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I did it! I graduated from nursing school and now to pass the NCLEX this month. I also start my new job TOMORROW at the emergency department. Lot of life changes in the last 4 years, and I have to admit, I never had nightmares about school, but this new job and passing boards are messing with my HEAD!

Spring semester is coming to an end with 2 finals on Wednesday. Jacks last day of preschool and a couple weeks of down time. George has Kindergarten graduation at the end of May. It looks like I won't be having much of a summer break this year with MedSurg II and Pharm II. it will be a busy blur of clinicals classes and tests. I cant wait for this to be over! December 13th cannot come soon enough, but I also don't look forward to the boys growing up to fast while I'm busy. They are already so big. George's first school field trip to the zoo, and Jack and I got to tag along. Then the next day we got to watch my little sister get her Masters degree in mental health counseling. So proud!! And glad some of the family got together. Joe, Jen and my Dad drove in.

Wednesday nights

This is our typical Wednesday nights with Ryen and Shannon. They love dancing on the table to pandora radio while I make dinner. (No one has fallen off yet, knock on wood)

Jack and Rex

The boys being test subjects for my photography assignments.

This would have been so cute if George's eyes were open

Action shots behind the house...

Little trip to Trolley Square



Ignoring the pile of laundry, and the dust bunnies in the hallway. I decided to post some fun photos, since Shaun has to let me have the camera every once in a while for my photography class.....

The little boys new room!

TA DA! It's done

Helping with Laundry....

My little big helpers.
Our daily routine is snuggling for about 30 minutes in the morning, getting up and taking daddy to school, come home and make breakfast to some Ben Folds Pandora music, starting some laundry, cleaning the kitchen, watch a little PBS "Super Why" while mom checks e-mail, pays bills, and coupons. Then out on the town to go grocery shopping, park or Library time (which has been suspended till January). Come home for Lunch and a nap.
George is talking more and more every day. He loves to hang with big brother and friends. Really likes Spider Man. Would hang out in the garage all day if it was up to him.
Jack is walking down the stairs upright as of this week. He will climb anything fearlessly. Signing is finally taking hold and he will sign, more, milk, ouch, nap, hungry and all done without prompting now. He thinks George has hung the moon, but they still fight occasionally.
We are re-doing their room completely this week with a new blue paint job and a nice sturdy bunk-bed. Before and after pictures to follow.

School is in Session!

Wow! Summer flew by so fast. Back to school we go. It should come as no surprise to anyone that has seen Hannah's previous videos I've posted that she won the position for this years school film as Director of Photography. She is the first female and the YOUNGEST ever chosen for the honor. We have a future Academy Award winner on our hands here. David is a infinite life saver by watching the young ones while we are busy with school and helping Dad with editing of clients photos, becoming just as proficient as Dad. He was just on the roof trimming trees away from the chimney (shirtless I might add) any chance he gets to flex some muscle I suppose. More later..... back to work.

Mitchell July

Extreme Couponing....

So as many of you know I have been a big fan of the coupon game for the last 4 years.....
I love trying to beat the system and it's so easy lately due to the many blogs dedicated to my HOBBY. So I decided to try what the big wigs do and had Shaun take a picture this morning when I got home from shopping. Anyway......this is everything I bought this morning for LESS THAN $50......



I hit Target and spent $36.21 out of pocket (+ got $10 back in gift cards), total saved was $53.92
K-Mart spent $2.19 for 4 Infusium products, saved $24.37
Smiths spent $10.84 for groceries (+$3 back on my next order), saved $44.76 (the 38.11 that the receipt says is just store savings, not including coupons)

So I would have spent $172.29 if I paid full price, but spent only $49.24 instead for all of it. It is do-able and not hard. Just takes a little planning.
8 boxes of cereal
4 Sunny D
3 milks
dozen eggs
a lot of bananas
4 frozen apple juice
2 tortillas
hotdogs
butter
Betty Crocker potatoes
Coffeemate creamer
4 boxes of cookies
4 bags of cat food
4 cat treats
2 cat litters
4 Infusium shampoo/conditioner
2 carpet cleaners
2 Raid bug sprays
2 Schick shavers
and Huggies swim pants for Jack, with free sunscreen!! ;)

TaaDuh!! as George would say.

PS this is not my best, just average, I have actually left the register with the store owing me money before. NO KIDDING.

My amazing family....

I didn't even recognize my own son!

Dad, Hannah, George and Jack got there before David and I so they had finished and I looked right past the cute little blond boy trying to find my baby. Little did I know the cute little blond boy WAS my baby.....