RN

I can't believe it, in fact it hasn't really hit me, but I'm now a licensed RN! I'm sure it will hit me once I get a job and start to work, but for now it seems like a dream. One of those things that you never thought would actually happen. Something you always wanted to do and never thought would come! But it has come, it's weird and exciting all at the same time. I actually accomplished something. Something that has taken a long time is now done! I never have to test for a license of this nature ever again! It's crazy!

Thank you so much for all of you who stood by my side and helped me through this. Especially my family. My family is the most incredible family in the world. They stood by my mood swings from lack of sleep and stress over exams. My incredible family who took care of my boys without ever complaining. I love you all so much! There aren't enough "Thank yous" I could ever say that would make up for all your sacrifices. But THANK YOU! You are all the best! I never could have done this without you.

2012

It's amazing that it's 2012. I feel like I just left for school in 2010! I can't tell you how glad I am that that part of my life is over! Now all I have to do is take my boards exam!

We have been really busy here. I decided to go through the boys toy room and get rid of things they no longer play with and make room for all the new things they got for Christmas. This job ended up being bigger than I imagined it would be!

While I was doing the toy room, Doug decided to keep Drew occupied by teaching him how to play chess. If anyone knows my husband, he really likes chess. He has quite a few chess boards and takes every opportunity to play. For Christmas this year, I found a chess board and pieces that I couldn't pass up...they are GIANT!

Drew was having a great time learning and Doug was having a great time teaching him.

I wish all of you a healthy and happy new year! Go 2012!

Two words...

WE'RE HOME! I have finished school and the boys and I are now home with Doug! It still hasn't hit me that I'm here for good...other than graduation next month. We got in last night and the boys are loving it (for now)! We'll see how it is once the holidays are over and they are bored out of their mind.

I finished nursing school on the 16th of December. It's such a nice feeling to not have anything to study for. All except for my nursing boards. I'm playing the waiting game right now for authorization to test, until then it's studying the review books and playing with the boys!

I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

Drew's first week

We survived our first week of kindergarten! Drew is absolutely loving school and asks everyday if he can go back. His teacher is fantastic! I couldn't ask for anyone better. She is so great with the kids and knows how to keep them interested and wanting to keep going. He comes home everyday with something new to share with us. In fact, the other day he asked a girl at school if her name was Ashley. She said, "How did you know my name?" Drew said, "I read it on your backpack." This was so awesome for me to hear that he read her name! I didn't even know he knew that "S" and "H" made the "Shh" sound!

On Wednesday, Drew was given the "math bag" to take home. He had to put something in it to take to school that they could do math with, and come up with a question(s) for them to solve. So Drew got some candy and each kid got four pieces. The questions: If you have four pieces of candy and you gave two to a friend, how many pieces do you have left? If your friend gave you one piece back, now how many do you have? Drew was able to solve both of these questions and then teach his class how to solve it.

On Friday, he told me that his teacher gave them green magic potion to drink and it turned them all into Spiderman with invisible webs! His imagination is getting bigger and it's only been the first week of school!

I have become a very proud mother! This week will be interesting since I start school again and now we'll both have homework to do. I can't wait and neither can Drew!

1st Day of Kindergarten

I can't believe it, my boy started kindergarten today! It's so amazing how time flies by. One minute you have these little kids, and before you know it, they are in school.

Drew has been so excited for this day. He has talked about it non stop for the last week. Last night I couldn't even get him to go to bed because he was just too excited! Drew said, "Mom, I get to start kindergarten tomorrow. And that means I am going to be a grown up boy now." It's true, my boy has grown up!

Well Drew isn't the only one excited for this day, I have to say that I am too. Drew gets bored really fast now and needs something to keep his mind going. I am so excited that he will now be challenged a little and learn so many new things.

Drew is in the afternoon kindergarten class and we did it this way because the daycare that he goes to, the owner buses the kids to this school. So Drew is in a class with some of his friends from daycare, which for me is nice because he already has friends. In fact, when we first got there, he was able to see the older kids from daycare out at recess, and they were telling him that they can't wait until afternoon recess so they can play together!

Preston was so cute this morning. When he saw Drew with his backpack, Preston had to get his as well. When I took Drew's picture this morning, he had to have his taken as well. And then when we dropped Preston off at daycare, Preston looked at Drew and said, "I love you Drew!" It made my heart sing to hear him say that!

Well, there you have it. My oldest is now a school goer just like his mom, and we couldn't be more excited!

It's me again...

Time is getting so far away from me that I feel like I'm losing my mind...I probably am losing my mind! A quick update for Drew. Since he has been on his medicine we have not had a single seizure...knock on wood! The medicine seems to be doing it's job and I am so thankful for that. The only noticeable thing is that I feel like I have a teenage girl at my house sometimes! His mood swings can be all over the place. But if this is the only side effect we are facing, then I can handle it.

Preston is still Preston. As mischievous as ever and oh so full of attitude! But I'm loving every minute of it! He loves to be outside, and we are so thankful that Utah has finally graced us with some warm weather.

As for me, school is taking up most of my time. When the boys aren't around, (they spend the days in preschool), I can usually get my studying in, but when they go to bed, I am frequently found with my face in a med/surg book, or working on a case study of some sort. I am doing 12 hour clinical rotations on Saturdays at Timpanogos Hospital and am loving every minute of it. I couldn't ask for a better instructor, especially since my instructor last semester was so rotten. This is my second to last semester and I am super excited...and super nervous!

On another note, my sister-in-law comes home tomorrow from a year or so deployment in Iraq! We are so excited to see her and can't wait to hug our soldier! Thank you Jayme for all you have done for our family and this country. You rock!

Day 1: A choice was made

Well, the neurologist decided that the right medication for Drew would be leveriracetam (Keppra). He will be on the lowest dose to start out with and if he does ok, then he'll stay on that dose. If not, then they'll increase it. The good thing about this drug is that the side effects are minimal (tiredness, sleepiness-which will go away, irritability, and sometimes insomnia) and you can't get toxic off of it. The aggression and irritability are a couple of my biggest concerns, but the doctor said that if he shows signs of this, call them back and they can adjust things. My other big concern is that being on drug therapy requires a two year commitment. Drew has to be on the medication every day for two years. If in that time he has no seizures and a normal EEG, he can come off of the meds. I'm hoping this works, and that I don't forget to give him his medicine. That would be bad. So, today was day one of the drug and so far so good. Even though it was day one, and it's not really in his system yet, I have felt much better. Drew did good today, but it was only day 1! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this drug works. Love you all so much!