Ms. Buteau, LNA...

Yup, I've done it! Well, almost. :) I just finished an intense six weeks of training with the VNA in a LNA program (licenced Nursing Assistant) I finished up finals yesterday. Scored 100% on my lab exam and 90% on the written. I'm pretty excited. Now on Oct. 2nd we take our state exams. I guess then it will be "official"
I'm really excited about joining Stampin' Up as a Demonstrator, now if I can find the time to do some workshop and classes it should all work out. I have to say during the past couple weeks, between moving, kids starting school, me in class and clinical everyday, soccer and football it's been crazy. BUT, I've been de-stressing by stamping. It's so relaxing for me. I will try to post a picture of my latest project. I made Halloween treat bags for my LNA classmates, so much fun

The Boys...

I haven't been working on my blog lately and with Dakota coming home next week and Jack out to overnight camp, I figured I should add some pics. Granted they aren't all new, in fact the football ones are from last year. For those of you who haven't seen the kids in a while, these are great and they include my brother John, if you know him believe me you know how priceless every moment is with him~LOL Having all three boys together in one time is beyond words. Ok, so I promise to add more as soon as I get some. Have fun looking at these for now

ROTTEN TOMATOES: In Theaters

ROTTEN TOMATOES: In Theaters

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Our little trip to MA to see Melissa Ferrick and Catie Curtis

Thank Goodness for Valerie! She purchased tickets to go see these girls live on August 1st in Lowell, MA. The week before my brother had passed away, so I left for Louisiana and didn't know if I could make it home on time. Well...my flight came in at 10:30 Friday night and we left first thing Sat. morning for MA. It felt like I was in non-stop travel mode. But, I have to say once we got there it was just what I needed. VERY relaxing, the concert was outside and everyone was sitting with coolers and blankets. We got to lay out on the grass, just the two of us. I so badly needed this time after the week I had just gone through.
To top it all off we got to meet Catie Curtis, she was so sweet. Valerie bought me her newest CD and Catie signed it. Melissa Ferrick came on after, and she too was perfect. What a great weekend!!!

Our Special Day

On June 6th, 2009 we hosted our engagement party. The guest list was 150 people and realized at one point that why not just surprise everyone and have a JP come and do our civil union then! We had planned our engagement party around a backyard bbq theme so everyone could be relaxed. At first, we were both a bit hesitant on doing it this way but quickly realized we didn't need the $30,000 wedding. My love for Valerie is something I've never experienced and spending that much money wasn't going to change my love...so I proposed the idea we keep with our plan of the engagement party but throw a little something into it. Hence, we are now legally civil unioned in the state of Vermont. Marriage is legal in Sept. and we plan to do a little something then.

We had an amazing turnout, there were 89 people who showed up. Everyone was chilling out, eating bbq food (thanks Aunt Kate, Jessie, Tricia) and listening to music. Later we had a bonfire and all sat around. It was the perfect evening.

a hard day

I'm still having a hard time with the loss of my brother Bull. He, Trey, Jessie and I shared the same father. All four of us have stayed in contact over the years, but it was tough. Bull was only 23, way to young to die. I see Bull in Dakota and hope he grows up to gain as much as Bull did.
Sitting in Shreveport, LA catching up with everyone. The funeral/memorial service was beautiful. Having my whole Buteau family down here for this was so so comforting. This was on the back of Bull's memorial handed out at the church....
"In one sense there is no death. The life of a soul on earth lasts beyond departure. You will always feel that life touching yours, that voice speaking to you, that spirit looking out of other eyes, talking to you in the familiar things he touched, worked with, loved as familiar friends. He lives on in your life and in the lives of all others that knew him."