Cut the cord......er cable I mean

We just called to have the cable (satellite) disconnected. We figured we can watch most of the shows we like online, for free. Our internet connection is cheaper than the cable bill. And, even if we subscribe to Netflix we still come out ahead, a lot ahead. We have to pay for the Internet any way, and the charge for "premium programing" just frankly was not worth what we were getting. It seemed like there was never anything on, anyway.

It has altered my morning schedule a little, as I like to watch the news while I'm getting ready. We just need to figure out how to get the local channels on our TV. Dave and I are watching less TVnow. It seems like it was just background noise most of the time. There are only a few of my faves that I actually log on to watch. I say Good Riddance to Direct TV.

adult children

It is so weird to have this "hands off" attitude with the kids now. While I realize that they need to get out into the world and have their own successes and make their own mistakes, it is hard to step back and let them. Heather and Theresa are doing rather well. I just need to trust that we gave them all the tools they need to become real members of society. I know that they still have a lot to figure out, and I will always be here to offer advice. But, the ultimate decision is their own. It is interesting to figure out how to support them but not swoop in and rescue them when they run into trouble. It has been easier with Theresa, but we got a little practice run with Heather. At this rate, we will actually know what we are doing when Drew is at this stage in his life. One can only hope............

Slacker

I have been slacking off on blog posts, but it just seems so busy. I am working and studying a lot, having a blast in class/lab. The 24 of us are becoming great friends and it makes the whole experience that much better. I really can't complain. I love it. Sometimes I am overcome with this feeling of thankfulness to be in Nursing school. I know it sounds cheesy, but I have worked so hard to be here for the last 10 years. I can't help but be grateful.

Theresa started school at Paul Mitchell Cosmetology last week. She it loving it so far. Heather is living in Nephi with her mom, and is currently recovering from pneumonia, but doing all right. Drew is now a licensed driver, and has yet to master driving a stick shift, but he's practicing. Dave and I are getting used to an empty house and cooking for 2, but we are proud of our kids for getting out there into the real world.

I hope all is well with everyone, thanks for all of your support and encouragement--it really does help. Love to you all!

you'll like this

Top 10 Reasons you can tell I'm a nursing student

10. My bookbag weighs more than 50 lbs

9. My new best friend is a creepy dummy, literally

8. I know how many mL s are in a teaspoon

7. cleaning the house is low on my list of priorities

6. I tried to check the pulse on my cat

5. I now wash my hands before AND after I go to the bathroom, using proper technique of course

4. I spend more time with my classmates than I do with my husband

3. Coffee every morning, tea or diet pepsi at noon, then another after work so that I can stay awake to do homework

2. I now have more medical apps than games on my phone

1. I have a permanent smile, even though my house is a little messy, I am tired, I miss my husband, i have loads of homework and no free time.

Live the dream :)

Crazy Busy

WOW! This is a lot of work. But I'm loving it. There are 24 students in my class, we all get along pretty well and are having fun. The commute is good. Studying my butt off........but I would not trade it for anything!

Hope all is well with everyone, I feel so out of touch.

Everyday Heroes

This is the autobiography essay that I wrote for my first school assignment. I thought I would share it with all of you.

My heroes have never worn masks or capes. There is nothing extraordinary or amazing about them. You won’t even recognize their names. They are the people who have changed my life. Now, I know this is supposed to be my autobiography but I can’t tell you about myself with out telling you about how I arrived at this point. I think that you can tell a lot about a person by the qualities they admire in others and about the traits that they seek to emulate. My heroes are everyday people who inspire me to be a better person with simple acts of bravery and kindness that come from the heart.

Parents are every child’s first heroes. My parents continue to inspire and influence me today. I can call my mom after a rough day and she still has the magical power to make everything better. My dad taught me to judge people by their actions and not by how they look, what they wear and certainly not by what they say — talk is cheap. How a person chooses to act speaks about the very core of their character. My parents worked hard to teach my little brother Cris and I that we can choose how we react to any situation. They taught me to be proud of who I am and that hard work always pays off in the end.

As a teenage mother, I was scared enough of becoming a parent. When I went into labor only 31 weeks into my pregnancy and gave birth to a 2 pound baby boy, it was Becky Hatfield that came to the rescue. She is the coordinator of a group of volunteers called Parent to Parent. Their focus is supporting the parents of babies in the newborn ICU. They offer true empathy because they have all been parents of preemies themselves. It was with this group that I found my calling for helping people. I volunteered with them for over 10 years; Becky gave of herself limitlessly and she illustrated to me the spiritual rewards of being part of something bigger than myself.

My husband is my rock, and for this alone he is one of my heroes. Dave encouraged me to go back to school, sacrificed his time with me so that I could study and has a calming influence when things seem to spin out of control. He is really my best friend, and knows me better than I know myself. Cliché, but so true. Our marriage is one of my greatest accomplishments. He loves me and my son like we were meant to be together, and has given me the daughters I always wanted. I know I can count on him, and that means more to me then he will ever know.

My children have enriched my life in so many ways. They have taught me that it is okay to mess up as long as I learn from my mistakes. My oldest daughter, Heather has such a forgiving, outgoing nature. She has taught me to let the little things go. My middle child, Theresa, is headstrong and creative and has influenced me with her view the world’s simple wonders. She goes after what she wants with gusto. Drew, my only son, is determined. He never lets anything get in his way; never lets anyone tell him that something is impossible. He inspires me to forge ahead, no matter how hard it gets.

It would be a long list to tell you everyone that I admire. I have an amazing group of friends and a big extended family rooting for me. I feel their love and support everyday in all of the little, common things they do. They do not seek recognition. It is these little things that can make such a difference in the world. Mother Theresa stated “We can do no great things, only small things with great love.” This quote sums up perfectly my view of heroism. I want to be one of these every day heroes.

3 + Weeks

My first day of nursing school is in a little more than 3 weeks. Most of the details are worked out, just need to buy books (price = mortgage payment) and my uniform. I am excited, a little nervous, impatient. After all this time, I just want to be there already.

Theresa is moving to St George this Sunday to go to school and be a live in nanny for my brother in law's family. Heather is set to move back to the east cost in September and Drew will be starting his junior year at Hunter High. In one month we will really have an empty nest--hard to believe. I am excited for the girls to get out on their own, but some what dreading the empty, quiet house. We will have to lure them home with family dinner once in a while.