School update

So it's been awhile since I updated on school, but things in life have been so crazy. I posted a few months back about applying to the Masters program for nursing. {I did get excepted!} I got excepted and actually started my first class in October 2014. However, after going to one class, my mom's illness took a nosedive. I dropped because I wasn't quite sure of her immediate future.

I reregistered for January and here I am now getting ready for my second class tomorrow evening. Of course it's still not easy because she is still so gravely ill. We just received bad news on Monday which makes it hard to focus on any schoolwork. I'm trying to hang in there and get this accomplished so I can stay on track with the program. I'm doing it for her mostly. She is my inspiration to keep on pursuing advanced healthcare so I can understand diseases like hers much better. I even have a soft spot in my heart now for oncology. 

I'm also doing it for my family so that I can give them a better quality of life. Times are going to be tough now that things have changed so drastically with mom. We all chip in to help her. I'm paying child care now that is expensive. And my hours have been cut because of other scheduling issues. We are all in this together. It' going to be a long 3 years. It will be worth it one day. 

Estelle turns 1 & Christmas festivities

Happy birthday to our sweet Estelle!

She tuned 1 on 12.13.14. What a cool first birthday! We threw a party at home as usual. Our first Christmas/birthday party. We have always hosted in the summer which has been so different. I can depend on outdoor seating in June! This time we made some big arrangements with folding tables and chairs to accommodate everyone. 

It was a low key party, just close friends and family. My mom was able to stop by, but only stayed about 30 min. It was heart breaking. I was happy she made it though.

Preparing for the party this year was not easy on me either. I catored from Portillos and SAMs club to make it convenient. Usually I go all out to make my own personal touches, but I could barely even get the house decorated in time. Aside from all the normal hustle and bustle of shopping, I was working Saturdays and donating my spare time to my mother. Nonetheless it turned out great and Estelle got such wonderful generous gifts! See the pics below of the house decorated for the party!

Sweet treats

Happiest of birthdays sweet girl! 

One of the most precious photos I have.

She looks a little confused. Hehe.

After Estelle's birthday party we just focused on Christmas. We met up with my niece Avery to take some photos of all the girls together. Since Tom and Sarah live in California it's not too often that will all be together at one time. It was a Christmas wish for mom we couldn't deny her.

Despite all the adorable chaos and disorganization, the candidness of these photos is priceless.

And within a blink of an eye Christmas eve was upon us. It was our second year hosting Christmas eve at our house. I have been a busy bee with so much entertaining this month. We had Estelle's birthday, Christmas Eve, baby Scarlet's first birthday, and then I always do something for Super Bowl too. I am pooped! 

My parents bought Isla Thomas the train. She is absolutely obsessed with him. We had one similar like this growing up that we used to ride. It brings back fond memories. 

It was a beautiful yet modest Christmas. We did not go overboard with gifts and overspending. It was more about time together with loved ones. I realized that it is quite challenging having a child with a birthday just before Christmas. It is extra organization, timing, and money spent before such a big holiday. Despite the added stress, she is still the greatest gift I could ever have gotten for Christmas. Now as this year comes to an end, Justin and I did celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary. It was low-key of course. Those party days are very far behind us. We enjoyed a delicious dinner at Zaza Tratoria. It was a beautiful, romantic dinner with candle lit tables and a special New Year's eve menu. We enjoyed fine food and delicious drinks and were in bed by 9:30 PM! Haha. On to 2015 with new hope! 

4 years later

& to top of the first week of January, we threw a first birthday for Scarlett!