Better Late Than Never

Here is an adorable photo of Andrew at his Pre-K graduation in June. He was beaming and so proud of himself. It was a great evening. Dad was there with his girlfriend Sue, and her mom Robin. Ruthi showed with her kids, and of course I was there with the boys. Brady made a nice video of the ceremony. I cannot believe my baby starts kindergarten in September. He is enjoying summer camp. He is so happy to have the rest of the summer with the ever adorable/sweet Mrs. Kari. She is amazing and has made this year for him so wonderful.

GOOD NEWS....

I passed my exit exam this morning with flying colors. I got a 99% prediction that I will pass boards on my first try. I certainly hope so! I am officially done. I have meetings with a few colleges coming to visit Monday. Tuesday is review/study sessions with instructors for Boards, Wednesday is a huge breakfast and graduation rehersal, then Thursday evening is my pinning ceremony. I am so excited to finally be done. I feel like I have really accomplished something and it feels wonderful!

School, school, and more SCHOOL!!

Today was a marvelous day! Why you ask??? Because this morning I took my LAST final exam (pediatric nursing) and I found out at 4:30 this afternoon that I PASSED the final and the class. I am DONE. I have this week of clinical left, and my 250 question, 3 hour, proctored computer EXIT EXAM on Friday. This test is the best predictor of how well we will do on boards (licensure examination). Due to the hefty fee attached, I'd like to pass it the first time, so Friday during my lunch break I hopped over to Borders and purchased 2 NCLEX-PN exam study books. I have been using the cd and taking the practice quizzes, tests, etc. I need ONE more blessing from God...LET ME PASS THIS TEST! I have busted my butt daily for 1 year for this. I have no words to describe the journey...(PAIN), but I have persevered and have come away with so much knowledge...and the best part is, it is about something I love. I can now say it has been worth all the headaches, back aches, foot aches, hand cramps, eye strain, and sheer exhaustion. I have never worked for something so hard in life, and other than my 3 wonderful sons, nothing has brought me more satisfaction, joy and pain at the same time. I have been a lunatic (some say I always will be) and I look forward to some down time. My teachers have been amazing, wonderful, patient, and not so patient at times. I've had to curb my tongue, and wipe some tears. I have lots of people to thank for help, support, and love. We all know what started me on this journey ...and I've come to believe that everything that happens in life happens for a reason...so THANK YOU! It feels so good! Graduation, well my nursing program ceremony is in a week. I will follow up with that and photos...then boards.

I also found out I passed by exams I took 2 weeks ago (2 A&P courses & Dynamics of Nursing) towards my RN. I basically challenged the courses by sitting for and passing the final exams. I now have a transcript from UMDNJ. It ended up being worth the money and now that is 2 less classes I have to take when I start my RN program. I have to say, I am surprised I pulled it off. I studied hard though, on top of my ownnursing courses. Life has a way of sometimes working out.

Recent Mini Hurricane

Well, one weekend night a few weeks ago we had a horrible storm, lasted hours and caused quite a bit of damage to trees, lines and houses. This is a great photo I got the next morning of a tree completely ripped from the ground. HUGE trees were cracked and split from lightning and some completely uprooted, such as this. I don't think I have seen it rain that much, that hard, so fast...until last night. We had another one last night, minus the wind. The rain was so hard and heavy I couldn't see across the street. I sat on the porch alone in the dark and watched for 30 minutes, the sky was amazing. The thunder was so loud and the sky completely lit up. Thanks to my mama, I love storms and this was a great one. It was a great way to end the day.

New Car

I finally traded in my Jeep Liberty for a new lease. I got a 2009 Hyundai Sonata Limited. It is fully loaded, xm satellite radio, navigation, leather, all auto controls, moonroof, Infinity stereo, and I love it. I got an excellent deal on it and am extremely happy. I am also glad to be in a car again. I'm sure I'll feel otherwise as soon as it snows, but for now I am enjoying it. On the 5th day of having it, no license plates yet, an elderly woman backed out into me in a parking lot and scratched my passenger bumper pretty badly. I was so pissed. Lady was so cute tho. After I calmed Andrew down, Ruthi called Police who came and took report. I felt bad fo the 82 yr old woman, but my new car was just not so new anymore. I called her insurance, and got my check already. Just need time to get it into shop for the repair. Only $600 in damages...autobody hasn't done full work up tho, not to mention rental fees. Waiting til school is done.

Annual Balloon festival 2009

This past weekend was the Annual Balloon Festival in town, where people from all over the East coast come to see. I will attach a few photos of balloons coming right over house top. It was bizarre. But totally cool to see them so close.