10K a day...

I am determined to stay fit and active throughout nursing school.  Since I will away from the kids during the week, I really have no excuse for not exercising!  The school has an awesome gym that we have access.  I went to work out last night just to check it out.  It has some great fitness classes as well so I will have to check so of those out over the next few weeks too.

I also got out my pedometer and planning for 10,000 steps per day through out school ... that is something like 4,500,000 steps :-)  Crazy many steps ... one day at the time - I started off yesterday with 14K not including my 5 miles on the bike!  Exercise is good for the body, mind, and soul.  I plan to use it as a stress reducer because surely stress will set in at some point.  Our first lecturer said yesterday "every week in an accelerated program is like finals week" .. well there is amping up the pace and the stress level.  My goals are though not to stress out and keep ahead on my studies as much as possible.

School started yesterday and it was a great first day.  Before classes I went to the computer lab to print out what seemed like a small mountain of paperwork to get ready for this weeks classes.  So now in my room I have a small mountain of binders to match my mountain of books.  It was exciting to start and to listen to the first few lectures - it has me assured that I will love nursing school.  I know there will be plenty of trials going though this program but that is ok - what does not kill you makes you stronger. 

For sure there will be a lot of reading, a LOT of homework assignments, and a lot of learning new skills and processes.  Today will be the first clinical day.  Obviously we are not ready to care for any patients at this point so all our clinicals for the summer will be in the simulations lab or at the school of nursing.  Here we get to learn all the basic assessment skills and process to build our base knowledge. 

I am starting nursing school...

on Monday!!!!  Yikes - it is really happening and I am excited beyond words.

My day was quite busy after taking Jane to the airport last Thursday.  I had quite a few things to accomplish in order to get ready for school orientation on Friday.  First up was getting my temporary parking permit, getting my car services, and getting keys to my newly rented space.  The apartment is located very close to the university and I can walk over in less than 10 minutes which is awesome.  Especially as parking on the university is not easy to get for a new student.  I am very happy that I can park my car where I will be living and just walk over to school.

I will be sharing an apartment with a very nice couple.  I have my own bathroom which is nice and while the bedroom is very small, it will be functional for what I need.  I spent most of Thursday evening getting thing in order in my room and shopping for a few items I needed.  I slept on our sleepover mattress .. and ouch!  I have no idea how the kids can sleep on that thing and still be rested the next day!  Mission for Friday became quite clear to me upon awakening ... get a bed!!!

Friday was the much anticipated nursing school orientation day.  63 of the 64 students in my cohort attended and I got to chit chat with several of my future class mates and a few of the students from the cohort that started last summer.  It was very reassuring talking to some of the current students and hear their input on the program.  Overall the orientation day went well, we were bombarded with lots of information and it sounds like it will be a terrific program.

I have spent the week since orientation getting ready for school, ordering books, and getting stuff organized to bring to Portland tomorrow.  Most of my time though have been spent with the kids.  Hanging out at the lake, the beach, the falls ... having fun and just enjoying each others company.
I know I will miss them so much during the week when I attend school, but I also know how fortunate I am to be giving this opportunity to continue my education and being able to devote myself to my studies full time during the week and then get to come home and love on my family on the weekends.

So here is to a new chapter in my life ... nursing school!  

Sunshine...

It is just over 4 years ago that my father passed away and tomorrow it will be two years ago since we lost little J.  I have learned much about grief and pain during these last years.  My heart aches in a way that I cannot explain.  Like a choke-hold squeezing every little drop of blood from my heart leaving it fighting to be refilled with life sustaining energy.

I miss my dad today and I miss little J too.  My tears linger close...  it is beautiful and sunny outside and I choose to believe that the sweet souls we are missing are looking down upon us all.

I am so thankful for all that I have ... still my heart longs for something lost and I do not think that will ever change.

Jane is back home...

Last week we said our "see you laters" to Jane.  Summer break from school is here, signaling that her nine months with us were over.  I told her in the beginning that time as an exchange student would fly by - I do not think she believed me then, but with just a few days left, reality of traveling back home came fast and furious.

It has been an interesting year.  Jane is a wonderful girl.  With any teenager in the house there are ups and downs but how wonderful it has been to get to know her, about her home country and her family.  Olivia will especially miss her as she and Jane shared a room together while she was here.

Wednesday night we did a farewell party for her.  It was a lot of fun.  Neighbors and friends showed up to wish her safe travels.  I know she had a lot of fun and was happy to see everyone one more time before she had to leave.

Thursday morning came quickly and Jane and I left for Portland.  I enjoyed these last few hours with her so much.  We had a great talk about all the fun things she has experienced here and about how she will think it is too HOT at home after spending a year on the Oregon coast.

After a last lunch of sushi it was time to say goodbye.  I gave her a bunch of hugs ... she is so very dear to me and seeing her walk away was a bit nostalgic.  Although she has not resided in my belly, she will forever been one of my girls - and she will always own a piece of my heart.

This has been a great life experience for us and I hope for Jane as well.  She has grown so much over this last year and I know she has learned a ton about herself ... and we have learned a ton too.

Safe travels my dear... you will be missed!

A&P final tomorrow and orientation day on Friday...

My stethoscope (it is pink and awesome) and scrubs have arrived...check
Financial aid is being processed...check
Rental agreement is signed...check
Butterflies in my stomach ... CHECK!!!!

I am so excited to start nursing school and really looking forward to orientation on Friday.  I will be exciting to meet the rest of the cohort and to get the first introduction into the program.

One last hurdle to be cleared is my A&P final tomorrow morning...last test before I officially am a nursing student.