Finally, on the other side !

In honor of turning 50 (in a few more months)... I have been focusing on some goals this year. I'd like to share the journey of one with y'all. 

Back in 2020, I Graduated Nursing School, and honestly;went thru a bit of burnout afterwards. We then prepared our house to go on the market and pack up our lives of 25 years,move across the country, from WA to LA. It has been a bittersweet transition for all of us. 

We are slowly making community and finding our way.

We have been homeschooling all these years, so that has still been a priority. This time with the kids will be gone in just a few years. Last year we found  a great co-op, graduated Sarah and now in the homestretch of High school with Isaia. Just a few years left❤️

Last year, I was blessed to do some Hospice type caretaking with a few special families. This time rekindled my heart for serving, and standing in the gap of prayer and medicine. As '23 began, My heart was watching those Nurses in my life. I said goodbye to my Gr.Aunt T, who first inspired me to be a nurse. Her daughter, just retired as a nurse and has become a dear friend. I watched my niece finish up her Nursing School Program and many friends whom are advancing in their careers. It was time to complete this journey.💜

So, I fought off lots of doubts and grabbed some courage.... Be strong and courageous...I repeated often. I studied hard the past three months. From co-op to Dr appts and track practice, always with notecards in hand. The stubborn part of me knew that if I was finally going to tackle this NCLEX, I only wanted to do it once. I fought off fear and doubts and what ifs all the way to the door of the testing center last week .

But God is bigger than all those thoughts and fear is a Liar !! I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I prayed that over all my questions. The test shut off at 85 and I panicked.  Held back tears and went to the car. Prayed for peace driving back to hotel. When I turned on the car the song, By Faith, was playing. "By faith I keep pressing on, by Faith hope is never gone...."

Well, after the longest 48 hours waiting, I am so happy to say that I did pass and I am now an official RN. 🎉🎉

It has been a long road, but I am so thankful to be on the other side and to see how the Lord will use me.❤️❤️

So thankful for all the family and friends who have supported me and the family through this long journey.

Love, Tammy Hollaway,RN

 (This picture was a card given to me by my first Clinical Instructor..seemed fitting for closing out this journey.)

Isaia's big night

For all our friends and family that have known Isaia since he was little, sharing a huge milestone.

So back when Isaia was about 8, he hit a point with his speech struggles. He was shutting down and only had a handful of people that could 'translate' his words for him. That year he was diagnosed with Apraxia of Speech. He had moved up to his second SLP at the time. Heather and Shawna became part of the family, with Skype sessions several times a week. We love these ladies !!!

Summer of 2016 and '17, with the support of many friends and family, we were able to get him into Camp Candoo in Spokane, with Dr.Amy and Dr. Nancy and their team. His world opened up and he began finding his way and getting his huge vocabulary unlocked. He still has to think through his words sometimes,but overall he has fought hard and came to be a well spoken young man conquering his Apraxia. 

Friday night, our Homeschool co-op drama class put on a play. "Such a Time as This", a story about Queen Esther. Isaia played King Xerxes and had a large script of lines. 

He and the rest of the cast did so well.

We were so proud of Isaia and just seeing him up there projecting his voice and words with passion, made my heart rejoice. 

I remember the years where he felt trapped and no one would talk to him or they would walk away rather than try to decipher his words, and He has always had something to say ... He wouldn't go anywhere without Mom, Sarah or his buddy Anchor- because they knew his special language. Nowadays he is non stop talking !!😂

 God is so good,and we just loved seeing how far he has come in the past 7 years, wanted to share! Excited to see how the Lord uses him and his voice in the future.❤️❤️

Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”

Psalm 126:2 ESV

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 going💜.I made wonderful friends, even when I was old enough to be there Mom.💕  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

Homeschooling during isolation

Isolation schooling is not Homeschooling 😥. As a homeschool family of nearly 18 years, this social distancing is just as hard for those of us who spend more time at home with our kiddos.  Our kids are missing out on the many social activities they are used to... Field trips, library stops, park meet ups, co-op classes,sports activities and just hanging out with their friends...The good thing is we don't have to figure out the schooling thing, it just a normal part of our days.💞 I will admit Katie has taken on alot of the homeschooling for me with Nursing school this year as it became much more intense.. Very Thankful for her help.

To the Mama's flung Into this, hang in there.  Know there will be gaps, that's ok. Take time to just soak up watching your kiddos learn and give them freedom to be creative and explore new interests.  Find a good chapter book, make a fort under the table and read aloud and escape the craziness of this world.  We love the Narnia series for read alouds, just find joy with the kids. If things are becoming a battle, Stop, try something different, reclaim your day, take a walk and try later.❤️

Today we drove to the middle school and got the school lunch in the drive up, New experience of public school lunch 😉Bonus was friends doing the pick up too..visited through the car windows,for a few minutes of connection. ❤️ Missing hugs and time with friends💞Finding Joy in the day to day💞

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 😥Flight 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.💔

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.💞

Welcome to the Family, Stephanie❤️

Happy 2 Weeks of Marriage 💞

Happy New Years 2020

Working on  New Year's Cards and I didn't order enough,...so some of you dear friends might find one in your mailbox, but to all the rest.... Know you are precious and loved and we are so thankful to journey through this life with each of you . Much Love, Jerry, Tammy,Katie,Sarah, Isaia, AJ and  Stephanie (Soon to be Hollaway)💞 2020 appears to be filled with many new things for our family, So much to take in, but excited for the journey. ...For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.Jer29:11 #hollawayfamtime #ajandstephwedding #2020 #mommightgraduatethisyearLordwilling  #wemightbemoving #jerrywantstobewhereitswarmer #notsurehowitisallgoingtohappen #walkinfaith #greatthingsarecoming #HISplansarealwaysthebest #blessedlife

Farewell and Thank you 2019

I have thought about this blog for months; actually a few years.... It has been in the back of my mind and I have yearned for time to just sit and write what's on my heart.  I started pre-requisites in 2016 and it seems that is the time when this special corner of my world was put on pause.

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.

Summer-

Spent with friends and doing activities close to home... Weather wasn't superb... Didn't even have many days out on the kayaks.. 

Fall-2019

I started 3rd qrtr of Nursing school. Isaia begins 6th grade,Sarah 10th and Katie is taking on more of the homeschooling as Nuraing school intensifies.

Jerry is working on projects in his shop.. This summer he rebuilt the riding mower and it was helpful for maintaining the yard,but also for giving him a fun mode of transportation around the property.

AJ and Stephanie came home for Thanksgiving. What a Joy to finally meet her.  He sure loves her...

While they were here he took her up in the mountains and proposed to her.  We are excited to have her Join the family.