 2 with an "A". My NAC boards were on August 27th. I passed the written with no issues and waited around for 5 hours or so to take my skills exam. It was nerve wracking especially when someone I had worked closely with didn't pass. I finally got called in and my partner went first (she passed :) ) and then it was my turn. I had to demonstrate;

1. Handwashing

2. Pulse

3/ Weight

4. Ted hose

5. Peri care

As I was waiting to get my results the RN who was testing me asked me if I was going into the nursing program, I stated that I was. She then told me that "you are going to make an amazing nurse. You didn't miss a thing on this and you were very competent and relaxed." Just about then my test results came back and I had passed.

With that done I was IN! I start a week from today and I am extremely nervous and extremely excited! God opened this door for me and I am extremely grateful. The next 2 years are going to be crazy and I am thankful that my husband is supportive and ready to do what it takes to get me through!

So if you are reading this say a prayer for us that we will be strong enough to get through it :)

Hiho Hiho its back to school I go!

Well after much deliberation , prayer, conversation and God opening doors I have gone back to school. I finished a year of schooling, including summer, about 2 years ago at Centralia College. I have 5 classes left to enter the nursing program. So here I go. I started on monday and am taking English 102, Biology 160 and Nutrition 101. All are fairly hard classes, but I am looking forward to the work and getting one step closer to finishing my nursing degree. The last classes I have left will be Microbiology, Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2. Add in a few classes that are more to completing my Associates and I have a full 2 and a half years ahead of me.
I am no longer working full time and now work extremely part time, IE every other saturday and maybe one weekday a week if Jakes and I schedule allows for it.

The kids are doing awesome. Celina had an amazing Christmas and Birthday (can you believe she is EIGHT this year?!?!!)  with getting both her very own horse and her very own saddle! The boys had a great Christmas too getting a Piano, a Guitar and a TON of hot wheel tracks.

My in-laws spent Christmas here and then took the kids December 26th to their house. New Years Eve was my last day of work so after I was off we headed down to Onalaska. I spent New Years Eve with Kadra. New Years Day I picked up Celinas new saddle and then Jake and I grabbed the kids and headed for Longview. We kind of spent Friday and Saturday relaxing. I did get to go spend a few hours with Lacy (weve been friends for over 22 years... how has it been that long?) Friday night catching up. Sunday we headed to church with My parents and then to family birthday dinner.

It was a nice trip but I feel like we are still trying to unpack and unwind from it.... ugh.

Hope 2015 finds you all well!

Christmas time again!

Well here we are..... a grand 11 days till Christmas! 95% of my christmas shopping is done (I know shocking for those who know me). We have passed our 1 year mark in this house and I really like this house as much as I did when we moved in. And I have decided to go back to school to finish my nursing degree. I have one year down and only 2 1/2 to go. So back to school I go. I have to give my notice at work either tomorrow or tuesday requesting to move to VERY part time. Its scary to think about giving up my job but I cant work full time and go to work full time and be able to give either 110% without killing myself. So more big changes coming thats for sure!

Celina galloped for the first time yesterday. Made me realize that she is definitely ready for her own horse. Good thing thats already in the works. I also have to find it in the budget to get her her own barrel saddle. Ugh money money money is what it seems like.

Little does she know she's getting him for Christmas!

Jake and I are slowly getting more and more organized in our home life. I realize more and more how much older I feel compared to others I know that are my age. Especially ones that don't have families. Most of my friends are in their mid thirties instead of mid to late (ok heading more to late) twenties.

I hope you all have a merry christmas!

Halloween is come and gone and thanksgiving is on the way......

This last year and 2 months has been crazy to say the least. We have had a lot of heartache, a LOT of stress, and so many difficulties at times it felt like I was joking when I would talk to people about it. But a lot of good has come out of it and in the end I thank God everyday for the difficulties that we went through. Ill lay out what I am thankful for:

My Marriage:
This last year tried and tested our marriage multiple times, and in more ways then I care to put online. And there were times I wasn't sure if our marriage would make it. But through it all, and with a LOT of God's help, we made it to the other side. Our marriage is stronger, our communication is better (still not perfect but it is better) and I feel like we can now use this to help other couples. The devil will not only try your marriage by attacking your finances, but will show you every hole in your marriage nad make you doubt yourself on your choice! And you know what its ok to question things. It makes you realize what you need to FIX.

 After almost 9 years of marriage (has it really been that long?!?!?!) we are way past the honeymoon phase, but have definitely learned that you have to WORK on your marriage and it is HARD a LOT of the time. But the results are totally worth it!

My Kids
The last year has put a renewed focus on my kids. Coming to realize that you are so busy that you don't even get to see your kids is a hard place to come to. For almost 4 months I worked swing shift. I was gone from 2pm till 12am monday-friday. I didn't realize the impact of it until the beginning of this year. I realized I didn't remember a lot of the kids school year. I missed SO MUCH in that time I was working. Now I work at a job thats during the school day and I am home to get the kids off the bus. It is so much better.

Our Finances
Ugh with so many ups and downs in our finances through our marriage I finally feel like we are on track. We are in the middle of Dave Ramseys Financial Peace University and I think EVERY couple should take this course at least once. It is helping us realize the ways in which we needed to change, but also helped us realize the things we were doing right!

For example: We switched to an all cash budget 3 years ago and realized the debt trap we were entering and stopped it. Now we do have to get caught up and actually, you know, budget (hehe) but we were heading in the right direction.

The other thing is that we are finally Tithing regularly. We came to realize that when we tithed we always have more than when we don't. When we tithe God opens up opportunities that are weird and out of the blue! We are also regularly putting money into savings. Its not much as of yet, only about $100 a month, but that adds up. I cant wait to see where that goes in the next few years.

Our Future
I finally feel like we have one. For so long I have just felt like we are hanging on by a thread, just barely treading water, but now? I feel like we are afloat and heading in the right direction!

Now do I now that trials are still going to come our way? YES! But now more than ever I am willing to throw my hands in the air and say "God please take it! I cant do this on my own!!!" He is the one in the drivers seat, I do my part by being faithful with what He has given us, and He will do the rest!

Please be praying for us though... there are a lot of doors that have been cracked open and we are sitting here waiting to see which one God opens. If He opens it, then who am I to close it?

New horse with new opportunities

About 3 months ago I was given a BEAUTIFUL paint mare. Registered Juan Last Scotch barn name :Piper

She is an amazing horse but I have never been challenged so much in riding a horse. Its good she is forcing me to ride with extremely light hands and work off my seat. I feel honored to be riding a horse with SO much talent and potential. As soon as we do our first barrel run you can believe it will be on here!

Wow LOOONNNGGG time

Lots of changes in the last 2 years. Lots and lots of changes. I guess first off is to state that we no longer live in Western Washington. We moved to Walla Walla WA in September of 2013 and then relocated to Touchet, WA in Decemeber due to some technical issues with the house we were renting. Long story short is the following:

In the summer of 2012 I started training horses out of a Barn in Rochester, WA. In November we moved in as the live-in Barn managers. We trained horses and such there for a bit. In August of 2013 we were offered the opportunity to run our own boarding facility in Walla Walla so we packed our stuff and moved September 1st 2013. The business didnt pan out due to the house that was apart of the deal was never supposed to be lived in *sigh* so through some Miraculous happenings through our new church and through God we found our current house in Touchet, WA

As much as we have been through I'll say God's hand was in all of it. In the last 2 years Jake and I have struggled to find a church home, and we found it here in Walla Walla. The funny thing is we knew the Lead pastors in Centralia. We have become locked in to this church and will become members at the end of the month. I am helping in the Childrens Ministry with Music and Drama as well as assisting in teaching. I have found some amazing people here!

Our housing situation was God through and through. I had put Loki, my 8 year old AQHA gelding up for care lease and had a couple come try him out and decide to lease him. As it turns out they had a 3 bed 2 bath rental on their property, but someone had just leased it 2 months prior to everything crashing down around us. As we were looking for somewhere to rent they called and said the renter had asked to get out of her lease early. We jumped on board. Its an amazing opportunity and works out. They are continuing to lease Loki for the mean time and I am helping get their certification for PATH (therapeutic Riding), and Jake and I are training 2 of their horses.

The kids are getting big. Celina is 7 and in first grade and the boys are 5 and in kindergarten.

Its been a long ride but I am glad we are here... will try to update more!

Happy Mothers Day!

Hope everyone has had an amazing Mothers Day. My kids got my a nice weaver headstall which I very much appreciated.

But my big Mothers Day present I got on Monday.

1985 Brawley trailer. After 17 years of owning horses I FINALLY have a horse trailer!

and real quick jackie update!

March 7th 2012

May 13th 2012!

Doesnt she look awesome!

Jackie again :)

No feet photos this time, shes not quite due yet, but some weight gain pics yes :)

Today Jackie did two things that she hasnt done since we have had her.
1. Stood square on pavement (I know that seems like nothing to you non-horsey people, but it means her feet are SLOWLY getting better
2. And she got into a full out gallop today with bucking :). Before she would just canter along pitifully behind the herd, today she was at the front with her tail in the air!

And some photos!

March 7 2012

March 23rd 2012

April 16th 2012 (and standing square!)

I know you can see some of her ribs but thats mostly because she is no longer standing underneath herself and is standing normal... that and her head is down. If you loo the the curved line in front of her hip that is new and she her back has filled in as well.. its really hard to tell from pics sometimes :)

Spring is here!

I think! I am seeing some 70 degree weather in the forecast as well!

We ended up playing Musical Horses yesterday :). At around 8:30 am Mystic went to her new home up north (past bellevue). Then at 3 I met up with someone to evaluate their horse and on my way home I get a text from Jake saying "Sebastian will be here at 4:30."

Ok rewind,... Sebastian is my friend Kadras 4 year old Arabian who is having some tendon issues. We had discussed bringing him here to either a. recoup on our hilly pasture where he will be forced to move or b. sell him. Then we would bring Shakirah to Kadras house so I can use their trails and Weyerhauser roads to actually wear her out.  We had decided to wait a little while until she could get the vet out.

So back to the text I get it and call Jake. I had been out of cell signal so I was REALLY confused. It turns out our friend Brad had to go get one of his horses he had sold and was going to have the trailer and was going to drop the horse and Kadra and James house. So they decided to do the trade since he was there with the trailer (neither of us own one yet). So by the time I got home Sebastian was unloaded and they were ready to let him out. We went and grabbed Shakiah loaded her in the trailer and then I jumped in the car and headed to Jakes ASM's house to go riding.

I don't mind too much :) Now Kadra and I have ANOTHER reason to spend time with each other lol

Gotta post some pictures of Jackies feet :)

 Now jackie is a 9 year old mare we ended up keeping. We are working on getting her feet in working order so here are before and after photos of her trim (and a shot of when we first got her)

 

Above is about 2 weeks after we got her

Below Left is before we trimmed her and Right is afterwards. Notice the more relaxed body posture, the lowered head and she isnt standing underneath herself as much. She has also gained a lot of weight!

Left is a before shot Right is after

Before the trim, notice the flared back feet?

And after the trim, notice the flares are gone and she is standing better. Will keep posting pictures! Shakirah is next, cant wait to see her feet change!

Sunday Stills (ok just one!)

My friends arabian gelding sebastian. What a good boy!

Whats going on with us

First, after some not so fun things happening at our house in Onalaska we moved to Chehalis. Awesome landlord, cute house with 6 acres!  

 Front of the house facing the road

 The view from the master bedroom balcony

 Living room

 Kitchen

 Kitchen

 Side of house. You can see our french doors and balcony off the master bedroom

The field across from our house

So besides the move, I am going to school full time at Centralia College. I am studying for my LPN. Jake is now the Coffee Lead at his store and working on his Coffee Master. He is waiting for a Shift Supervisor position to open up so he can move up. The kids are in an amazing Christian day care! I love having them come home talking about Bible stories! We still have the horses. Shakirah and Mystic anyway. CW (the big appy) went to a new home last month.
We are really enjoying being closer to town with still a country feel to it! We get to see a red tail hawk that hunts in the pasture across the street. That and there is an indoor riding arena at the end of the road I have access to!
I am training Shakirah for a 25 mile endurance ride in May. I am looking at doing the Mt. Adams Endurance Ride in Trout Lake, WA and hopefully the Renegade Rendezvous in Whenatchee in June. I am very excited. I am getting more and more horses in for training which is really nice, I am staying busy and getting to know a lot of people in the process. I also get to ride a lot of different horses in the process, which I have always enjoyed doing.

Last night we had a scare when Shakirah choked. This is bad for horses because they don't have the same abilities to clear their throat as we do. That and you can't give the horse the Heimlich. So instead of going to wednesday night services we were standing outside with a hose in her mouth trying to flush everything out. Had the vet out this morning and she had cleared most of it, and he did the rest. The danger of choke is not losing the ability to breathe, but the ability to eat or drink. If you don't catch it your horse can become very sick. She can eat and everything now, just has to be on penicillin for the next 3 days to make sure she doesn't get an infection. Talk about a scare. I am totally calm when its any other horse, but its my horse? All brains go out the window and I panic. Ugh....  

Trying to be positive

I have been reading blogs, facebook statuses and hearing people lately and alls I hear are complaints! I read blog where its nothing but whining about how their life isnt going to plan, and how they are just sure that things are going to go wrong.

PLEASE people. Be content. Enjoy the snow while it is here for the beauty that it gives. Enjoy the time it allows you to spend with your family. If you aren't happy with your living situation DO something to change it! Be grateful for what you have, and don't whine about what you don't. Every single person in the world wishes they had something that they don't. Remember that THINGS don't make us happy.

Some of the happiest people I know have second hand cars, second hand furniture and not so many nice things. But they are happy with WHAT they have. Instead of putting yourself into debt trying to keep up with the jones', why don't you not spend as much, get something nice, but cheaper and ENJOY life.

This is something I have worked hard to understand and accomplish. Is to be thankful for what I have. Do I have new cars? No. But they were bought and paid with cash. Is our furniture new? No, but its comfortable and if the kids spill something on it, oh well. We don't own our house because we are still in transition and once I buy I plan to stay there my whole life, so why buy now when we can't afford what I really want? Instead I'll rent and be content where I am in life. If I never get to buy a home, thats ok. I would rather spend time with my family.

So as I said lets all work on being content with what we have, be grateful when we get something new and really work on not being so whiny all the time :)

Thoughts

You know I really dont understand how some people can sit there and judge others repeatedly while at the same time making note that they don't like being judged and dont like being expected to be perfect. Can you say hypocritical?! If you don't want people to think your perfect and don't want to be judged, why don't YOU start by not judging others!!!!

I know its a rant but a certain someone I know has made their life by judging me. They deny fervently, but it happens over and over again. And then they go off on how they don't like to be judged.

Blows my mind.....

10 reasons why you should 4x4 on horse back

10 reasons why you should 4x4 on horse back

1. You wont EVER run out of gas. There is refueling stations every 3 feet (or less) on the trail
2. You wont ever high center, this 4x4 can JUMP with out a ramp
3. Mud bogging? As long as its below your horses belly go for it!
4. Water crossing arent normally a problem. Most horses can be convinced to cross, and when it gets too deep, SWIM!
5. We can go up trails other 4x4's cant as we have the ultimate traction
6. Rock crawler? No problem, and no special modifications needed!
7. Brush hogging? No problem. Horse will crash though anything and those hidden stumps wont flip you
8. Want to do cookies? You can do that too, with no danger of crashing (ok a little danger when your horse decides that snowball at the edge of the road is going to eat it)
9. Get tired of riding? You can get off and walk, and your little 4x4 will follow you!
10. Nothing is better than seeing wildlife out on the trail while your with your best buddies!

What did you get for Christmas?

One thing I noticed this year... im getting old.... I got 4 gifts I was REALLY excited about. One was from Meri. She got me a cantle bag! I am very excited about it and I LOVE it!

It was awesome because Meri was SO afraid I wouldnt like it... so to easy your fears again I am VERY happy!

Then I got a silverware set (I almost jumped for joy on that one)

3. A set of stainless Steel mixing bowls!

and 4. I got an 11 piece Cuisinart Stainless Steel cookware set! 

I was jumping for joy over the kitchen stuff... yes I am officially old 

Plans for holidays

This year it seems that Christmas kind of snuck up on us. Of course this week is going to draaaggg out now right? I spent the past few days baking. Lots of baking. I think Jake enjoys it because he gets to eat the ones that dont turn out!

So anyways Jake and I have already given each other our presents. Jake got a new electric razor (the norelco one) and he got some lingerie (he LOVED that part of his present). Jake gave me a treadmill. I am VERY happy with that. Poor guy wanted to get me horse stuff, but I am WAY to picky at times. I love my husband he tries so hard!

We waited until last night to wrap presents, and this morning the kids came out and about had a heart attack. They thought it was Christmas and it was time to open presents! The anticipation is going to kill them :)

So far our plans for Christmas eve are still up in the air, we have to wait and see what Jakes parents are planning. We invited them down, but there was some confusion between them and Melissa and Ryan on childcare :). Then we are driving down to longview and are spending the night with my parents. Christmas morning we get up and open presents from them and then head up to Grandpas for the BIG opening. Jake has to work at 3pm on Christmas but Im glad he has Christmas morning off (I think his boss was afraid they would lose him if they did make him work Christmas morning). 

The big news is Celina is getting a Guinea Pig for Christmas this year. It was between that and a pony but I wasnt able to find a pony that suited. I love the fact that I know enough that I CAN get her a pony and teach her how to correctly care for it and ride. But for now, its a Guinea Pig.

We are looking for a place that will handle more horses that is closer to Centralia as I am taking in training horses and right now our horses have to be down the road at a neighbors place as we cant have more than 3 horses here, and I have two in training. So yeah. I dont want to move from here as we have amazing neighbors and I love it. But we will see what God has in mind! Anyways love you all and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Christmas Tree Photo...With my goober children!