Nursing School Journey Log 1

As I mentioned in my previous post... I quit my job! That was not the original plan. The original plan was for me to work through the summer for some extra money & then start nursing pre-requs. in the fall. Everything was going great at the job... The sales aspect was a bit stressful, but other than that it was great. I went away for a woman's conference May 7th & 8th and while I was away they had a mass layoff. I think it was a little over 1/2 of the people that got let go. I made the cut BUT I found out some things that had gone down that I really didn't want my name to be a part of SO I had no choice but to quit. It was really weird. I've never quit a job w/o notice before... I went in really early on Monday morning, got my personal belongings & then had a brief phone chat with my supervisor to let him know I wasn't coming back. It's been really nice being back home. I plan to do a little baby sitting over the summer... which will bring in some extra money & keep my kids from being too extremely bored with just mom in the house. 

I also altered my school plan a bit. I decided to go ahead & start my pre-requs! The original plan (don't you love how MY plans are ever so changing...) was to go part time with my pre-reqs while I worked close to full time hours as a CNA (insane, right?) WELL, there is a possibility that I will go to school full time & finish my pre-requs in 2 semesters... and just work very part time hours. Health Science 1 & 2 are part of those pre-requs. BUT I have to take Chemistry before I can take those 2 classes. (you still with me?) I say all of that to say I realized Memorial Day morning that I had to take Chemistry this summer or it would delay me 9 months!!!! Because the school was closed that Monday I registered Tuesday morning & started class that night. I tell ya, I'm getting better at this decision making thing, huh? 

Money is a bit tight. I'm having to be extremely clever with the grocery planning. I know I didn't have a choice when it came to quitting the job... so I'm confident that I did the right thing and I know everything is going to work out fine.  

This school thing is a little weird. I haven't been in school for about 10 years. My first test is this Thursday. I'm a little unprepared b/c I don't have my book yet (school was out of used books so I ordered online.. got an older version that the teacher approved for $5... sure beats the $135 new one at the school!) 

I have to finish all of my nursing pre-requs before I can actually apply to the nursing program.(Pre-requs= Chemistry, Health Science 1 & 2, College Success Skills, Computer, Math 120, Developmental Psychology, Principles of Sociology & a humanities elective... English comp too, but that was the 1 class out of my original 32 credits that I can use... 10 years later, ayayaa)  Out of 200 applicants per semester only 60 are accepted. It's based on the GPA of your pre-requs & a test called the NET. So I know I have to do really good. 

I called this post what I did b/c even though I'm not actually in the nursing program yet, that's my goal & as far as I'm concerned... I'm in nursing school. It's going to be a 3 year journey. I'm sure that there will be some sacrifices & a ton of hard work, but I'm so excited. 

If I have to be away from my family to do a job... I know part of that is bringing home the bacon but, I want to do something that brings value to others. I'm excited about nursing b/c I know I will be helping people. I'm not sure what area of nursing I'm interested in yet, but I believe God will show me as I go where He wants to use me. 

So anyway, post 1 of my 3 year journey... it's going to be an adventurous one, I'm sure! 

For now, Im off to look up my text book online & see if I can figure out these crazy metric conversions before Thursdays test. 

Memorial Day... a week late

Memorial Day weekend was a blast! 

Saturday we went to Kings Dominion... We took Reece, Liv & her little bud Tatum. (Maddy was with her dad, but the girls received season passes for Easter, so we'll go back a lot this summer... especially since I quit my job & now I'm going to be home with the kids ALL summer... I'm so excited & trust me, there will be a blog to come with more details :) !) The pix are blurry b/c I forgot my camera, so I used Stephen's phone...

Reece met Scooby Doo... 

I LOVE this picture... Kings Dominion also has a water park. We sat Reece at the water's edge &  she LOVED it! She kept leaning over trying to drink the water. Too daggon funny! Check out the weird hand effect. 

Monday we went to Ashley's for a cook out. We had so much fun!

The beautiful hostess with the mostest.... 

Reece's first time IN the pool... she is going to be a water bug b/c she LOVED it. Can't you tell? 

 

She even did a little sun bathing! 

All the BFF's kids (or at least most of them) ...

I love this shot of Robin & I...

Speaking of Robin... did you REALLY think I could NOT post a video after your post?!?! 

(Stephen said we sounded like a bunch of monkeys) 

Erica, Ashley & Robin I had too much fun on that thing! 

Maddy must have been too busy swimming & bouncing to pause for any pictures! She had a great time too though. 

Family, friends, food & fellowship... good times! 

Holy Cow... it's been over a month!

Ok, I simply can't take it anymore. SO what if the dishes are piled up, bathrooms filthy, kids not bathed... I NEED a blog fix daggonit. I can't believe it's been over a month. I sure have missed blog world. I must admit I have popped in a time or 2 to browse through my friends blogs & I have been keeping up with Stellan's condition. Thank God he's doing better. I will have to take the time soon to actually read through everyone's blog & catch up. 

I thought I would have some time at work in between phone calls to possibly blog... but, unfortunately we have restricted access to the web. What do you mean I can't play on Facebook & blog all day?!?!? What kind of company is this any way?!?!? For cryin' out loud!

Actually the job is going really really good. It's sales... & sales... well, it is what it is. I'm just thankful to be able to offer a service that is really helping people. I have been pretty successful in my position. I got a "Rising Star" award and another recognition in the short time that I've been there. I'm certainly not bragging... b/c it's totally not me! I'm no salesman, that's for sure. I just ask God for help. Some of the guys were giving me a hard time today b/c I did really good this week & they were asking me what my secret was. I told them I pray a lot... I said I ask God to send me the people who I can help & who wanna pay. :) They didn't have too much to say to that. God is so good! 

Life seemed like such a breeze when I first started back to work.... I guess that was the brief honeymoon stage :) Reality has kicked back in. There is SO much that I want to get done every day...

read my Bible, pray, cuddle with the kids, play with the kids, read to the kids, feed the kids, spend time w/ the hubs, exercise, diet, clean the house, clean the kids, clean myself, balance the checking account, eat, sleep... you know, the basics. Not to mention... spend time with friends, time for ME, make sure I call my mom so she knows I still love & appreciate her, catch up with other family (thank God for Facebook, huh?) go to church... OH yeah & then there's the whole "run an entire ministry with your husband" thing I got going on. I mean seriously. How's a girl supposed to do all of this? 

That was a rhetorical question, of course I know the answer...  ONLY BY THE GRACE OF GOD. 

I'll be honest with you though... some days I feel like crawling into a hole & not coming out for a really LONG time. I realize on those days that I'm feeling that way b/c I'm trying to make things happen in my own strength. Relying on God is so "daily".. it HAS to be or I'd go MAD. Seeking His face & getting onto His presence is SO important. BUT it's also SO easy for me to get caught up in the daily grind of things & neglect that time with Him... when I do I can start to feel the weight coming back on. 

It also helps me to have such a wonderful hubs. I love him so much. Just one of the many reasons why... the other night I came home extremely cranky. I barely spoke to him. The older girls were in KY for spring break (thank God for the in laws... it was a nice break for us & the girls had a blast!) The originally plan for this particular evening was to get some cleaning & painting done while the kids were out of town. Around 7:45 I was just simply tired of functioning so I stomped off to my bedroom & closed the door. Stephen kindly came into the bedroom holding the baby. Here is the conversation.... 

Stephen: Hey babe, you OK?

Me: NO!

Stephen: What's wrong?

Me: I don't want to talk about! (really I didn't know what was wrong, I was just having one of my "crawl into a hole" moments) 

Stephen: OK, well I'm going to take care of the downstairs, you gonna help?

Me: NO! 

Stephen: Can you take the baby then?

Me: NO! 

(pause) 

Stephen: Um, OK... I'll take the baby & take care of the downstairs, no problem. Hope you feel better. (He was sincere... I'm sure quite perturbed, but he didn't show it a bit) 

Me: Thanks, can you close the door on the way out.  (as I rolled over & pulled the covers over my head.) 

I felt kinda bad, but I was so exhausted. I slept straight through until 7 the next morning. Stephen needs a "Hubs of the year" award or something. He's so good to me. 

SO anyway, that's my update for now. Life is, well... BUSY. 

I'm going to try to get on here more. I really do enjoy blogging so I don't want to completely deprive myself :) 

Ta-ta for now & HAPPY EASTER! 

(I LOVE EASTER- I've been in the Kingdom of God for 7 years this Easter... 

WOO-HOO... He IS Risen!) 

1st Day @ the New Job

I should totally be sleeping! BUT I just finished my "homework" & wanted to blog quickly about my first day back to work. Please know that I was extremely tempted to break out the camera to take pictures of my new office so that I could include visuals in my post.... but I'm pretty sure that would have quickly thrown me into the office "weirdo" category... so I'll just tell you about it instead.... I had such a great day. I absolutely LOVE my new job. I have ZERO experience in the mortgage industry except for the fact that I have one. So today was filled with so much info... my brain isn't used to working this hard :)! I feel like I am now educated on just how bad the mortgage crisis is in the states. It's a very sad situation. I am excited to be in the business of helping people though. It seems like the loan modification industry is about to explode because people who need help with their mortgages are faced with only 2 options at this point: foreclosure or loan modification. 

So anyway, as I said before God really hooked me up on this one. I was only out of work for 2 weeks & this job is truly better than expected. That's just how He rolls :) Thank you guys for praying for me! I really appreciate my blog buds & my sweet friends. Obviously going into a new situation is always a bit scary. I had a few of my friends & my sweet hubby send me text messages today just to let me know they were thinking about me & loved me. Isn't that sweet? Those texts really made my day. Thanks guys... you're the best. 

Boy o boy... here we go.. back to the working world. My day started with no breakfast (totally forgot to eat this morning) I got to mom's house to drop Reece off & she asked me what I ate for breakfast... I guess my blank stare gave her the hint that I didn't... so she fixed me an egg sandwich... awww. Thanks mom! Stephen had an evening meeting scheduled today so I had to make last minute arrangements for the oldest girls to get picked up from school on time. Then my dear hubby ended up going to the wrong house to pick the baby up (We have 2 sitters during the week for Reece... my mom & another sweet lady we know from church alternate) I forgot to tell him she was at moms today & not at the other sitter, I would have loved to see her face when he knocked on the door.... oh & then there was the lunch break spent in the back of my van w/ my battery operated pump. A mamas gotta do what a mammas gotta do. Back to the craziness. In some strange way I love all of the busyness (productive busyness makes me happy)... even in all the drama involved. I enjoy it. I just need to get into a good schedule. Schedules are vital to my sanity. My husband makes fun of me, but there has to be some sort of method to the madness. It will take me a bit, but I'll find my groove soon enough. 

So anyway, 1st day back= complete success 

Now I must get some sleep! I'll be on the phone tomorrow afternoon with clients. ALREADY?!?! Hopefully I'll be feeling just as successful tomorrow night!

I'm No Longer Unemployed!

I got the job!!! I am so excited about this position... apparently I had the job before I even got there. My friend is the call center director... little did I know.  There is still a question about what my actual schedule will be... I'm asking God for favor on this one! Either way I start on Tuesday! The company helps people who are struggling with their mortgages. They work as a 3rd party to mediate terms with the bank. They provide a good service to the public, so I'm happy about that. My position is an inbound customer service rep. I've worked in a call center before so I know what comes with the territory. The comic is a little joke, but I'm actually really excited about working with the public again! The pay is great & commission is involved too. I'm not sure about the benefits yet. In all the excitement I forgot to ask (I'm sure it had nothing to do with the fact that I was so nervous b/c I haven't been on a real interview in ages) Anyway, I'm working with the youth tonight at church & I'll see my friend. If I get the opportunity I'll ask him about the benefits. God gets all the glory for this one! I know I applied for every administrative/customer service positions in the city... this one just happened to fall in my lap & it's better than what I expected I'd get. Thank you Lord! 

Reece's Lovely Locks

Imagine my excitement when I realized there was finally enough hair for a bow. OK, it only stayed in long enough for us to take the picture... but very exciting nonetheless. Mandy, get ready... I'm going to be hitting your store soon!

Who says girls can't rock a mohawk... OK, maybe more like a limp baby spike, but how cute?...

Can you guess who started this one? 

and last but not least... the inevitable bald patch. As much as I tried, in vain, to prevent it, o'well... 

Late Breaking News...

1. Reece rolled over twice yesterday... yay Reece 
2. AND, drum roll please.... I have an interview today @ 2! I'll let you know how it goes. 

Resumes, Bilingual Babes & Clinic Deceit

Oh my... I've been updating my resume ALL day long. When I went to bed last night my intent was to wake up this morning & clean the entire house. (That would be the good wifey thing to do, right?... definitely not blog all day or spend hours just chatting with Reece while I walk "over" the clutter scattered through out the house) BUT when I woke up this morning I decided I needed a new resume. I know the news is portraying a bunch of doom & gloom. I refuse to let that discourage me. I am well qualified & there are tons of companies still hiring. So I was thinking that maybe my resume needed a facelift. I just finished & I must say, it looks so good. I sent it to Stephen for his "tweaking" pleasure. (he is really good at that sort of thing). He said it looks 1,000 times better & all he had to do was add a comma. See I told you I've been working ALL day on it. OK, maybe not all day... Linda came over for lunch. Then there is always the baby. My goodness does she love to be snuggled & hates it when my attention is on something else? But boys does she love Dora. I'm pretty sure there is something horribly wrong with letting your infant become best friends with Dora the Explorer.... so I'll justify it with my desire to see her be a multi-cultured bilingual lil tot. We have to start young right? This world is a diverse place. 

Then of course, like my focus wasn't already way off b/c of my future spanish speaking baby girl, I get a phone call from the school. Duhn, Duhn Duuuuhn (there's that fancy sound effect again). It was the receptionist calling to let me know that Madison had come in, right before a test, to let me know I had to come get her because she wasn't feeling well. Right before a test... REALLY?!?! Silly child, she doesn't realize that I used to be a clinic deceiving expert. That's right... I remember the days of sucking my bottom lip until it swelled up and then going to the nurse with an indescribable reaction to something... AGAIN! I even pulled the "thermometer under the light" trick a few times too... "Wow Kasie, 106... I'm surprised your still conscious". My mom was a softy though... she'd always come get me. Anyway, I chatted with Maddy & reminded her that she has plans tonight & a sleep-over planned for tomorrow night (pray for me people),  so if she was too sick for school then she was too sick for a social life this weekend because she really needed to rest so she'd feel better.  Then the most amazing thing happened... she was supernaturally healed, right there on the spot. I'm so glad we believe in miracles! Seriously though, we chatted for a bit & she did confess that she was having some test anxieties. I'm so glad she can be honest with me. We prayed & she felt better. I love my snookums. 

So anyway the resume looks great & good news... a friend that I work with in the youth ministry sent Stephen an email today... he thinks he can get me on board at his company & needed my resume. How convenient.. I just updated it! So I tweaked it a little bit more to gear it towards that position & just sent it over. How exciting! He mentioned an interview as early as Monday. 

Besides researching interview techniques this weekend, I have a full load planned. I'm going to hang out with the Young Adults tonight. We have a fellowship planned at a local restaurant. That means our date night will be tomorrow night. We're doing a family date night. The theatre that Madison goes to for drama classes is having a fundraiser tomorrow night. We're going to head over there for a night of karaoke & improv. Maddy wanted to invite a friend, so we're also doing a sleep-over. Now that she's healed and all this is still a go! 

Good times. 

Mom's Tuesday Tips

This is my 50th blog... can somebody say YAY! My original intent was to have a nice place to come & keep track of memories for the kids as well as keep the grandparents & long distance family & friends in the loop. That is still the goal. However, in the process I have learned that this blogging thing is like therapy for me. It's my new hobby :) OK, maybe more that a mere hobby. Stephen's new nickname for me is "blogaholic". Sure the kids will have a place to come when they get older & reminisce (I seriously need to figure out how to back this thing up on my hard-drive) BUT I've also traveled through blog world & realized that there are so many other opportunities that come along with this blogging thing. So w/o further ado...

In honor of my decision to go back to work full time AND go back to school I introduce...

I need your help people. Seriously! My life is about to get pretty darn CrAzY. I know I have family & friends that read this & I have my faithful followers (all 6 of you ;)...) in blog world. But this non-domesticated "but trying really hard to become domesticated" mom needs your help. 

ANY mom , whether she is a working mom or a stay at home mom (which by the way, as far as I'm concerned is still considered a "working" mom), has her hands full & can use as much help as she can get. I know this blog carnival won't be as flashy & fun as most... I just hope that it will not only be helpful to me, but to you as well.

So what are your mommy tips? 

tip: (noun) a useful hint or idea; a basic, practical fact

money saving, time saving, family bonding... whatever you have found to be a blessing as a mom & want to pass along to others. I invite you to share...

Here goes... my 1st 

• We have instituted family date night. On Friday night SOMEONE goes out on a date. We take turns taking the older girls out (me & Maddy/ Stephen & Liv  & visa versa) It's nice to spend individual time with the girls... BUT we will also have mommy/daddy date nights so the girls can see that we love to spend time together as a couple as well. When you have a busy house full it can be easy not give as much individual time as you want... so having the schedule guarantees it. Its also a nice way to celebrate our family. The dates don't have to be expensive either. Here are some free date night ideas: Mickey Ds playland, reading books at Barnes & Noble, game night, take a walk & talk, bike riding, go to the mall & window shop,  crafts... what I've found is that it really doesn't matter what we do they just LOVE the alone time w/ us! 

• To save $ I make a WEEKLY menu before I go grocery shopping. The weekly menu helps b/c I can check the grocery sales & make my menu around the sales. I can also look at the weeks activities & plan around them.

• Here's a good "2 day dinner" idea:

Roast (a 3 pound roast works for us) 

Day 1: Roast w/ carrots & potatoes (slower cooker.. LOVE it!) 

Day 2: Roast tacos (shred the left over roast & mix w/ a little taco seasoning. Heat CORN tortilla in a little olive oil on the stovetop, eat the roast on the warm tortillas w/ fresh chopped cilantro, lime juice (roll the lime on the counter hard w/ your hand before you slice- somehow makes it juicier), salsa, shredded cheese & sour cream... YUMMY- This is a Linda specialty) 

• Subscribe to a fun online magazine... Oh, I know just the one, My friend Carmen just so happens to have one (how convenient) .... Check out Fresh Wind Here

• When things seem to get really hectic in the house & you really need a break just pull out the duct tape, tape the kids up & lock them in the closet. It works every time!... Um, OK, unfortunately that is considered child abuse... never-mind, scratch that last one 

OK, your turn! Watcha got? 

PS- despite all this blogging, Mom's Tuesday Tips logo making, lebanese food eating, clean sweep video editing & sock folding I've been doing lately ... I seriously am still looking for a job! Please say a little prayer... I know the right one is out there for me, daggonit! 

I know what I want to be when I grow up!

OK, I've officially decided on a plan for my future... duhn duhn duuuuuhn. (hopefully you caught that sound effect b/c I'm not really sure how you'd actually spell it! :) )

Anyway, I'm going back to school! 

I'm going to take a summer CNA course to get certified as a Nurse's Assistant & then begin a career in that field while I go to nursing school to become an RN (which should take about 3  years). Woo-Hoo! I have never worked in the medical field, but becoming a nurse is something that I've always thought about. Why wait any longer? I feel like now is the time. Well actually I can't help but think... I wish I'd started out younger... BUT I know it's all a part of the plan & I can't wait to get started. 

Working full time is not a new thing for me... up until last year that's what I was doing anyway. Last year was a nice break... I got to stay home with the kids & work part time at the church. Actually, Friday was my last day working there... I was filling in a temporary part-time position that is no longer needed. Which is OK, b/c another decision for now is that I need to work full time until the summer course starts... SO I'm on a job hunt, which is not such an easy task these days. I had an appointment with a temp agency today. It went well. I should hear something soon. 

I'm super excited about this. When I told the girls I got 2 completely different reactions. 

Maddy: "What?!??! 28 year olds can go to college?"... oh, my sweet dear child

Olivia on the other hand was still hung up on the whole "me not working at the church anymore" thing. Through her teary eyes she said something like "but mommy aren't you going to miss your friends there?" She was very concerned. I just explained that I'll still get to see them all of the time at church. 

So, no more indecisiveness & no more procrastination. I know what I want to be when I grow up & it feels really good to finally have a plan. 

For now I just need a job. Until I get one, I guess I can manage hanging out with this sweet little thing all day. It's a tough job but I suppose someone has to do it! .... 

A little bit of competition never hurt anyone, right?

To say that the girls are competitive would be an understatement. Everything seems to be a competition. "I'll beat you to the front door", "I'll beat you up the steps", "I can eat my cereal faster than you can", "I can play the silent game longer than you"...

The hubby really doesn't help matters. I'm pretty sure he's the most competitive person I've met. I guess I can be a little competitive as well. Often when we are leaving somewhere (usually church) in separate vehicles headed home we will race home. This is most definitely provoked by the girl's taunting... b/c responsible adults would never engage in such immature activities otherwise, right? I always win of course... OK, most of the time. 

Unfortunately, the middle babe has learned the art of smack talking from... well, her dad. How often do you see an adult smack talking a 5 year old.... O'yeah it happens. He doesn't mess around when it comes to Candy Land. He's not a very good loser at Rummy either. I have to let him beat me every now & then just so he won't quit on me. Actually he wins in all games. It's quite ridiculous. I don't know how he does it. However rummy seems to be my forte... so I can't let him quit on me for sure or I'd never win any games at all. 

O'yeah & then there was that time last summer when I was 7 months pregnant. We had a staff summer olympics competition. I headed up the red team & he headed up another team... forgot which color. Who made the decision to put the 2 of us in charge? Bad idea! You should have seen the chain of smack talk emails. We got colored t-shirts to represent our team colors. One of my emails from him said something like "you're going down preggo" with a picture like this attached...

Get it. Red shirt+ big belly= ... Ok, you got it. Both of our team tied last place... go figure. 

The girls had a pep rally yesterday. Each class had to come up with a cheer & perform it. The oldest babe's class made 3rd place.... The middle babe's class didn't place at all. Hmmm, you know what comes next...

Yeah, the whole "we're all winners" speech didn't go over so well. 

I'm pretty sure this competitive thing is unhealthy in more ways than 1.... but what can you say? It's all in good fun... as long as I'm the one winning... Just kidding! 

Of course I got the cheers on video :)...  

The oldest babe (5th grade) 

The middle babe (K4) 

Cute pics from the day.... 

Holiday Headlines

Oh my goodness. It's been over a week since my last post & so much has happened (Christmas- to KY & back, YAM New Years Youth Bash, Baby Alejo has arrived). This very well may be the longest blog ever if I don't try to condense... how about some holiday headlines?... 

"Matching PJs Warms Mom's Heart" 

OR 

"Matching PJs torments Oldest Sibling" 

(haha.. it was OK until the middle babe turned to the oldest & said "Look sissy, now everyone can call us the puppy girls!) 

"3 Camera Operators & 10 Pictures Later a Perfect Shot is Captured" 

(The Hubby's Family)  

"Great Granny Meets Baby Girl for the First Time" 

(Granny is in the hospital, doing much better but would still appreciate prayer!) 

"Girl Hooked on Leapster" 

"The Sweetest Christmas Gift this Season" 

"Sisters Reunite after Several Years" 

(My step sister) 

"Siblings Ham it Up @ Christmas Time" 

"Stage is Set for Youth Bash"

"Couple Engaged @ NYE Youth Bash" 

(Congrats John & Mariel- our friends. They help us w/ YAM) 

"Excited Hubby Prepares for Worship Set" 

"Beautiful Mommy Shows Off Bundle of Joy" 

"Proud Aunty Meets New Baby" 

"Beautiful Baby Boy Born... Finally" 

OK... I thought I could be wittier than that... O'well :0)  

It was a great holiday season & I am looking forward to lots of change & great things in '09! 

PS- Here are some other holiday favorites that somehow have not been posted yet... 

Staff lunch.... 

Leadership Banquet...

Ewww, the middle babe's class party... 

Mom just couldn't help herself....