It's a dad day :(

Well today started off seeing Katharyn post Dad's video from the memorial service. It caught me off guard so of course I cried. So Aidan kept asking "Do you miss your dad cause he's in the stars?" So sad. So then we go to Barbara's house. It was a good day. However, on the way home Aidan says, "Can I call Grandpa Ed on the phone? I want to say good bye." It broke my heart. So I told him he can talk to him whenever and wherever and he will hear him. So we get home, and Aidan insists we sit outside and look to the sky and talk to Dad. I say some things, then he says how he's older now and will shoot a gun when he is older. Then, total tear jerker, he says, "I miss him so much. I wish he would live with me. When he comes out of the stars I want to give him a BIG, tight hug!" He then proceeded to come over to me and show me how he would hug him. Man, I miss Dad and I wish he could see his grand kids.

Happy Birthday, Shona!

Just thinking of you on your birthday... Love ya!

- Tara, Cody & Deana

Mr. Grumpy

This picture is a little blurry (it's hard to get a clear shot when the nest is over my head), but I had to post it. This guy did not want his picture taken. See how much bigger he is compared to his sibling? He must be quite the bully. Maybe he pushed the one who died out of the nest, although here he looks like he's protecting the smaller one...

Growing, growing...

Yesterday, I found one of my baby Barn Swallows dead on the front porch. He had most of his feathers, so he must have been fairly healthy, and if he fell, he should have been able to slow down the fall, so I'm not sure why he died. Anyway, here are some more pics as they grew.

July 14th

July 15th

July 19th

July 23rd

New Chapter

Well guys, I did it! I passed the NCLEX! this is hopefully the beginning of a wonderful new chapter in my life. I will begin the job search ASAP. I have decided to apply throughout the whole state. Considering the hard times, I will probably have to apply at nursing homes. :(

So i would have to say this was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life - considering all the hardships that have happened. But I prevailed. I made it. I don't think I have ever been proud of myself in my whole life.

A Few Memories

Remember when...

... in the big house with the horses in Colorado... Some time after renovating the kitchen, Dad attached a paper clip to a light bulb and put it in the microwave. He turned on the microwave, and the light bulb lit up. Seconds later, the light bulb imploded. That was DAD... he did that. Pretty cool.

... in the same house, during Christmas, I think... we had company over, and I went to get a bottle of sparkling water from the fridge in the garage. Dad opened it, and the water instantly froze. For whatever reason, I'm having a hard time remembering who was visiting. It was the family we've known since we lived in Virginia.

I was just thinking about a few things today. I wanted to share.

Baby Barn Swallows

My baby Barn Swallows hatched today. The picture is a little blurry, but I didn't get to take more because the mom was very upset when she saw us too close to the nest.

It's been a long time baby!

I apologize for not keeping more connected with everyone. I like everyone, I suppose, was extremely busy throughout June. As some of you might know I have been busy spending my weekends at summer festivals, here in North Carolina and some surrounding states, with my friends making, vending and performing with hula hoops. Three of us have started The Asheville Hoops Troupe and we are now booking performances at various venues in the Asheville area. I guess you could say I'm hooked. Between working and hooping practice ect... I stay jam packed. I am also in negotiations to buy a house here in West Asheville at the end of the month. Although I never thought I would hang around anywhere for very long, I guess I have found my groove here, for now at least. I enjoy the Blue Ridge Mountain Range here in Asheville, that butts up against the Great Smoky Mountains. There are ample national forests, parks, rivers and plenty of whiter water rafting. Asheville is an interesting mix of artists, performers and musicians mixed in with mountain men, moonshine and a real southern flare. To say the least it is really interesting. Jyoti is driving out here next week and I am taking him rafting with my boater friends and to the local roller derby. Should be fun. I hope to make it back to Colorado sometime in the fall, maybe September, to see ya'll. Hope everyone is doing well.

Shona

P.S. I have put a link on the blog to my friend Melanie's website Asheville Hoops.