Merry Christmas

My Goodness, it's been a while. Life has certainly changed recently and kicked me in the butt. I'm still not used to NOT having any personal time to do what I want and what I like. As I am on winter break right now, I thought I would take some time to catch up. This has been a whirlwind last 4 months. I have enjoyed every moment of it as well, except for the tests. BRUTAL beyond comprehension. So far I have managed to excel at all my classes. I am working harder for this, than for anything I have ever done in my life. It is exciting, rewarding, and challenging. I am in my 2nd quarter right now, taking Clinical Pharmacology, Med/Surge I, Mental Health Nursing. Have done well so far. Pharmacology is kicking my butt, but I refuse to fail at this. I literally do nothing else. I am in clinical 2 days week now in a hospital. I am working on the 5th floor, Med/Surge unit, with emphasis on Dialysis patients, which is fascinating. I am soaking it all up. I have been able to do some amazing procedure thus far, my favorite being changing my patients Wound Vac 2 weeks ago. I observed it being done Tuesday, and did it by myself Wednesday and my instructor told me I did a really great job, and that I was lucky to have had the opportunity, as not many nursing students have this opportunity. It was amazing. The wound was 11x6x2 cm and I could see to the bone. It is a very technical procedure and requires a knowledge of the tools and equipment used. I stayed up the night before learning as much as I could. It was awesome.

I have not had my turn at administering meds yet, but I am on the schedule for the week after Christmas. I have already done insulin injections and changed IV's.

Tanner finished out football with flying colors. He started most of the season and coach said he was amazing. I managed to catch the tail end of a few of his games, as his games are when I am in school myself. TG my school is sort of across the street from his. He is doing wrestling now and had his !st tournament this weekend. He won first 2 matches, made the semi-finals, and lost out for the 3rd place title. He was bummed. I am so proud of him. He is a good boy, turning into a good man. He is 14 now, 6'4" tall, and a good looking kid. He works hard in school, is getting amazing grades, and enjoys seminary.

Brady tried out for and got the lead role in the school play this year. He is rehearsing 3-4 days/ week after school. His grades are top notch; he made the principle's honor roll last quarter. He is my helper and i truly enjoy any time I have with him. He has a wonderful sense of humor and we get along great. He is an awesome kid.

Drew, Drew Drew, Droops, Droopie is an all around hoot. This kid cracks me up one minute and has me in fumes the next. He knows how to push my buttons. I love him to death. He is smart and can tell you the first 4-5 presidents of the U.S and anything about the current president and president elect. UGH! He can count to 100, knows ABC's and is starting to read. He can spell his name, all our names and loves books, Hannah Montana, and cars.

I love my family and am so Thankful to have the honor of being their mom. It truly is the highlight of my life thus far. Kids are wonderful and they have been so supportive of me in school and in the lack of time I seem to have with them lately. Can't wait for that to all change. We do have fun here together though, when I don't have my nose stuck in a book, studying for a brutal test the next day, or researching online for any number of papers I have to write at the drop of a dime. I have 3 group projects due over the next few weeks. Psych is a project on my heritage, so I figured I would delve into the Spanish bits n' pieces a bit, as I didnt have a chance. I was placed in a group with 3 other spanish girls. Should be interesting. We present in front of the class and are bringing in some spanish food items; rice & beans, flan, and some drinks. Med/Surge is a group project with 1 other student on Diabetes Insipidous. We have to research, do a write up, make a poster board presentation and present in front of the class. Pharmacology was a draw and we got constipation, and stool softeners. Not too thrilled about this one, but it is an important issue, so we will do our best. It is also a write up, poster board presentation or Powerpoint. Seems I will be getting over my fear of public speaking SOON! (lol)

This has been a wonderful year, and a hard year, but thanks for family and friends who help and support me I am managing just fine. Thanks Ruthi for all you do for me and the kids. Thanks for having Drew in your home on nights I have clinical. I would be a wreck without all you do for us.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas (i refuse to say holiday) and an even better New Years. I have the boys this year for New Years and we are going to have a fun party!