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. 

So many things to consider...

I have officially been accepted into two different accelerated nursing programs and have made two deposits to hold my spots...I know that I can only attend one school and a final decision will need to be made.  Each program have facets that are really appealing and the choice is a tough one but I am 99% sure of where I will go....and orientation is just 2 weeks away!!!! 

There is only one way my choice will change at this point and that is if a solid job offer in the Midwest for Rio comes through.  The hospital he is looking at is local to the nursing school and if that opportunity comes though, then I will adjust my plan and off to Illinois we go for a fall school start for me and the kids.  While the school is not my number 1 choice, all of us being together in the same place would be ideal. 

However for now I am Portland bound and June 14th is orientation day.  I am so excited that this is happening!!!  At the same time it is a bit emotional to know that I will not be home with the kiddos every single day to tuck them into bed.  I have talked to them a lot about my choice to attend school and I know that they will be just fine with Daddy.  Of course I will be home every weekend and break from school and I will Skype with them every day.  They are the most important people in my life and I am doing this for them as much as for my self. 

Yesterday was busy, I drove up to school to make my deposit and then went to buy shoes and try on scrubs.  Today I ordered some of my supplies today .. what a thrill.  There are a million .. at least ... small and big things to consider, address, plan, and do between now and June 14th.  With the bigger issues being finding Rio a new job, housing for all as we are renting out the house, and finishing up our plans on exactly how the 16-17 months are going to play out.

I have started boxing stuff up and the office is being overtaken as storage room.  I have made my way through a chunk of non-essentials in the garage and living room and is slowly beginning on the bedroom and children's rooms as well.

On top of all the arranging of stuff, I still need to manage my studying for the anatomy & physiology class that I am currently.  We are so close to being done and I really want a good result to finish out my prerequisites.

Hold on tight ... this is going to be one crazy ride :-)

Surprise call but silence at the end of the line...

Today my phone rang and when I looked at the display I saw L's number - I instantly got a big smile on my face ... what a surprise as I have not heard from her in a very very long time.  Then I picked up the phone and only heard chatter in the background.  It seemed that the call was not made intentionally and no one answered when I said hello.  I said hello a couple of times, just listened for a bit and then I hung up.

How I wish that L actually called to say hello....maybe someday.  I miss hearing from them and my heart feels a little raw tonight.  I truly just hope that they are all doing really well and that life is good.

:-)




 

And so it starts...

The packing of boxes that is.  I am 90% sure of my choice for nursing school at this point.  Regardless of which school I choose, it will necessitate a move and packing will need to be done.  Therefore I am putting some of my nervous energy into getting organized and ready.

Really what I need to do is read about the digestive system and metabolism .. but my thoughts are just scattered everywhere so reading is not doing me much good right at this point.

So instead I will look at boxes and let the butterflies of excitement flutter around in my belly.

I got one thing checked off my to-do list today.  I had blood drawn for my vaccination tithers.  One thing down .. about a million to go!