Updates

Sorry to have neglected you, blogspot.com. Let me update all on the past two months.

-God: Right by my side through it all. Learning to trust in the craziness of life.

-Kids: E started Kindergarten, and is so cute in her little uniforms. I can't believe she's 5. I remember holding her the day she was born, and thinking someday she will go to kindergarten. But it all happened so soon. Does anyone know how to slow down time? I adore her. She's so smart, so much more intuitive than I was at her age. She has this really great relationship with my Mom. They are like two peas in a pod. I think my Mom is E's best friend, her Yah-Yah. I think it's awesome. The '3 gens' love to get together and watch Toddlers and Tiaras. I think she's pretty special, and she's Daddy's buddy. She's our "E."

E's first day of school


Jack (J-Dubs, JW, Jack William, Dude) is using sign language very well and many words. He loves to eat (loves candy, chocolate, etc. - such as sweet tooth). He loves his "Nomie" (my Dad) and "boobie" (yea, that's right, it's for Scooby, our dog). He is struggling the past couple of weeks with a change in routine and lots of visitors. My Uncle Bob is very ill, and it's been a little stressful for the Dude (new faces and I was working late, so that didn't help). He is also experiencing a bit of the "terrible not-yet-two-but-almost." We love our lil' man, and he's get back in his groove soon. I am certain.

The Dude


-Husband: Nick is awesome, he quit smoking (since May 27th). He's so wonderfully honest and sincere. You never have to guess with Nick. He is who he is. With the ups and downs of quitting smoking, he remains authentic and humorous. We celebrated our eight year wedding anniversary with a "stay-cation" at Westgate. We went to Saddle Ranch, Shout House, and stayed at the Renaissance Hotel. It was so amazing, and we have as much, if not more, fun as we did when we were teenagers: singing, laughing, loving. We are inseparable. This love is amazing and real, and I am thankful each day for Nick. That night (with no kids and no driving needed, walking distance to the hotel), I may have had a little too much to drink and hiccuped very loudly in the large, echoing lobby - that is what I have been told (wink).

Nicholi

Family: My sister-in-law and brother-in-law just had a little baby boy: Benjamin Seth Hungerford. We get to meet him this fall. I am so excited! We have seen this precious boy on Skype. Can't wait to get my hands on him. :)
As mentioned above, my Uncle Bob is very ill. He will be relocated to a group home tomorrow. He was on death's door step last week. It's been a roller coaster of emotions. In the end, what I found is family is everything, and family matters. I have grown closer to my cousins, and for that I am very thankful. Uncle Bob loves our big, crazy family, and we would be happy to know that.


My cousins: Janelle (Bob's granddaughter) and Emma (Bob's great granddaughter)

Work/School: Work is great, busy, fast-paced, crazy, awesome, and fun. I am still working full-time educating the Nursing staff. I love anything neuroscience related, and have found a true passion in developing this program at my hospital. I am back in a MSN-Education program and finished my class with an A+. Nine more classes to go. Yea!


Nurses are the most trusted profession.



That's what I can remember now (I am sure I am leaving a ton out).

1999

So, the Country Music Awards were on the other night. Kid Rock opened with his infamous song. It brought back so many memories of when Nick and I were first dating. We went to Woodstock together in 1999. We had only been dating a little over 4 months, but we knew we would be together forever (no one believed us). That was okay, we knew. Woodstock. Pretty awesome. We were there!

Lake Mary

Our weekend. It was so, so beautiful, but I am burned like a lobster on my legs. I sat on the ground with my legs crossed watching and playing with the kids. O-M-G, my legs are burnt by the knees. This should be interesting tomorrow. Thunderbird is a large campus, and I have meetings. I am a quick walker too. Looks like I will be taking it slow. Here's to aloe with lidocaine - ouch!
Wish me luck!

Concert!

Ok, so I am a huge JJ Heller fan! This week I was playing her songs for my husband and daughter after Jack went to sleep. I was saying, "I would love to see her in concert!" Then, she posted on facebook that she was singing in concert, here! Her and her husband are from Phoenix. I was even more excited that she was playing at a church called Open Door (Nick and I listen to their pod casts!). I took this all as a sign!
The concert did not disappoint. Even better though -- E had to go to the bathroom in the middle of first act (an amazing singer - Randall Goodgame). We walked out, and there she was... sitting with her husband at their stand of CDs. I said, "Look, there she is!" We introduced ourselves, and it made both of our days! We were so gitty and excited.
The concert was beautiful and filled with such love of Jesus. I adored every minute. More importantly, I was creating precious memories with my husband and our sweet little girl. At the end of the show, we walked out and there they were again. So we said, "Great show guys, we loved it!"
The total number of attendees was about 200 (I believe). So it was a small, intimate concert. AH-MAZING! I feel re-energized and filled with HIS spirit.
***Thanks, Mom, for watching Jack!***

E

Elayna graduated from pre-K last week. Our sweet, baby girl will start kindergarten in the Fall. I am so proud of her. I love the little lady she is becoming. She is serious, intelligent, caring, so funny, and such a gentle sister. I adore her spunky spirit. She is wise beyond her years, picking up on everything.
Oh, E, don't grow too fast. Mommy and Daddy love you! Brother loves you! Most importantly Jesus loves you!
Congratulations on your graduation!

My family.

In a household of toddlers and pets, we discover this rule of thumb about happy families - that they are least two-thirds incontinent. ~Robert Brault

I Won't Let Go

I am in love with this song, and I have been wanting to send it to different people for different reasons. If you are reading this post now, know I have your back for life, my dear family and trusted friends.

I also can hear my brother-in-law, Carter, singing this. He's our American Idol! :)

I hope as you listen to this song, you are touched. Know I love each and everyone of you!!

Hello, again.

WOW! It's been a long, long time sing I blogged.
Like 2 months.

God is working in our lives, and it's pretty cool. As you probably have read from my blogs, I am a big believer in Jesus. I have a real, personal, and honest relationship with Him. My husband, Nick, is finding his place in this journey. No one can be pushed to accept Jesus into their life, it something that has to happen between God and that person.

Nick, E, Jack, and I have started to attended church: New Life Community. We are trying to find our perfect fit in a church community. Our sweet friend, Amy, invited to hear her sing at New Life. She is Elayna's preschool teacher. We adore her. We still love to listen to Open Door Fellowship's podcasts too.

So life is pretty darn good in our nest. Yet around us, friends and family are going through divorces and separations. Earthquakes and tsunamis are ripping apart land and causing death and destruction. Life keeps moving fast, yet in the hustle of it all, Nick and I find each other again. We seem to be making it work. We keep communicating, loving unconditionally, and being honest. Life is hard and fights happen, but I will forever has his back and be his best friend.

Life and Stuff

Seriously, I don't know why, but turning 30 has just opened my eyes in such a beautiful way. Having this amazing son (who has the cutest fat arms and legs) teaches me to SLOW down and enjoy. Also Elayna reminds me of myself, and I see a little 5 year old Noelle who sees life - big, open, and full of possibilities. I know, like my parents did for me, we will help make all her dreams a reality. She will be so happy too!
Then there is Nick, my other half, the one who is not scared to live in the moment, to say anything, feel emotions, speak the truth... to leave everything a move down to Maryland at 19 years old to live with his girlfriend of 6 months. Did we really do that? Yes, and we made it! How can you not fall in love with him? He has the most honest, open, and loving heart. And he is funny as hell!
I learn so much from him, and we balance each other well.

Life. There are all these different stages in life. I love this stage. Usually I am already thinking 10 steps ahead to the next stage. But not this time. I am going to hang out here for awhile and enjoy this loveliness!

Best Weekend!

OMG! What a weekend!

Friday: Nick took a Freightliner truck to E's school for her birthday. They kids were able to crawl around, touch the tires, and beep the horn. It is transportation month, the letter "W" for work, and Elayna Nicole's 5th birthday! The kids loved it, and Nick was able to create a memory with his daughter that neither will ever forget!
Then, we picked up the kids early from preschool/pre-K because... We finally were matched with two dogs from Rescue a Golden! We were able to visit the adorable Scooby and Dakota at the foster Dad's house. These two have lived together the past 5 years, and we were not about to separate them. So two it is! We fell in love!
Next it was onto E's family party at Chuck E. Cheese. We played games, ate their delicious pizza, opened presents, ate some cake, and enjoyed time with my parents.

Saturday: We rushed around in the morning to pick up the cupcakes (made into the number 5) and some last minute times. Then it was time for E's party with her school friends at PUMP IT UP! It was a fun, FUN party. Nick and I are big kids at heart. We raced in the obstacle course and bounced, and bounced, and bounced! Such a good time (and good exercise!). Next we came home and napped - then "the boys" (Dakota and Scooby) came to see if they liked our home. They pretty much loved it. :) We took the boys to Pet Smart to pick up some items and schedule their spa day for Sunday. We played into the night with them, loved on them, and welcomed them into their forever family.

Sunday: Laundry catch up! I hate laundry, but someone's got to do it! Nick installed a new baby gate (with a special opening for Ben, our cat) to keep Scoob and 'Kota out of the kitty area. Nick also put up our new shoe racks from my parents (our cat eats shoe laces, so all laced shoes are in the garage). Next we took the boys for their spa day. Then traveled onto Wal-mart for groceries. Came home and napped a little, then Nick picked up our sparkling clean goldens. My best friend from work, Candice, came over for a homemade dinner by Nick (home made mac and cheese and Mexican corn chowder soup). He is really an amazing cook. De-lish! Candice is an obedience and agility trainer, and she taught us some basic commands. The boys did amazingly well, and are very trainable. We look forward to a play date with her border collie, Stirling, in the near future! After clean up from dinner, E and I wrote thank you's to her classmates.

The family is all asleep (goldens included, of course), and I am next... BEST WEEKEND! Love my sweet family and friends.

FB

Just about to go to bed, but really haunted by the recent acts of violence which feel much to close to home. My sweet co-worker, Josh, was shot in a random act of violence. He cannot move his legs. I know the Lord had Him in His hands. I just can't rationalize Josh not working with people and caring for patients. I trust that God will strengthen him (whether it be physically, emotionally, or both).
Then Congresswoman Giffords was shot and others killed in Tucson. I am still in shock and disbelief. The shooter's parents are elderly, and the father was crying in the street. Images such as this speak to the very core of my being. Such hurt. Such pain.
Why does God feel far away during these times? Where is He?

To deal with this sort of pain, I need help understanding it all. I need guidance with the questions of my heart. So, where do I go - to Facebook and read what a is written on John Lynch's wall. I pray God will have some answers through this really awesome, John the Baptist-type preacher. And, He provides...

This is what I read the other night on John's page:
It is a question from a Josiah Todd to John. read below...

Josiah Todd
i have a question for you sir. why is it that no matter how many times my parents or other christian figures in my life tell me "god is there" or "if you look for him you'll see he's there" that i feel more and more like god is just an empty word. i feel like he's not really there and every time i look for him i come up empty handed more discouraged than when i began... in my heart i know he's real but i feel like he just isnt ever there for me. and all these people are trying to force him on me and i cant even see any trace of him. why is that?


John's reply:
Josiah-well said. You are asking a question that many people, if they're honest, have asked many times. I love that you say "in my heart I know he's real". I think I can feel nearly the same. I know He's real, but He sure doesn't do this the way I thought He might. This art of knowing an unseen God will never be a formula. Its hard to explain the depth of my conviction and delight in Him, when I think of how many times He has not played by my rules, or solved things the way I hoped He might. But I find myself drawn to adore Him, I find myself pulled like a moth to light to Jesus, whether or not He ever causes me to feel anything, more than I am drawn to my own success or interests. He has become the most wonderful thought I carry, the One I trust when I trust nothing or no one else. How can that be? Do not let anyone ever "force him on you." I would love to talk more to you about this if you'd like to meet me on my message page. For decades I hated the thought of Him. At age 27, it dawned on me 1 day, what if He was who He said He was? And what if I lived as though He was embracing me and holding me in my darkest and best times. What if I could trust that He was completely for me, defending me, protecting me and thinking about me constantly. That is what He promises. That is what He bought for me when He paid for all my failure and hatred and self centered garbage at the Cross. So I live trusting that is how He feels towards me and how He is living towards me every moment...and here's the beauty! That trust causes me to experience His love!!! I know. Go figure.

New Year

2011
Here is it.

This is my 30th year on this planet.
My kids will be 1 year old and 5 years old.
I will be married for 8 years.
I have been a nurse for 8 years as well.
So, here it is. Life. All my childhood dreams, wishes, and hopes are coming true. The hard work of my 20's can be enjoyed. I am stepping off the "treadmill" and going to enjoy this. Breathe.
My New Year's resolution is not to lose weight, eat less, or hike the Grand Canyon. My New Year's resolution is to LIVE. ENJOY. LOVE.

Prayers Needed

I know life is extremely fragile. I see this everyday at work. But life felt extra fragile today when I learned one of my co-workers was shot at a club on Sunday night.

He is 22. His partner was also shot and killed. He was 20. It appears to be a random act of violence at this point. My co-worker was shot in the lung. Another bullet nicked his spine. Please pray for this sweet nursing assistant as he heals. He truly has a gift for caring for our patients.

I have heard he is not aware his partner was killed. Nick and I have been thinking about him since we found out about this shooting. It is absolutely horrible. Please keep him in your prayers.

Trinder Kids - Christmas 2010

20 random things

It has been forever and a day since I blogged. My apologies to my three or so faithful followers. :)

I am copying my cousin, Amy's, blog idea and US Weekly by sharing 20 random things about me:

1. I have two middle names: Ruth and Krista.
2. I have lived in 7 different states: CA, WA, NE, GA, NY, MD, AZ
3. I have had the same best friend for 22 years.
4. I almost majored in art in college; still draw in pencil and charcoal.
5. I was co-captain of the cheer leading squad for JD.
6. I married my high school sweet heart.
7. I always wanted two kids, 4 years apart.
8. I love all things to do with neuroscience nursing.
9. I believe in Jesus with all my heart.
10. I like to listen to Elayna sing as she colors.
11. Jack is an amazing addition to our family.
12. My parents are two of the most loving and giving people I know.
13. I love all of my in-laws as if they were my very own blood.
14. Elayna is named after my mother-in-law (Elaine) and my mom's middle name (Lynn).
15. Elayna is having trouble sleeping in her own bed. Any suggestions?
16. I now own my first pair of designer sunglasses!
17. We would like to adopt a junior to senior age golden retriever for our family.
18. My Honda Pilot is my favorite car I have ever owned.
19. My work friends are beautiful, strong, and intelligent women. I am honored to work with such amazing nurses.
20. I am now thirty!