Spring Break

We got Isaac's trike out the other day! We didn't go far because it was windy, but was nice to be outside for a bit! 

SPRING BREAK! It seemed as if we would never get here! I was so ready for break when it came!
Today is Wednesday, so it's day 3.
Monday-I cleaned my bedroom, folded laundry, put laundry away, sorted stuff for Goodwill. Amazing how good you feel when you sleep in a CLEAN CLEAN bedroom!
Tuesday, my mom, sister, Isaac and I went to the Science Center in Des Moines. Isaac seemed to enjoy it. I've been there before and I must say that it doesn't excite me, but wanted to do something for Isaac.
Today, I've cleaned both bathrooms, including the floors. I got a Shark Steam Floor cleaning thing and LOVE IT! You can use it on wood and linoleum. Which is excellent, since the bedrooms are wood, the bathroom and kitchen are linoleum. Makes the floor super clean!

The sun is shining brightly! I Have a few windows open, although it's only 54*. Mark jokes that I open windows when it's above freezing. I try to wait until it hits at least 50*.

Had orientation for clinical last week. Went well, no patient contact. Just learned their computer system, drug dispensing system and where to find stuff. I'm excited for next week because we actually get to work with people! (Not so excited about being to Ames by 7 AM, though. )

One of these days we need to get out and pick up the branches and sticks that came down in the yard over the winter. All the snow is just about gone and in another month we can burn. I'm excited for spring!

This is on the way home from Ankeny. It's a field!Another field! 

1/2 way!

Wow! Last week, I finished up the first half of my first semester! I did well in both classes and was pretty pleased with my grades. We have now started our Nursing Practice class that coincides with the clinical (that I start TOMORROW!). It's going to be a pretty intense class, with classwork, outside stuff, clinical, etc. But next week is Spring Break!

It's been raining here the last 3-4 days. At least it's not snow! And we can see some spots of grass! Hopefully, spring will arrive soon and it will warm up!

Isaac continues to love his new preschool. Can't wait to go every day. They have been playing outside the last week or so (when the temps were warm enough) so he's totally loving that he gets to play in the snow!

It's my "day off" but I have a lot of stuff to accomplish: school work, laundry, cleaning up the house a bit, etc etc. You know, the stuff that gets neglected during the school week! I'm off and running!

Moving Forward!

I can't believe that I am about halfway through my first semester of the PN program! It's gone by fast, yet slow at times. Next week, we have a test in each class (2) and then a day off (we are going to go vent our frustrations by playing laser tag) and then start our Med-Surg class on Friday. This is the class that will coincide with our clinical. I'm excited for clinicals!  I'm pulling high B's in both classes so it really helps my confidence level!

It is an in-service day today for the college so I'm home. Working on the last little bit of homework, getting test guides put together, housework. Fun times!

Isaac started a new daycare/"preschool" this past Monday. He seems to love it and we are so glad! He's transitioned very well (and quickly!) and can't wait to go every day. There are new kids to play with, he gets to play on a computer, a sand table, and if it ever warms up again, they play outside (as the weather permits). It's nice that it's like 1 block from DMACC so he's really close by and I can pop in for lunch if I wanted!

We haven't had any snow for about 2 weeks now, although we were supposed to get some last weekend. I'm not complaining! It's been cold this week, but NO SNOW! Warmer temps on the way next week, but I hear there is a storm coming in for next weekend. Of course there is because I *might* have plans. Never fails!

Taken on Feb. 20, 2010. Isaac and I played outside for a little bit that day!

Nothing else really exciting happening around here! We're anxious for spring, warmer temps and Spring Break!

just sayin'...

I'm REALLY REALLY tired of the snow. And cold. And plain old winter in general.


More snow last week, more snow this past Saturday (because I had plans of course) into yesterday and more snow overnight! 
Local schools have had 10-11 snow days! Some districts around us are extending the school day, others are considering classes on Saturdays! 


My check off went well last week. I got 96/100 and my 4 points were pretty stupid mistakes. Grr. I'm pulling B's in both classes and am pretty excited for clinicals to start in about 3 weeks.


Spent Saturday afternoon down in Des Moines with some girls from high school. Did some shopping, had dinner, caught up. Then I drove home in snow, which is never fun. 40 mph on the Interstate! I was finally into Boone County before I could do 60 mph! That's unusual because normally Boone County is horrible about clearing the highway.


Today is a get everything caught up for school/at home day. Isaac is at day care, which allows me to do school work and other chores undisturbed. Pretty much caught up for the week for classes, except for practicing my med/eye check off tomorrow AM.


We signed Isaac up for soccer this spring. I hope he likes it and I think it'll be fun to watch a bunch of 3-4 year olds running around trying to play soccer! 

Week 4 going into Week 5

About a 1/4 of the semester is behind me already!

Things are going well. I'm enjoying my classes and enjoying getting to know the others in my class. With all the assessments we are learning, we will know each other pretty well in two years!

Tomorrow (Tuesday, hopefully?) is our first "check-off". We are going to be doing a head-toe assessment on our community partner. We need to attain 90% on all our check offs in order to pass the class. This is a big one, as it is literally head to toe. WIth the weather we are having today and into tomorrow, there is a possibility that it may be pushed back.

Yeah...weather. Snow yesterday was supposed to amount to half an inch. We got over 2". Today it's snowing and every weatherman has a different guess as to the amount. So, I'll just say we're supposed to get a lot (I'd say we have about 4-5" as of 1:30 CST) and then the winds are to pick up tonight and into tomorrow.
They are saying that we may beat the snow record from 1961/1962. I guess the amount then was 59". I would think this storm may put us near or over! I've lost track of all the snow, it's just gotten so old.

This was taken from our driveway on Christmas Day. (It was snowing then too!)

Today @ 1:30 PM CST

My feet were covered when I stepped out to take the photo. Brrrr.....

Here's hoping that spring comes quickly!

Week 3

Well, tomorrow marks the end of Week 3 for Semester 1 of the nursing program.
Week one was hectic and busy, although I was done by noon each day. The second week started the "regular' schedule, but we had a snow day and a delayed start the next so we didn't have a "full" week until this week.
Classes (2) are going ok. I already knew some of the girls in my class and am meeting new ones. We're a class of 23-24 women. Wide range of ages, backgrounds, family situations, etc.

I have class Tuesday-Friday, with every Monday off. I use that day to either catch up or get ahead with homework. Oh, and to run the errands I don't have time to do! Wednesdays I'm on campus until 4, Tuesdays until 3, Thursdays until noon and only until 11 on Fridays.

I'm excited for the upcoming weeks. We get to break out our really *cool* (cough, cough) blue nursing scrubs. We start clinicals mid-March and that is what I am most looking forward to.

Isaac is in daycare full time and it's been a bit of an adjustment for him. I think we're still figuring out schedules/time with mom and dad/weekends but it's getting better.

Sunday is our 7th wedding anniversary! WOW! It's hard to believe!

I've been oriented.

Well, nearly 2 months have passed since I've blogged.

*Had a major winter storm that closed schools and postponed my final presentation in Microbiology. Got a B.
*Had another storm right before Christmas, not allowing us to travel on Christmas Day. We stayed home and enjoyed our time together.
*Had my family over the day after Christmas for Christmas.
*Watched ISU win the Insight.com bowl on New Year's Eve. (Did not stay up until Midnight that night though-too tired).
*Went to Orientation for the nursing program that I start TOMORROW! I'm excited and nervous.
*Currently dealing with Isaac's coughing/breathing issues. Friday night, I was up about 3 1/2 hours with him, took him to doc Saturday morning and was told to continue the nebulizer treatments. He slept better last night (about 8 hours before I heard him coughing, 6 hours for me!)
*Excited to go see The Lion King next Sunday with my mom and sister!
*Did I mention the cold snap that we've been experiencing? It's cold, but a warmup is on the way! OH, and we had more snow this week!

Brownies in the oven from my new cookbook. Can't wait to try them!