YES--I am alive!

Okay so I know it's been forever and a day since Ive blogged...but this summer has been crazy from the get-go! I have been taking summer classes that started in the beginning of june, and they have had my undivided attention ever since the very first day! My nursing class is one of the most packed and stressful classes ever...but thank goodness I just took my final and actually ended up making an A in the class (after hours upon hours of studying!!!) I am so happy that all that reading and studying finally paid off! It is my first A in nursing thus far...and i couldn't be more thrilled! In the meantime, i am still taking my last government and i take that final next week. All my cousins from Tennessee and Austin have been here visiting for a couple of weeks now...and even though it is a chaotic household...it has been a blast with them here! At the moment...I am actually in Ruidoso New Mexico with Zachary's family vacationing in the mountains. It is weird actually having a break and not studying contstantly (well, minus the government stuff)....but don't get me wrong--there has not been a moment to rest since we are at the horse races practically 24/7. I am still waiting to have my big break and actually win some money...but these past two days were definitely NOT it! I hate losin' money like that! If you have any tips that would help me win big (besides "just bet on every horse and then you won't have to lose!"---thanks pop), don't hesitate to tell!!! I can use all the help I can get! On a good note...I saw the most spectacular fireworks show the other night at the Inn of the Mountain Gods here in Ruidoso. It was the most amazing thing i have ever seen! I think EVERYONE should experience something as amazing as those fireworks at least sometime in their lives...it was breathtaking. Well...there is so much more to tell but this is getting pretty long so I will save the rest for later! Hopefully good news to come of me winning the big one! (ha like that's gonna happen)
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY EVERYONE!!!

I know, I know....Im a terrible blogger right now. But ever since school started on the 2nd I have literally had my head in the books (well really just one big yucky mental health textbook)!!! Since we have a whole week of clinicals, our lecture time is cut back a week...so my midterm is tomorrow!! There are 13 textbook chapters and 20 videos I have been trying to cram in my head in less than a week...and needless to say, I am EXHAUSTED. Please say a prayer that I do okay tomorrow morning during my test...I have no idea how it is going to go. Im WAY nervous. Well..more to come soon after the midterm. Hope everyone is having a great summer! I cant wait for mine to start haha...

Peace and Love,
-Kens

So very VERY tired!

I wish I could say that my break has been relaxing and uneventful...but the exact opposite has occured ever since school has been done. I am still watching Caden since he and his parents are still in school...and this entire week I have been watching two little boys (Garrison- 9 months, and Sutton- 19 months) all day, EVERYDAY...not to mention going to get Caden right after i finish watching the two little tots. The week-long event has taken every ounce of my time and energy...and I am truly exhausted. This is why I have not blogged in forever...I am so sorry!

I have officially decided that I am not ready to be a mother for another 20 years (okay maybe not that long but you know what I mean) Let me give you a run down of the CRAZY day I had today.

The plumbers came to the house I am babysitting at this morning...so the morning nap Garrison was supposed to take obviously did not happen with all the banging and commotion going on. By lunch time...the screaming teething tot was so tired and unhappy that he refused everything...he did not want to be held or let down or given food or his bottle or toys (you get the idea). In the meantime...Sutton is eating his baby ravioli and wiping the sauce all over his body and hair while I was not looking. As I was about to wipe down Sutton in the sink, I happend to notice that Garrison had exploded in his diaper, and that he needed to be changed PRONTO. I ran to the other side of the house to change Garrison's diaper..and as soon as I got there I heard Sutton screaming accross the house back in the kitchen. Since I didnt know if he was hurt or not i had to grab Garr. in his poopy diaper..run accross the house..and arrive to see Sutton standing straight up in his highchair covered in marinara pointing at the juice cup he threw on the floor. Almost in tears I strapped Sutton in his chair...quickly changed Garr.'s diaper despite the screaming from both kids...run back at wipe Sutton down while Garrison cried on the floor..picked Garrison up and attempt to give him his bottle which he did not want...and an hour later I FIANLLY rocked the teething 9 month old tot to sleep. Then I scooped Sutton up and sat with him until he fell asleep...and cleaned up the crazy dirty kitchen...

...when I finally sat down..after the dirty looks were flashed at me from the plumbers who had to witness this craziness...I hear Garrison start crying as he was awakening from his nap. Shortly after...I was puked on, slobered on, and scratched up (by the cat).

So..needless to say it was a very crazy, busy, and hard day...but even after all of the chaos, those little boys are the most precious kids ever!

More to come soon...hope yalls summer is more relaxed than mine!!!
Peace and Love,
Kens

SOO much to do...so LiTtLe time!

Finals finally ended last week...and summer break started with a BANG! I'm not gonna lie, I was a little nervous that i'de be bored and not know what to do with all this time on my hands..but baby have I been busy or what!?! After my tests and stress was done with, I started shopping and cleaning to spruce up the apartment. I also started working on my jewelry making abilities (not the prettiest stuff--but hey i'm working on it (0: ) I also started a new book called The Host by the author who wrote the Twilight series. As I tell EVERYONE...if you haven't read the Twilight series...i HIGHLY recommend it. It is definitely worth your time! Anyway..this book is a little different, but as always, Stephanie M. always grabs my attention. On Friday Kambri left for Arizona to see Cody...and I was soooo sad saying goodbye to her for 2 months :0( I miss her so much already. (Oh and Kambri...I ate 3 fruit roll-ups today. You not being here makes me eat more! so much for eating healthier. AHH!)
Watching Rachel Alexandra win the Preakness on Saturday was AMAZING! My family always participates in our little horse betting game, where we each pick one or two horses out of a hat and put a couple bucks in a pot--and whoever wins (by lucky chance) gets all the money!!! Lucky for me I picked Rachel...but this year no one put in anything... so there was no money to be found (Darn it!) Anyway..I am so proud of you Rachel! GO GIRL!
Yesterday I went to Mason, Texas, with Zach and Chase to catch some fishies...but just as I suspected, there were no fishies to be found. We did eat some really good food though...so to me the trip was worth it!
Allison and her precious Zoey FINALLY came home and I got to see them today! Unfortunately, Allison and my much anticipated puppy play date did not work out so well. It seems as if my drama queen dog doesn't know what to do when there is another puppy actually willing to play with her. Usually, she is the one going up to other dogs wanting some attention...but today she was surprised when little Zoey bounced right up to her just sniffin' away. As is her nature.. Paisley became the drama queen that she is and ran away from poor Zoey all night long. My apologies to Allison and Zoey for such rude behavior!!! I hope Miss Priss will learn some manners and play next time.
More to come soon! Sorry this was such a jumble of a message....Have a wonderful week!

Peace and Love
-Kens

Finals finals finals!

Gosh...here we go again! Finals are underway...and I am NOT looking forward to this week! Luckily, I only have one final, which some people would say is awesome...but now that I know I have one HUGE test to study for...it CONSUMES my every thought! I cannot wait until Tuesday at 5PM (when my final will be OVER) ugh...what a relief it will be when I am done. If you have time...say a little prayer that all of us college kids do well on our finals. Some people say college is the best time of one's life--I say its the most stressful time of my life. Nursing school is the absolute hardest thing I've ever done! I'de take those miserable workout days and exhausting gymnastics competitions over this any day! (Can you tell I'm not a huge fan of school? haha) Anyway...Hopefully good news to come after im through! Have a great week!

-Kens

Swine Flu Info.

Hey guys and gals...
Well, LOTS of things have been happening with the new Swine Flu outbreak...and ever since, I have been skeptical of the rumors and truths of what is really going on. Of course diseases like this interest me like nobody's business...and I want to help keep people as healthy as possible--SO...here is a website I've found that has *mucho* information about the Swine Flu and what you can do to avoid/prevent getting the disease.

Just some little tips (which are also found on the website):
1. ALWAYS wash your hands...especially after being out where lots of other ppl have been (malls,schools,stores, ect)
2. Cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing..and avoid being around those who you see sneezing and coughing as well.
3. If you feel ill..try and stay at home to avoid getting others sick or yourself "more sick" (even if you don't have the swine flu, your immune system is not functioning as well as it could when you are feeling ill, and your chances of getting the swine flu heavily increase!!!)
4. This disease is spread like any other flu...by touching objects others have sneezed or touched that have the flu, or if you come in direct contact with someone who has the flu, ect.. IT IS NOT SPREAD BY EATING PORK OR PORK PRODUCTS (so don't be afraid to chow down on sausage :-) )

I can't think of anything else to tell ya right now...but the main thing is to keep washing your hands, dont touch your eyes or mouth with unwashed hands, and load up on your vitamin C to keep your immune system in tip-top shape! Needless to say, I am terrified that my precious Caden is going to get the Swine Flu (just like every other parent--although I am not a parent yet hehe) so I declared to his teacher that NO ONE is to touch him until the virus has subsided. (...and I was just kidding but not really...HA)
Here is the website:
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm
Have a wonderful week and stay healthy! (let me know if you have any questions..if I can't answer them I will find someone who can!)
-Kens

Just so much to say!

Ok so I apologize for not posting in what seems like FOREVER...and MUCH has gone on within the past week! First of all, let me just say that I am sooo happy that school is almost out! Only one more week of classes and then finals are underway (my most stressful week for sure though--yuck!) however....I did get to spend this past weekend in College Station with some of my bestest friends :0) Kambri, Marissa, Allison and I had a WONDERFUL girls weekend just shopping around and hangin' out. Now dont tell my dad, but aggie land was beautiful (and huge!!!) and I really enjoyed getting to see what the campus is like. We almost got to see a "ring dunk" but we went to the wrong park thanks to some very vague directions given by the one and only Josh :0) Ha! Im just joking... but i had so much fun this past weekend and im so very lucky that I have the friends that I do. Plus Kambri and Marissa are getting married, so we talked wedding pretty much the whole trip which was a lot of fun! Too bad Allison and I don't have sparkly rings to show off :0( (haha--but seriously..no rush fellas)

Right when I got home from C.S. I was bombarded with homework and assignments which was a hard reality check from the amazing weekend I just had. It stinks having to go back to school after having so much fun! Allison is getting her new puppy soon though..and I cant wait to see her (little Zoey!) Oh and just for all of yall that have had to listen to me complain about how I cant find a groomer to cut Paisley's hair...well lets just say I took matters into my own hands...and I now I one messily shaven pup! She does look cute though--even if her hair isn't all the same length :0)

Usually about this time I am saying something about Caden's therapy session for the week...but he didn't do any treadmill walking b/c the therepist saw that his leg braces were giving him blisters...so they took those darn braces to the fixer-upper lady for some adjustments. So for now Caden is on a "weight-bearing" excercise break!

I hope everyone had a good week last week and has a great rest of the week!

-Kens