Breaks. my. heart...

This morning was particularly rough for Jack at school.  I can speculate that it's a) not enough naps this weekend (we were just having too much fun), b) he is experiencing the same lack of motivation that his mom is, after the long break from school, c) he just wants to be held by his momma. 
My poor baby screamed when I left this morning and I had to restrain myself from running back in the room and squeezing him one more time.  It just tugs on the heart strings when your baby is crying.  I pray for him to have a good day with no outbursts, a nice long nap, and lots of laughter with his friends.
Today I'm thankful for his daycare teachers that love him when he's at school. 
Until next time...

And heeeeere we go!

It's here-- the race to the semester finish line and boy have I got a LOT to do!  But, it's going to fly, I know it.  19 days until Christmas break.  I. CAN. DO. THIS!  It's surreal to think we're almost in our last semester at school.  It's so close I can taste it! 
This past weekend was awesome.  We got to spend time with both of our families and that hasn't happened in the past 5 years Reid and I have been together.  Reid's family from Texas was in town and we had lots of food, laughter, and pitch playing.  I love that his family knows how to play pitch!  Me and Reid's cousin Neal beat everyone!   It was fun to play with him; he reminded me so much of my little brother Thomas.  They are the same age, so maybe it's just a 15 y/o boy mannerism. 
Thursday night Reid and I braved the Wal-mart crowds for Black Friday specials.  We have 2 more gifts on our list to purchase and that's IT!  It feels good to have that almost completed.  We put our Christmas lights up in our trees outside and we have plans to put up inside decorations this next weekend. 
My family came to KC on Friday night and left today (Sunday).  It was so wonderful to have them visit.  They came for a special Mass at our church.  Reid and I have been attending RCIA classes at St. Andrew's.  For those who do not know what RCIA is: Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults.  Laymans terms: a class for those considering entering the Catholic church, or for anyone that just wants to learn more about the church.  Anyways- Saturday was the official "welcome" by our priest, to those persons in the class.  My dad and mom wanted to be here and it worked out perfectly.  All but Tim was present (Tim had basketball all weekend) and we got to enjoy our family time with good eats, fun game time together, and celebrated my dad's 54th birthday. 
Tonight we went to meet William Joseph Altenhofen, one of my best friend's new baby.  He arrived 17 days early and we are so excited to watch this beautiful baby grow up.  Little Will has a full head of dark hair and he's just a tiny little peanut.  Jack picked out a glow worm to take him and was so sweet to him when he held him.  It made me excited for someday in the future when we're blessed with a baby brother (ok, or sister) for our little Jack.  He's going to be a great big brother someday. 
And now, since I didn't take ANY pictures in the past 5 days, I will leave you with some recent funnies from Jack:
*Last night at 54th St Jack spotted a peanut M&M character on the wall that was sitting in a armchair with his head resting on his hand and Jack said, "That M&M is sad!" 
*This morning I went in to wake him up and told him it was Ye-Ye's (grandpa) birthday today.  He replied, "And tomorrow is Jesus' birthday?" 
*He told my family today that "we put up Christmas lights for Jesus' birthday."  I said, "who puts up Christmas lights?"  Jack said, "The city does.  The whole city puts up Christmas lights for Jesus' birthday!" 

Apparently Jack's excited for Jesus' birthday and I LOVE that he knows it's Jesus' birthday.  Jesus IS the reason for the season.  :)
Until next time...

Random 10

So, I haven't blogged recently, primarily because I haven't had time.  Secondly- I lack inspiration at the moments that I actually have free time.  So, I'm stealing from a friend's (yes, Molly you!) blog to write "10 random things in 10 minutes.....ready....GO!

1) I'm so happy to have my feet up after a long day.  Gerontology clinical was today at a nursing home and as much as I was dreading it, it turned out to be a great day.  My 2 patients were so sweet and friendly.  One said to me- "I hope you learned something from me and have a great future.  Lots of kids!"  :)  He was adorable.

2)  I'm really excited for the chicken, scalloped potatoes, dinner roll meal I'm about to whip up for my boys! 

3)  I don't really care about any of the dancers on DWTS and yet I CAN'T STOP WATCHING...ugh.  Such a waste of my little TV time I get.  I have SO many shows to watch so I suppose I could stand to "trim the fat".  But, again...can't let go! 

4)  Speaking of "trim the fat"-- yesterday I signed into Facebook and was absolutely apalled to see a porn picture blazing at me on my news feed from a "friend".  Apparently some stupid bug is going around posting bad pics without the owners knowing.  So, I have decided I'm trimming the fat. I do NOT need all these "extra" people on my sight.  Yes, I may know you and I might have talked to you 4 years ago, but really you're out.  However, the process of deleting people is taking WAY TOO LONG...so I got 30 off last night...probably need about 300 or so more done.  Maybe in class tomorrow!? :)

5)  I'm so ready for Thanksgiving break next week!  I have Tuesday- Friday off-- woo woo!!  I cannot even tell you how busy this week is and I am going to L-O-V-E some time off.  I will have some schoolwork to do, but I just need a break. 

6)  I wish I had more money.  Who doesn't, right?  I have so many things I wish I buy.  And things I wish I could pay off (loans, house, cars, water purifier...but that's a whole other story).  I should count my many many blessing and not complain about money...but I guess not having a job makes me wish it a bit more. 

7) I can't wait for Jack to get home in a few minutes.  It is one of the best feelings for him to run through the door and yell "mommmmmmy" and squeeze my neck so hard.  He is the sweetest boy ever.  The other day at dinner I said, "Jack Kirby..do you know what?  I love you."  He replied, "Aww- thank you.  You're so nice mommy.  I love you too."  Ah- melt my heart.

8)  I do not want to go to class tomorrow.  Or write my research paper.  Or go to clinical on Thursday.  Did I mention earlier I'm ready for break!?

9)  I'm running out of thoughts...oh here's one- I miss playing the piano.  I need to schedule that in some time....since i have to schedule everything.

10) I'm looking forward to a trip to the KC Zoo this weekend (weather permitting).  Free entry for KC, MO residents with a proof of residency.  We love the zoo and didn't get to go this summer, so I suppose November isn't too late, right!?

DONE!  Hope you enjoyed. 
Until next time...

Funny of the day

I could probably change this blog into a "funny Jack quote of the day" blog and have enough to fill each day with laughter.  I love my little, intelligent, and inquisitive boy.  He sure makes for some good smiles.
Tonight on the drive home from dinner with our friends Matt and Lacey (in the dark mind you) he yelled, "It's a taxi!  A black taxi!"  Matt said, "You don't want to take those kind of taxis."  I realized he saw a police car and thought it was a black taxi. Too funny...
Until next time...

Time seriously flies...even if it's not all fun!

I CANNOT believe it has been been almost 2 months since my last post!  Oops...I am determined to get this updated today and it's now 950pm and the day is almost over. 
A lot has been going on in the past 2 months so I'll try to keep it to the highlights...

* I am now finished with both Pediatrics and OB rotations for nursing clinicals.  Both were great experiences and both are areas I could see a future in.  But, my pediatrics rotation really "sealed the deal" for me.  I have wanted to be in pediatrics for as long as I can remember and I'm excited to say that this is what I want to do.  I'm hopeful to find employment at Children's Mercy after graduation, but I know that it is difficult to get a job there.  My goal is to keep doing well in school and working hard and I know that it will work out the way that it is supposed to.



Our Service Project at Franklin Elementary: Handwashing Techniques with kiddos.  Teaching kids is a fun part of nursing school!

* On October 1st we took Jack to his first Arrowhead experience for the annual NW vs Pitt State game.  He did awesome!  Seriously I love portable dvd players because he was able to sit and watch CARS while mommy and daddy enjoyed the tailgate with our friends.  He also chowed down on tailgate food like a champ!  During the game he was cheering "defense" and "Go Bearacts" like he's been doing it for years.  Unfortunately the Bearcats lost the game, but it was still a fun day.

Our Bearcat family



Annual Arrowhead is not complete without this photo!

 * We returned to Carolyn's Pumpkin patch this year for what seems to be turning into another annual outing.  We now have 3 years of pictures at the patch.  It's fun to see how much Jack has changed.  He loved the animals, watching the pig races, and eating pumpkin donuts.  This year we were able to go with Jack's buddy Owen and his parents. 

These are 2 cuties, if I do say so myself

2011 Carolyn's Pumpkin Patch

* We took our family pictures in early October at William Jewell's (my school) campus.  It was a nice afternoon...and let me just say we've had a BEAUTIFUL fall!  The leaves were turned, Jack was cooperative, and I'm so happy with the results.  Clicks by Charity, Charity Trotter shot them and you should definitely check her out on Facebook!

* Halloween was just this past weekend and we had a lot of fun.  I'd say this year Jack really knew what was going on.  He was dressed up as Lightning McQueen's Pit Crew member ($5 on the last Just Between Friends sale!).  We went out with Owen, Hudson, Brynley, and Laini and the kiddos had so much fun.  We were complimented multiple times on our polite children.  And I have to say that our little people were very friendly.  They all said please and thank you at every house.  Watching Jack's methodical way of picking his one piece of candy was crackin' me up.  He'd say, "Hmm (and think for a few seconds)...I'll take this one!"  He was very excited and he got quite the loot.  Mommy is not looking forward to eating all the stuff Jack "can't eat".  :) 

* We also helped celebrate my Grandma Skoch's 81st birthday this last weekend in Seneca, KS.  We surprised her at Valentino's for dinner and took her to play Bingo.  Her face was priceless and she said her favorite phrase, "Oh, for-evermore!" when she walked through the door.  I'm thankful for that time with her and for us to see some of our extended family. 
So...those are the "big" events.  Sprinkle in a baby reveal party for our friend's, Maria and Sheldon Cook, the birth of my friend Alessia's daughter Laini, a roadtrip to Hastings with the little guy, and alot of studying and working. 

Will leave you with a recent "funny" from Jack:
Last night in church for All Saints Day, I whispered, "Ok Jack, lets go up (for Communion) to see Fr. Rogers."  He said, "Nooooo".  I said, "Yes, he will give you a blessing!"  And Jack softly replied, "And he will give you a chip?"  :)  I couldn't contain my laughter.  His innonence warms my heart...I suppose the communion wafer does kind of resemble a potato chip. 

I love this boy! 

Until next time...