Block 2 fatigue

I am four weeks away from finishing my second block in nursing school and my body is fighting me. I am exhausted. I  just want to be finished already and take a nap without feeling guilty for not studying. I don't want to worry about the next test that is coming up or learning 101 medications to pass to my patients the next day. I just keep thinking the phrase, "just keep swimming, just keep swimming." Yes, I am now quoting Finding NEMO. Hey, whatever works! Now, I need to go and study some more. I just thought I would come out of my abyss of books for just a moment.

Breakfast conversation

Katie: Mom, do short-necked giraffes exist?

Me: Huh?

Kellen: Yes, they are known as horses.

Me: LAUGHTER!

Ode to Katie

Sometimes I forget to write the sweet things that Katie does for others. I often write about the funny things my kids do. Sometimes I am not sure where Katie came from because her sweetness does not come from her mother! I am sure she got all her sweetness from her dad. Last year she formed a "Stand Up Club" at her school. She stands up to those that try to make fun of others with special needs. I believe I wrote about it last year. This year, once again, she exceeded my expectations of kindness and helped others feel good about themselves.

Every year Katie's elementary schools allows students to buy valentines for each other. The valentines are then delivered to each classroom on Valentines Day. The week before Valentines Day she collected all her dimes, nickels and pennies and brought them to school in a large manilla envelope (this was the only envelope we had in our house). The envelope was labeled "Katie's money for things at school". I had to include that because I thought it was cute. I digress....She saved up her money to buy each student with special needs in her class a valentine. She felt that those students may not get a special valentine delivered. I watched as collected her money and shed a tear of gratitude for such a sweet young girl. She is always thinking of others. She is such a little example to our family.

Horse back riding

My friend, Anika, boards horses at her house. She allowed us to come over and ride Blondie. The kids had a blast! Thanks, Anika! I am allergic to horses now (I didn't know) and didn't last long. Yep, I am a wimp! 

 What a lovely face.

 Katie and Kellen both got to steer the horse by themselves after going around the lot a couple times. They bonded with Blondie.

 Tom hopped on with Katie.

Fun pictures

Kellen and Katie's friend, Kamree. She and Kellen hug everyday at school. I think he might have a little crush.

 Our next Broadway star, Katie!

 We are grateful that Grandpa Lyle, Grandma Lyle and Uncle Scott came to support Katie.

 Funny faces!

Lovely :)

Rockets and plays

This year, Santa brought Katie and Kellen a giant rocket to color. Katie and Kellen invited their favorite friends Reese and Reaghan to help them out.

 Kellen and Reaghan

 Reese

Katie

Katie's fourth grade play was superb! Katie is in the back row, third one from the right. My camera has terrible zoom so this is as close as I could get. She played the part of the teacher and also sang a solo at the end of the play. Sometimes she is quiet but once you get to know her she is super talkative. She also loves to sing and perform. She did a wonderful job!

Here is little Katie watching the other classes perform.

Christmas Morning

Look what Santa left.....

 Toys and books and teddy bears. Katie and Kellen were spoiled rotten by Santa this year. They are wonderful little people, they deserve it.

 Kellen asked for a whoopie cushion for Christmas....he got it! He has been trying to trick everyone ever since. He even invited Grandpa Everett to sit by him at dinner. Here we all thought he was being so sweet. Turns out he had his woopie cushion ready and waiting. Sorry Grandpa!

 Katie got the coolest marker holder. She loves to draw and color. She and Kellen can sit for hours drawing pictures together.

 Happy Birthday, Nani! Nani turned 91 years young on Christmas Day. We went over for cake and ice cream that night. Sadly, Tom was really sick and missed out on our celebration. We love Nani! On Christmas Eve she brought over Nani's Grab bag. She gave everyone a present for Christmas. We all love when Nani brings her grab bag!

 Nani and her sister, Laverne.

Notice Nani is holding a hat for Tom. The hat belonged to Tom's Grandpa, John Russon. He was a wonderful man. Nani knew that Tom would like the hat and might even wear it.