May there be just enough clouds in your life to create a glorious sunset

~ Author Unknown ~

I have been wanting to go to this festival since Mike and I got married and I moved to the area 5 years ago! But something has come up each time….illness, labor, hurricane… it’s always been something! Not this year!! Not only were we able to go, but I was able to just relax and enjoy some quality family time because I didn’t have my usual Monday morning pharmacology test! It was a much needed break for all of us. I’m not sure why I have had such an obsession about going… I think it stems from memories I have of my Granny Gert and Joseph. The neighbors behind them were balloonist and invited us to go up one summer. It was absolutely amazing. I still remember all of it very clearly. Amarillo isn’t much too look at from the air, but the feeling of being in a hot air balloon is like no other. Not only do I remember going up and chasing the balloon from land while my brother took his turn, I also remember that my mom taped over the home video accidentally. (It’s okay Mom, I still love you!) My dream would be to someday go to the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque. But until then, the NASA RE/MAX Ballunar Festival is pretty darn cool!! Here are some of my favorite shots of the day….

I began my life as a Wildcat and when I was just 11 years old, my parents threw a wrench into my life! We were MOVING! In my limited mind, it was the end of the world. The worst thing ever. I soon came to grips with the move, made friends, made memories and even graduated from High School as a Perryton Ranger. Now, 16 years later, my parents have sold our home and moved back to Canadian! Yah, it’s another wrench! I still considered Perryton to be my home, even though I moved to Houston almost 5 years ago. I guess it kinda grew on me! When we first moved to Perryton, there was always one Friday night in September when we didn’t know where we belonged? Were we Wildcats or were we Rangers? After time, we became tried and true Rangers. I was a cheerleader and I had a brother that played with Big Red deep into the playoffs! I bled RED! Actually, my parents graduated 3 Rangers! And now… we’re back to the “not belonging” You see, tonight both my homes meet up to battle it out on the big green field. I’m actually glad I’m not able to be home this weekend! For one, I wouldn’t know where to sit and secondly, I think I’d be too emotional when it came time to leave. I haven’t been back since my parents sold their home, and I know it would have been difficult to have to drive 45 minutes home, instead of just around the wheat fields!! So, tonight I will have my radio on and I will Cheer for both teams! After all, no matter who wins or who looses, Wildcats will always boil at 212 degrees and Ranger Pride Will Never Die….

And the final outcome?? The Wildcats just didn’t boil tonight. The Rangers managed a huge upset and sent the cats home with their tails between their legs… 51-35

I’m a little late getting this posted, but better late than never, right? I cannot believe my sweet little boy is 3! I know it is so cliche, but it really did happen in just the blink of an eye! He’s such a sweetie -and very much a mama’s boy! I love it! When we move back in after the toilet incident, he got a new twin bed - he’s still so excited to go to sleep everynight in his new firetruck bed (he got a firetruck tent for his birthday!) He adores “school”, even asks every night if he can go back tomorrow! I love hearing him talk about his little sister - he refers to her as “my madeline” - it’s adorable! We had his party at the Hotel where he caused us to live for 3 months, only fitting we thought! It was an Elmo swimming party and even one month later he’s still talking about “Big Elmo” that came to his party! Some kids loved Elmo and some, not so much! Aiden sure did (and special thanks to Christopher for helping out at the last minute and donning the oven suite when the original character couldn’t stay!!) Jennifer of Cakes By Jennifer did the awesome cake! In this area and need a great baker? I can hook ya up! I need to get back to my books, I just wanted to make a quick post! Enjoy!

He was cute then, but look at this ham Now! Such a cutie patootie!

The cake was adorable, but even better, it was chocolate AND melted in your mouth! Cakes by Jennifer rock!

 The party favors!
I made the suckers using a mold from Ebay and then melted over 70 crayons to make the characters to go with the coloring books. Again, used molds from Ebay!

Aiden loved “Big Elmo” but poor MJ wasn’t as crazy!

Mike made the Birthday Street sign, it was too cute!

All in all, Aiden had a great time! He is now loaded down with Elmo stuff I really do wish time would slow down a bit though, before I know it I’ll be walking him into Kindergarden!!

You better believe that I miss myself!  I knew when I started this program that it was going to be very fast and incredibly intense. I was aware that I was going to clearing my social calendar until May 2010. However, I was not prepared for being so exhausted and overwhelmed, nor did I realize that I’d always feel so guilty. I not only miss my friends, but I also miss my family! Mike has become Mr. Mom. He takes the kiddos to daycare and picks them up on most days as well.  He cooks dinner, bathes them and puts them to bed. I feel like I’ve been having an affair with my books! I made it through my first semester with flying colors. 3 b’s and an impossible-to-get- A from Mr. Cooper in clinicals. I was super happy. Now that this semester has begun, I feel that all the air has been deflated from my motivation balloon. It’s a struggle to open my books and accompolish any effective studying!  (Case in point - I’m writing this post instead of studying!) Just so my followers can have an idea for what I’m doing, I’m attaching my the syllabus for each of my classes this semester. I’m on campus M & F for lectures all day long and in the hospital T&W.  On Friday, I have 6 hours of Med-Surg Lectures - I’m pretty sure that qualifies for cruel-and-unusual punishment! And see all of the highlight on those schedules? Those are exams! I have one almost every Monday in Pharmacology! So, now you will know what I’m up to when I disappear for weeks at a time. I will still be accepting photography appointments, but they will be on a very limited basis. So, if you know now that you want a session, please don’t wait until the last minute to schedule. Keep watch for information about Mini sessions specifically for holiday cards! My holiday dead-line will likely be the end of October this year to help avoid adding gobs of stress to my life And as always, I appreciate the prayers and support. Right now it feels almost like the end of the world, but I know when Mother’s Day gets here next year, it will all be worth it!!

After 86 very, very long days, our home is finally completed!!! Who knew that one roll of toilet paper + one busy toddler + one tired mommy could do soo much damage!! Actually, we’ve been back in the house for a week now, but nursing school has kept my nose buried in my books, so I’m just now getting around to posting! It has certainly been an adventure! A few wrong paint colors, floor decisions, bad texture jobs, ahh, the joys of dealing with contractors. For a while, we weren’t sure if we’d survive this ordeal. But we have and we are finally back in our home. It’s still a wreck, but at least we’re home! It doest feel a bit strange though, the floors are so different that at times it doesn’t even feel like this is our house! I just have to brag on my amazing hubby, he stayed up til 4am one night last week to paint our room as a surprise! It looks awesome. And Mom, thank you! Thank you! Thank you!! I’m very fortunate that you spend an entire week down here just to help get things back in place! We’d be wading through boxes at Christmas if it weren’t for you!!

I know some of the Staybridge staff read my blog, so I just want to say, on behalf of our entire family, thank you so much for your amazing hospitality! Chirag & Raul, you two have built a beautiful hotel and I feel very fortunate that we were able to call it “home”. Chenille and Leah, you guys are the greatest managers ever! Thank you for the love and attention shown to our kiddos - Aiden is really going to miss that place!! Nathan, Sam, Sarah, Rachel & Cherise - thanks for always giving me a new key card with a smile At last count, I believe we returned 12!! Ha ha! Purida - I’m going to miss my fresh towels and made bed every day!! And Mr. Morris, I’m already missing you! Okay, I confess, I miss your breakfast!! But seriously, you are a wonderful man - we’ll miss your laugh and smile! I promise to bring the kids by to say Hi from time to time though! I guess it’s true… all good things must come to an end. Thank you again Staybridge - it was a wonderful 86 days! Mike and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend you guys to anyone! And readers, if you happen to need a room, be sure to call Staybridge… and tell them that the Collins’ sent ya!

I must get back to my books now, I just wanted to let everyone know that we were finally HOME!

Better late than never, right? I hope so! I’m still trying to make my way through nursing school and most days I feel like I’m failing miserably! It’s become very difficult to juggle all of my many roles - there simply isn’t enough time in the day! We didn’t do much for the 4th this year, it was moving weekend, so we just tried to quickly unpack boxes so that I could feel some sembalence of “normal” when I went back to class on Monday. We worked all day, went out to eat, then took the kiddos to watch fireworks in Webster. Nothing major, but it was great to have Gigi with us! Maybe next year I can take Mike and the kids back home for a Canadian 4th (no, not Canada… Canadian, Texas!!) Aiden loved the fireworks. I wasn’t sure how he was going to react at first, since he doesn’t like noise, but he ended up being fascinated with them! MJ didn’t really care, she just wanted to sleep. Poor girl was exhausted! We weren’t in a great location for good firework pictures and I was too lazy to mess with my tripod… maybe next year I’ll get the awesome firework shot I’ve been dreaming of! Anyways, just wanted to share some pictures from our Holiday. I hope that everyone had a wonderful Independence Day!!

I wasn’t kidding when I said that I’d behind on blogging! Miss Madeline’s party was two weeks ago and I’m just now getting around to sorting the pictures and blogging! That’s a long time for me to wait! We had her party here at the hotel for a few family and friends and the staff! It’ll be fun to tell Madeline about her first birthday and explain to her that the party was at a hotel where we’d been living for 2 months because her brother flooded our house! The staff here was wonderful and even helped to provide some of the food. We truly feel like family at the Staybridge (No, they’re not paying me for plugs!) Madeline seemed to enjoy her self. Had a couple of hot dogs, a cupcake and took a swim… all while having everyone’s undivided attention! Isn’t that what all princesses love? Cakes by Jennifer did the adorable ballet shoes! The picture doesn’t do them justice! It was beautiful and perfect when I picked it up from her house. Unfortunately, 45 minutes of stop and go traffic in 100 degree heat doesn’t doesn’t keep cakes looking their best! So, if you’re in this area and are looking for a wonderful cake decorator, just ask me for her number and email. The cake was adorable and tasted heavenly!!! Well, this is going to be short. I have my first three exams on Monday and I must study some more. I just couldn’t resist sharing some of her party!!

If you’re a regular follower of my blog, you may notice a large decline in the number of posts that I make. No, I’m not burnt out, I still love my camera! I’m taking a slight break to finish what I started over 9 years ago…

My entire life I have planned on becoming a nurse when I grew up. On Halloween I would dress up in my Granny Gert’s Candy Striper uniform. I never questioned the call God had on my life. In High School, I worked for a wonderful physician. I was mainly the gopher and paper-pusher, but I learned so much. His Nurse Connie let me follow her around as much as possible and answered my never-ending barrage of questions. I knew all through high school that I wanted to go to McMurry University in Abilene and attend the Abilene Intercollegiate School of Nursing. I was right on course my freshman year. I even got my CNA certification before Christmas break so that I could return home and work for Senior Village. I worked the remainder of the year, and the follower summer, for Hendrick Regional Medical Center as an aide for Mother Care. I fell in love. Here’s where things began to change…. The summer between my freshman and sophomore year of college I had a “wild hair” tickle me and I joined the Army Reserves as a 91W (Combat Medic) Shortly after school was out in May I headed off to Ft. Jackson for basic training, then on to Ft. Sam Houston for my Advanced Training. It was there that I got my NREMT certification and graduated in December 2002 as Combat Medic. Now What? I didn’t know. I moved back to Amarillo and began school at WTAMU and planned on finishing my degree there. Got restless. Moved to Houston. Attended UH. Wasn’t for me. Moved back to Amarillo and went to ACC to finish up the 3 prereqs I needed to begin my BSN program. Well a series of choices let me to marriage and a move to Houston. Mike promised my mom and dad that I WOULD finish school. I registered at San Jac and again tried to finish out the three little bitty classes I needed before I could begin a BSN program. I had high hopes of going to UTMB or UT-Houston. Finished 2 of those 3 classes. Just as I began the third one, we found out we were expecting Aiden. Pregnancy complications forced me to withdraw from class. I then decided that maybe I should go about this another way since I’d have a new baby. Maybe RN was the way to go. Well, I applied but didn’t get in. See, what I didn’t mention is that I got a little lazy one semester at McM and got a horrible science grade - bombed A&P. Not cool. I did get accepted into the LVN program. Just about the time I got my letter, I found out Miss Madeline was on the way!! Soo, I sat out another year!! That brings me to now! I FINALLY began nursing school last Tuesday.

I will be honest, I am not thrilled with the program or the college. I guess after so many years of trying for my BSN I feel a stigma attached to LVN. I even get embarrassed to say those letters or Alvin. I’m slowing beginning to accept that this is where God has me right now. I have no intentions of staying a LVN. I now have all of my prereqs out of the way, so I fully intend on taking an LVN to BSN course in another year or so.

So, if you got through all of that, bless you. I will still be taking clients, but it will be on a very limited basis. For the summer, I will have limited appointments available and will be scheduling at least 2 weeks in advance. I am asking that clients be patient as I add another week to proofing time. School is incredibly intense and requires my full attention. I will only accept a limited number of weddings and special events each semester. For the next year, I will eat, sleep, & breathe nursing school. I am very fortunate to have a wonderful support system and have many people who want to do anything possible to help me succeed. I do hope that my clients take my education into consideration! I promise that I will edit and proof your images as quickly as possible!!!

To my friends and family, than you so much for your love and encouragement!!

Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday Dear Madeline!
Happy Birthday to You!

 Okay, I admit, I have a huge lump in my throat just typing that out! I am such a sap! I cannot believe that my sweet little Angel is already one! Where did the past year go? I know, I know… it’s so cliche, but seriously! It honestly feels like just yesterday I was calling my mom in a slight panic to tell her to not dilly-dally on the drive down… that I called Mike and Tara and told them at it was “time”…. Nothing but happy memories of the day that Madeline Jewel Collins entered this world. My nurse was AH-MAZING! For the rest of my life I will always remember Angie - her smile was infectious and her accent made the whole day fun! Madeline pushed it close to not making her entrance before my OB left for Vacation, I think she knew her mama needed Dr. Files to get through it all. I was incredibly blessed that my friend Tara drove all the way down from Conroe to spend almost 10 hours with a camera in front of her face, just to capture such a blessed event. Okay, that lump has turned into tears - they’re flowing… It’s been a long year at some points though… Madeline spent a couple of weeks in Texas Children’s Hospital with weight-loss and failure to thrive. It’s an answered prayer that she’s gained a few more pounds! She finally began to crawl and now she’s showing interested in standing alone!! The last two months of her life have really been crazy, she was just 10 months old when Aiden flooded our home! And now, she’s getting ready to celebrate her first birthday with the staff of Staybridge Suites!

(Her adorable Birthday Outfit came from super-talented Alicia of Uniquely Monogrammed on Etsy!

Click here to watch the slide show of Madeline’s Birth! 
(Much thanks to Tara Jackson of Timeless treasures Portraits who did an amazing job at capturing Madeline’s Birth!)
Curious to know if I did this for Aiden’s first year? Of Course! If you want to watch his video, just click here!

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl - We Love you!!