Associates Degree

It took me 15 years, but I finally have my Associates Degree. Okay, it really didn't take that long, I just took a 14 year break in the middle. 

I wasn't going to walk because I still plan to continue my education and get my Bachelor's Degree in Accounting. But after talking with family and friends, I decided to celebrate my hard work and be a part of the ceremony. 

Two weeks before graduation, my new adviser informed me I was missing a class and wouldn't be able to walk. (This is what happens when you take a 14 year break.) It took some arguing, and I had to get the okay from the main campus in Logan, but I finally got them to agree to use an old class I took back in 2000. This issue wasn't settled until pretty much 2 or 3 days before graduation, so I was really excited when I went to pick up my hat and gown. (This issue also followed me the next semester when I tried to register for an upper division level class; but hopefully everything is set now.)

I'm glad I walked. But everything else about the night was kind of boring. We had to be there a few hours before the ceremony to line up. So I took some selfies in the hallway. It was held at the Jr. High, so my background is weird artwork that was decorating the halls. 

Dallon also graduated that night with his Bachelor's Degree in Wildlife. That's probably why I decided to walk. I knew we couldn't go watch him and have me miss out. 

It has been so much work. I couldn't have done it without Josh. Working full-time, starting a new job, and going to school all at the same time has been a lot of work and has meant a lot of sacrifice. Last year, we only went camping once. I haven't been fishing in over a year and I don't see my nephews near as often as I would like. I stress that my house is never clean and Josh jokes that he does all of the cooking. But I know that it will be worth it. With my new job, I'm already seeing the benefits and I know they will continue to grow as I finish my education. Hopefully just a few more years of hard work and then I will be finished with school. 

Valex's 1st Day of School

I can't even express how excited I was when Vanessa asked me if I would like to go with her to drop Valex off for his first day of school. Its one of those moments I thought I would never get to experience because of my infertility. But she must be able to see inside my heart. I can't even thank her enough for inviting me along. 

She only lives a few blocks away, so we decided to walk. Unfortunately, Valex had been sick with a stomach bug the night before, so he wasn't very excited.

When it was time to leave, I'm not sure who was more heartbroken, him or his mom. As we walked back to the house, she told me that if he had a bad day she didn't know if she would be able to make him go again.

Luckily for both of them, he loved it.

But it also wore him out. This was how he crashed on the couch shortly after they got home.

I was also lucky enough that I got to pick him up the next day. I had an appointment right after, so basically I was just his ride from school to day care. 

The day before, when we were trying to get him excited for school I had told him, "Valex, you're going to have so much fun. You'll learn how to read at school!" So when I picked him up the next day, I asked how his day was and if he learned anything new. He thought for a second and then looked at me and said (in a serious voice), "well, I didn't learn to READ." I laughed and told him it would probably take a few weeks.

Colt's 1st Birthday

I can't believe this little boy is already 1!

As I was shopping (for just an few outfits), I realized...

I have no control when it comes to clothes. I feel bad, but when I buy clothes, I seem to spend more.

They wanted to do the smash cake first, while Cold was hungry.

He seemed perfectly content to just nibble on it.

After he finished, we cut it open to see how the inside turned out.

Colt was more interested in running around with the big kids, so most of my pictures turned out blurry.

I think this was my favorite picture. His blue eyes just melt my heart.