'Tis the Season

This past week I have been home doing things with the kids getting in the spirit for Christmas, while Ian was off hunting the "Big White Tail" deer. One of the adventures that the kids and I had was decorating Ginger Bread Men. What fun was that. We had frosting everywhere, however, it was worth it to see them smile and laugh.

God's beautiful handy work

When Ian and I bought our home we really were excited about the row of Fruit trees on the property. There is a fully grown Apple tree right out front and then they had just planted 2 new apple trees and a pear tree. Well, last year we weren't able to pick anything, but this year we have picked apples and a few pears. The kids have been so excited watching them grow and change. This past weekend we finally picked the ones that were worth picking, and oh how the kids squealed. I don't know what I will do with them, but I plan on using them somehow. Maybe a big pan of apple sauce.
So, here are the pictures of some of our fruit. Apples are the top picture and pears are below.

Soccer Girl

While Isaac has been digging, Anna has been working on her soccer abilities. She has had a new found joy outside kicking and running after the soccer ball. I think next year we will have to sign her up. She comes by it naturally as her Uncle George was an excellent soccer player in his day! Although, this move looks a lot like a ballerina, so maybe she will do that too!

Digging for China

So, in the past few days that we have had spare time and good days to get out Isaac has been digging for China. He is almost there I think. On his way to China he has found tons of worms of which he has felt the need to show Mom and Dad each and every one! Crazy boy.

Frist Day of School

Well, our little girl is finally off to school. She was excited, but very nervous. She did pretty good, but she pulled at my heart strings. She didn't want me to go at all, but I was already late for work as it was. So, she finally settled in with her teacher Mrs. Roy and did great during the day.
The second day was even worse. I didn't cry, but Anna did. She REALLY didn't want me to leave today. However, the teacher was nice and called me at work and let me know that she was ok. That call, however, made me cry at work. Awful feeling to leave your baby crying at school. Ugh, hope it gets better. I can't deal with this much more, or I might take her out of school all together.
The pictures were from Anna's first day, and only 2 cause the cameras weren't working well.

More summer fun!

So, last week when I took two days off to take Sue (my mom-in-law) to surgery which eneded being cancelled, Ian and I took the kids down to the Grey Animal Park in Grey, Maine. I hadn't been this year, so it was fun to watch the kids enjoy being out and seeing all the animals. We spent a few hours just wondering around and seeing all the wild life we might see in Maine. Mr. Moose was right were we could see him, but he was laying down so the kids didn't get a real since of how big he was, but they thought that was great. We talked about the diffrent kinds of birds and owls, and saw the black bears. One of the bears was so sleepy he fell asleep in a very funny position, but wasn't close enough to get a good picture, but trust me it was funny. Anyway, enjoy the pictures.

Summer Fun

This past weekend Ian and I (and the kids) took a quick trips to New Hampshire to see my folks. Ian and Dad went Surf Fishing down at Plum Island and the kids and Mom and I went to my Uncles to swim. I think we had more fun! I did go in the ice cold water, but most of the time I sat and watched my crazy kids. They had a great time playing with the buckets and splashing in the water. Since Anna is usually who we post, I decided to just post Isaac this time. What a crazy kid he is. He was so cold, but never wanted to stop playing to warm up with a towel. We were there for 2 hours before it was time for lunch.

Its finally over!

So, its been about 2 weeks since I took my boards. Today, while I was away, I got the call. Martha call and said that, well, I did it! I passed my boards. I am now waiting for them to put me on the registry and then I will be ready to work as a Certified Nursing Assistant. I am waiting for the changes to occur at work and then will probably apply for a CNA job within the office I am working at now. It would just be a job advancement which would be nice. Time will tell though. I have to wait for them to post the position so I can apply. Then I will have to wait and see if they will hire me.
A big thank you to all who encouraged me during this time. Especially my cheerleader in MD. You have been a faithful encouragement. Thank you. Hope you are almost done with your class too. And to my parents for continuing to encourage me. And a special thanks to my Husband who has made a lot of sacrifices so I could take this class. Taking care of the kids for long hours and taking care of the house. Thank you for allowing me to do this. I love you!

Graduation day for Laura!!!

Yes folks, the day has finally come. I am a graduate!!!
Today was a lot of fun after the test was done. We were all pretty anxious about it this morning, but it seems we may have all fair pretty good. I feel confident that I have done well and will pass, but it takes two weeks to know for sure.


Here is a picture of all of us today in our scrubs at the graduation. I had to get up in front of everyone and read this really long poem, but I did survive. Thanks to our instructor Martha, I have found the confidence I needed to continue my education. She has been a really encouragement to me these past few months and really would like to see me go on. For now I will use my CNA licence (if I pass) and continue to work where I am at for now. This fall I am hoping to pick up a few core classes to help me get ready for Nursing school. God has great things planned for me, now I just need to figure out what that is.
Thank you all who have supported me during these past few months. Ian has been great too and I owe him big for all he's done to keep the house us. On every Tuesday and Thursday we had class he was home with the kids all day alone and that isn't easy to do. God has blessed me with a caring husband who is willing to sacrifice for me to follow my new found dreams. Love you Ian.

Anna's Graduation

Hi all, I am going to try and download pictures from Anna's Graduation. It was a cute little time for the kids. Very funny to listen to them sing and do the sign language they learned.

A little fun with Friends

So, today was my last class for the CNA class I have been taking. Well, instead of going and working in the class room we went to a restaurant and had Chinese food. It was a lot of fun and just a great time to talk about other things besides the test we are taking on Saturday morning. I thought I would share a few of the pictures. Its been a great 3 months for me taking this class. I have made 11 new friends. Don't know if we all will keep in touch, but they have all made my life more interesting for the past 3 months.
The woman in the pink scrubs was actually a class example. That's our teacher next to her. Then there is me with one of the girls who has been encouraging me all during the class (its while we were at dinner tonight). I will try to upload more pictures, but for tonight that is it.

Here it is.....

Ok, so I feel very good about telling you this now. I have successfully completed my CNA final exam with a 100%. That's right you all, I did it. I really got a 100%. I couldn't believe it either. So, with that grade I have really passed my class and am well on my way to passing the board test which is next Saturday. Please pray as that day approaches cause I will be getting nervous as that day approaches. Then after our test we will have a little graduation for the class and our families. Should be a great day. I will post pictures.
Well, the kids are both doing well. We have had a few busy weeks here, but I will be putting some more posts on here soon.

Drum Roll Please!!!!!

So, for those who have been following my progress in my class I can now officially say, I passed my Final Exam!!!! I won't disclose my grade at this moment as my teacher is allowing me (and other in the class) to redeem ourselves and get it all right. Pray for me this weekend as I study hard. We can redo it on Monday during our class. Pray that the Lord will calm my nerves. I have never been a great test taker, for those who know me you know this is true. I have now finished my clinical part and we are back to the class room. Its been a tough few weeks working in the hospital and nursing home before that, but we have all survived. Last night was my final night and it was tough. The hospital floor was full so we were busy.
Well, thank you in advance for your prayers.

Happy Memorial Day!!

So, althought I had hoped to stay home with the family and enjoy our yard, we ended up in NH with my parents. We actually spent Saturday at my Uncle Charlie and Aunt Pam's house, which, happens to be on a dead end that ends in the WATER!!! So, with 6 kids there we spent time down at the water before lunch. I thought I would include a few pictures from beach time. Its always nice to see family. Included are pictures of both Anna and Isaac, and a pictures of my Nephew Chandler and my Niece Gabrielle. I didn't get a good pictures of Elizabeth (she's 8), or of young George (he's about 18 months).

Just for fun

The other day we were all just hanging around the house together enjoying some quiet time (doesn't happen often). So, I took a few pictures of the family. The little picture is from the animal farm the kids and Ian went to last week.

Who let the animals out?

Today I spent the day at work, working hard as we went live on a new computer system. While I was slaving away the kids and Ian were out having fun at the Gray Animal Farm in Gray, Maine. The kids had so much fun. They were chased by geese, watched a pregnant moose, and just had a great time with Nana. Anyway, I have tried 3 times to post pictures so you can see, and well, its not working. Sorry! I will try again when I am not so tired.

Class update!

Just wanted to get a note out there to begin praying for me. Thursday (5/3/07) I start my clinicals for my class. I will be in clinicals the entire month of May and one day in June. Then the rest of June will be class hours. And at some point during the clinicals I will need to take my "Final Exam" which will consist of writing out the 7 systems of the body and their structure as well as their function. It won't be easy, but I am hoping to get that done next week so I don't have to worry about it any more. Then the biggest worry I have at this point is my Board Test which will be June 23, 2007 at 9 Am. Then I will have a 2 week wait till I know if I am on the Maine registry of CNA's.
So, as I go through the next 2 months I ask that you will keep me in your prayers (specifically on Tuesdays and Wednesday as those are class and clinical days).
Thank you in adavance for your prayers.

Loving our spring days!

What a beautiful weekend we have had here in Maine. Finally the snow is melting and we were able to get outside and enjoy our yard without tons of clothing on. Yesterday we picked up in the yard so that today we could play in it. This afternoon we spent some time as a family out fishing, or at least trying to fish. The only thing Ian and I caught were trees. It was the funniest thing. Ian's first cast he landed himself a hug oak tree. I think we sacrificed more worms than anything. The kids giggled and ran around which was fun. We took some sandwiches and had a picnic which was great too. We had to promise the kids another fishing trip next weekend to get them back in the car. I think we will be fishing our summer away, if the kids have anything to say about it.

Girls weekend away!

Back in March, Anna and I took my mother-in-law Sue to see the Smuckers Stars on Ice Show in Portland. It was a fun time for us girls to just go away and spend some special time together. We don't get to do that much right now as I am in school and working full time. However, this special weekend was tons of fun. So its not the best picture, but it sure was a fun time. We left early cause it was late and Anna was sleepy, but well worth our time. The skating was amazing. I am hoping to go next year. The three women we sat next too have been going for years. The mother said that "Santa" has been bringing her now adult girls the tickets since they were young. We couldn't see the faces very good, but it was our first time so it is definately something to learn from. We will get better seats next year that way we can actually see expressions.

Thankful Thursday

So, once again it isn't Thursday, but being thankful is an everyday thing anyway! Thank Goodness.
Sometimes I wonder why God has given me the family he has given me. I have two beautiful children that are pretty healthy (when they don't have the seasonal sinus thing going on). I have a husband that believes in the same Lord and Saviour I do. I have parents and in-laws who support me in whatever I find myself getting into next (for example my CNA class). Which brings me to the reason I am thankful.
In my CNA class there are 11 of us. Eleven diffrent women who come from very diffrent backgrounds. Praise the Lord for my upbringing. I am thankful for my salvation and the parents who were faithful about taking me to church and willing to help me learn about the Lord at a young age. I am thankful that my parents allowed me to go to Word of Life Bible insitute and have the experences there that I had. The ones that pretty much have made me who I am today.
I am Thankful for the Lord who is faithful to me.
I am Thankful for my kids who keep me laughing daily.
I am Thankful for my parents and in-laws who do continually support me.
And I am thankful for my friends who continue to encourage me in my faith.

Anna's Birthday Party

So, Anna is now 5 years old. She is getting so big. I can't believe its been 5 years since she was born. Anyway, her birthday was Easter Sunday so we celebrated her birthday at school on the 10th with her "friends". I can't tell you any of their names other than Kaylee and Ashley, but they are all her "friends". She is so cute about it. She always has "homework" to do and wants her brother to leave her alone. Too funny. Well, enjoy the pictures.

Snow in April?

So, we were almost actually feeling like Spring up here in the North Land of Maine. I went to bed on Wednesday night and woke up on Thursday with 15 Inches of snow. Ugh! So, I thought I would share it with you. If I have to suffer, you can at least see it! Wouldn't you all love to come and visit me in the Icy North.

So, its not Thursday, but I have things to be thankful for!

What a wonderful family my Lord has given me. It hasn't always been easy, but Ian and I have been married 8 years this next Tuesday. So, I am thankful for:
The eight years I have had with my Husband,
The two beautiful children the Lord has blessed me with,
The several churches we have had the opportunity to minister in over the years,
My wonderful parents and in-laws who have been there for us over the 8 years of marrage,
The wonderful home the Lord has blessed us with,
and the wonderful friends who have been faithful over the years even when we haven't seen each other in such a long time.
And not at all the least of these, God's Faithfulness through it all.

Even More Snow

So, we thought that Spring had sprung, but we were wrong! It started snowing last night and hasn't stopped. Ian has already plowed us out, but its still snowing so it won't be the last time today!
Isaac's party was suppose to be today, but since we are stuck at home today, we won't be having it. So, once again we will have to reschedule. Keep an eye out for pictures from that.
Brr..its cold here, hope you are all warm.
I'll be back soon with more fun information.

Day in the ER

Tuesday around 2 p.m. Ian's Mom called me at work, and said that Ian was having trouble breathing and had chest pain. They wanted to know what to do. I connected them directly with the nurse (perks of working at a Doctors office), and they were told to go to the ER. At 2:30 p.m. Ian had been put on oxygen and was in a lot of pain still. They were able to start a series of blood tests and once that was done they started nitro. Nitro is for people having heart attacks to help calm the heart muscle. After 3 of those and 3 blood test and 7 1/2 hrs in the ER they sent us home. He is going for a stress test on Thursday Morning at 7:45 a.m. Ian was extreamly tired after the day and was ready to go to bed when we got home after 10 last night, but I was wired. I finally fell asleep and got back up at 6:30 a.m. for work.
Somewhere in the middle of all the ER events I went down and took my first quiz for my CNA class. I got a 100% which made me happy, and I got my homework for Thursday. Crazy week!
I thank the Lord for such great in-laws who put themselves out for us to help with the kids. If it weren't for them I would have been alone it it all cause no one else lives close enough to help. God is good!

Back to School

Well, this past week I went back to school. I am enrolled in the Adult Education here in town. I am taking the first of many classes it seems. I am currently taking a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) class. I am not sure which class I will take next, but I think it will be in January. A Phlebotomy class (blood sucker). It makes for two very long days during the week, but I will be done in June, so it shouldn't be too bad. At least I will have my Summer off.

Ian and the kids are doing well. Isaac just had his third birthday (with a party to come). Anna is excited cause her birthday is coming up now. They are both anxious for the snow to go away, but since it is still very much here, it may take a while to melt. Anna is always commenting on how she wants Spring to come. In this picture you can see my Dad's truck, which won't be moving any time soon. : )

Gilpatric Life

Hi, so this page has been created to track the life of our family. I am trying to keep friends and family up to date on all that is happening in our lives. This past week has been school vacation for Anna so we have had a ton of family time together. I had Monday off for Presidents Day and Wednesday cause its was my day off. Its fun to be able to spend extra time together.
Ian had an interview this week which went well, but now we are waiting to hear if he got the job or not. It will be tough if he goes back to work cause we will have to find a babysitter as our hours of work will over lap, but it might be worth it. My job is going great, and I have figured out where my place is in the office which is nice. I am finally feeling like part of a team. Anna loves her school. She has really started to blossom. She will be 5 soon, and boy is that hard to imagine. Isaac is definately a boy. He is so rough and tumbly. He is a great joy in our lives though. He will be 3 in just 2 weeks which makes us both crazy. Where have the years gone.
Well, that is it for now. I will post pictures soon, when I get batteries for the camera.