I did it!!!!

Well folks, I did it. I am now a licensed physical therapist in the state of Washington!

This dream, goal, vision, desire, began after my first child was born- about 15 years ago. She was very sick and was in the hospital and there were so many kind and giving people there that helped us through her illness and death, that I just knew I wanted to do something in the health care field that could help people. I was devastated. So, I decided to volunteer at the physical therapy department in the hospital at Fort Jackson, SC.

I loved it.

I decided right then and there that is what I wanted to do when I grew up.

And so began the journey of raising a family and attending school whenever I could fit it into my schedule.

And then the divorce. I thought my dream was over. How could I possibly continue with school being a single mom with two little ones? This wasn't how it was supposed to be (per my plans, apparently not according to the Big Guy)..... A good friend of mine encouraged me to continue with my dream. So, after much deliberation between my parents and my former husband's parents, I decided to move forward.

And that I did, despite many issues including a little mental break down from the stress and emotional state I was in from the divorce. I finally got my BA, then I was accepted to the University of Puget Sound's DPT program. More road blocks and then I graduated.

I finally graduated.

More bumps in the road (minor compared to what I had been through) and then I heard from the Department of Health- I passed the licensing exam.

Much celebration ensued. Champagne and chocolate with my co workers. Dinner and flowers from my boss and her family. Giant 5 ft roses delivered to the office. Pennant flags to hand over my desk. Cards, more chocolate, and lots of hugs and tears.

My favorite moment..... hugging Melissa for what seemed like an eternity after we both screamed and then stepping back and saying with tears in my eyes, "I guess I can do it."

Yes, people, I can do it. Perseverance. Tears. Depending on family and friends. Two kids who love me and have forgiven me for my short comings as a mother. Two parents who have given me every opportunity to succeed. In-laws that never gave up on me, even when I am certain they wanted to toss me to the curb. My body for dealing with the many extra pounds I have put on in the last 5 years. Prayers, lots and lots of prayers.

Thank you to all of you who helped me, yelled at me, prayed for me, rolled your eyes at me, hugged me, wiped my tears, picked up the slack when I dropped the ball and who are still here in my life. Even those that are still not in my life, but who came and went during this time- even you played an important part of my learning, growing, and of who I am today- thank you.

I love you all!

And hopefully I will have more available time and energy to continue this blog..... I have to do something with my time now.....

**Oh yes, Shelleyand Kat, the big "A" is on my list of things to do.... I am ready now. :) **

xoxoxo

Breaking News!!!

I recieved this most interesting information today in my inbox and I just had to share......

Obama wins HEISMAN TROPHY!
President Barack Obama won the Heisman Trophy on Friday, in a surprise pick from New York's Downtown Athletic Club that cited the president's creation of a "new climate in college football" and his work on establishing a playoff system.
Though Mr. Obama has been president for just 37 weeks and technically never played college football, the Heisman voters praised him for giving the world hope for a better post-season and encouraging the need for change.
He is also expected to win the Stanley Cup, be crowned Miss America and gain the Triple Crown - by several lengths in each race.
In related news, Obama has been nominated for the following:
* Cy Young award
* Oscar
* Grammy
* Golden Globe

Needless to say, I started my day with a smile and a a good laugh!

Prayers Please

A very dear friend of mine (we shall call him SB) is going through some extremely difficult times right now. Prayers would greatly be appreciated for him and his family.

The power of prayer is awesome, so thank you in advance!

Catching up from June...

In June I hiked Crystal Peak. Here are some of the breathtaking shots....

Mt Rainier

Spreading Phlox.

Elk poo.

Scarlett Paintbrush.

Beargrass.

Yummy.

Baby huckleberries.
My favorite.

Happy girl.

Mt Rainier again.

Upper Crystal Lake.

At the top and tired.

I need snacks.

Resting at the top.

Little bit of snow....

It was a super fun and gorgeous hike. I hope to do more next year.

Catching up from May...

It was right about graduation time that I kind of stopped posting. So I decided to catch up from there.... what a perfect place to start.... the end of my student days and the beginning of my career... The only words to describe it...... I MADE IT!!!!

Click on the photo.....

where is waldo???

Ok, so maybe I am not Waldo but I am hard to find on the the Internet.
In all honesty, face book took over my blogging life for awhile. Then I got tired of that.
So I downsized. Now I will be returning to what I enjoy more and what is more productive to me.... blogging.

So, hold onto your hats, but don't hold your breath, because there are lots of things to be posted from the hiatus I have taken from my blog......

Miss you all too!!! :)

Quote of the Day

Austin: I don't like Thomas anymore.

Me: Why?

Austin: He's stealin' all my thunder.

Updated update on Austin

He is here. Again. For 3 weeks. Yay!

Last time he was here was for a few days when I graduated in May. He has changed SO MUCH in a few short months. He has a deeper voice (if you can believe that, since his voice was pretty deep to begin with) and he is taller than I am. Finally. He is so excited about that! Finally taller than his mom.

He is sleeping, eating, helping my dad with projects around the house, playing his game, checking his myspace, texting, swimming, and reminding us that he is "on vacation." He is running around doing annoying little things, which are apparently amusing to him. I think he may start to think that his name is "Austin... stop."

It is hard for me to realize that he is 15 and going into 10th grade. I still think of him the age when he left last summer.... he has grown so much since then. We have had some really good mom-austin talks..... like we used to. I love it. So, not that much has changed.....His sense of humor, his ability to walk into a room with the whirl wind that surrounds him, his ability to make everyone laugh, and his moodiness when he doesn't get his way.

We have a busy time planned. Seems like we have more things to do than we have time to do them in. But we are slowly working everyone and everything in.

I am glad his move last summer to live with his dad is working out so well. He has found the answers to whatever was making him so angry. He is doing very well.... and I am surviving having him gone for most of the year.

Updated update on Paige

Paige just returned (on Saturday) from being in Texas for 6 weeks. It was the first time ever that both parties (dad and daughter) agreed to spend that much time together. As with any child anywhere in the united states of America,during summer break, she was bored most of the time. But some of the high lites of the trip were going to Six Flags over Texas, seeing her step mom, and going to movies with her dad and brother.



Like I said, she returned home on Saturday. On Sunday we went to church, did some last minute camp supply shopping, she packed for camp, then off I drove to take her to summer camp with her friends. She s currently being immersed with friends and the beauty of this part of the country during the best time of the year... summer.... for a week.



Then she will return home, on Saturday, and I will get her for the rest of the summer. She starts 8th grade in September. Can't believe how old she is getting.



I am the mom of 2 teenagers! Yikes!

For My Littlest Angel

Sweet little flower so frail and new.
A sweet little nose and eyes of blue.

Away from out garden and not full grown,
Our love we send with you to sit on His thown.

So blessed to have known you, to rock you awhile,
To feel your sweet breath, to see your eyes smile.

~Bobbi Hubbard


Happy Birthday~ I love you Cassandra Lauren.
~love, mom