We Have Another Trophy in the House

Just a quick post to let you all know that Alex placed 9th at the National FBLA Conference!!! I was able to watch the awards ceremony on the internet, so it was a little tense at my house tonight. He was the LAST finalist called. I'm pretty sure I had an anxiety attack!!!

I just talked to him, and they had their pictures taken, and he was ready for some dippin dots. I think he's had a good time in LA, has spent some time at Disney, today, he relaxed and even took a nap.

Tomorrow they go to Universal Studios Hollywood, Hard Rock Cafe', and a tour of LA, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Rodeo Drive, and the Walk of Fame. Can't wait to see pictures!!

Have a great week everyone, my week is off to a great start and can only get better from here. I have a 3 day work week!!!
I will update more when Alex returns!!!!!!

Have Fun & Good Luck!!

Sorry I've been missing in action for a few weeks!! I've been busy, working hard, and exhausted by the time it comes to blogging!!

My Alex left this morning for Anaheim, CA. I took him to the bus at 4 am, and he should be taking off, as I type this. (they had a 2 hour drive to the airport) Flying the friendly skies!!

I will update more as I know more. He's been studying hard, so lets hope and pray he does well.

Seriously, Snow, It's JUNE!!!

Yep, you read right.....it is snowing in North Dakota today!! It has yet to snow where I live, but about an hour away from us, they had snow on the ground. Hope it stays there. I'm sure it won't be here for long, it's just the concept.....haven't we had enough?? We still have farmers that have not finished seeding their crops for crying out loud, due to all the snow we had this winter!!

I am off to a benefit for my cousins son, Casey. Have a great night everyone, stay warm!!

June, Finally!!

Thank God it's June!! I have been waiting for this month since, uh, last see.....um, November when we had our first snow storm??? It was the longest winter I can remember, and I would hate to have to repeat it ever again!!

With, June, brings the planting of many flowers!! The is one of may favorites, and I cannot wait til it fills out more. I have several other pots, but are not looking that great right now, I'm going to give them some time before snapping pics!!

Here's my nephew at his high school graduation. He's the only one looking at the camera. Thanks Taylor for the pose!!

Here's my Alex (in the suit) with Taylor at his open house.

This is a photo Taylor's received as a gift. Taylor's classmate Katlin passed away in a car accident the end of March, the photo shows his friend Katlin in the crowd, and Taylor playing basketball. Very nice keepsake for him.

Here is my nephew Nick from Minneapolis. I think he played pool the whole time during the open house.

And....sister Gillian. That's what Nick calls Gillian, Sister.

Here is Alex and his friend Anna. Alex is a little sleepy, and my camera would not cooperate for another pic. Oh well, they have a week in Anaheim to catch up on photos efore shes off for college. Anna is a very nice girl, she thinks alot of Alex. Anna's sister Anita was tragically murdered 2 years ago tomorrow. It's been a tough 2 years for her family, as the killer still has not been found.

Next up.....the Three Stooges!! This is me and my 2 classmates from highschool. We were together to celebrate Jodi's (shes the one in the front.) graduation from Nursing school. It was a fun night, the weather was awesome!! (and the food was great!)

That's all I have for now......hope you all enjoy the rest of the week.

Graduation Day, 2009

Today, we will celebrate the Graduation of my nephew Taylor. He is my brothers son, and the 2nd to graduate of my nieces and nephews. Taylor just returned from the State Track meet, where he qualified in many 5 events, and made it to the finals in 3. Not sure of the outcome yet, way too much going on last night to get details.

Last night, I had 2 Graduation parties to go to.....my sons friend Tyler, he is also a neighbor to my parents and has been great help to them when needed. Tylers a great kid, moved here 3 years ago, has excelled in academic, music and sports. We were very lucky to have him as part of our community. He will also be joining Alex on his trip to Anaheim for the FBLA Conference in June.

One of my good friends from high school also graduated from college. It was actually her 2nd time with a degree, the other being many years ago. This year, she got her nursing degree!! YEAH Jodi !!! We had a surprise party for her at a friends house, and boy was she surprised!!

My oldest brother and family are here from Minneapolis. It was fun to see them. They have the youngest children in our family, and man, are they growing!! We have no more babies. :( They wil be here through tomorrow. They are still in school, so have to get back.

Alex finished his sophomore year on Thursday, and is now a JUNIOR!! Can't believe that. He's now preparing for the FBLA Conference, studying, studying, studying......he will be gone the 2nd week of June for leadership training, and will be leaving the 24th for Anaheim. He has a busy month ahead of him.

I have been staying busy at work. I just bumped up my hours, so now will not have a day off during the week. ugh. I am also picking up some extra call over the summer. With vacations, mat leave, and staff shortage, theres always a need. We've been getting quite a few applicants at the hospital from all over the US, due to cuts in other hospitals. I think right now, we have 10 openings for nurses, which is very unusual, it's normally 10 on each floor!! So, yeah for us!!

I better get going, was going to get outside and plant the few flowers that I have purchased. It's been too cold to plant anything, so have only purchased a few plants. I think we are in the clear for planting now.....at least I hope to.

Hope you all enjoy your long weekend. Will hopefully have pictures to post tomorrow!!

Rita

Special Day!!

Just wanted to wish all my FAVORITE MOMS out there a

Very Happy Mothers Day!!

We went out for a breakfast buffet this morning, now we're busy

with yard work and washing clothes. Typical day as a mother.

After 3 weeks at Saint Marys Hospital, (Mayo) in Rochester, my cousin Tim's son Casey is on his way home today!!! Casey went into heart failure on the 15th of April, and was flown to Rochester for further evaluation. His heart was the size of a football, and he was diagnosed with cardiomyapathy. (enlarged heart) He had open heart surgery to put in an LVAD, left ventricular assisted device. This will remain in him until he can recieve a heart transplant. Please keep him and his family in your prayers as they start this new chapter in their lives. Welcome home Casey!!!

Not much else has been going on......we continue to fundraise for Alex's trip to Anaheim. So far, we have sold pizzas, had a breakfast, and of course, my favorite, concessions at baseball games and track meets.(hence the reason, I am so busy) The kids sold over $10,000 in pizzas!! They should be sitting pretty good as far as finances. We have our last track meet & baseball game on Tuesday, which should bring in over $2000.

Alex recieved his State Officer suit in the mail on Friday. It fits him perfect!! I was a little afraid after seeing some of the officers at the conference this year. They all looked so big. He looks good in it..........

Thats all for today. Hope all you mothers enjoy your day!!

Rita

Finally, an Update!!

Hope you all had a fabulous Easter. I spent my holiday at work. Was not too busy, but a very weird weekend. Happy it's over.....and look what I came home too........

My day lillies are coming out like crazy!!

and FINALLY, we have grass!!! We still had snow when I left on Friday, but after temps in the 50's the past couple days, I can finally say that our snow is GONE!!! Bye, Bye snow!! I still have a little snow in the back yard, but it is no longer a 6 foot drift.

We have been busy here with spring activities. My mother and I went to see my niece and nephew at the prom 2 weeks ago. Here is my Niece/Godchild Brittany with her date/boyfriend.
Lastly, we've had some exciting news in our house the past couple weeks. My son Alex, was recently named North Dakota FBLA's Parliamentarian. He is now a State officer and cannot be happier!! He will represent ND at the National Conference in Anaheim, CA in June.

Here he is after the awards ceremony.

and accepting the new Officer Position.

It was an exciting day for us. My parents and I were able to attend the awards ceremony, so we got to experience the whole picture. It's a very professional organization, and you can sure tell by the way they had the awards. Very formal. (very long, as well)

With the nice temps we have been having, we have also been experiencing alot of flooding in the area. Alex was out of school today to sandbag some homes, and will most likely be sand bagging tomorrow, as well. Our home should remain safe.........cross your fingers.

That's all for today!! Hope you all have a great week!!

Rita