Little Fishes

We are well into summer and a lot of our activities revolve around water.  Since I only go to school/work 2 days a week, it leaves lots of time for me to spend with the boys.  We went to Seven Peaks the other day for the first time.  Chandler can ride on the tube slides by himself which he was thrilled about.  It made it easier because I can hold Rowan on my lap and Chandler will just wait for us at the bottom.  Today we also went up to my sister Avry's pool to go swimming.  They have a neighborhood pool that they pay a small HOA for and I so SO wish that we had a pool included in our HOA.  The boys had a fabulous time and were like little fishes.  I'm sure we'll be up there a few more times before the summer was over.  If only she didn't live an hour away.

Chandler getting ready to go swimming.  The little floaty thing is actually supposed to go up much higher.  It's more of a small aid than a life vest and he did really well with it.

Rowan floating in the pool

Chandler jumping in the pool, his face is priceless

I LOOOVE this picture.  I want to hold onto this moment and his little 4 year old face forever.

Hanging out in the shade with my sis.

I was telling him to get down right here...while taking his picture. ;)  He just looked at me like he wasn't doing anything, or that he wouldn't fall. 

Trying to get a peek at what his cousins Sav & Maeli are reading.

Content

It seems like many times in my life I've either wished for the future or longed for the past.  Marshall and I are always saying: "When this happens."  Or "Next year..." Or "Remember when...?"  I almost forget to live in the moment.  Sitting here tonight, the boys are sleeping soundly, my house is pretty darn clean (which is amazing that it's clean,)  I got a good run in, and spent some time with my boys after work.  I can't help but think how content I am and how good life really is.

I have the two most handsome and wonderful boys.  I wish I could pause time as they are both in the cutest stages right now.
My husband is loving, supportive, helpful and just plain wonderful.
For the first time in my life, I am working a job that I really love and feel like I'm actually making a difference.  School is much less demanding and not so bad when you are getting paid.  (Not to mention my 2nd job the blog where I'm my own boss.  That's pretty amazing in and of itself.)
I've reflected on my testimony of the church this last month, only to realize just how strong and firm I am in my faith.  Such a comfort.
I'm in better shape than I've ever been and have exercised 4-6 times a week consistently for 7 months now.

Don't get me wrong, life isn't perfect and there are plenty of things I  *could* complain about.  But I won't.  Tonight I am content.

Living Room Redo

When we first moved into our house, we painted the living room walls a sage green.  I'm the type of person that buys two gallons of paint and then just comes home to paint.  I never really loved the color and decided that I wanted to paint and kind of revamp the room.  My sister Avry is amazing when it comes to decorating, being crafty, etc.  She has great taste and offered to come help me with it. I did the painting beforehand and I am so so sick of painting.  The whole living room took me about 10 hours and the striped wall was another 4 1/2.  Avry did so much - spray painted frames, made me a canvas and subway art, put together a mirror, made curtains, and came and helped me paint, spray paint and everything else you can imagine last week.  She was here until 1 am the day of and I am so so grateful to have her.  There are still things that I need to do, touch up paint and antique the end tables, get throw pillows, some candle holders for the striped wall and more but I was too excited not to share.  My poor carpet needs a serious cleaning or to just be replaced.  We are thinking of tiling and getting some new furniture, but it may be a while before that happens.  Best of all, we redid this entire room for under $100. 

Before

After

Kitty Paparazzi

I was doing some dejunking and found Marshall's old camera from his mission. It's a 35mm and I figured we would just send it to the DI. The boys discovered it worked and had a flash so they started taking pictures with it. I pulled out another digital camera we haven't used for a while and let Rowan play with that one. The boys have been having fun taking pictures. I thought it was funny because Chandler took a bunch and then was frustrated when he couldn't figure out how to view them. Oh to grow up in the digital age. His expression was funny when I told him there was film that would have to be developed at the store. For quite a while, they followed Bessie around, taking her picture. Bessie has settled in nicely here. She hid under the beds a lot the first week and seemed really apprehensive. She also pawed at our door all night one night and has finally learned that she doesn't do that at night which is nice. She is really loving and patient with the boys. The boys are soft with her and she likes to be wherever we are. So here is our kitty paparazzi, cute yes?

Chandler's Kindergarten Graduation

 I can't believe he's going to be moving on to 1st grade next year!  This year has gone quickly and Chandler has done fabulous.  We got to see him sing in the program today, and he had a short line to say (which of course I missed.)  Then we went to his classroom to see his favorite memory and see him get an award.  His teacher, Mrs. LeBaron has been fantastic.  He loved her so much and had a great year.

 The videos are split into 2 because you can view them in HD and I didn't want to mess with the video quality.  So I chose my favorite 2.  (Make sure to change the youtube viewing to HD in the bottom right corner.)

Congratulations Chandler, we love you!!

The Job

Remember the ultrasound job that I talked about in this post?  I was offered it at the first of the week.   I am the second student in the region to get hired and the first one to be hired for an independent position.  I know they were also looking at registered technicians outside the region so I'm really flattered to have been offered it.   I had some time to think and pray before the recruiter called me on Thursday to ask if I'd accept the position.  After some talking and contemplating, Marsh & I decided that I should accept it.  I'm really excited about a few things

1) To be doing something I love.  I really love ultrasound and while I'm a bit freaked out to be working independently on the weekends, I know I have it in me.  (Granted I will have the Radiologist to fall back on, but not another tech or my amazing clinical instructor.)

2)  To be able to spend time with my boys this semester.  I was planning on class Monday morning and then clinical on Tuesday & Wednesday, so 3 days a week.  With this job, I will be working every Saturday & Sunday with every other Sunday night call which means that I will be home with my boys Monday through Friday.  This was a big factor in the decision.  Plus my working hours will be counted as my clinical hours, so I'll be getting paid.  Being home with my boys during the week is priceless to me.

3)  Finally getting paid what I'm worth - This job is 2x what I was making in the ER at LDS. (I did put in my 2 weeks notice.)  There's also a $6 an hour pay increase when I become registered, which I will be doing in August or September.

The downfall in all of this is the fact that I won't get to attend church like I want to.  This was basically the power struggle I had with my job when I came to a realization:  It's not forever.   Things could change and other jobs could be made available.  I also realized that I have a strong testimony that will not waver.  I was expecting a yes or no answer when I prayed about it.   I didn't feel very strongly one way or another, but I just kept thinking about my testimony.  I realized that it was Heavenly Father asking me how my testimony was.  That was my answer.  I'll admit that there have been times in my life where I've been somewhat lazy in the gospel but I could never deny it.  I know it's true and everything it teaches protects and helps me and my family.  It was a bit amazing to me to realize just how much of a testimony I have and it brings tears to my eyes thinking about it.  I'm SO grateful for it and that no one can take it away from me.  Marsh and I have talked about maybe him getting permission to give me the sacrament at home.  I'm also thinking they might do a sacrament service for workers & patients at the hospital that I will be working at.  I also had another tech offer to come in for a few hours occasionally so I can attend church occasionally.

I'm going to start training either the week of the 4th, or the week of the 10th, I'm not sure yet.  I'm grateful for this opportunity and blessing for our family.  I'm also grateful for a supportive husband who is also a great dad to our kids.  Here we go!

Handsome

Got my new camera today.  Have had some fun taking and editing pictures.  Can't help but think how handsome Chandler is.