his birthday present

i'm not one to show off.... ha! ok sorry. but really, i've never taken the time to show off my super talented husband. so here goes.

all he wanted for his birthday was a baby kitten... No.  so instead he begs me to let him buy a pellet stove off of KSL.  if i get a mantle i can decorate out of it...? you betcha.

it was a process i never want to do again, but i love my mantle.

my husband loves, i repeat, LOVES, to build things.  sometimes it seems like he is just a little boy playing with his toys... just occasionally needs a little refocusing.

so for his birthday, literally on the night of his birthday we started building a fireplace.

the brick is from the old Provo library  before it was
redone and matches our exterior brick.

yep, thats the offspring drilling a hole for some pipe of some
sort because the husband couldn't fit underneath and he
forgot to drill it before hand.... yes i was that mom that instead of
stopping the potentially dangerous situation i took a picture and
put it on instagram.

side note: i helped carry this SOB in the house.
im pretty sure it weighs 800lbs give or take a few.

all painted and finished.  the bottom center panels
are actually drawers that store the pellets and supplies.

drey got creative with all my letters for decor.
i'll give props to Wreck it Ralph for the quote.

first spring project done

check one off. only around 35 more to go. but these were my favorite so they got done first.
i first laid eyes on them at an antique store and had to have them.  they had been abandoned and left in an empty factory for almost 20 years.  the owner had intended to keep them, but i begged and told her how well they would be taken care of,  i love how cute they've turned out.  some cleaning, spray painting (of course), and some cushions from tai pan and they're finished. they are a his & hers version, so there are some differences between the two.  i can't recall the date or company, but they're old. and they're awesome.  and i love sitting on my porch now.

my addiction

the first step is admitting you have a problem.

well i don't have a problem.  i see no problem in taking anything i want, and making it the color i want by using a can.  its like magic in a bottle.  its not the fumes that make me happy, those just give me some severe shakes when i don't wear a mask; no, its the final product.  and i am no more proud than i am of this beauty here.

before

after

ill have to get a picture up as soon as it is hung up.  i haven't been able to commit to a location yet.  my husband says once its up it stays (thanks to our brick interior walls), so i'm having some serious time thinking and photoshopping it where i want....

the proposal- the aloha kind (it means hello, good bye and i love you)

the aloha state. this is where my better half spent a better part of his life after high school.  he loves it there.  he loves the warmth, the water, the people, the speed at which things move and that its practically a world of its own.  but when he knew i was the woman he had to spend the rest of his life with he left it behind, and moved back to the UC (the story of his move will come later).  but he had always sworn he would take me back, he would get me to hawaii so he could share his love for it with me....

so, last October the Husband (who was not the husband at the time), was getting pretty fed up with his job.  he was working for a great company, staying very busy, making good money, we had just bought our house but he was spending 25 out of 30 days out of state on jobs.

i happened to be in Brigham City (which, no offense...  SUCKS), taking a class on fetal heart monitoring with my BCWFF (best co-worker friend forever).  when at about midnight on our first night there the husband finally got reception and called me.  i left the room as to not disturb the BCWFF.

we used Skype while he was out of town a lot.

it went a little something like this:
"i hate my job. my boss wants me to come back in 2 weeks and stay here another 2 weeks and i told him no i couldn't." (my husband NEVER says no to work).
"what did you tell him?"
"i told him i was going to be out of town, we were going on a trip."
"sweet! where we going?"
"well tickets are really cheap right now, and because i didn't want to lie, i bought tickets for me, you, and drey to hawaii the weekend after we're in st george for his baseball tournament."
"uh.... thats in 2 weeks."
"ya, and while we're out there i figured we could get married."
"uh... were you gonna ask me? or drey?"
"will you marry me jami?"
"if its in hawaii...? sure."
"ok, i'll call drey tomorrow and make sure its ok with him. i'm going to bed."

something like that....

so i go tell my BCWFF, swear her to secrecy, call the boss the next morning to ensure i'd get time off and swear her to secrecy, and continue through my fetal heart monitoring class. i got a call from drey later that night.  he was under the impression the husband hadn't asked me to marry him yet, and the husband text me and let me know to act surprised.  all giggles and barely able to contain himself, drey said that he told the husband it was ok for us to get married and he was very excited. (my mom was on speaker phone at the time, and i'm pretty sure she was happy... not positive, but pretty sure).

now i'm not sure, but i'm guessing my proposal is just the sweetest thing you've ever read, and pretty much has you in tears.  its ok. just let em flow.

so, after a bit of family drama, applying for a marriage license, finding a place to stay and ensuring everyone got tickets on the same flight, we were set to get married in Hawaii in 2 weeks.

keep in mind, this is just the proposal, the actual trip, is another story.

back in action- the story of the 50 Shades

we've left the blog of jamandrey behind.... obviously.
we've moved on to a herd of new adventures and another time of stories, pictures, and places.
so my blog needed to change.  i want to remember these things, but mostly just share them, and by share, i mean show everyone how awesome the new 50 shades life is....

The 50 Shades Life.

how it began?  well, i knew this kid in high school, sort of, i don't remember him really ever going.  we ran into each other randomly, and kept in touch via facebook, as he was living in Hawaii at the time.  he came and visited a few times, and needless to say, my awesomeness could not be resisted.  he moved back to Utah, he didn't get rid of me, so we bought a house and got married. (these all have rad stories, but i'll have to get to them later).  we are currently spending all of our time running around with the offspring who keeps us busy, him working, me working, and pretty much all the rest on our house.

The 50 Shades Casa.
our home we purchased was built in 1898, has a pretty rad story too, so needless to say it needs some updating/additions/revamps etc.  i LOVE my house. its my favorite house i've ever owned. it's also the first house i've ever owned. but when we purchased it, EVERY SINGLE wall, ceiling, railing and trim was the same beige color.  ya, that didn't work for me.  so i told the husband, i want to paint.  to which he replied with a huge sigh and eye roll.  he knew very early on whatever 'I' wanted to do, meant work for HIM.  so after coming to a very civil compromise we decided we'd just paint the dining room right now. so after searching the best website in the world- pinterest, i found the color i wanted and sent him on his way, gift card to Lowe's in tow.
You see we had this AWESOME real estate agent, he's the best one i've ever used, again, also the first i've ever used, and it just so happens he was my big brother. and because my big brother has a lot of making up to do for tortures he performed on me as a child he gave us a cool 'house warming/wedding gift' in the form of a 500$ gift card to Lowe's.
So upon my husbands return home from Lowe's he had quite a lot more items than i anticipated. these included: 11 (one) gallons of paint, tape, brushes, trays, drop cloths, etc.  i was in a little shock.  i wasn't expecting all this stuff for one room.  i asked how much.  all he could do was ramble on about how expensive it can get, which i know. so again, i asked how much.  he said something like "526$" i was speechless, which NEVER happens to me.  but i decided instead of ranting and raving and carrying on like a crazy person i just smiled and said, well where are the rollers, i'll get started.  now i'm not for sure on details, but when my husband told me he had forgotten to purchase the roller brushes that whole ranting and raving thing came rushing out like usual.  but thats not the point.  my husband does not believe in wasting. well, wasting anything on purpose (sometimes things happen).  so instead of just painting the dining room the beautiful chelsea gray i had selected, i know have a gray dining room, gray living room, gray stair way, gray bedroom for the offspring, gray hallway, and soon to be 4 more rooms of various shades of gray- as we are not wasting ANY of our original 11 gallons we purchased.

so now everyone is caught up on the story of the 50 Shades residence... we will surely keep you posted of future happenings, and in the mean time try and get you caught up on the past ones, which in my opinion, are pretty awesome.

Holiday wish...

Merry Christmas everyone!

Underwear

These last few weeks have been crazy.
Trying to figure out where i fit in the RN world, how to do this job, can i do this job, am i insane?
Trying to figure out why the good die young.  I have come to no logical explanation for this other than some just seem to accomplish so much in their short time that in order for us all to learn from them they must leave us early so we can grow more.- but who knows.
Trying to figure out how to be with someone.  We all know this is utterly foreign to me.  like learning how to be Left handed when i'm a Righty.  But i've learned that like all things, i need to enjoy the ride instead of trying to figure it out.
Trying to learn how to be a good mother.  This, of course, is ongoing education.

I've been blessed with some of the most amazing people to call my friends and family.  So, with recent events i called someone who i knew would give it to me straight, no matter what, and that it would be honest, not just what i needed to hear.  Funny thing about that.. i've decided whats honest is usually what people need hear.- funny how that works.
So, this wise, funny, caring, loving, and wanting nothing but the best out of me person told me- "Look at yourself.  Are you doing what you are expecting of others."  (damn him for being right….)
So after this good talk (and some tunes & pinterest of course), i've come up with some insights on how i can portray the things i expect from others.
Im taking a good look at myself and going to TRY (mind you… i am not perfect, and i'm sure this will take time) and be the person i know i want to be, can be, and expect others to be.

In honor of the month of Thanks i'm going to tell a few people a few things.

Dreytonius- Thank you for making me a better person and reminding me every single day why i love my life.
Roberto- thank you for making me feel beautiful and special every day.
Nana-  Thank you for being there for me no matter what… and sewing for me because i don't know how.  And teaching me what the meaning of 'taking care of someone you love' means.
Papa John- Thank you for teaching me that a sense of humor is a quality.  And teaching me that the measure of a man is where he stands during times of trial, not during comfort and convenience.
Seester-  thank you for reminding me that there are truly GOOD people in this world. that people do care and everyone should be given a chance.
Founder of the Nerd Herd- thank you for always being honest with me, and reminding me that i am human and will make mistakes, and i can move past them.  and also for reminding me why i will only have 1 child (:  
Golden Child- thank you for being solid as a rock.  for showing me how hard work pays off, how dedication makes you strong, and how you can do one million things in 24 hours.
My nieces and nephews- thank you for giving your parents grief and making me so proud.. but more so thank you for being such good kids, cousins, friends and family.  you guys are each so special and i'm so proud of every one of you.
My in-laws- thank you for helping me understand why it is you chose to marry my siblings… wait, i still don't understand… how about…. Thank you for teaching me how to love people like family.
My co-workers- thank you for teaching me patience with myself.  that i cannot do it all when i want.  thank you for believing in me and supporting me through school and everything else in my life- i could not ask for better people to surround myself with.Daniel Dean-  Thank you for showing so many people what it is like to truly accept people for what they are, and loving them no matter what.  For showing your children what it feels like to have your world revolve around them.
Brad-  Thank you for helping me realize you can be an inspiration to anyone, and you never know who that is, so try to inspire every person you meet.
My cousins, aunts and uncles- thank you for giving me some of the best memories i have in this life.
My grandparents-  thank you for teaching me what unconditional love is- quilting, yankees, and never missing a grandchild's 'special occassion' whatever it may be.
And for everyone mentioned, and not mentioned- thank you for being like underwear….
Some crawl up your butt..
Some snap under pressure…
Some don't have the strength to hold you up…
Some get a little twisted…
Some are your favorite…
Some are cheap…
And some actually do cover your butt when you need them.


love you all.  i'll leave you with this:

jami

the run-down

summer was pretty eventful for me this year. it was my last semester of school so i was crazy busy trying to get stuff done.. but we had a lot go down.

Besides me graduating and being done Jodi and the boys managed to cram as much as they could into the summer...

They did a Camp or Lesson in every

thing i think: Swimming Lessons in Fillmore for a week, Tennis, Golf Camp in Fillmore, Soccer Camp and Football.

They played on their little Baseball team, the Blaze, or as we recommended, the 'flamers.'

Drey made it to Shalom a lot, i honestly can't remember how many times he went up, but i even made it up once this year and it was fun. This is Drey and Keller in their matching camo hats Jodi got them, and the little red 4-wheeler we got running for the trip.

Drey and Porter went to a little 3rd grade prep school our friends daughters put together. they went twice a week and LOVED it. the helped them remember what they learned in 2nd grade, and teach them some things they'll learn in 3rd. This is them on their first day of 3rd grade.

Drey turned 8, holy freaking $%#* my child is 8!?! crazy how i can be turning 25, and he's turned 8!! He got a new swimming party with friends, cake and ice cream and marshmallow roasting and jodi's, and iPod for his birthday, i know i'm so stupid, but his broke and i was sick of him playing with my phone. he's actually been super responsible and taking good care of it, so heres hoping hes turned over a new leaf. he also got a super cool riding helmet from Nana that he wears when he rides the little red 4-wheeler. And probably his most favorite present came from a new friend of ours, Robbie.. his very own brand new camping tent. We even had to put it up in the living room for him to sleep in that night. This is drey and some of the boys on the Blaze at his swim party at the pool.

Drey roasting gigantic marshmallows at Jodi's.

Drey in his new tent.

the tent in the living room... sigh...

and last, but not least, i have come to the place i'd never thought i would. there is now another male in my life... Robbie. I don't do details, cause thats just no fun... but i'll say i'm hoping he plans on staying around awhile.

so there's a run-down.. my blog is now officially caught up... right??

And thats a wrap....

yes... this is my AWESOME graduation photo...

I'm finally done. ALL the way done. I finished nursing school. Seems like it took forever while i was going, but now that its over.. i keep wondering where the last 2 years went. I got done with school on a tuesday. worked the weekend, then went to vegas on the next monday. our school secretary took our transcripts up to DOPL and when they process those we get an 'Authorization To Test' a.k.a.- take my NCLEX. so i check my email every five minutes from monday on.... and as i'm driving home from vegas on thursday a super sweet and awesome highway patrolman pulls me over and gives me a speeding ticket. he was nice enough to take his sweet time too... 45 minutes. so while i'm waiting for my ticket i finally get my authorization to test email and can schedule my NCLEX. well, i had to wait until the 29th of August to take it in Utah, OR i could take it the next morning... in las vegas. So i turned around and headed back to vegas. studied up a bit, drove to the strip the next morning and took my test and headed home. i even made it with no speeding tickets this time. Sunday my results finally posted and i passed... that was a relief. So i'm officially an RN- yay me. and just a shade over a decade too... not too shabby.. the next monday was my cohorts pinning ceremony. i guess its a tradition thats been around forever- back when nurses wore white dresses and hats they would pin their hats when they were nurses, so it was cool to have one with all my classmates and teachers. my momma was my hot date to my pinning ceremony and it was fun to finally introduce her to all the people i've spent almost every day with for the last two years. i'm super proud of all of them, and even myself a little bit too. but now i'm done, i'm waiting for a job, and i was bored out of my mind.... until i decided i'm taking a break. so i don't get ready, wear a bra, or put make-up on right now. i just lounge around and watch American Pickers with Bella... oh, and apparently i'm trying to sew... but we'll see how that goes...

adventures of nursing school

Nursing school has taken me on so many adventures.... some i can share, others i can't, some i should never speak of again; or even think of.

With it being my last semester i'm pretty sure all nursing school does is try to take up every ounce of spare time you may possibly have. In one of my classes we are doing some presentations on World Health Organization Issues. My group signed up to present Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Now i always try to be creative with my hand outs and what not so i've got a pretty good one in my head, just waiting for all the pieces to come together. So i was working on the actual school work side yesterday and came across an awesome website. Its from the state of New York and i'm afraid its actually supposed to be educational, but i just found it damn funny. But maybe in all my nursing school adventures, i gained some warped sense of humor and its not supposed to be funny? (so if its not, this is my way of education all my hundreds of blog followers about STD prevention) bahahaha

So, here is the crowned jewel of STD prevention information that i found (i've highlighted some of my favorites for you):

Prevent the Spread of STDs

What are STDs?

STDs are diseases that are usually passed through sexual contact with an infected partner. STDs include many diseases, such as AIDS, chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, genital warts, and syphilis. STDs are widespread; more than 12 million people in the US are infected each year.

Why should I learn about STDs?

STDs are a danger to everyone who has sex, even ONCE. Unborn children are at a risk, too!

If left untreated, STDs can have serious side effects, including:
• • sterility (being unable to have a child)
• • brain damage
• • heart disease
• • birth defects
• • low birth rate
• • premature Birth
• • increased risk for some types of cancer
• • death

How are STDs spread?

STDs are spread through contact with:
• • infected body fluids, such as blood, vaginal secretions, or semen
• • infected skin or mucous membranes - for example, sores in the mouth

Activities that expose you to infected body fluids or skin include:
• • vaginal, anal, or oral sex WITHOUT proper use of a latex condom or other barrier methods. Anal sex is especially risky because it often causes bleeding.
• • sharing needles or syringes for drug use, ear piercing, tattooing, etc.
• • Having an STD may increase your risk of getting HIV. STDs can break down the body's most important defense - the skin and mucous membranes, causing sores and thus provide a way for HIV to enter the body.

Most activities don't spread STDs!

You cannot get an STD from everyday, nonsexual activities, such as:
• • giving blood
• • sitting next to an infected person
• • sitting on toilet seats
• • sharing eating utensils
• • touching doorknobs
• • using swimming pools

How can you avoid STDs?

• There are safe alternatives to vaginal, anal, or oral sex. For example:
• • Don't have sex. Abstinence is the only sure way to avoid getting an STD.
• • Masturbation. Masturbation with your partner (on unbroken skin), or alone,can provide sexual pleasure safely.
• • Massage. Caressing and stroking can express affection and give pleasure.
• • Kissing. This can be a safe way to be physically close, as long as both partners are free of cuts and sores in the mouth.
• • Fantasy. The brain is one of the most powerful sex organs. Use your imagination for satisfying sexual pleasure.

• If you have sex, have sex only with one partner who:
• • has no STD (monogamy)
• • has sex with you only (monogamy)

• If you are not in a monogamous relationship, be sure to:
• • Use barrier methods like latex condoms. Latex condoms are your best protection from STDs during intercourse. But remember, even condoms are not 100% effective.
• • Limit the number of partners you have. The more partners you have, the greater the risk of being exposed to an STD. Remember, you can't tell if someone has an STD just by looking at them.
• • Have regular physical exams. Ask you physician to test for STDs if you think you've been exposed. Regular tests help find STDs early, when treatment can be most effective.

Condoms help protect both partners from STDs and unwanted pregnancy.

To use a condom properly, you'll need:
• • A latex condom ("rubber"). The HIV virus and other STDs may pass through "natural" or "skin" condoms.
• • A water-based lubricant. This helps keep the condom from breaking. Never use products that contain oil or fat, like petroleum jelly or cooking oil. These products weaken latex and may cause the condom to break.
• • A new condom. Use one every time you have sex, even oral or anal. Discard any "new" condom that's damaged, sticky, or brittle.

To use condoms correctly:
• • Put the condom on BEFORE any sexual contact.
• • Leave a 1/2 inch space at the tip to collect semen. Cover the penis completely.
• • Smooth out any air bubbles to reduce stress on the condom, and to increase feeling. Apply spermicide to the outside of the condom.
• • Check the condom during sex to make sure it's unbroken and still on properly.
• • Withdraw slowly right after climax. Hold the condom by it's base so it doesn't slip off. Dispose of properly.

To help further reduce the risk of contracting an STD:

• • Don't inject drugs. Sharing needles or syringes can expose you to infected blood. Not injecting drugs is an essential part of protecting yourself from STDs.
• • Avoid alcohol and other drugs. They can make you more likely to take chances when having sex.
• • Don't douche. You may force germs farther into the vagina or alter the natural balance of vaginal fluids.

The symptoms of STDs may include:

• • sores or blisters on or around the sex organs or mouth
• • pain or burning during urination
• • discharge from the penis or vagina that smells or looks unusual
• • itching, swelling, or pain in or around the sex organs

Get tested right away if you think you have any symptoms, or think you've been exposed to an STD (even if have no symptoms, talk about your STD testing needs with your doctor during your health care visits). Remember, many STDs don't have any symptoms, especially in women.

Remember: If you have an STD, seek proper medical care immediately! Home remedies can make an accurate diagnosis difficult!

If you have an STD, be sure to:

• • Talk to all sex partner(s) who may have been exposed. Encourage them to get tested. Both partners need to be treated to avoid reinfection.
• • Avoid sexual intercourse until your physician says it's okay to resume so you don't get reinfected, or spread the disease to others.
• • Follow your treatment plan and finish all medications, even if you feel well. Follow up exams can make sure treatment was effective.
• • Get counseling if you're worried or upset about having an STD. Your physician or STD clinic can recommend a counselor.

What other types of birth control help protect against STDs?

Only latex condoms are considered effective protection against STDs. Birth control pills, diaphragms, sponges, and other contraceptives do not prevent STDs.

A lot of men carry condoms in their wallets. Is this a good idea?

No. Exposure to body heat, sunlight, and extreme cold can all damage condoms and make them more likely to break.

Once I've had an STD, can I get it again?

Yes. Sex without a condom can result in getting an STD, no matter what STD you've already had.

don't believe me?: http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/std/std4.shtml

thank you- and come again soon for some more super educational information!! (:

bleh

Im almost done with school: 34 days, or 813 hours, or 48734 minutes... but who's counting? I can't wait to be done, but the crazy thing is... i'm going to miss it. Im going to miss my friends from school that i spend more time with than anyone. Watch out peeps- before you know it your life my be in my nurse hands soon (bwahahahahaha).. but really, im gonna miss school, just not all the school work.

I hate Father's day now. Sorry. I do. There are very, very few reasons i have to celebrate it. I miss my Papa John.

The 4th of July. It was always a Whicker thing. Lost Creek, Fillmore, Maple Grove, all places where we celebrated my grandpa Deans birthday. And every year (literally every year), he would reassure us all the fireworks were to celebrate his birth... i miss him too.

I sent my kiddo off camping with the sis, then he's off to Funmore for swimming lessons... ill see him in a week... i already miss the lil bug.

i miss being able to blog- i used to do it, but that was when i had more to life than nursing school...

and i miss more than anything...... ENERGY... my reserve tank is puttering on fumes here... but in good time... i sure hope it returns...

a long lost picture from maple grove i found.... awwww

perspective

i suck at blogging... but i totally blame nursing school...

and i also have no pictures.... but i totally blame nursing school...

So... to catch up on my 'super exciting, jealous of me totally' life...

Dreyton is getting ready to graduate from 2nd grade, tomorrow. that kind of freaks me out a little bit... no way i have a 3rd grader... no way... i'm only 24... crazy....

i'm in my last semester of nursing school... i'll be done the beginning of August, about 10 weeks, or 71 days, or 1709 hours... but who's counting.

this semester is by far the craziest as far as scheduling goes. i'm literally gone doing something school related or work related all but 4 days a month. i'm terrified i'm going to be depressed when i'm done with school... i won't know what to do with myself. everyone keeps mentioning i can start taking pictures again..... we'll have to see on that one.

a lot of things, experiences that have been occurring with me lately have me thinking though... about just how lucky i am. i have some pretty amazing family & friends that do some really incredible things. they always help remind me how supported i am, how lucky i am, and how ungrateful i can be. and with this semester... i've learned just how lucky i am to have my health. (however poor it may be- physically and mentally)..

we all know i hate exercise... and we all know i am semi-crazy... but i've seen just how bad a persons health and mind can get. i've seen how bad drugs can destroy someones entire life- including their kids' and families... it is so heartbreaking to watch. i've been 'fortunate' enough to go to some AA(alcoholics anonymous) and NA(narcotics anonymous) meetings FOR SCHOOL (my little facebook post landed me several messages of encouragement and support... and i can't thank you all enough to know if i really was in that situation i'd have all you backing me up). the last one i participated in sent me home in tears... it was insane. i've been close to people who have experienced this but being there hearing the stories of these people and their families just gets the perspective in your head, makes it real. i mean you hear about this all the time, but you never experience it... well at least I haven't. and i hope and pray i never do... i don't think i'm a strong enough person to endure that sort of thing... not even maybe.

so my rant... i guess its just may way to help me remember? maybe pass this info on to all my blogging friends? not sure...

i really don't like when people say, "someone else always has it worse." i don't think you should down play your situation at all... what i've learned over these few weeks is its not what your problems are, its how you react to them that is the difference. but thats just my opinion... and i'm pretty sure i'm going to work a little bit more on my reactions than my actual problems... thats the difference between me as a nursing student this semester... and the patients i care for... and its a damn fine line....

some lyrics from a new favorite song:

'When you're happy like a fool... let it take you over.

When everything is out... you gotta take it in'

i need this....

ok i really just want it.... but how cute is it seriously!? i'm not usually big into the purse/bag stuff... i just use whatever... but i really really want this to carry my camera in... i like it lots... i just can't decide what color i think i need the most...

Day of Love

for any that know me... you know i hate valentines... but this year i will be buying some Valentines.. just don't know who for.... yet.

My amazing friend Amanda that i go to nursing school with has a beautiful little girl named Ava. Ava was diagnosed with a childhood cancer of her kidneys and is undergoing chemotherapy to try and shrink the tumors enough to have surgery. This little girl is nothing short of a hero. She is the truest example of a hero. still smiling and enjoying her life through this difficult time. Her moms friend is donating 100% of her procedes to miss Ava from Feb 7th - 14th.

the link is here.

you need to have your order in by the 9th so she can get them all delicious and pretty for you though! the ordering information is on her blog.

you all know you're going to buy flowers and chocolates anyways... so you may as well spend your money on delicious cupcakes and know your money is going to an amazing cause!

thanks so much friends!

Livin the Dream!

mondays: class, work every other

tuesdays: homework, study, labs

wednesdays: testing, class, drey's baseball practice

thursdays: homework, study

fridays: clinicals

saturdays: work every other

sundays: work every other

and in the midst of this

try and squeeze time to help drey with his homework/reading, or play a game... which is rare.

get some sleep (lately i've had to use resources like Nyquil and Tylenol PM)

clean: we all know how this helps my sanity

study for my LPN exam

work on pictures (which i believe i am FINALLY caught up on... for now)

lately...

we celebrated Jana's Birthday... mourned the day we lost my Papa John two years ago & his birthday. got Jana a new dryer, tried to organize all of her food storage. put Christmas away. Tried to spend time with the bug. spent WAY too much time coupon shopping.

BUT....

all of this going on doesn't even phase me anymore... it is my life.. and most importantly, it makes me realize i am ALIVE, and so lucky to be doing all of it.

recently a good friend of mine got some devastating news about her 3 year old daughter... it is such a frustrating thing to see someone experience this and know there is absolutely nothing you can do to change it for them... all you can do is try to help. and still.. it doesn't even come close to enough.

i love this girl.. i know she is an awesome mother and person.. so i'm trying my hardest to make this situation a little bit easier for her.

but the good thing is.... my coupon shopping; its finally going to good use: her little family.

so now when i feel overwhelmed, or like i'm going to scream with frustration, i'm really gonna try to step back and realize whats important. what matters.

and honestly... thats some damn good motivation.

i misunderstood this at first... thinking he wanted a reward for being good at wrestling... but after being reinformed i realized my babe was being honest with good ol' saint nick about giving a kid a bloody nose during one of his wrestling matches, and he wasn't sure if it would count as being bad or not, so he wondered if he'd still get anything for christmas....

how cute is that??

love this kid.

merry christmas friends.

Merry Christmas Friends

Because i'm late, lazy and cheap, i didn't mail out as many cards as i wanted to. so i'm posting them for you all to see.

But really, i hope you all have wonderful & happy holidays this year. i'm sure any of you who read this are more important to me than you realize. i am terrible at showing, but i'm working on it, just how much i appreciate all that i have.

i have an awesome kid that i love tons and work my tail off for. drey keeps me going. that boy is my life, don't know what i'd be doing with out that handsome little bugger.

My amazing family, i love them all so much. they do more for me than they can imagine and i'm so grateful for everyone of them. (Especially my two naughty 2 year olds that give their mom and dad grief... he he he). my friends are the best. my co-workers are pretty much my life savers. my school friends have become like my second family to me with all the time we spend together. i could go on for days about each person that pops into my head, but we all know how pressed for time i am ;)

anyways.. i don't want to get to sappy on you all, because that would give everyone the impression i myself, am sappy. love you all.

merry christmas!!

jami & drey

whats important

i just love to hate this time of year.

nothing like happiness, joy, and bliss surrounding you to remind you how ungrateful you are.

i have been tested as a parent recently... this is nothing new, but its taken on a whole new level for me since Thanksgiving.

i can't even imagine how many times i fought with my parents thinking, ok KNOWING, that i was always right... but i can remember, and VERY specifically the few times i heard these words come from John or Jana;

"i'm so disappointed in you."

and it hurts. it hurt bad to know you've caused that.

Enter my 7 year old.

Drey is a great kid. i love him more than i can even describe. but recently, he has acquired traits that i am not fond of. he's done things that he shouldn't, and hurt some other people.

the way that makes you feel as a mother and person is indescribable.

knowing someone you have taught better and raised, has hurt someone else hurts me more than i can express.

its a hard lesson, very hard, for a 7 year old to wrap his head around, but hopefully we can learn it together.

its the time of year John got really bad, and left us missing him. its hard to remember how amazing my dad was before he was sick, but he was. seriously... he was THE BEST.

so i'm going to try hard to remember how lucky i am to have such an awesome boy, greatest family and friends and co-workers, my health, and the opportunity to go to school to learn how to help others.

so luckily... its a break for me until January. I will not even look at a nursing book, or online quiz until Jan 10th and focus on whats important.

my babe.

you gotta be kiddin me...

this wasn't the only play i said that either... but.... a wins a win. i'll take it. and i think it was the best birthday present for my brother. go utes!

(oh.. and i better not steal: the pic is from the SL Trib)

Top 10 on why to be a nurse?

Found this and thought it was funny....

10) Pay is better than McDonald's: though the hours are not.

9) Comfy shoes & Uniforms.

8) Its better to give than to receive... needles.

7) Being able to reassure people that all bleeding stops.... eventually.

6) Opportunity to be exposed to rare, exotic, and exciting diseases.

5) Interesting Aroma's.

4) Admittedly... its alot easier than med school.

3) Celebrating holidays with all your friends... at work.

2) To see just how big you can stretch your bladder and how long you can hold it.

1) Comfort in knowing people usually survive... no matter what you do to them.