Dear Santa

Today is the first day in a while that I have had absolutely nothing to do! OK well I could be doing laundry, dishes, or studying for the test I have on Saturday but instead I kept Jayci at home. We have totally enjoyed ourselves too. We have washed some dishes but mainly we have just stayed in our pajamas and watched cartoons! Can you say Fabulous?!?

One very important thing we did today though was write Jayci's letter to Santa. Just FYI I am a bit controlling so this was very hard for me. I scanned it and thought I would share.

I have to admit I helped her some. I drew dotted lines for her to trace and write her letters. However, they are learning letters at school so she can write most of those. The top people looking things are dolls. There is a Daddy, Mommy, Baby (with one eye), brother, and another baby. The little half circle things sticking out from the side of their head are ears! Then below that is a Dollhouse and a fountain. She drew both of those by herself. Then she signed her name. I'm not really sure why she has started writing her "J" backwards but it bugs me to no end. She has been writing the letter "J" since this summer and just in the last month it has turned backwards. I'm just trying to be patient about it.

OK well I hope everyone has a great rest of the day and week! After Saturday I will be completely done with this semester. Woo-Hoo! Only 1 more semester left!

Petite Jean

Today Jay, Jayci, and I loaded up in the car and went on a little adventure. At first this adventure was just going to be for Jay and I. However, since Jay has been out of town a lot lately and I have been super busy with school we decided to take Jayci along with us. Our adventure consisted of going to Petite Jean State Park. Which ordinarily for Jay and I would not be an adventure but this was the first time we had ever taken Jayci with us. And let me just tell you she was FABULOUS!!! We hiked around for 3 - 3 1/2 hours and she was so good. Here is a map of the park and trails.

Jay & Jayci when we first got there!

Jayci & Me

First we went down Bear Cave Trail. This trail had lots of really big rocks. In fact we decided to climb up one and eat our lunch. We arrived at Petite Jean at about 11:30 so it was a good time and a great location to eat lunch.

Jayci & Jay

Can you tell she loves her daddy?!?

Doesn't this look like a great spot to eat lunch? It was!!!

Nothing like peanut butter sandwich, a carrot and blue skies all around!

After giving our selves plenty of energy with lunch we decided to climb around on some of the smaller rocks.

Jayci & I showing what tuff girls we are!

Jay & Jayci on their really big rock climbing mission! Jayci kept saying, "I am soo Brave."
Of Course there is nothing like getting a little help from Dad on the way down the rocks.

Or A LOT of help!After this trail we headed over to Ceder Creek Falls trail. This trail was considered a moderately hard trail. This trail goes a little further into the woods and makes a big loop. We did not do the big loop. Instead we cut over to the boy scout trail (a moderate to hard trail) and went to see the waterfall overlook.

***Side note: We had planned on going down the trail that leads down to the bottom of the waterfall. However, I thought that it might be a little too hard for Jayci and did not want to attempt it her first time hiking around on a mountain. Well I was wrong because she did excellent and this trail was pretty hard.



So instead of seeing the bottom of the waterfall we just saw the top (I didn't take any pictures). Which was really good enough!

Walking down the trail like such a big girl. There was a pre NO WHINING clause stated and signed at the beginning of the day!

A little jump down!

Stopping to feel the water on the way down. It was pretty chilly.

This is stopping to splash water on our hot faces on the way back. Really hoping the water is clean!

After this trail Jayci started to get a bit tired but we wanted to go to one more place. This really neat cave. It is super huge and is made of rocks. In fact it is called Rock House Cave. This was the last stop of the day!

Tired but still willing to be brave to climb some rocks!

She was super brave on this one and climbed around all by herself. OK Jay was just right outside of the picture. But she felt very brave and proud of her self.

I love fall! Today was the perfect fall day! We had a beautiful time and just loved being a family. Many thanks were given to God as we ventured through His forest today!

Light at the end of a VERY Long Tunnel

Well these could not have come at a better time! They are not really all that good and I really didn't expect them to be but I was so happy to see them. It's like I know that the end is coming. I always saw myself going to college and having a bachelor degree of some sort one day. And that day is coming near! Then GASP they are actually going to allow me to take care of real people, probably kids by choice! Oh man that is just scary but exciting all at the same time. Well I really just wanted to share the pictures with everybody. Only 192 days to go!!!! May 15, 2010 cannot get here any sooner!!!!

Kaps for Kidz

OK so I know it has been soooo long since I have posted anything at all! I really will work on this once I get out of school. For now, I am doing all I can just to stay a float with paper work, research papers, test, oh and taking care of my family. Luckily for me I have an amazing husband that stays on top of things. He has definitely been my rock through all of this. Seriously, I know I get frustrated with him about a lot of things but I could not imagine doing all this without him.

Anyway.... Back to what I am really posting about

Kaps for Kidz

I don't know if you read Mckmama's blog or not. But a few weeks ago she posted about making and donating hats to cancer patients either via sending them to her or to your local hospital. Well I decided to take on this project. I am in nursing school at a fairly big school and started the Kaps for Kidz campaign to benefit Arkansas Children's Hospital. And since I have this blog I decided to branch out a bit more.

So here is the deal...

I am collecting all kind of hats, scarfs (for heads), beanies, doo-rags, or just anything you can think that would keeps these children's heads warm. They could use hats from toddler size all the way to teen/adult size. I know a lot of people around here knit hats for ACH but a lot of times those hats just do not fit the bigger kids. And the ones that do fit go really fast. I know that ball caps would go over very well, especially with the older kids. Anyway, I am putting a picture of the flyer I made for school up to give you a better idea. I have no problem collecting the hats from you and making one large donation. In fact I would love to be able to give them an abundant amount of hats!!! So if you have any questions regarding this you can e-mail me at the e-mail on the flyer or at nursemom0510(at)gmail(dot)com.

Oh and one last thing...If you decide to donate the hats must be new or made from new material due to the suppressed immune system of these children.

Thank you in advance for you generosity. Even if you can not donate or make a hat; a simple prayer for these children and their families would do wonders!

Life

Life...

Not really sure what to write about it. So I am just going to let the keys take the lead and we will just see...

School is going pretty good. It is a lot of busy work! I feel like I cannot just get ahead on most of these things. Mainly because I am a huge procrastinator but still I should be able to not stress so much about procrastinating. Ha. Which reminds me I may want to go print off my lecture notes for tomorrow! Anyway, I really feel like some days I am completely losing my mind. Here are a couple of things I have done in the past week or so to prove that I may just be going a bit crazy:

I saw the September calendar in Jayci's school folder took it out because I thought it was October. Then proceeded to tell her teacher that I had lost the October calendar and could I please get a new one. Needless to say she looked at me a little funny and said, "You do know it's still September." I know she must think I am a complete nut.

I was at lunch with some girl friends from school. We were all just chatting and telling stories. I decided I would tell one about Jayci (of course). However, when I started the story I called Jayci by a completely WRONG name! Now I know this happens to moms; especially when they have more than one child. But I don't! Jayci is my one and only. Even one of my friends went "really you just got your only child's name wrong?" HA!

OK well those are the 2 stories that I can remember right now. I'm sure there is more but I've probably just blocked them to at least keep what sanity is left.

This is Jayci and her cousin, Parker. He is actually her second cousin but she is 1 month older than him. Anyway, here they are in their matching Macks Prairie Wings shirts. They are so sweet in this picture and they really play so good together! I hope as they get older they continue to be good friends.

On another note...Jayci has started to tell a small little rumor to everyone she comes in contact with. OK well maybe not everyone but a lot of people. She is convinced that I am going to have a baby. And she does not hesitate to tell people, " My mommy is going to have a baby" or "We are having a baby." I am pretty sure this all came about because some good friends of ours are expecting their second child. However, I am NOT! I really want to but am trying to hold off until closer to when I finish school. It is still a bit embarrassing when her teacher at school asks if I'm pregnant and then the next week at church her Sunday school teachers ask me the same question. I'm just glad they asked instead of assuming she was right. Anyway, I don't ever bring it up to her except for when she has told someone new and that is just to clarify that I am not having a baby. I'm sure it will pass. Oh but she does insist that when I do have another child that she is going to have a sister. So I thought this would be kind of fun.

If I have a girl I imagine Jayci's face something like this:


However, if it is a boy, I imagine her face more like this:

HA!!! I just could not resist using this picture some how! OK well guess I should head off to bed since I have class in the morning. Hopefully it won't take me as long to blog again!

Random Tid Bits

To start my SENIOR year starts tomorrow. Oh I am so excited about this. I'm not really excited as much about school itself but for being my last year in nursing school. I cannot wait until May 15, 2010 which, if you didn't guess, is Graduation Day. This journey has been such a long one and I am finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. With that being said if I go M.I.A. for a bit don't worry it's just because I'm so busy studying, at clinical, working, oh and not to mention taking care of my family. It is definitely going to be a busy couple next semesters!

Speaking of busy....

OK well this weekend wasn't all that busy but it sounded like a good transition. Saturday we went to Jay's parents to swim and spend time with his sister and her family. Here are a few pictures of that:

Here is Jayci going off the slide with NO floaties. She is so brave! BTW there is definitely someone at the end of that slide to catch her.

I love this picture of Jayci and her Papaw. His face just looks like he is so proud of her for trying to swim.

This is Elijah sliding. This is the only good picture I got of him before my camera battery became exhausted.

Here is Kirsten doing a little sideways action down the slide. I think she pretty much stayed on the slide the whole time we were in the pool.

Here is Kirsten being thrown by Dennis A.K.A Papaw.

And Last but definitely not least....

I was awarded my first blog award!!!! This is so exciting to me because that means I have more than my usual 5 (if I'm lucky) readers. I don't really have a lot to say but I like that people read my stuff.

Plus it means that someone else, besides me, thinks my blog is fabulous. I am so grateful for my award. Thank you Heather!!! It really made my day. Now I'm going to try and make a few other peoples day by awarding it to them. Here we go:

Kristi @ Loving 2 Miracles

Anna @ The Williams' Family

Heather @ Step Inside

Okay well I hope everyone has an absolutely fabulous week. I am sure going to try!

Favorite recent photos - MckLinky Blog Hop

Here are a few of my most recent favorite photos. Ironically enough all of them have been taken with my iPhone. Goes to show you that I'm never anywhere without it! Also the editing on these photos was done with an app called Color Splash and I LOVE it (as you can probably tell). Hope you enjoy; I sure enjoyed taking them!!!

This is Jayci making her model face. I think this was taken in May of this year.

These were last Fall and Jay and Jayci were playing ball in our yard.

This is what I woke up to one morning. She said Mommy take a picture of my with my babies. I just couldn't resist. She is so cute!!

This is Jayci last week on her way to Vacation Bible School at her Auntie Kim's church. By the way I love VBS! It gave Jay and I 2 1/2 hours alone time for a week! We went to dinner, shopping, and just really enjoyed some alone time.

Last but not least...These were taken this past weekend at my parents house. This is Spencer (my sister's dog) and Jayci having a tea party. There is actual water in Spencer's cup and a dogie treat in his bowl. It was so cute! It was actually not too long ago that Jayci was actually scared of dogs. I like the fact that she is getting over that fear. I just hope she stays cautious of them!!

Okay well I hope you enjoyed the pics. Thanks again for stopping by!!!

Blog-Lift Again

Ok so again I have changed my page. I think this one is final (for now)! Ha. I will soon post an actual post. I have just started a new job and have been super busy. Hopefully this weekend I will be able to get an actual post up. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!

Blog-Lift

If you are on my page you probably already noticed that I have a new background! I think that I like it. I just haven't quite made up my mind yet. Now that I have a grasp on how to change things and play with them a little bit more I may be changing it often. You know, until I find something I love.

For now it is staying like so. Let me know what you think about it.

Now I am off to bed. Hope everyone has a great week ahead.

MckLinky Blog Hop - Favorite Recipe

During the summer I love to eat anything with fresh tomatoes! I can seriously eat a tomato like an apple. I just love them soo much!!! So here are 3 of my favorite recipes (all with tomato of course).

First one is Parmesan, Chicken, Broccoli pasta

Ingredients

4 oz. (1/4 of 16-oz. pkg.) whole wheat spaghetti, uncooked
1/4 cup KRAFT Light Zesty Italian Dressing
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
2 cups broccoli florets
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
1/2 cup KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided
4 tsp. KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

Instructions

COOK spaghetti as directed on package.
MEANWHILE, heat dressing and garlic in large nonstick skillet on medium heat. Add chicken and broccoli; cook and stir 5 to 7 min. or until chicken is cooked through. Stir in tomatoes and 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese; cook 1 to 2 min or until heated through, stirring occasionally.
DRAIN spaghetti; place on serving plate. Top with chicken mixture, remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.

2nd Tomato & Pesto bread (to go with the pasta obviously)

Ingredients
1 loaf of Italian style or French style Bread, cut in half length wise or just in slices
Pesto
Plum tomatoes
Olives (optional)
Mozzarella cheese
Parmesan Cheese

Directions

PREHEAT oven to 400°F. Place bread, cut-sides up, on baking sheet. Bake 8 to 10 min. or until golden brown.
SPREAD bread halves evenly with pesto; top with remaining ingredients.
BAKE an additional 8 to 10 min. or until cheeses are melted. Cut each bread piece into 12 slices. Serve warm.

Last (but not least) Foil-Pack Chicken w/ pesto, artichoke hearts, & (you guessed it) Tomatoes

Ingredients
6 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1/4 cup pesto
1/2 cup Italian dressing
1 Can of artichoke hearts, drained, quartered
2 cups of fresh diced tomatoes
3 cups instant white rice, uncooked
3 cups warm water

Directions

Preheat oven to 400*F. Mix rice and water; spoon evenly onto center of each of 6 large sheets of heavy-duty foil. Top each with 1 chicken breast. Cover evenly with the artichokes and tomatoes, then drizzle evenly with the combined dressing and pesto.

Bring up foil sides. Double fold top and both ends to seal each packet, leaving room for heat circulation inside. Place packets in single later in a banking pan

Bake 30-35 min or until chicken is cooked thoroughly. Remove from oven and Enjoy!!! (After it cools of course.)

Each of these are so good to me. And both my husband (who doesn't really even like tomatoes) and our 3-year-old daughter love all of these recipes.

I do, however, 1/2 the recipes usually since its just the three of us.

Little Fishy...

Here within the last couple of weeks we have been in the water a lot. So much, in fact, that Jayci has become a little fish. She is so fun. She can jump off the side and swim a little ways. She can go down the slide without floaties, pop up, and swim to one of us standing close. She aslo, just as of tonight, can do a front flip and back flip in the water. She also will jump off the side, head first, and do a flip once she hits the water.

At the beginning of the summer I would have never thought she would be doing all of this!

I took some video of it tonight and thought I would share.