Trails Along The Journey
Walking in Faith & Counting It ALL Joy
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Finally, on the other side !
Isaia's big night
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
Nursing School is complete❤️
4 summers ago, after being a stay at home mom close to 20 years, I started taking pre-reqs for Nursing school. I seemed to carry textbooks everywhere we went, studying at Jerry's Dr appts, kids swim practice,kids co-op, in between homeschooling, and every spare moment of these past years has been consumed with pushing forward .God has carried me beyond anything I ever thought I could handle. I have been surrounded by Family and friends who have supported me in every way imaginable. I have cried and doubted myself, questioning what I was thinking.I have found success and failures both to be meaningful and life lessons that encouraged me to keep going๐.I made wonderful friends, even when I was old enough to be there Mom.๐ I have said "no"to my kids and husband more than I wanted as we sacrificed time so I could carry on this journey. There are moments that I can't get back but there is so much to look forward to.
Being 47, I might not get as long a career as others, but I am trusting the Lord will use me in just the right places ❤️ Covid has cancelled Pinning ceremonies, but I am Proud of making it on this journey.. Thank you so much to everyone who prayed and encouraged and helped in so many ways through these past 4 years, I am truly greatful.Nursing School Complete✅
~Tammy,Graduate Nurse 2020
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
Homeschooling during isolation
Sunday, April 5, 2020
Count it all Joy
The last few weeks have been filled with so many emotions !
Three weeks ago I was cramming for my finals for level4...so completely beaten up by Nursing school at this point.Just wanting the end...We had a trip planned to go to MO and see AJ and Stephanie marry. I was so excited to see them and get away. Isaia had been sick for a few days, by Sunday night He was not improving. So we made a trip to the ER in the midst of all the new Virus precautions. Navigating white tents and secluded rooms, he had a gnarly ear Infection and we were in and out under an hour.Thankful to get out of there quickly. By Tuesday, Nursing school finals were done and packing was on the agenda. Wed, Isaia looked awful,felt awful. We were not going to be able to fly today ๐ฅFlight moved to Fri. By Fri, restrictions were coming down everywhere and painfully we did not fly out to MO. We were all in tears...I don't think I have cried so much in 24 hours… this one broke my mama heart.๐
I have clung to these verses since that day:
Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.
John 16:20 ESV
By Saturday, They ended up moving the wedding a day ahead and having a small ceremony with a few friends and family.❤️
The JOY is that they are married and we couldn't be happier for them.
Count it all Joy !
Technology !! What a blessing it can be .
We were able to watch the ceremony at home and it made the distance so much easier to bear❤️
We look forward to celebrating together at a different time.
We are sad at Missing being present.
We are sad about not seeing the few friends and family that were there.
We are sad about not meeting so many people whom have become family to our boy.
But our sadness turns to Joy as we have gained a Daughter-in- Love.๐
Welcome to the Family, Stephanie❤️
Happy 2 Weeks of Marriage ๐
Happy New Years 2020
Farewell and Thank you 2019
Life has continuously changed for us through the past few years. The Lord has navigated us through many highs and lows. I am thankful to look back and see how far we have come. It is not the time to fill in the gaps, but to just be in awe of the progress.
2019 is nearing its end and with it is a year filled with struggles and victories, joys and sadness, moments that have caused me to question what I am doing and moments where the only way to move forward is to close my eyes and walk in Faith.
Currently, the house is in an array. Christmas is still lingering around. We have soaked up days of just being together. Playing games, watching movies, staying in our jammies all day. Not even opening the gate to the world. It has been such a gift to just be home together. (Minus the big boy, who is off on his own adventures the past 2 years) Saying "no" to fun things because they would take us out of the house was easy this time. In the past, I have felt the urge to squeeze as much as possible into our breaks. It's late and kids should be asleep but we are still in the moments of free time which will end in just a few days. The boundaries will go back into place and the schedule will remind us of our coming and goings. But for now, we just enjoy the Selah, pause... I have clung to that word often this year. Reflecting on what has happened, been said. As the year ends, what a perfect time to do just that.
A year in review:
January 2019: I, Tammy, began my first quarter at TCC-Tacoma Community College- as a Nursing Student. It was a bit scary and also exciting to embark on this new journey at 45.
Jerry had a spinal ablation in Dec which seemed to help his lower back pain, for the first time in years. We are hopeful this will bring newness to him.
A.J. marked 1 year away in Missouri. He is working at SOAR and working towards his dream of becoming a Missionary Pilot.
Katie is working on her Early Childhood Degree at Bates Technical College. She is also teaching a preschool class at the homeschool co-op. She really is great with the younger kiddos.
Sarah and Isaia are doing well, adjusting to the new routine with Mom gone more. We are still homeschooling, and busy with co-op and swim team.
February brought SNOW !! Days of snow. I don't remember having so much snow since I have lived here in WA. It was so pretty. I think by the end we were all ready to see it melt away. I loved that we could put on snowshoes and trek right outside our door. The kids loved the fun that comes with the white stuff. It made for more chores for me..hahaha....clearing roofs of cars, sheds and even the driveway. (Thankful for friends who came to help with the last one.)
March- AJ has met a gal in Missouri. Her name is Stephanie. They seem to have a lot in common and boy does she make him smile.
Jerry was an auctioneer for the Equest Auction. I enjoyed seeing him out and doing something that brought joy to him. It was good for both of us to see him in action.
Sarah went to swing dancing at Burwell. She loved it.
April - 2nd qrtr of nursing school begins. We get to see AJ for a weekend, thanks to his buddy getting married here in WA. We will take each moment we get.
Jerry has been doing PT and that was helpful. He has begun to have some strange neuro issues so PT will have to pause.
May - We have had wonderful spring weather. Trying to enjoy any break in studying I get to soak up the sunshine. Enjoyed kayaking for Mother's Day. Memorial day was fun at the Carroll's.