Easter

We had such a fun Easter this year with a lot of celebrating. Saturday morning the day before Easter, Korey and I took Madeline and met up with Nana Debbie and the 3 girl cousins; Kylie, Emme, and Addison. There was a great Easter Egg Hunt that we took Maddie to last year as well. This year she remembered everything from the last. She wanted to stay as far away as possible from the Bunny and she enjoyed seeing the big firetruck again. She did a great job in the Easter Egg hunt and had so much fun with her big girls.

That night we celebrated Easter with the McDaniel family at Korey's parents house. The kids colored eggs, had another Easter egg hunt, and we all played some games. We also ate a lot yummy food and cake. It was wonderful for us all to be together and watch the cousins all play and get along so nicely. With Madeline being the youngest and there being a 4 year age gap between the next oldest cousin, you would think she may not fit in. However, she is right there with them all the time, and they all lover and are so sweet to her. We are so lucky.

On Sunday morning we woke up, Maddie found her Easter basket from the bunny (which kind of freaked her out, I don't blame her), but she loved the basket and the goodies in it. Then the 3 of us went to church. It was an amazing Easter service, one that I won't forget. After church we headed over to my dad and Nancy's house. There we had a delicious Easter brunch and loved being able to spend time with my side of the family. Madeline did another Easter egg hunt and received another fun Easter basket with adorable gifts at their house. I love the time that we spend together during the holidays. I truly try to treasure it and hold onto the memory. Madeline really enjoyed learning about Jesus being alive again, and we enjoyed teaching her the story of Easter and why we celebrate Easter. Hope everyone else had a wonderful Easter too!

RN

Oops I forgot to include a high light in January. January 19th I took the NCLEX for my 2nd time. What a different experience. The first time I took the test in September. It took me 5 and 1/2 hours and I had 265 questions. I was very anxious and had such a hard time completing it, but I did! It was one of the worst experiences ever and I do not wish anyone to ever go through that, it felt like torture to me. I barely failed, but was determined to pass this test and re take it again. I studied like crazy and re took it on January 19th. It took me 1 hr and 15 mins, I had 75 questions. I passed!!! I am a licensed RN. I love it, I feel so accomplished and my hard hard work payed off. I did all of nursing school while pregnant and with Madeline as a baby to 2 years old. If I can do it, anyone can. I love my career and can't wait to start my dream job as a nurse.

The last couple of months have been very stress-free, and lots of play time with Madeline.

Now I am on the serious job hunt! There are a few opportunities that may work out for me. I am praying for the right door to open and the right spot for me. I will keep you all posted.

She's 3!!!

Ok, I will try to write about this with out having a crying breakdown. I am that mom that cries every year on my daughter's birthday. Every year is hard and I wish for one day to see her 2 again, or one day to see her 1 again, or that first time I held her. Could I just see or feel a glimpse of it? I can dream, but she's 3 and now I have the memories. She is the best gift and most wonderful blessing I have ever been given. She is my special little girl and has been my inspiration and motivation the past 3 years. My life is so full of meaning, purpose, and gratitude. Isn't it amazing what a child being born can create in a woman. Being a mother is truly the best. I love every bit about it.

March 31st, Maddie turned 3. We had a lot of fun celebrating her birthday with her friends and family on the Friday before. She wanted a pink pirate birthday, but had a few requests more. She wanted a pinata, dancing and singing on a stage, a treasure box cake, a parrot on her shoulder ( like Caillou), eye patches, tattoos, and all of her friends there. Well I think we pulled it off. We had the party at a cute place in Maltby. The Maltby Coomunity Center. It was a blast, and Maddie had the best time ever, and kept thanking Korey and I for her, "best party ever".

On her actual birthday she wanted to go to the zoo. I took Maddie and her friend Jordan. That night we had dinner and some family over. The next night we went to Red Robin with The Peters family. Little Graysen turned one and shares a birthday with Miss M. It was so much fun and a little crazy, hehe. Maddie also was taken to Build a Bear with Nana Debbie and made "Chetra" her cute Panda bear.

Let's Play Catch Up!!!

Last Post was in November so let's see if I can catch up the last 5 months quickly and then we can pretend like I'm a regular blogger again. I'll just talk about some high lights, this will be fun!

December:
Christmas- wonderful time with all of our family , Grandma Gap even flew up from AZ to stay with us, we had a blessed day and season.
My Birthday- the 30th- I'm 27 now! Sometimes I feel like I'm 40, other days I feel 21:)
New Years- Seattle and the Fireworks at the Space Needle with best-friend's The Benedicts
( New Year's baby Grace Jan 1st!!)

January:
New Years Resolutions started!!! Woohoo! Let's Get Healthy for the 15th year in a row, lol. Story of this mama's life. Organization, healthier eating and regular exercise, along with balancing mother and wifely duties.
Attended friends birthday parties and had many play dates :)

February:
Maddie is potty trained! I potty trained Madeline using the 3 day potty training method. It took about a day and a half for her to get it. Such a big girl, we are so proud of her.
Uncle Griff 's birthday, always special , as he is our miracle boy.
Took a quick trip to visit the Benedict's in Moses Lake, lots of fun!

March:
Umm, I couldn't wait to get to this month so if the last few months seem boring it's because of March. I love March because it's Maddie's birthday month. Well, and a few other's birthday month too :).
It was a super busy and we had a lot of fun. Daddy got sent to Bellingham, so we went with and stayed a night at his hotel and did a little shopping. Went to the Everett Children's Museum with some of our fun friends. Planned Maddie's Pink Pirate Birthday Party. Went to Country Village (at least 3 times). Saw Legally Blonde the musical at the 5th Avenue theatre with some dear friends. We went to the Seattle Purple for dinner and then to the show, we had a lot of fun ( I may just choose the seats next time :). Spent the day as a family at the beach and park in Mukilteo, it was a beautiful but brisk day.

Ok, that's enough for this post. I am officially back to the blog, let's just hope I stay back, lol.