2 weeks down 38 to go!

Phew!! Well, my first two weeks of nursing school have passed! I am still alive! I haven't cried yet, although I think I may have chronic heartburn from anxiety! These were definately the hardest weeks I have ever had to endure. With reading, memorizing, writing, lecturing and sitting all week, my body is tired by Friday night! I am currently taking Anatomy & Physiology (A&P), Nursing Principles (Theory), Clinical Calculations (Drug Math), Pharmacology, Mental Health and Nutrition. I have a small rolling suitcase that I wheel along with my lab kit (full backpack), lunch and purse, I am exhausted just getting to and from my car. I have 12 books that I have to keep with me at all times, so I put a crate in my van for an occasion, they want me to go get one. I pretty much get a break every 90 minutes or so, to stretch, but it is hard to sit in the seats for that long. My butt is conforming to the shape of the chair. I have decided to take short walks during my breaks, while 1/2 the rest the class is out smoking. One of the other students actually stopped by on lunch, in her car, to see if I needed a ride since I was walking a lap around the parking lot. But, I do it so I can keep my metabolism high, and not gain weight, as they warned us about on the first day. (I am the only one who walks.) There are 85 of us in the program for August which runs until June 6th (graduation). Down to 84 this week. I will be graduating with my GPN (Graduated Practical Nurse) until I pass state boards N-CLEX, and then I will be an LPN. For now my title is SPN (student practical nurse). Please keep me and our family in your prayers, because this will be the hardest thing I will have to do I think ever. (Until I go for my RN later, but even that is suppose to be a piece of cake compared to this program.) For now, we are dealing with juggling schedules, meals, homework and family time. The boys start school this week so this will be different all around. Pray for Brent, he is taking on quite a load and is a huge support & kudos giver. Pray for Eric, he's a live-in babysitter and gopher. Pray for Jared and Lucas who would love to have more of my attention. Pray for me, that I will be able to keep all things in perspective, that I remember God is great & I know He has wonderful things in store for me and for energy!
FYI- I have done great on all my quizzes so far! Keep you posted when I can!

Dad & Mom visit

Brent, his dad Elbert and my dad Rocky

Lucas, Eric & Jared

My mom and dad came out to visit a few weeks ago, it was great! The boys were so excited to see them! They could only stay a few days, which actually felt more like hours to me. We tried to make the most of it by going to the National Underground Railroad Museum in Cincinnati and just hangin' out around the house. We celebrated Lucas' 2nd birthday, went to Eric's last school concert and ate at White Castle. They were gone before we knew it!

Lucas & Papa

Mom & me

Grandma Mary's Fruits & Wine painting

I remember seeing this painting in my Grandma Mary's house as I was growing up. She had painted it circa 1975. Initially, this painting had been given to me by Larry, after my Grandpa Larry passed away. But at the time, we lived in a small apartment, and had no where to hang it. I asked Larry to keep it for me. Some years later, my uncle Raymond had it hanging in his house and some how found out that it was mine. My uncle Raymond was nice enough to let go of this precious family heirloom and present it back to me at my brother Nathan's wedding. Since then, I have kept it up as to not get it damaged. Recently, Brent was kind enough to take it to a framing store where they took very good care of it, cleaned and re-framed the painting to my delight! I chose an older rustic looking frame, to go with the Spanish style of the picture. We also painted our dining room a deep red to with the colors of the pitcher and background in the painting. Click on the painting to see it up close and scroll over to see her signature at the bottom. I think it looks fantastic!

There's a tree on our house!

Yeah, that's right, a 60 foot tree on top of our house! There was a huge storm and it blew so hard that a tree that was on the bed of our creek, fell from the pressure ripping the roots up and landing the tree on the second story of our house! It sort of laid on our house really, since it, Thank God, didn't go through the roof.


But, as you can see, it was just a few feet from the first story which, is exactly where Brent and I were when the tree fell. We were watching a very funny movie(The Holiday), and had to with regret, resume it at a later time. Not much damage to the house except some of the eaves and gutters were broken and our bridge flipped over, unlike our neighbors down the street whose tree fell through their kitchen and bathroom.

Tootin' his horn!

Eric just graduated from 6th grade, at the beginning of the year he picked up an instrument for the first time. Brent asked him why he chose the trumpet, saying "Don't tell me it's because you want to play "TAPS"." Eric looked at him without saying anything, and we knew that was his answer. From that point on, he has been enjoying every minute of lessons, class time and practicing. He absolutely loves music! He goes to bed with classical music playing in the background every night. It helps him relax that machine brain of his, so he can finally fall asleep! By the second concert of the year he was moved to 1st chair, which is a big deal, it means he is doing very well and his teacher Mr. Ling is blown away! He was shocked that this was the first time Eric ever played an instrument. Along with the trumpet, Eric has taught him self to play the piano (still learning, he practices after his trumpet), and has just recently picked up our acoustic guitar. He has a great ear for this stuff!