Thursday, May 8, 2008

My lucky stars


So, as this semester winds down, I am faced with the task of finding an acceptable preceptor/mentor for my 500 required clinical hours to complete my Master's degree. There are very strict requirements that I had to deal with. The stars must be aligned in my favor. I was contacted by a fabulous clinical nurse specialist with nationwide recognition. She agreed to be my preceptor at a very exciting institution. I am just excited for this experience and all of the new stuff I will learn and see and the exciting, smart people I will work with. Can you tell I am just excited? I don't think I will jinx myself and say the person or the actual hospital - but it rhymes with Banford.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Ok, so no new pictures, but lots going on. We are trying to recover from the whirlwind weeks of driving which started in March by taking Joey to the MTC. I still cringe when I have to get in a car after the up and back treks to Provo and Rexburg. Those trips were fantastic - don't get me wrong. Nathan and Liesel's wedding was fantastic. I have experienced some crazy questions at work regarding the wedding and even some outright ridiculousness - oh well. I am sure they all know where I stand - now.

Joey sounds like he is getting anxious to get to Mexico. He said a spit last week about the Visa's being delayed to Mexico, so I will curious to find out what the deal is.

I have been a major grump and am ready not to be. I have my final exams this week in one of my classes. This class has been a big stressor since the beginning in January. My final consists of a written exam as well as a performance exam. Performance not like singing or dancing but a complete physical exam - you know like when you do your yearly checkups at the doc. I don't have to do any of the more "sensitive" exams as I did them in the mid semester (never want to do that again, but how many people can say they know what a prostate feels like). Kyle V. "volunteered" to be my model. He is ready and will know the 6 cardinal positions of gaze, the five auscultation points for cardiac function, as well as the anterior and posterior percussion and auscultation sites for the lungs. (I am reviewing as I am writing this. ) But I know his favorite part of the exam will be the breast exam - as if he were a girl. He promises me he won't giggle. We will see.

At the end of this semester, it will be exactly half way through my three year Master's program. It is kind of a long program as I have to have 500 clinical hours. The good news is that I start those clinical hours in the Fall. I don't know where that will be whether I will be able to do it in Salinas in my own department or will have to to go San Jose, Palo Alto or San Francisco. We will see - with the price of gas not under $4 anywhere now, I hope I can do it in Salinas.

One last major event occured in the past couple of weeks. On April 21, Andy and I remembered the day as our 25th anniversary. We say remembered as we weren't able to celebrate. We had planned a nice little trip but we delayed it as Nathan's wedding and reception jumped in there and that is ok. It has been an exciting 25 years - we have had our ups and downs - but certainly many more ups than downs. Andy is an awesome husband and so much more. He still floats my boat that is for sure.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Ok two more

Up, up and away

Monday, April 21, 2008

Driving, dancing, and more dancing

I wanted to put these in the post below, don't forget to look at the pictures! These are of Gracie and her various activities at DL. Matthew was not about to get out there and dance!

Thank goodness she has 11 more years until she can drive on the real road...but the giggles are cute!








A little High School Musical

What a FUN weekend!

Ready for fun...don't you love that look of anticipation on Kyle's face.


Alli has developed a great skill of getting the hat fastened before Katie knows what happened!




Awwww, the newlyweds.

These are just a few of the pictures. Click here to go the album of photos.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

What a GREAT day!


Click on either photo to go to a slideshow


Click on photo to go to slideshow


Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Good morning merry sunshine...

who is now sleeping with her pink basketball...


This is what I found when I went to get sleepy head Grace up for school. She also sleeps upside down so she can see her Hannah Montana poster.

Now we are down to the "sweet 16". How are everyone's brackets holding up? My only team is still in - well I have lots of teams. I like UNC - Andy thinks they will lose their next game because they have had two easy wins. I keep telling him no wins are easy wins - sheesh, you would think of all people he would know that!!!

Kyle asked me amidst all this basketball talk if I would be mad if he played "One Shining Moment" at my funeral when I died (see below). I was not sure how to take that! I told him he could.

Monday, March 24, 2008

What do YOU do on those "balmy" 60 degree days...

Come on and go to Carmel Beach with us!



Nice shot of the 18th green at Pebble Beach in the background


If you look closely, you can see Gracie's locket with Joey's picture safely tucked inside.


Not so good for the hair.


Tuesday, March 18, 2008

It's the most wonderful time of the year....

Get your Field of 64 bracket here

Many women I know cry when they watch Steel Magnolias or some other boo hoo movie. I cannot watch "One Shining Moment" without a boo hoo. Grab your hankies - it's coming!

IT'S MARCH MADNESS

Go Mississippi Valley State - knock off those Bruins!!!
Congratulations to Hartnell's very own E.J. Petty!

Sunday, March 9, 2008




What a well rounded dufus we have in the family. Kyle can actually play basketball and win a science fair award. Congratulations to my Pokemon playing son...Second prize in the Monterey County School Science Fair - Mammalian Biology category - The Physical Application of Neuromuscular Facilitation in Athletics

Saturday, March 8, 2008

On the countdown...

Just a few kids friends over for one last Saturday night...


Mashell's cake - missionary shirt with Guadalajara flag background


Up for a little Wii


Almost time for arm's length

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Congratulations Kyle!

Click on the newspaper if you need to super size it to read it...

Can't wait for next year!

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Why I love Marshall's

I have the bestest friend named Mashell and I call her Marshell. But, I love Marshall's store too. Here is why. Lelli Kelly shoes! Grace had a shoe fetish with Lelli Kelly shoes but they are a bit $$$. I found them today at Marshall's for less than 1/3 of the price. I checked on a website and verified my bargain. Now, do I let her wear them to school?