Testing this new post

My sister is telling me that she cannot publish new posts. I think she's full of crap and I expect new photos of my niece and nephew headed to school very soon.

Love, Amy

Noelle & Her Haul

Well, our two days of shopping at our favorite consignment store in Cedar Rapids, Stuff, was a success. Tuesday when we got here, we hit the once closest to our hotel. On Wednesday, we hit the other three stores. Last year there were only two stores, they added two new one's since then. I have to say, in all honestly, these are THE BEST consignment stores and worth the drive.

Noelle's haul includes:
4 pair jeans
1 pair of white jeans
1 pair khaki pants
1 pair black pants
1pair khaki capri
1 pair black capri's
3 pair jean capri's
1 pair tan corduroy's
1 black polo
5 short sleeved shirts
2 t-shirt's
4 long sleeved shirts
2 sleeveless pull overs
2 tank tops
1 long sleeved sweater
1 blouse
2 two zip up hoodies
1 belt
1 wallet

In addition, I picked up 5 pair of jeans for Michael, as well as a button up plaid shirt and a belt. I got a scrub top, a pair of jeans, a pair of capri's, a t shirt and two long sleeved tops. Mom got some clothes as well.

Tomorrow, we head to the Amana Colonies. We'll be picking up some yummy bread and jelly. Then we are going to an outlet mall, more shopping, where I'm hoping to pick up some cute socks for gramma as well a good pair of kitchen tongs so I won't have to pull corn on the cob out of boiling pot of water with a pair that only has one working handle. (don't ask)

Here is a photo of Noelle and her haul.

I Know, I Know..."It's About Time"

I don't even know what to say. Dad usually says "I quit checking your blog".

In all honesty, things have been crazy for us. I've been working at the shop and as a nurse, studying to retake my RN boards with one of my LPN instructors and getting the kids ready for school.

Noelle starts, gulp, 8th grade this year. I guess I'm ready, it's happening if I'm ready or not. She is SO like her aunt Amy. She loves to go shopping for school supplies. Who knows how many times she has organized her binder. I have a feeling if they had air freshener called "New Pencil's & Erasers, Now With Crayons", they would both own it. She gets her class schedule and locker information next Tuesday. After that, Noelle, mom and I hit the road for our trip to Cedar Rapids for back to school shopping at the greatest consignment store ever.

Michael got his class schedule on Tuesday. He is excited to be on the same "team" as his best friend Cameron. He had a little trouble opening his locker, but he'll get it. He also showed us how he can fit in his locker, we told him he should not advertise that. He still is not looking forward to school. I'm thinking that will change once he sees all of his old friends. He also finally got a hair cut. I included some photos of his hair before and after as well as one of him in his locker.

The shop has been a busy place. We are still fighting with the city over tree's, bushes and a paint booth. We will be so happy when all of that is done. We've sold 40 cars so far this year, pretty good for just starting out. We've had several referrals as well as some repeat business for car repair and details.

As I said, I'm studying once again to take my stupid RN exam. It's very frustrating. I would rather have someone follow me around and watch me work for a month than take the test. It's a terrible feeling to have studied, know the information and then have it leave your head when you sit down in front of the computer. I know I'll pass and I know that there's some reason I haven't yet. I'm so lucky to have a supportive, caring and loving family. Every time I talk to grampa and Lucille, they tell me they pray for me every night. Mom and dad pray too, have offered their house as a quiet place to study and are letting me borrow their lap top so I can study at the library, with Elaine and nights that I work with my private duty patient. Sean and the kids not only pray, but constantly encourage me, give me the time I need to study and remind me that they love me no matter what.

Well, back to studying for me. Enjoy the "hair raising" photo's of Michael and I'll try to not wait so long to blog.

Talk about crazy hair!

Not happy about getting a hair cut.

There's the boy we know and love.

Never a good idea.