My EAGLE Scouts!

Second all night clinical complete.  I spent the evening (5:30PM) to early morning (4:30AM) on the RHAB floor of Utah Valley Regional following a young nurse (Katelyn, age 22, experiencing the discomfort of morning sickness with her first pregnancy, 14 weeks along, hoping for a boy, father wants a girl) around to her four patients.  They were a joy to care for with no incidents of note for the evening.  The clinical includes a break from 11:30PM to 1:00AM where we meet in a Mother/Baby classroom and have a roundtable reporting/discussion meeting on the patients that we are assigned.

More importantly, last night, both of my sons met with their EAGLE board of reviews, passed, and were awarded/confirmed their status as EAGLE Scouts!!!!!!  I congratulate them both!  What a wonderful representation of commitment and resolve put forth by both (as well as their mother) to achieve this award.

The pride in my two sons and their wonderful accomplishment and commitment over the last few years tempers the bitter taste that permeates the mouth when I choke out the term scout.  That they battled through and overcame that self-righteous, arrogant and pretentious institution of scouting and its equally horrific regional leaders is the ultimate testament to their resolve.

I slept from about 5:30 AM to 10:30AM while my wonderful wife fiercely protected me from noises while she got four children off to school, worked on the computer for three hours, dressed and cared for the two year old tornado (a mischievous storm of hands, curiosity, determined destruction, and physical and mental faculties beyond her years), dressed and showered herself and checked the oldest daughter out of school to have more x-rays on her broken leg.  Meanwhile I got to sleep peacefully, slumming it in the bedroom, nice for me.

Today will be a mixture of homework and being with the kids (I hope) before going to a tedious dinner party where we have to mingle with the current bishop and his wife as well as two previous bishops and their wives.  Maybe I will (accidentally) slam my hand in the car door and have to have it amputated.  I would then have to miss the witty repartee that this little party promises, one could only hope.  Honestly, I hope that it is found to be an enjoyable experience.  I just don’t know two of the other couples very well and find the prospects of an intimate dinner party and playing strip Uno and Truth or Dare spin the bottle with them an uncomfortable assignment.  I go with a hopeful heart and four layers of clothing.  At least the Jell-O wrestling should be fun.

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Loose shorts on the trampoline

Cam's young men's activity.  His shorts get away from him.

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Loss for words

I am at a loss for words to describe and explain a post that I certainly need to write.  Monday night was spent at Mom and Dad's house, enjoying the evening with much of the family at the annual Christmas family home evening.

On that night, Clarke quietly gave me a gift that has, to this very moment, still taken words from me.  There are moments, glimpses of Clarke, opportunities to see past the veneer of confidence, to a beautiful core, a thoughtful, generous spirit, that goes far beyond anything of which I am capable.  A desire to create large things for the benefit of other people, to use his abilities and influence to give and to touch.  I was awarded the opportunity to again see this guarded side of a generous brother on Monday evening and it brought me to tears.

Clarke, in his goodness and generosity, took my Christmas story "The First Tree of Christmas" and, spending many late nights, after hours, in the studio, produced and engineered a complete two hour, two disk audio book from it.  He arranged for a professional vocal actor to read the story with full and unique voices for each character.  I am overwhelmed and deeply grateful.  Words cannot express the thrill to have my words and thoughts come to life.  I was so touched at the thoughtfulness, the generosity, the planning and the time that it took to create this incredible memory for me.  I am very grateful for him and his kindness.  It will be a treasured gift for the rest of my life.  Thank you Clarke!

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Finals?

Up at the kitchen counter studying for finals today with clinicals tonight.  I am enjoying every minute, watching my youngest play with her new dollies.  I can't help but laugh at her expressions, her personality and her attitudes.  She is a source of joy for me.  Heidi is working so diligently in her newly allocated  office (Maddie's old bedroom)  I HATE the fact that she has to work.  It kills me.  I can't wait for her to be able to quit. 

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Continue....

I like Deborah's idea of a 50 lbs weight loss between now and April.  I will take the challenge too.  Unfortunately, if I lost 50 lbs, I would still be 30 lbs from my goal weight, but that is better than 80lbs.  I'm in!!

Today was school, school and more school.  Microbio lab was in the morning, experiments on how effective cleaners are on various bacteria.

Nursing class was over lunch,from 11 to 1.  We are preparing for yet another test on Thursday.  We went over cultural diversity and nursing.

Microbio lecture was 3 to 4:30.  Viruses..... structure, types...blah blah blah.

I have this weeks schedule for training at work in the hospital, one day shift and two graves.  Unfortunately the graves come right after a day of school and right before a day of clinicals.  It will be a marathon of 51 hours of work or school over a period of 60 hours.

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Transitions

I was offered and accepted the job at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center.  It is a Psych tech in the "Inpatient Psych Department."  I went over to the hospital and filled out the employment paperwork and deposited urine for the drug test.  I have all-day employment orientation on the 31st of October and clinical orientation on the 1st of November.
I didn't quit Parkway yet.  I gave them a two week notice that I would be going back to prn or "on-call"status starting the 31st.

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Job interview

Had a home health appointment this morning, he cracked and then gave me plum seeds so that I can grow plum trees. He gave me more hollyhock seeds, of various colors, to plant along the fence line.  He is also getting me three small bush cherry plants, normal cherries that grow up to six feet high in a bush form.  These will also go along the fence line somewhere.  These will all contribute to the growing privacy screen and most are edible.

Then class, microbiology lab, completely overwhelming, boring and incomprehensible.  Yuck.  Then off to change clothes and compete in a big group employment interview for a Psych Tech position at Utah Valley Regional Hospital.  We each had to stand up in front of the group of applicants and the six staff members and give a five minute presentation on a "How to do...." anything, my choice.  I taught the group five simple signs (sign language) candy, cookie, water, love,and thank you.  We then entered silly questions.  We find out this week who is chosen.

Then back to school for Microbiology lecture until 4:30and then home for dinner of Texas Platter with the family and two neighbor children that Heidi is babysitting through the end of the week.  Then to the bedroom to work on homework until I fall off to sleep.  I need to be up at 4:15AM so that I can shower and be off for work by 4:45AM.

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Wednesday

I am back on the rehab side of the facility as they have moved back to 12 hour shifts.  I have started class and am feeling panic about passing the classes, Microbiology and Nursing Fundamentals.  My clinical starts in about a week.

Cam tried out for the junior high golf team and made it!  Practices start tomorrow.
Brook won her primaries in class elections for class president.  Now for fliers and posters with a final election against the other finalist at the end of the week.

Heidi has taken on the dual parent role again for the fall, sending into the bedroom to study.  I feel extremely guilty about all the additional work and stress that I have inflicted on her.  She certainly deserves better than to be put through this.

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Open up and say ahhhh

I didn't have work today so I slept in and got up at 5:50 AM, walking gingerly down the stairs to wake up #1 for early morning Seminary.  I am getting old - I can hardly walk first thing in the morning. I creep and cringe and buckle and whimper.  It takes some warming up.  Heidi got up and started working while I got back in bed for a few minutes before I was to take #1 to school.  I woke up again at 7:23.  Both boys were already off to school.  Heidi drove #1 and #2 later went to the bus stop.  I am such a slacker.  I then showered (really well)  every nook and cranny - I had a physical exam scheduled this morning.  I went and completed a home health appointment and made it to the doctor in time to sing Moon River for the doctor.  I am in the process of getting 8 different shots (or series of shots) for school.  I start this next Tuesday with an intro to nursing class and a microbiology class and lab.  I happy to get it started.  I have been talking about this and contemplating this for years now.  Here goes!

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class is kapoot!

Grades came out today. Finals were Wednesday evening.  200 points possible on a final that was divided in half.  One half covered the final three chapters (digestion, urinary and reproduction) and the other half was a comprehensive review on the previous twelve chapters.  What fun.... right.

I received a 92% on the final exam and an overall percentage of 94.7% for the class which resulted in a score of an A.  The class percentage average was a 71.2%.  I am now between classes for three weeks.  I have much to do around the house (does anyone know how to fix a garage door?) and a number of things to complete before my nursing core classes start at the end of August.  (drug test, physical exam, vacinations, background check....)

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Breathing

Classes came and went today.  Inflated pig's lungs with a bicycle pump.... really cool!  Evening class was spent learning the in's and outs of internal and external respiration.  Tests on Monday and Wednesday.

My favorite part of the day has been sitting on Ashlyn's bedroom floor with my sweet wife while helping her deep clean the room.  I just enjoyed talking with her as we made piles of this or that to be sorted, thrown away or moved to other locations in the house.  I could use more of that in my life.  (the chatting with my wife, not the deep cleaning of the house)

My favorite part of yesterday was being in bed with my wife at 1:30 AM (hold your horses, you sick people) while watching the final three episodes of "24" season 3.  We get to watch and comment and declare what should be done and guess who will die back and forth across the pillows.  I can't wait to start season 4.  (a neighbor let us borrow the first 6 seasons)

I was accepted into Nursing school this week as most of you already know.  Thank you for your prayers, kind words and support.  I just learned that my lab partner was not accepted.  Ouch.... I felt bad for him.  This is twice now that he has been rejected.  It seemed from our conversations that we were fairly comparable in our applications and qualifications too.

The Lord is looking out for me.

I start my core nursing classes on Monday August 29th.  I will finish the program at the end of April, 2013.  I will have the opportunity to take the State boards to become an LPN in a year from now, August 2012, after my third semester.

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As mid terms approach...

A slight rehash of the previous post....

First lecture exam ..... 92%  
The class average was 65.9%, the high score for the class was 100%.

First lab exam ...... 58 out of 60. 
Class average of 53.

Second lecture exam .....  95%
Class average of 70.1%  high score is 96%

Second lab exam .....59 out of 60
Class average of 50.3

Mid term average of 95% for the class

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New Class....... new tests

Started my physiology class mid May.  Results of first lecture exam are in.   . . . 92%
The class average was 65.9%, the high score for the class was 100%.

Lab exam was next ...... 58 out of 60.  Class average of 53.

Second lecture exam was taken last Wednesday,  My score was  95% 
Class average of 70.1%  high score is 96%

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We move forward

The nursing application for the fall 2011 start has been submitted.  It was due by May 31st by 5:00 PM.  I submitted it on the 23rd.  All that is left is to get a good grade in this current class.....Human Physiology, a tall order to be sure.  Please pray that Aaron will understand what they are talking about and can regurgitate it onto the tests.

I completed and passed off my new First Aid and CPR certification for health professionals from the American Heart Association today.  Certified for two more years.  This card will allow me to start applying for jobs at the Hospital.

Brayden finished the school year with a bang.  He auditioned and was chosen to be in the High School Jazz Band.  In an end of the year awards assembly, he was chosen and awarded the "Hope of America" certificate along with a cash prize.  He was also called up, in front of the student body, four additional times.  Apparently, independent of one another, he was nominated by four department heads as their "Outstanding Student" for their department.  He took it all in stride as only he could, a suave, half smirk, "what?" attitude throughout.

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Grades are in

My final grade for Human Anatomy is an "A"

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