Graduation! I'm done, I'm done, I'm done!

Yes, it has finally happened. The culmination of 2 1/2 years of hard work and long hours. I presented my Synthesis on May 5th and Graduation was May 6th. Needless to say it was a crazy stressful week. I can't believe it is finally here. I still wake up and think I need to be checking my email, or writing a paper, or checking on students. It feels great to be home and actually be home and not have my head somewhere else. Thanks to my brother I have a few pictures of the event. I was actually nervous to walk across the stage.

Danyka was there to greet me after the ceremony.

This is Gayle. She has been my study buddy since I started the program. We wouldn't have made it through the program without each other. We have spent a lot of time in the car and on the phone discussing assignments and supported each other through our life changing events over the last 3 years.

This is Dr. Helen Zsohar. She is the chair of the Teaching Nursing Masters program. She taught me in my undergrad program. She has been a wonderful mentor, example, and support through out the program. I am grateful to have been able to learn from her.

This is my awesome Cohort. Monte Roberts, Me, Helen, Gayle, Kimberly Weaver-Lewis, Guenever Parsley, Rieneke Holman, and Kesa Herlihy. Monte was honored at graduation and Rieneke was a nominated speaker. This has been a great rewarding group with which to work.

My cute little family who will be so happy to have me home again.

I certainly wouldn't be here with out the support of my Mom and Dad. They always push me to keep trying and have been willing to help watch Danyka whenever needed.

My Mother-in-Law came to show support for the Nichols side of the family. They will be glad to have me done as well so that I can actually be apart of family gatherings and not rushing home to get the last minute homework done.

Sarah, Ryun and Taly. My two siblings which live in town came to support me as well. I was grateful to have them there. It made the event much more real.

It was a great day, and despite being uncomfortable I'm glad my son was there with me as well. I look forward to him as my next great adventure. I will also embark on a teaching position at UVU come fall. I will be an adjunct clinical teacher in the nursing program.

Easter 2010

So since I don't have a camera, I borrowed one from my Mother-in-law so I could have some pictures of Danyka for Easter. I can't believe I even found time to enjoy Easter but I decided I needed to keep a few traditions alive. Danyka had fun coloring the eggs this year. She wanted to draw on them with the crayons first before we dyed them. She picked most of the colors, but mom enjoys egg coloring too!

My sweet little girl. She did very good not making a mess. I just had to reminder her she couldn't color on the wet eggs.

David did his token egg this year and he did his usual mushroom scene. I had to get a picture.

Easter morning Danyka got up and found all the eggs. She was very fun! She loved finding them all. She was so excited to opened her Easter basket. The Little Mermaid doll was a big hit as you can tell.

Danee is wearing her Tinkerbell wings. She didn't enjoy them as much as I thought she would.

Thanks Grammy for letting us borrow the camera.

Up Date

On February 14th We announced to our families that we are expecting number 2 and baring any major surprises we were sure it was going to be a boy. My pregnancy has been very different from Danyka's. I have been much more sick this time around. I have also been much more tired but school may have something to do with that. After announcing that we were expecting my Camera decided to grow legs and run away. We can't find it anywhere, so I have been without a camera. That is why I have been such a slacker in the blog department. However, my semester has been so busy that I doubt I would have had much time to do any better. This is my last semester and I have been feeling the grind. I feel as though they have tried to cram the last years into 1 semester just so they make sure I get it down. I have been doing my student teaching at BYU. I have had a great experience but I am sure ready for a break. I will finish the first week in May, and I cannot wait to be done. I look forward to being a mom again and to cleaning my house as it is in desperate need. I don't think Danyka will know what to do with me when I don't have homework to do. David will be so excited to have me do something around the house besides look at my laptop.
We did survive March and all the birthdays. I turned 27 this year and I actually got a whole day with my family. David was off for my birthday for the first time in 3 years. It was very nice to finally have a day with my family. We haven't been together very much the last couple of months and we sure enjoyed being together.
Anyway, all is well. So, if anyone has or finds my Camera I am in desperate need.

January 2010

In January we had another baby born to one of Davids sisters. Kirsten had her 2nd girl and we went to the hospital to see the new arrival. I picked up the new little bundle and realized I didn't remember how to hold a new little baby anymore. Danyka also wasn't a big fan of mom holding the baby. Danyka however liked the little baby. She was very soft and whispered to her instead of talking in a normal voice.

Love a baby cousin. This is the first girl since Danyka on Davids side of the family. These poor girls are surrounded by boys.

We enjoyed our visit to the hospital but Danyka was ready to go!

Holiday Season

I have been terrible about taking pictures this Holiday Season. Between the end of the semester, getting decorated, Christmas shopping, and spending time with family, grabbing the camera was the last thing on my mind. I also had to work Christmas Eve and Christmas day so I didn't get to be at home as much as I would have liked. December was a busy month.

I found an old holiday dress of mine in my moms stored things and I couldn't resist putting Danyka in it.

My sweet little girl. Can you tell the dress is over 20 years old?

I thought she looked pretty dang cute. As you can tell my Christmas tree didn't get decorated until after finals. I had to change about 1/2 the lights on it. I HATE light problems.

My sister came into town just before Christmas. We all got together the Sunday before to have the kids picture taken for my Moms Christmas card. I loved the girls dresses and for the most part the kids behaved pretty well.

Goofy girl. Danyka enjoyed being the center of attention.

Christmas morning is always a bit of a whirlwind trying to spend time with everyone. This year Grandpa and Grammy Nichols came to our house in the morning to save us a little time. We had our little Christmas at home. Danyka took a bit to wake up but she was so much fun this year. She couldn't wait to play with her toys or open her presents.

After we were done we went up to my moms house to have Christmas with the rest of the family. This Christmas was a bit overwhelming. We are so grateful for the generosity of our family. I sure hated to leave and go to work.

All in all we had a very Merry Christmas. It was fun to spend time with family. The festivities were over way too fast. I look forward to next year when I won't have school to worry about. I'll try to be better about the picture taking. We hope you all have a Happy New Year. Good luck in all your endeavors.