Getting My Study On!!

I was reading another blog about nursing that was talking about Making the Grade. It really got me to thinking...I have no idea how to study or motivate myself to study for the next two years of nursing school! I have got to find a good way to retain all the information that will be thrown at me starting Monday. It will probably be a trial and error process but I sure hope it doesn't take me long to figure it out!

Nursing School: Uniform & Supplies

Nursing School: Update

California Girl! :o)

Okay...well not really a Cali girl but what I pretended to be for a week! :o) While Brian was out training in San Diego I got the opportunity to go out and visit him. We had a blast! We saw Old Town San Diego, Pt Loma, La Jolla, SEALS! on the beach!, beautiful sunsets, USS Midway, San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, Sea World, etc. We even made a road trip to L.A. It was soo much fun! We got to touch and see all the handprints in the concrete in front of the Chinese Theatre. We also got to walk down and look at all the "stars" on the sidewalk. It was really awesome! When we were getting ready to leave Hollywood we saw them setting up for the Salt premier. It was awesome to thing in just a matter of hours so many famous people would be walking down that carpet! Once we left there we went to RODEO DRIVE! It was amazing to see all the famous stores. My favorite part was to see the Beverly Wilshire! It is where Pretty Woman was filmed. I am a HUGE Julia Roberts fan. I even went in and used the facilities. LOL I can't wait to go back again!

All in all it was a great trip! It was hard to leave my hubby knowing that in just a few days after I left that he was heading overseas but it is an experience we were both so glad to have shared together! I love him!

Nursing School: Acceptance

Nursing School...Acceptance?

Well.....BIG NEWS! I have been super stressed about the fact that I wasn't going to be able to start anytime soon. I even "stooped" to the level of going to a not so popular college and taking a class I really didn't want to take. I leave from my meeting at said school and get home...check the mail....ANNNNNNDDDDD.....I get a letter from the school! They said that I am an alternate for the fall semester. Which means that if someone doesn't show or drops out...I get their spot! ALSO, it guarantees me 100% a spot in the Spring Semester NO MATTER WHAT! So it is official....if not sooner...I will at least be a nursing student in the Spring!!

Residual Act...bleh!

Yup I took mine today. Not looking forward to the results. I am willing to bet they are probably lower than the first time I took it over 13 years ago! We shall see how it goes! I really hope it helps my chances of getting into Nursing School for the Spring! :o)

Oh Lindsey!

*Sigh* Even though she tends to be a little wild I have always liked Lindsey Lohan as an actress. Today she goes to Court and is upset to know that she is sentenced to 90 days in jail. I just don't get it. She has it all fame, fortune, beauty, and she just can't seem to get it together. She says in court that she learned her lesson but shouldn't she have learned it after the first time? I don't know. I just don't get it. I guess all the above mentioned (fame, fortune, etc.) really just isn't enough. I am not sure what it is about these talented actresses and actors. I don't know if it is the lack of "real" friends in their lives or just the stress of fame that causes them to make such poor decisions. Either that or maybe they thing they are invincible. I really hope after this she really does straighten her life out.

Old Blogs!

Well I have decided...as part of my ever growing "to do" list...I am going to go back to my "old blog" and insert my "old post" into this blog (in date order). I don't really know why. Other than the fact to have a complete "blog" of all things I have posted since I began blogging many many years ago! I really wish I could get back into like I once was. I loved it. Still do but it is hard to keep it going in this world of social networking sites such as My Space or Facebook. Either way, like I have always said this is just more for my purposes and my way to "journal" my thoughts. :o)

WDW & My Coastie! :o)

I am up and wide awake this morning! Yes it is 4:00 a.m. Yes I realize half the world is still asleep. Actually, sleeping crazy hours has been the trend for me since I got sick last week. Over a week later and I am still fighting it off! I was diagnosed with Bronchitis but at the beginning of the week it really felt more like whooping cough. Especially, since none of my medicine was working! However, through lots of prayer from family and friends I am here to report that I am feeling much better!

Once I finish typing this post I will begin loading my car. My daughter and I are leaving this morning to meet my dad and family in Orlando. We are going to spend a week at Disney. I believe that this is most of their first time. It is Baylee's second trip and my 5th. We are very excited. The only two things I have been a little concerned about are the two girls getting along all week. They are both sweet but both used to being only children. :o) Other than that, I worry how things are going to go at the parks because as you know in a big group not everyone is interested in the same things. My family is pretty great so I really don't see this as a worry! They are going to want everyone to do what makes them happy.

The most exciting news is after 49 days of not seeing my hubby - HE IS FLYING IN TO ORLANDO ON HIS LEAVE TIME TO VISIT WITH BAYLEE AND I! We are so very excited about it. Now to any other military family 49 days may not seem like a long time but this is the longest we have gone without seeing each other since his last deployment. Also, we are excited because when his unit began this journey we really were not sure that we would get to see them again before they returned from their deployment in the Spring of 2011. So this is just a blessing in disguise. I was actually going to come home and he fly here but he said he would rather come there so he can get some good quality alone time with Baylee. This will be officially the last time he sees her until next year!

Well I guess I better close this out and begin to load the car! My family things we won't be there until tomorrow but the truth is we will be there only a few hours after they arrive this afternoon!

Robitussin Take Me Away!!!

I feel bad. I mean I don't mean just the regular blahs. I am talking about laying in bed all week coughing and hacking. Brian makes fun of me when we talk because he thinks it sounds like I am barking like a dog. Yup that is how we know when it is bronchitis...Brian barks back. I have drank fluids, I have laid around all week, and I have drank Robitussin the past two days like it is going out of style! I REALLY hope I am feeling better by tomorrow. :( My house is a disgusting wreck. I mean REALLY bad. I haven't done a thing all week because when I move I cough. When I cough it hurts. When it hurts I choke. When I choke I get sick. Anyone that knows me knows I don't handle "getting sick" well. So here I lay...I am actually getting up right now to wash clothes and try to pick up a FEW things so the house won't be such a disaster. I am going to pick Baylee up from USM choir camp and I PRAY I don't start coughing during the middle of the program!!

Vent of a Military Wife!

If you could see my face today...you would know that
<-----this is what I look like. I am so glad that people want to support our troops...which is great! However, at what point do the wives get supported. I guess today I was more hurt than aggravated at a response I got. I mentioned how bad I was hurting having my sweet husband gone. After all, he and I have a wonderful relationship and he is truly my best friend. I am so glad people are praying for him and I am so glad they miss him. I guess it is just hurtful to me that no one wants to just come out and say...we are praying for you and Baylee or we are sorry that you are so sad. I guess one thing that maybe others don't understand is Brian was not called to go on this deployment. His Cuba deployment his HAD to go no questions asked. However, this deployment he along with all the brave men and women in his unit volunteered to go! I don't say this to take away from what they are doing because I think it is amazing but I do just wish people would be more supportive to the wives of our troops. I can stand here and support him forever but at some point I will need to be supported as well.

Man in Uniform

A few weeks ago, for one of our nephews birthdays, I got an idea. I called Brian and told him I thought it would be a neat idea to take a picture in his uniform holding a sign telling him happy birthday. I hate I thought of it so late because we weren't able to get it to him right on his birthday. Either way, glad to have it! I hope we can keep up the tradition while Brian is deployed...at least for immediate family and maybe our few closest friends. It is a good way to show why Brian wasn't here but it also give us a time time of photos while he is gone.

His unit is leaving out for their second phase of training this morning. He sent me an email that says "Good morning. I love you." He also attached this picture.

It was so good to wake up and see him this morning. I miss him so very much. :)

Brian Days

What are "Brian Days" you may ask? Brian days are when I am totally missing my sweet husband. These days are those days that get so bad that sometimes I feel like I can't breathe! It makes me so sad when he is gone but I support him and want him to do what makes him happy! So today has definitely been a sad "Brian Day" but I am trying to think of the positive. Thank goodness I have a man to love and miss so much. The same one that loves and misses me too! He is definitely the love of my life!

Nursing School Blahs!

Well it is official. I didn't make it in this fall. Though not surprised. Every nursing student I have talked to says it has taken them several tries to get in. It is probably just as well since I have so much going on with Brian leaving. :) I need to get in the "school mode" and get a good schedule before I get hard and heavy in nursing school.

PCOS

Sooo...it is official...I have PCOS...or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. They say I probably have always had it even before I got pregnant with Baylee but that after I had her the hormones really got thrown out of whack. It affects 5 - 10% of women of reproductive age. It has caused me to have problems with low female hormones, high male hormones which cause facial hair/mail hair, thinning hair, dark skin patches, excessive weight gain, inability to lose weight, insulin resistance, irregular periods/infertility, etc. He said it took so long to diagnose b/c they thought I had thyroid issues b/c my old doctor diagnosed me with that but the last two thyroid test came back normal. So blood work and a physical exam proved I had PCOS. It is sad b/c had we known earlier I wouldn't have had a miscarriage last year. He said when Brian gets home and I am still having problems then he will send me to an endocrinologist.

For now...treatment is birth control and glucophage (anti-diabetic drug). I also will be on a semi-diabetic diet. We shall see!!! I am sad that I have this but glad to finally have answers.

Deployment - 2010

Here we go again! The hubby is away on his latest deployment. I am so glad that I have such a great support group. Please remember to pray for our troops!!

Promise to My Man! :)

I don't do very good about keeping this blog updated. However, my hubby left yesterday and after his last deployment I promised him I would keep this blog up a little better. Of course, I have facebook and so does he but I think he likes to come somewhere to see a little more detail of what is going on in our life while he is away. He left this morning on his second phase of this deployment. (You will see video on the page.) So I figure it is about time to start writing a little. Even if I only have time to do it a few times a month. Hopefully, I will have time to do it more but at this time I don't want to promise to do more than I can!

Nursing School: Applications!

Well just a follow up on this little journey of mine. :)

Nursing school applications 1 and 2 were sent today. I have one more to send February 1st. I won't know anything until April or May and that is a loooonnnngggg wait but there isn't much I can do at this point except pray!!

Nursing School: Application Info & CPR

Hi guys! Okay here is my first Vlog aka Video Blog. Please excuse the "ums" and lovely southern voice. Ha! This video will just tell a bit about HealthCare Provider CPR and some information about applying for nursing school. If you have any questions, just ask!

Nursing School: Getting Ready To Apply

In my journey to return to nursing school I have been very interested in reading about other nursing students stories. I have found many places online where people have written about their experiences. I also have found many video blogs. One of my favorites can be found here. I just like that she gives you a feel of what it all really feels like. Please remember when reading this blog or any other nursing school students blog that what we say is not necessarily what you will experience. Every school is different and every students experience is different. I do plan to get a video blog up and going but those videos will be posted here. Sometimes I just want to write so that will continue here as well. I might not have any followers when it comes to the nursing school info but I like having this kind of as my journal of what is going on with me. It will be neat after I graduate nursing school to look back and show what I have experienced. I think it might be interesting to have this where my daughter (and maybe any future children) can read my thoughts through this process! Mainly this is for me BUT if anyone is here reading this...welcome!

Getting Ready To Apply

• Many nursing schools have pre-regs that you have to take before you apply. It is different for each program. In our area, the LPN program does not require pre-regs but the ADN program does. I will be going towards the ADN program. The ones that I am applying for require at least an ACT of 18 or above. It also requires A&P I & A&PII and Intro to Sociology.
• I have an ACT score higher than 18 - CHECK!
• I have taken A&PI and A&PII - CHECK! (Side note: I took both of these online. At the time I was working full time. I wish looking back that I would have not taking A&PII online but each person is different! Mine could have been because of being so tired after working all day.)
• I have taken Intro to Sociology - CHECK!

Application Deadlines

• At one school I can apply between now and March 31st.
• At another school I can apply between February 1st and March 31st.
• Some people have school loyalty. I have several friends who only want to apply at one school or another and that is perfectly fine. Don't let anyone talk you into doing anything else! You have to do what makes you happy. If you want to only apply at one...apply at one! If you want to apply at several...apply at several! You have to do what makes you happy as this is your life! :)
• We have two local colleges which have the ADN program. I do plan on applying at both colleges in order to increase my chances because it is tough to get in to nursing school! I have actually attended both and I feel they are probably pretty equal.

Other Application Information

• After you get accepted into the nursing program it says (at our two schools) you will be required to take CPR for HealthCare Providers. You aren't required to take this until after you are accepted but I do plan on taking it this Saturday so that I can send it in with my application. It may not help me at all that I already have it but I don't think it will hurt to try. :)
• Another requirement is NET (Nurse/Nursing Entrance Exam). Again, this is not required before applying...it is only required after you have been accepted but I am toying with beginning to study and taking this early. We shall see.

So...I guess that is it for now! :)

Happy Housewife! :)

It's official! I am now an official SAHM (Stay At Home Mom), House Wife and College Student! I do all three so I don't know what my official title will be.

I actually have been a SAHM for almost 3 weeks now but with Brian working out of town and all the holidays this is my actual "first" week of testing it out. I don't start school until next week so I am tyring to get alot done over the next week and the weekend. I will be at school Tuesdays & Thursdays. I will be home Monday/Wednesday/Friday and everyday I will be home by the time my 6th grader gets home from school.

I have gotten mixed responses about my decision. I have learned that some people sure can be hypocritical. For whatever reason it is okay if some people want to be SAHM but not others. This is the second time I have tried this and for the second time a few people kind of turn their nose up about it. Oh well. I won't complain because I know I am doing what is the best for me and my family and most importantly doing what God has called me to do. I love them anyway and they have their right to their opinion but I do hope that they end up realizing how much of a good thing this is. It has been only two days and I am in love! I have been brought to tears twice with emotion! Ha! I am a crier...what can I say!

I am able to do things I wasn't able to do when I was a working mom. We now have time for me to get up and actually fix breakfast for the whole family and us all sit down at the table together to eat! I fix my husbands lunch, take my daughter to school when I need to, do chores around the house that were always put on the backburner. My favorite part is that at this time usually I would still be at work and could possibly be there another 30 minutes. YET I am now at home COOKING dinner!! A dinner that won't have to be picked up at a fast food resturaunt because we are too late getting home to a cook and a dinner that will be eaten together at the table because we aren't too tired to eat there!

I know for you that are already SAHM moms this probably isn't a big deal but from a working woman with no time for her family this is awesome! I will be able to spend more time with Brian before he deploys, be with my daughter more and do what I need to do to finish nursing school!