Home Sweet Grateful.

Thanksgiving morning and I am home. I went to the movies last night, I slept in my own bed and now I am enjoying a bowl of Lucky Charms while my kids pick out the marshmallows and my husband gets flustered over the mixer and making bread. Is it grand? Probably not, but it's exactly where I want to be. Over the last five or six years I had missed my fair share of holidays and honestly my heart wasn't broken, the holidays had never been the same after my grandmother died. That has all changed since these little people have taken over my life. To see the joy in Karson's face when we woke up this morning and told him that today is finally Thanksgiving! I could not imagine missing that or when he dumps the yeast on the floor and cries about his father not allowing him to eat raw bread dough. You see our life is a complete cluster, so is our house, which is why I am blogging currently to avoid cleaning. I know the days are long, but the years are fast and before I know it Karson will be leaving to spend Thanksgiving at his girlfriend's house (or boyfriend's). I'm thankful that today I am home, not sitting in an empty office or watching a family cry over their dead loved one. I know that these holidays at home are limited, this one and the next to be exact and then it's back to shift work, missed holidays and crying loved ones all over again, just in a hospital this time.

I have a certain respect for all those who miss out, I've been there and I'll be back there sooner than later. Give thanks, those of you who were able to sleep in your bed and wake up to your kids (or fur-baby's) because of other people's sacrifices. No one wants to miss out, it's just part of life that some us have to and usually it's for the greater good of our community. Cheers to you and thank you for working so that I don't have to (today).

Oh... what a three months! Blink...we are here. Everyday there's been a challenge, Karson having a nuclear meltdown in the parking lot of preschool for my mom, me failing my fundamentals skill check, Kurt worrying endlessly and Kooper just going along for the ride (that was just one day). We've managed and surprisingly its worked out. The kids are on a routine schedule, which is amazing! I loved our feral days, but the kids in bed by 8 gives me the time I need at night to get work in. The worst part of it all is that I don't get to wake up with the kiddos when they are fresh and full of morning cuddles and conversations. This week has been a wonderful up for air moment. Just in time to finish this race with a super sprint.

I'm beyond thankful for the opportunity to be in nursing school. I'm thankful of the endless support that I have in my corner. When I don't think I can do it, I have a cheering section that is louder than the doubts. I have two little people who are so proud of me and tell people that their mommy is a nurse (not quite yet kiddos). In addition to my family and friends who have my back, I have made connections with some of my classmates within the last twelve weeks that I never would have dreamed of. I feel like I've know these ladies my whole life. We are all different, each of us with personality traits and skills that compliment each other. Everyone warned me that nursing school would be different, they were right in one respect nursing is a team sport, if one of us fails we all fail. There is no competition, not one ill will. School is challenging and leaving my kids is hard, but these ladies make it a lot more tolerable. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Within the last 24 hours I've seen engagements, deaths and baby announcements. Life is beautiful, the ultimate gift, be thankful for one more day on this Earth, be thankful for everyday on this Earth, the great and the challenging.