The Clark's Come to visit!

My brother and sister-in-law and their family came to visit from Florida this last week! We had a full house with our adorable, energetic and adventurous nieces. Sierra (10), Ava (7), Alyssa (5), Joelle (3) and Claire (5months). We had a blast playing tourist with them all over Seattle. We went to the Woodland park zoo, Pacific Science Center, Up to the Space Needle, took a argosy cruise tour of the bay and visited the Seattle Aquarium. We spent a night "camping" in the backyard, making fires and roasting and experimenting different s'more concoctions including roasting hot tamales (a Ryen family addiction I think), we went on a hike to Twin Falls in North Bend, WA in which everyone, one way or another went for a dip in the river, some of us fell in while navigating the rocks and others (Christi, Josh, and John) all dove into the freezing cold water. It was quit the adventure weekend. The girls loved collecting slugs all around the yard including naming them, holding them, and making them a designated rock formation to try and keep them in one spot. The girls loved playing with Saddie and Peanut, even though they both were less than sociable. Peanut sent very mixed signals growling and waggin his tale while being pet and Saddie pretended to be dying by crying everytime any of the younger girls tried to pet her. They obviously are not use to be around so many playful kids but none the less good practice for them as they hopefully wont always be our only babies. Kids say the cutest things and we loved having our family in town this week. They are so much fun and we miss them already. It was very strange waking up this morning not hearing Alyssa singing or talking to the dogs through our door....but to silence. We love all our nieces and nephews and wish we could all live closer to one another.

5 year Wedding Anniversary, August 1st, 2014.

This is the day 5 years ago the man of my dreams agreed to marry me. I feel so blessed to be his wife. He is an amazing man that makes me laugh everyday, I can completely be my true self and he supports me in anything and everything I do. I love him more today than I ever thought was possible to love someone. When I think about how truly lucky I am to have found in him my best friend, partner in crime, true love and biggest supporter my heart is overcome with happiness and love. It hurts sometimes I love him so much. It is unconditional. True love.
This is usually the time everyone would report how many children they have had, times they have moved, houses they have lived in/bought and every other accomplishment. Josh and I have not had a "typical" first 5 years of marriage but I would not trade any of them for anything. Everything we have gone through and have been blessed with have brought us closer. Every day we learn more about each other and our relationship. We don't know what the years ahead of us have in store. We know God is in the details and is mindful of what we are meant to do/be. We hope to someday have children and have a place to call our own but for now I'm just so happy that god blessed me with the most important part of my life early on.... Josh. I love you forever and always.

The most difficult test of my life....

Yes, I did it. I'm still in disbelief. I took my National Board Certification Exam for Occupational Therapy....and PASSED!
To get to this point, is a miracle in itself. While taking the test it took everything in me to not run out crying the timed 4 hour 200 question test was so nerve racking stressful. I left the testing center (Practically a jail in which they take your fingerprints, pat you down and make you raise your hand if you want to take off your jacket) my nerves were shot. I felt completely defeated and was positive I was going to end up homeless on the streets of Seattle ( a common negative place I go straight to when I feel I have failed) in my mind at the time, I had just wasted thousands and thousands of dollars, and years of my life.....my family was extremely supportive during these 4 days of torture and delirium waiting for my exam results and I would have never made it through without them. I received my results on a Thursday morning and remember waking up several times that night and morning wishing I could just go back to bed so I didn't have to find out my results. My classmate Rachel broke the news to me that morning via a text at 7:30am. I couldn't believe it. I checked my status over and over.....over and over. Honestly, until I received this piece of paper in the mail confirming I still couldn't believe it.  It is such a big deal because although I received my degree in Occupational therapy from an accredited program, if I didn't pass, like so many people I had read about on Facebook attempting their 5th even 6th time, I could not do anything with my degree without passing this national exam. I feel extremely blessed to be able to overcome all the obstacles that I faced while in school, including 4 of my teachers quitting and having to move to Vegas to finish my requirements for graduation all the while going through some of the hardest trials of my life with Josh. We made it through. Here is a pic my mom insisted she take to post on Facebook of course. What would I do without my mom? I would have no documented accomplishments.

This piece of paper is by far more important than any other because without it I could not practice. (Sigh of relief) Finally, I can start doing what I love.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Occupational therapy. I am an "assistant" in the way a nurse "assists" a doctor. I treat patients independently of other professionals but collaborate with the occupational therapist on client status, progress ect. Occupational Therapy practioners help people of all ages to become/achieve independence when dysfunction, disability or delays in function that affects their daily life occurs. I can work in all different settings including hospitals, outpatient and inpatient    rehabilitation units, pediatric clinics, skilled nursing facilities, schools, mental health facilities just to name a few. If your interested in learning more visit: http://www.aota.org/consumers.aspx 

My first job as a therapist. Mosaic Children's Therapy in Bellevue, WA.