Nursing Student 101

I thought it would be fun to post something about Jacque's experiences at ASU's Nursing School. We have learned a few things along the way. Grading is different in some classes. 90% is NOT an "A". It's a "B". And below 77%....well, good-bye! Her hardest class is Pharmacology as she tries to learn all about medicine, dosages and side effects.

She has the most fun with her group - known as D5. They have classes and clinicals together and she says they are the best!
Right now, she is working with a Pre-school and at an "Elders" home. AND learning very interesting procedures!

SUTURES!

How to change a bed...with the person still in bed...

So far, it is everything Jacque imagined. Sure it's hard and she is studying quite a bit. But she loves it and we know she will make a great nurse!

Beware...she may need a guinea pig to poke or work on pretty soon!!

Random-isms

Thought I would post some random things going on in my life:

Did you know that when we have irrigation, it's like the duck population congregates for their bi-weekly meetings. This past week was no exception. This time is was down-right scary. Usually we can count about 40 and this time....it was a population explosion. Brad asked me to close the park's irrigation valve and I said... "rriiiiight. The ducks are going to attack me". I sent Jacque later!

I am having so much fun in school this semester.......kind-of.....well, it's not what I thought it would be. First of all, my history class is a compact class....meaning...that instead of 16 weeks, it's only 9 weeks. What does that mean? It means having a summer class in the fall....reading every night and exams every week. It means lots of extra work in a small amount of time. I actually love this class. I've forgotten alot about how our country evolved and the inspiration that our founding fathers had in developing our liberties and democracy. Something I didn't know? Why isn't the mail delivered on the Sabbath? I'm sure you have asked yourselves that many times! I will tell you, since I just read about it and wrote a mini-essay on it. During the Industrial Revolution, the rising middle class had more morals and wanted a religious foundation as part of their lifestyle. The upper and lower class had their own issues and religion was not a priority. This temperance movement entailed many preachers and religions trying to convert others to a more religious society. They decided that the observance of the Sabbath was critical. A few ministers, thru rallies and boycotts eventually demanded that the Union stop transporting mail on Sundays. Other companies did not agree, but this Sabbath day observance has lasted thru the years......interesting!

My other class is college algebra. It's a hybrid class meaning you only go once a week and do the rest online with your "group" and by yourself. I didn't know this class was a hybrid, and have struggled with this set-up. For our finance section, we had to pick 10 stocks, invest $2500 and watch them grow....or deplete...for the next month. The pressure is that whoever loses the most also loses 25 points off his/her grade. I'm stressing on this one. Stupid stock market keeps going down. I know this will apply to everyone, but I have worked too hard to get every point I can and to lose 25 because I don't know the ins and outs of the market is out of my control. Good thing I don't do this with real money for a living!!

Homecoming Part 1

Another LAST milestone for our last daughter, our last HS dilemma of waiting and waiting and waiting until someone asks....you know, to get asked to go to the dance?? One of Aly's responsibilities for Student Council is to plan the Homecoming dance...so she was kind-of hoping that she would be asked. And Wa-la!!

She almost caught him as she ran out the door, but he got away.....
It's a pirate theme...

It said:

We hear about booty hunters all the time
Swabbis lookin for more that they will ere find
Ther be dubloon an' silver, precious gems an' jewels
Them who be searchin
end up bein fools
So guess that be what I be;
as I be lookin' for ye
I need a date fer homecomin'
an' I be leavin' ye a clue.
Thar be signs an' symbols
all around us, aye.
Jus' look t' th' stars
t' help ye find yer way!

The funny part?? It didn't have his name. It said to look in the stars...so she went outside and looked at the stars....nothing. I was cracking up. He had told me that it would really "get" her if he made her wait....and he was right!! I like this guy!! The next day, he came while she was at school and put stars on her ceiling in his initials....

So, we answered:

Aye, th’ stars were aligned
all proper they say
found ye, my matey
in the broadlight of day!
Now I’ve found the booty
and since I’m so nice
thought I would share with ye
ye might look twice!

Look for more pictures this coming week...her dress is gorgeous!!

To My Mom..

My mom's birthday was last week. No, I didn't forget. How could I forget my mom?? We are always on Mt. Graham around the Labor Day weekend (pictures and post to follow), so I rarely get to spend Mom's birthday-day with her. This year was no different. But she never complains or never makes me feel bad. That isn't my mom. Today, we celebrated her birthday as a family. Let me share some things about my mom that just make me smile:

She loves me the most! I just know it. She always calls to ask how I am doing, what I am doing and at least once a week, she treats me to lunch. I know I have other sisters...but I am SURE she loves me the most!

My mom is always laughing, always smiling and rarely, RARELY takes a serious picture. This is on Mother's Day.

"Mom....can we just get a picture. I'm going to blog this, you know".

Her grandkids love the fact that she is funny, silly and quite like them when getting a picture taken. I'm not going to post some of the pictures that actually might just embarrass my lovable mom!

My mom has always been my best friend. When I was growing up, I didn't really ever have a "best" friend. I had my mom. She always told me how beautiful I was/am. She always gave me encouragement as I pursued my music. She took me out to lunch and to the mall when I was having bad day. She stayed up late with me when I needed to talk to someone and she cried with me when I needed a good cry. (high school can do that to you!)

Today isn't much different. She still tells me how beautiful I am. Even when I had different hair-styles or no hair, she told me that I was beautiful. She still gives me encouragement when I am pursuing new interests and tells me I can accomplish anything I set my mind to. She loves to spend time with me, especially at our favorite lunch spot, Subway. It really is quite fun to beat her to the cash register and pay for HER lunch. Boy, want to see her a little miffed?? Try paying for lunch once in a while!! And when I need a shoulder to cry or complain on (and Brad is at work, of course!) she is there, always, whenever I need a friend to share my life with...she is there.

Today, we celebrated Mom's/Grammy's birthday - Rogers' style. Her favorite dinner (enchiladas) with as many as possible grandkids around her. We all adore our Grammy. She is always the one who comes to concerts, luncheons at the school, the hospital when we are sick, games and anything else all these kids are involved in....and we are missing the Roberts, the Goodmans and Aaron and Savannah....they all love her!!

Here she is, opening our "present" to her. It's a collection of all the years we have had a family fashion show. Wow....some of these grandkids have changed quite a bit since 2002!!

And these sweet Olivers made the cutest card for their grammy!

Mom - Someday, I want to be just like you!! I love you!!

You just NEVER know...

We have been admonished over and over to have an ample supply of food and water in case of an emergency. We always wonder when that emergency will happen. Will Brad lose his job? Will the stores close their businesses? Will your water supply dry up? Especially in Arizona??

OR

just maybe during the night, let's say around 12:00 midnight when you are filling up the jacuzzi with warm water in hopes of relaxing and getting to sleep, (after all, you have just finished your history assignment at 11:46, due AT midnight!!) and your water starts sputtering and yellow water comes out of the sprocket. Needless to say, I quickly got out. I let Brad know and he said we would look at it in the morning. 4:00 a.m. comes along and Brad realizes we have a huge problem. We have no water in our house, and Jacque needs to wash her hair at 6:00 a.m.

THAT is where I'm so thankful I have been partially obedient to the counsel of our Prophet and leaders. I go to the garage and bring out one 5-gal container of water and wa-la we have water to wash hair, brush teeth and do the BASICS!

However -

the problem is not fixed and I have decided that having a husband that knows about building houses and all the ins and outs of plumbing is a blessing, a real blessing. He has been working all morning to fix the problem and we still have this:

Really, showers are over-rated!! But listening and obeying are NOT!!

Happy Birthday Tyler!!

24 years old....some things never change and in some ways...Tyler just keeps getting better. He has always had a smile that could light up a room, make you laugh and behind that twinkle in his eye, you just knew he was thinking of something to do. - That hasn't changed!


Who knows when his love for motorcycles began. Probably up at Mt. Graham, where he became the main guy for rides. ALL the little kids would follow him around and with his big heart for those little ones, he was always taking them for a ride. Of course, he loved to get his Grandma behind him as well!!




His tastes have changed a little!

Another thing that hasn't changed much is his love for little kids. As long as I can remember, he has always had a baby in his arms. His best "pals" included Lincoln, (they use to match on Sunday evenings) Todd, (he was the first to ask for a motorcycle ride every day up on the mountain) and of course any baby that he can hold.

To me, one of the best things about Tyler is his ability to love. He always tells me that he loves me as we end our phone calls, he expresses his love to his father and especially, I see it in his eyes for his wonderful and lovely wife, Jenny. Working 6-12 hours a day, going to school and getting ready to be a dad is all in a days work for this wonderful son of ours. We love him and can't wait to watch him care for his baby girl. He will make a great father...we are just wondering how long it will take before she is riding with her dad on a motorcycle!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TYLER!!

Beauty is a Duty!

Me: (at 6:45 a.m.) "Hey, those are really cute shoes...but don't they hurt?
Aly: "Yes"
Me: "Then why do you wear them?"
Aly: "Because they MATCH!!"

Duh!!

First Day of School....last time

I've postponed blogging this event for a few reasons, mostly because I have to realize that our youngest is growing up and growing up fast. This is the last day I will be taking pictures as one of our children walk out the door. This is the last time we pay fees to Highland High. No more teal and black.....etc. So, I'm going to thoroughly enjoy this year, every event and every activity that Aly wants to be a part of. Choir - Student Council - sports - I'm going to enjoy it all. At least she still lets me make her breakfast before she goes to school. I consider it my small one-on-one time....even tho its a mere 5 minutes...if that. I'll take it!
We don't have to get up so early this year, a first for NOT having an "A" hour. However, Aly still gets up at 4:45 a.m. to RUN....yes, run! School activities will keep her busy, but for now, I will enjoy each day to its' fullest. Our baby, Aly is beautiful, growing up and our ray of sunshine. Welcome to our LAST Senior Year!!

Fall Fashion Show 2009

And the family tradition continues. Each year we get together with all the cousins at Grammy and Grampy's home for the school Fashion Show. Starting youngest to oldest, we model our 1st day of School clothes, backpacks and all our attitude.
Breaking tradition this year, I was dragged into participating...
All in fun!!

Visit www.moblyng.com to make your own!

PS: Wanna see some "moves"??? Check this out!!
Youtube Link

Farewell to July

What a month full of fun, family and wonderful memories. Here's a recap and our favorite memories/moments of each event:

July 6-11th - Aly went to EFY in Provo, Utah. She had a blast. She met new friends and then stayed a few extra days to spend with Aaron and Savannah, and the Roberts.

Favorite memories for her? Her group, the Mighty Storm was amazing. They all wanted to be there, they all participated and it was a very spiritual experience for her. What a great group!

Aly's roommates included one of her best friends, Dani Chapman along with Abby and Mindy, who were from Mt. View, in Mesa. She absolutely loved her counselor, Shellie.

Then, after EFY ended, she spent some time with the Roberts, Jacque (who had driven up to Utah by herself...more on that to come) and Aaron and Savannah, who are up there for an internship that Aaron is doing in Lindon.

This is where Aaron is doing his internship. They are staying there until Aug. 25th...then back to Vermont for one more semester!

This is where Aaron and Savannah are sub-letting...in the basement. It is cute and comfy! Aaron really enjoyed having his sisters around for a little bit.
Brad and I were jealous that they were all together and checked on them a few too many times!

Sunday, July 12, Jacque headed on up to Logan, Utah where she was a counselor for the EFY program at Utah State. She did 3 different sessions. Her first was at NAU, in Flagstaff. Then, she did 2 sessions in Logan. She had the opportunity to be a counselor to both age groups (14-15 and 16-18). Both different, both challenging and both rewarding.
She met some wonderful new friends, one being Marci. She is going back to Utah often to visit all her new friends! This is one of her counselor groups.

While Jacque was in Utah, Brad and I headed back to Houston for our annual "lease on life"

where Dr. Kwak informed us that he felt he could use the CURE word. For Lymphoma?? THAT is a miracle and my heart was full of gratitude for this tender mercy from our Heavenly Father. There was a slight caution with this doctor's visit, but we aren't going to worry too much about it. Something about a slight chance of another cancer appearing due to the chemo I received. A very slight chance, one that we won't forget, but we also will not dwell on. "Come what may, and love it!!"

While there, Brad and I had the chance to help our neighbors. It was such a blessing, not a coincidence that we were both down there at the same time. Not only were we blessed, we had the opportunity to be instruments in the Lord's hand as He answered the prayers of others. Life is good!! Brad and I were also able to go to the Houston Temple for a session. This is always a treat and we look forward to it every year.

From Houston, we flew back to Phoenix, where Brad was picked up by Aly (who had the house to herself for 3 days...um huh!) and I flew on to Utah. I spent the next couple of days with Aaron, Savannah and my sis in West Jordan. Pam was so nice to open her house to all of us! She showed me how to be a real "Utahan!!"

We woke up at an obscene hour to hear what we thought was going to be the Mormon Tabernacle Choir....but alas, it was IN the tabernacle and sounded quite similar, but not the real deal. It was a sunrise service for the 24th of July Celebration. In Utah, of course, that day is a holiday. Complete with parade, activities commemoration the arrival of the pioneers and a great firework display thru out the cities. Bry, Charlie, Pam and myself wanted to see what all the fuss about the parade was, so we were able to get great seats on the grass and got a pleasant surprise:
Yes, President Eyring is waving to Bryant! (Thanks Pam for letting me borrow these pictures!)

Saturday afternoon, Aaron and Savannah went to the airport and picked up Brad and Aly who had flown in for Charlie's return talk and celebration. WOW...... it was so much fun to talk and hear about Charlie's mission in Italy! Not only did Charlie talk, but with his mom and Bryant, they sang a beautiful rendition of "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" that was touching and just perfect!

Monday, the Roberts, Grammy and Grampy and our family (minus Tyler and Jenny and Aaron, who were all working) went to the open house of the Mt. Oquirrh Temple. Can I say amazing??

This was inside the reception area that they had for all who were going thru the temple. It was a real special experience to share with our girls the feelings I have for the temple. It was gorgeous and there was a wonderful spirit while within the walls of the temple. While in Utah, I was also able to go thru a session with Charlie and Pam in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple.

Brad and I flew home Monday evening and the girls drove home Tuesday. We are now back to our crazy schedule as we prepare for school at Highland, Chandler-Gilbert and ASU!

I love my family. It was absolutely wonderful to spend some time with Aaron and Savannah. We don't get to see them much and they keep telling us they aren't returning to the HEAT. Bah!!

Pam and Doug and their family were amazing to have so many people in their home all at once. Josh did so good! I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family and I love them dearly!!