It finally happened

It's been a year and a half in the making

About 1,000 applications

12 interviews at 7 different hospitals across 4 states 

I have finally been offered a full time position at the Ryan House!

I am beyond excited

The kids are excited

I feel like I am a "real" nurse now

I actually saw the Ryan House in a magazine back in 2010, right before they opened

I said back then that I wanted to work there

Shortly after graduation, they had a few openings but I didn't qualify

Then this past May, my neighbor encouraged me to apply again to Hospice of the Valley

She works at the Sherman Home and tried to get me a position there

After 2 interviews with human resources, 1 night of nurse shadowing and 2 more additional interviews

(1 at Ryan House and 1 for float)

I was offered the Ryan House position today!

This process has been difficult. 

I have been frustrated and often questioned the plan for our family.

I thought a nursing position would never come along and that nursing school was a waste of time

I gave up social media thinking that would help

Signed up for more schooling

Took on multiple volunteer positions and worked 70-80 hours a week

I feel like it was all worth it now

and I can't get this ridiculous grin off my face :o)

School...again

Yeap, Arizona State University

I have officially enrolled in the RN-BSN program

After a year and a half of not being successful in finding a nursing job, I figure I will pursue my Bachelors of Nursing.

Most hospitals want the Bachelors degree, so here we go

To be honest with you, I'm terrified.

My first class requires a 20 page paper!

If you know me, I don't write papers. 

I never have. I honestly don't know how I made it thru english 101 and 102

This is going to be interesting.

My hubby claims I will thoroughly enjoy writing when I have completed the degree.

It's all online and I will finish by next December.

Last time I was a Sun Devil was back in 2000!

Yikes, I'm old!

Go Sun Devils!

AZ weather

Although I don't care much for the hot, humid weather associated with Arizona summers

I do enjoy the monsoons and haboobs that visit us regularly

It takes our 100+ degree weather and can drop us to the 70s!

and it makes for some great sunrises the next morning!

First Sleepover

For the big number 9, Sophie decided on a sleepover

She has never had a sleepover party before and has only had 1 actual sleepover at our house..with just 1 friend

We decided on staying at a hotel near us. 

We have actually stayed at the hotel before and knew how wonderful it was

The girls were soooo excited!

Have you ever heard a room full of little girls scream with delight? 

It's quite loud!

First thing first, presents!

a quick show on TV and some snacks...cheese balls, yum!

Then it was time to swim

With 3 big pools, plus a water slide, lazy river and spa, there was plenty of swimming

We played lots of games in the pool

Then it was back to the room for makeovers and more snacks!

It was getting close to supper time so the girls had to get ready..including makeup

This is a totally new concept to our family

I don't wear makeup, unless it's for a special occasion 

Sophie's friend helped everyone out and also had plenty of body spray to share

I swear we all smelt like strawberries

The gang

Now don't go and feel sorry for Little man...with all the girls, he had plenty of attention

As we were walking thru the lobby, we noticed it started to rain so we took a detour outside and went on a nature hike and danced in the rain

and stopped to see the fish

at the restaurant waiting for our table...such manners

Finally time for cake!

(The girls ate most of the cookie cake for breakfast)

and s'mores!

We found some Jumbo sized marshmallows at the store and I have to say, they were perfect for s'mores!

Finally back in the room, we turned on a movie. Unfortunately, only half of them made it thru the whole movie

Notice Snowball and Little man claimed the couch while the other 4 girls snagged the king size bed!

Luckily me and hubby had an adjoining room so we had our own bed with no little rascals all night.

Sophie has said it was the best birthday party so far and Snowball is already planning her party for the same hotel....just 6 months away.

First Tooth

Little Snowball has finally lost her first tooth!

This poor little tooth has been loose for a few weeks.

Finally, yesterday, it got really loose

Snowball was so scared! She cried for hours over her tooth. 

She said it hurt and didn't want it to come out

I had to explain that her big tooth was trying to come in and the baby tooth needed to come out.

She wiggled that little tooth and refused to talk right (she kept her bottom lip out so nothing would touch the tooth)

but finally, I was able to get close to her and pull the tooth out...it actually just fell off it was so loose

She put it in a little red box and stuck it under her pillow in hopes that the tooth fairy would come

Sure enough!

Tooth fairy came with gold coins and crisp, new $2 bill (she folded it up after she got it)

She's been showing off her new smile all morning!

Birthday Girl

Here's our little Sophie...just a few days old

She was born today....9 years ago!

She brings so much joy and energy to our family...she loves to swim

and be the center of attention

She used to LOVE the Wiggles (but we can't say that now...too embarrassing)

enjoys the snow but would rather the weather be warm so she can go swimming

She's my mini-me, except she gets her attitude from her dad

Loves to go out...especially shopping

Loves having a younger sister and brother and looks out for them...most of the time

She is involved in Girl Scouts

LOVES to dance...plus she's really good!

She also loves to draw. She's getting really good!

She has always enjoyed taking pictures and gets better and better each time

Shares quite well

Has tried her hand at skiing

and of course she's a goofball

We love you Sophie! 

Happy 9th Birthday Princess!!

Our day out

I had a day off! 

I know, can you believe it? 

I was working the night before and heard on the news that morning that Batman's car was on tour and would be in town that day!

Little man has recently become obsessed with Batman (once again, not sure where this comes from. We don't even watch Batman)

So we had to go check it out!

It was pretty cool!

They had the car, motorcycle, Batman and some bad guy there

Then the news crew showed up and it was time to go

I had signed the kids up for free bowling during the summer and haven't had the chance to take them myself

So we decided to go bowling!

We had so much fun!

The kids were hilarious!

Little man didn't want to leave when our two games were up. 

Good thing we get 2 games a day. We will definitely be back!

I have to say, it was a great day. We had lunch together and then cleaned the house and relaxed with some movies in the afternoon. 

I love spending time with my kids and can't wait until I have one full time position and can spend more time with them.