"A Very Good Day"

The weeks and days before our vacation, Jacque was studying like a crazy-woman, trying to prepare for her Nursing Boards, which she was taking the day before we left on vacation.  This test is a little unorthodox in its grading procedures.  It's a pass/fail type of test.  There is a maximum of 265 questions, but everyone must answer the minimum of 75 questions.  As you are answering the questions, the computer is logging your pass/fail rate.  Once you reach the mandatory 75 questions, the computer analyzes your scores and shuts off after you have done enough to fail or pass the test.  Of course, the individual taking the test doesn't know if she is passing or failing, she is just trying to get through the very tough questions.  She was afraid of her test due to the types of questions she was receiving..."select all" type questions - THE very hardest! (Turns out this is a good thing.  It means that you are doing well enough to have hard question after hard question - and you're getting them right!  If you miss a hard question, the test gives you an easier type to try and get you back up to that passing level). 

That same week, Jacque had an interview with Phoenix Children's Hospital.  This is her dream job...working in the PEDS unit.  She thought it went well, but was uncertain they were hiring any more new-grads.

Wednesday morning, Jacque begins the test.....and after 75 questions, the computer shuts off.  This is either very good or very, very bad.  And she didn't know!  It was a rough day and we prepared for the worse...after all...only 75 questions were answered...the very minimum.  She would have either "rocked it" or "bombed it"

On the first day of our vacation, early in the morning, Jacque starts to check the State Board website.  She will find out if she passed or failed only by checking to see if there is a license number by her name on the public record.  Refresh....refresh....refresh...and so it went up until we were boarding the plane.  She refreshes one more time and lets out a squeal.  She had passed and was officially a RN!  But her squeal was a little loud, and then her proud father announced to anyone who would listen that our daughter just passed her boards.  The people on the plane clapped with congratulations.  Jacque was very, very happy!

After arriving in New York, we were all in our rental car each talking or chatting on our phones.  Jacque's phone rings and she says...."SHHHH....it's PCH calling".  We all hang up and listen very intently!  "Yes", she says.... "I passed my boards"...and then...."Yes, I would love to work at PCH!"  Jacque passed her boards AND had a job working in the cardiovascular ICU  all in the same day.

We celebrated all night long....it was a very, very good day!

It Takes a Village

You know the saying:  "It takes a village to raise a child"?  Well, I have learned over the last 4 weeks, it also takes a family to get "Mom" thru college!
Most know that I am taking 2 classes a semester to finally get my college education.  I have found that 2 classes is a good fit with my other responsibilities as a mom, a wife, and a Primary leader.  But, I needed to take a one-credit class for some of my required credits.  How hard can a one-credit class be??  It was on the Arizona Constitution, it was only going to be 4 weeks, the textbook was small and easy to read, it was an on-line class....an easy A!
For the last 4 weeks, I have been swamped with homework.  This class was insane!!  Quizzes, tests with 5 essay questions on each, and a 5 page/10 slide PowerPoint presentation.  Let me share with you some of the questions...
"Describe the 3 levels of jurisdiction in Arizona.  Explain what courts make up each level and create an example of the type of case that could be heard by each court."
OK....so with Brad giving me examples, and Aaron critiquing my answers, I was able to answer this "simple" questions....1 1/2 pages of typing!
Here's another:
"Describe how the process of 'initiative' works.  Be sure to discuss both normal laws and constitutional amendments.  As part of your explanation, create one example of a possible initiative".  CRIMINEY!!!

That wasn't all.  In this same time period, Aly had to present her Honor's Project (Spanish presentation), Jacque was finishing up an 88-page assignment, and I also had to present my informative speech - which was 1/3 of my grade.  Talk about a stressful time.  It was ALOT of fun around here, let me tell you!!!

Here are some of the high-points of the last 4 weeks:
Aly had a near perfect presentation!!
My crazy professor liked my writing and had good things to say.  Here's a sample and I put it in this blog so that my posterity knows I had to work my .............. off......and with all that hard work....sometimes it pays off!!!!
"Dena, do I even need to say 'fantastic work'?  It is my pleasure to give you full points.  If you are writing a paper for the final, I look forward to reading it".
Yes, I wrote a paper and yes.....I received an "A"!! (There was a little pressure on that also!!)
My speech only had a couple of hiccups and everything went well.
Jacque finished up her main classes, worked in the Maricopa County PICU, and is about 2 weeks from graduating from ASU.
Jacque snuck in one more trip to SnowBowl for a last huh-rah AND got her hair colored by one of her friends...it looked fantastic.

JADE came over!!!
She is growing so fast...and we love every new personality trait she develops.  Who couldn't smile looking at her??

Funnies and Reminders

FUNNY #1:
Aaron helped in Primary today.  Both he and Savannah are some of our nursery helpers, but today, I needed an extra man helper, so I pulled Aaron.  Here is his Primary Conversation with a very precocious CTR 4 yr. old:
Sophie:  Are you a kid?
Aaron:  NO....
Sophie:  Are you a parent?
Aaron:  No
Sophie:  Are you a teacher?
Aaron:  For today, yes.  If I'm not reverent, my mom is going to take me out and that's not very good.  And you are going to have to come with me.
Sophie:  Where's your mom?
Aaron turns around and points to me:  "There she is...right there!"
Sophie:  OOOHHHHH  You don't want to go outside...that is no fun!
(I think she has had some experience in this area)
During Primary, she keeps looking around and saying:  "Your mom is watching you!  Be good!"  And then she would take Aaron's hand and hold it....she was there to keep him good!
Primary is always fun, exhausting, and something I look forward to each and every week!

FUNNY #2:
Jacque gets up quite early for a 12-hour clinical twice a week.  She leaves very early, and it's dark inside the house and outside.  Sometimes, she is late.  Can you believe that??
Friday was one of those days.  She is hurrying-scurrying trying to get out the door before 6:00 a.m.  She grabs her things - mind you it is dark and she has barely been out of bed very long - and she RUNS to the garage door to get to her car.....BANG!!  She runs head-on into the pantry door, which someone had closed.  HEAD-ON!  She hits her forehead, cracks open her toe and hobbles out to her car - trying to figure out what just happened and who-in-the-heck would close the pantry door????  Remember, the door has been there for a very long time.  To her credit, it is usually open.  But still....a door!!

On the positive, hooray side - Jacque found out where she will be doing her preceptorship.  What is that you ask?  It's a supervised experience at a hospital.  Practice as a real nurse.  She was hoping to be with a pediatric unit in the hospital.  She is going to be practicing in the PICU - the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Maricopa County Hospital.  She is frantically trying to remember all her Spanish!  hahahahahaha
Jacque is going to get alot of practice at this hospital.  It was her first choice, and another step closer to her goal as a Pediatric Nurse!!

Since I have been in the Primary, I have had the opportunity to be trained 3 times so far by the General Authorities and the general Primary President.  How lucky is that?  Twice, I have had the blessing of attending World-Wide Training, and then the privilege of listening to Sister Rosemary M. Wixom.  My notes are long and my to-do list is even longer.  I'm so glad I get each new day to improve and learn!  I saw a theme run thru the training...I'm sure there were many.  But the one that struck a chord with me was Spiritual Daily Preparation
This isn't just a quick morning prayer.  After all, our wells - without water, cannot help those around us that we love!  This is going to be a major adjustment for me, as I am a nightly reader.  I've got to find time in the morning to replenish myself and prepare to receive spiritual promptings throughout the day!  I've decided that when thoughts come into my head, if there are good thoughts and "nudges" to help someone, call someone, or re-think something, those are promptings that I need to recognize and act upon immediately!
Most of the Apostles who spoke, Sister Wixom, and others urged everyone to "seek revelation".  How many conference talks were on this topic?  I am always grateful reminders and admonitions to become closer to my Heavenly Father and seek His spirit to be with me at all times. 
Each day is a new beginning and I found out that the "Lord loves beginners!!