Clear the Stage

5 years ago we moved into our current house. We had so many dreams and plans to make this house our lifelong house. When we moved in it was just Chase, myself, RC, and TC. Within the next 4 years we added two more munchkins to the fun. Baby girl just turned a year old on Friday, and let me just tell you that having 3 boys, hubby, and myself is hard enough with one bathroom, I can only imagine the terror it will be in just one year.

I love my house. It was built in 1930, has 4 bedrooms, a dining room, big kitchen, huge living room, and a room I like to call my "sitting room." That's where I am now, sitting in the recliner, listening to the boys wind down behind me, watching Baby Girl in her crib sleeping, listening to the fish tank, and watching the front door waiting for hubby to get home. I can watch the kids play from this spot, watch them eat their snacks at the kitchen table, watch them grow up.

I'm going to be sad to leave this house, but it has become obvious that we have outgrown our little city lot. The kids can't play outside for too long because the neighbor hood kids like to play in the road, and I won't let the kids. I've always dreamed of raising my kids on a farm, with animals to care for, a pond to fish out of, woods to hunt in, a garden to plant and harvest. Since I have graduated nursing school, this dream seems closer to reality. Of course there is always the possibility it could be a few more months before we sale our house, but I've already started preparing myself for that day. We have all grown so much in this house. We have seen heartache, sorrow, joy, and peace come through the doors. I am looking forward to the next leg of our journey.

*CrowderCrew Mom*

Nursing School Adventures

Nursing school adventures began on May 2, 2016. Who would have thought that after 9 years of starting this journey I'd finally be taking a step toward finishing it. 

So here we are mid-February with only one more class and 61 days to go. Life sure has a way of throwing us curves, however one thing has been true. Dream, Dream hard; Trust, Trust God; Study LONG; DON'T GIVE UP! God puts us in situations to mold us and guide us. Without this last year I would have probably crawled back into my old pit of depression and given up dreams that I had dreamed for years. Now that graduation is coming close and I am almost finished with this leg of my journey, I cannot imagine being anywhere else. We can do ANYTHING we set our mind to with God by our side. Pray, seek His will, Follow Him, and He will give you the desires of your heart. It may not be in our time. 

Being a mom to 4 wonderful children is the greatest achievement I will ever make. Before any job, career, or dream my husband and children take top priority. Every decision we have made, every step I take toward getting my Registered Nurse degree, every move I make will ultimately put God and my family first. They give me the courage to finish this journey, to never give up, to always follow my dreams. Ryan, Trey, Burton, and JaeLynn give me hope and a reason to do the things that I do, to achieve the goals that I have set before me. I am so excited about the next leg of my journey. To be a nurse means to be able to make a difference. If it is just in one person's life then it will all be worth it. If it gives my kids the courage to follow their dreams and know that they can be anything they set their minds to then it will be worth it. If it gives my husband the courage to step out of his comfort zone and do what makes him happy then it is worth it. Having a happy, healthy, family makes everything worth it. Every tear, every test, every piece of paper, every plan of care, every drop of ink, every piece of lead, every long day, every long night spent in prayer, IS WORTH IT! There is a reason! God has a plan for my life! 

Live Life in His Plan

Monica