Grosgrain: Orange Poppy GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Grosgrain: Orange Poppy GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Grosgrain: Yellow Finch Designs GIVEAWAY!!!!

Grosgrain: Yellow Finch Designs GIVEAWAY!!!!

Steven's Birthday

Okay, right now I am super annoyed that dumb blogspot won't let me move around these pictures in the right order! I tried multiple times to no avail. Hopefully this will be the only post like this. These pictures are really, late, I know, but I haven't been in a "bloggy" mood lately. For Steven's actual birthday (9/11) we didn't really do much but Josh's mom did bring over some balloons (which he LOVED!). That Sunday we had the family over & had cake & ice cream. There aren't a lot of pictures from that night; we took mostly video. I'm a little bummed that I didn't take any pictures of the actual guests but there will be plenty more birthdays to make up for that ;)

Steven after devouring his cake & ice cream Smashing up the cake
The birthday cake. Those letters were ridiculously hard to write! I don't know if it was the type of icing I used or what but by the time I wrote the "N" my hands were completely blue (the icing seeped through the bag) & throbbing. I'm not sure I'll ever do that again....Steven playing with his balloons
He really liked them...

Final Results

Well, here they are: our much talked about family photos! I think they look pretty great :) Josh says he hates the way I did Steven's hair (he is SO picky about the strangest things!) but I like them :) These were taken at the International Peace Gardens near downtown Salt Lake. I had no idea they were there but the gardens were so pretty. Thanks again to our amazing photographer from http://atminaphotography.com! Enjoy :)

Family Photos 2

On Saturday (the 12th) Josh, Steven, & I had some family photos taken. We went with Atmina Photography & had a lot of fun with them. Their website has a few of the pictures they took of us so you can get a sneak peek. I'll post more as soon as I get them (hopefully today!!)

Thanks Jill & Jenn!! :)

http://atminaphotography.blogspot.com/

ONE YEAR!!

Today Steven is ONE YEAR OLD!! Ah! That's so crazy!! How can that much time have past?? He is such a huge joy in our lives & I am SOOOO grateful that he is in our family!!
About to devour a lime

He seems to like it! Although that's probably due to the fact that it was sitting in Dr. Pepper for an hour & isn't all that sour anymore... ;)
Trying to stick a huge soup spoon in his mouth

Steven LOVES books :)
...and being read to

I love this morning hair picture!

I think he wants to tackle a real cup...

Right before his first hair cut

Right after his first hair cut. He was pretty traumitized by the clippers but the lollypop at the end made it all better ;)

For whatever reason, Steven LOVES to put things (shirts, towels) around his neck. Here he has my purse at shirt...

Oh, and he loves his toothbrush! I hope that's a good sign...

Two favorite things: toothbrush & soccer ball

Ahhhhh!!!!

So about 2 minutes ago I just submitted my application as a transfer student to Utah Valley University. Why? You may ask. Why am I seemingly turning my back on BYU to apply to the Utah Valley rival (not the biggest rival, obviously, just the closest one)?? ;) Well, I will tell you.
A few months ago I just had this really strong feeling that I should apply to Nursing school & finish my long-ago started degree. I always had the intention of getting my Nursing degree but when I got pregnant with Steven & after having him I felt fine with waiting until my kids were a little bit older. So I was VERY surprised when I started having this feeling like I needed to finish school NOW. I couldn't get the thought off of my mind, I couldn't sleep (which I very rarely have a problem with) & I just couldn't let it go until I made up my mind that I would apply. I don't know why I had this feeling; call it divine inspiration or premonition; whatever. I just know that this is something I should do. I know it's going to be harder than anything I've ever done but I think the sacrifice will be well worth it. What if, HEAVEN FORBID, something happends to Josh? Even if he's just injured, he doesn't really have the kind of job where he could just sit around at a desk. Even if that doesn't happen (let's hope it never does), what if times get even rougher & there's not as much work for Josh's company? Or what if I simply get bored when my kids start going to school? I really have no idea what the future holds; I may not even work very much when I get my degree. All I know is that I feel really good about this decision.
So on to why UVU. Firstly, BYU's Nursing program is EXTREMELY difficult to get into. While I was a full-time student I (hate to admit it) was not a very good student, simply out of laziness. I know I wouldn't be able to get into BYU's program so I had to look elsewhere. I have looked into the U of U's program & their's is very good as well. I had also considered SLCC but they only off an Associate's degree & I already have all of my prerequisites done for a Bachelor's degree (once I get my RN) so I really didn't want to have all that time & money go to waste if there was an option to get a BSN at the same time as an RN. I looked into UVU & found that they now offer a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) & their tuition is HALF the price of the U's. So there you have it. It'll be an annoying commute but well worth the money I'll be saving. Once I get "accepted" to UVU (it's an open enrollment school; I HOPE I get in! ;) ) I can apply to the Nursing program. By mid-November or early December I will know if I am accepted & if I get to start their program in early 2010.
I'm pretty excited, nervous, & anxious for this opportunity. Wish me luck, all!! I will definitely need it!