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| Kassidy and Turner |
It seems like life is made up of times where we are either coming out of something, in something or on our way out of something. No matter where we are in the journey there are specific and unique lessons we are supposed to learn. Since January, I have felt like my life has been nothing but a succession of transitions.
January was the beginning of the end of this two year program. I started my last semester of Nursing school. It was the hardest semester by far. Everything about it was more difficult, the tests, clinicals, instructors, etc. Difficulty aside, I wouldn't trade it! I learned so much.
At the beginning of March my husband found himself without a job. I was a very stressful situation for him. I did my best to be positive and encouraging. I have always been lucky that I don't struggle with the big things; it's more the little things. I had unwavering faith that God would take care of us. And He did. Dennis got a job he loves!
Let me go back a sec...March 23 is Dennis's birthday. He said to me "Wouldn't it be great if I got a job on my birthday?" I don't know what made me say it but I told him he should call his previous boss in Miami and see if he had any projects going on in the area or possibly a contact here that can help. After thinking about it Dennis called Jim (they hadn't spoken in 15 years). He was so happy to hear from Dennis and told him he had so much work that he wished Dennis was working for him again. Dennis told him "Funny thing you should say that because I am out of a job." Without hesitation, he offered Dennis a job...the day of his birthday. Jim and his wife Laura are wonderful people and I pray God blesses them a million-fold! Dennis and I thank God for that opportunity every day...we know it is NOT a coincidence!
I say I don't get bothered by the big things, however I found myself in the ER on March 16. Craziest thing I have ever experienced. I got to the hospital at 6:30 a.m. for my clinical day. The day started easy, one of my patients was getting discharged. I was in the room with the patient and all of a sudden I felt like I was out of breath. I just didn't feel right. My instructor did a quick assessment but I just got worse from there. My chest got tight, my hands and face were tingling. I couldn't speak. My hands were stiff. It is definitely embarrassing to be an RN student being wheeled into the ER as a patient. My classmate was able to practice doing on EKG...on me! The doctor ran a bunch of tests and he came in and said it was an anxiety attack. I told him he had to be mistaken because I make fun of patients that come in with "anxiety attacks". He said no mistake. So doctors orders were to take it easy. Try telling that to a RN student!
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| We love her so much! |
On April 2, my husband started his new (old) job in Miami. I started my practicum on April 4 and ended on April 20. This was the hardest part of the entire nursing program and I would have to go through it without my best friend to go home to. But I got a good trade-off! Dennis brought my grandmother from Miami to stay with me while I finished school. Turner, the girls and I were so happy to have her back. She got permission from her doctors and took a break from all her treatments to help me with Turner and the girls while I finished up. She is an angel!
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| Nerd Herd |
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| Yummiest part of Graduation! |
Finally, graduation was May 2. It was a wonderful day that I got to share with my family. (The best part was Cheesecake Factory that night :) It was the exhale my family and I have been so anxiously waiting for the last 2 years. I know there is no way I could have finished without my entire support system at home and at school. I am so lucky to have a family that encouraged, supported and prayed for me every day. I am a proud member of the "Nerd Herd". At school, they are what kept me going on the days I just wanted to quit! When all else fails, wash your hands!
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| Gruaduation flowers from my mom and my cousin Eddie and his beautiful girlfriend Jessica! |
Once the emotional high of graduation was over, I was face to face with reality again. My husband and grandmother were back in Miami and the girls were finishing up school and oh yeah...that little thing they call NCLEX! Preparing for the boards is like training for a marathon! Basically everything that we covered the two years of nursing school is fair game and then some! The Nerd Herd made sure that I was prepared. I am so thankful for all the help they gave me. Most importantly I am thankful for the help I got from family and everyone who helped with Turner and the girls so I could have a few solid days of studying.
July 17 arrived...test day. I was not nervous...I was actually more excited than anything else. I was just glad this day was here. I arrived to the testing center. I walked in and to my left is a few chairs lined up against the wall and to my right is the counter where one signs in. There were only a couple of people sitting waiting. A guy and a girl. The lady at my counter asks me to approach the counter. When I reach the counter the lady that was sitting against the wall approaches me and as discretely as possible whispers in my ear and informs me that my pants have a rip in them. As I'm reaching back with my hands the lady adds "it's REALLY bad!" I asked the lady at the counter if I had time to go to the restroom and she said yes. On my way down the hall to the restroom the nice lady who informed me about my "wardrobe malfunction" was running behind me asking me if I wanted to borrow her sweater. I accepted her offer and she said she would go to her car and be right back. When I got to the bathroom I looked in the mirror and just shook my head. I looked up and told God he had a great sense of humor. All I could do was laugh. So I walked back to the testing room and approached the lady at the counter again. She asked me if I needed to go home. I confidently told her "hanging out or not, I am taking this test today!" As I approached computers, one of the other ladies gave me a sweater that someone had left. Before I sat down I quickly scanned the room and I was so relieved to see one of my classmates there too...Joy! Even though she didn't see me it was like having a security blanket. I tied the sweater around my waist, sat down and took my test. 113 questions later the computer shut off. I had no idea whether I had passed or failed but I was just relieved it was over. And I could go home and change my pants! After my test I headed down to Miami to get my little guy and spend time with my hubby.
Because Dennis is in Miami we spent a lot of time down there. We had a great time spending time with both families. While in Miami we went to a Marlins game. We had a great time! The stadium is absolutely amazing. Thank you Tio Eduardo for the tickets :)
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| Turner with one of the Marlin girls. |
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| My two gorgeous girls! |
July 18 was a wonderful day! I learned I had passed my boards and I was now an official RN! And July 19 I got my license number. That very day I started applying everywhere. To date I have applied to 6 hospitals in Tampa and 2 in Miami. I submitted a resume at Mount Sinai and had an interview with them on August 6. It went really well. The recruiter told me last week I am at the top of the list and she wants me there. They are just waiting for the RN internship to open up. Either way I am still applying to positions here. Dennis and I have been incessantly praying for God to show us where we need to be.
Kayla started her Junior year at Freedom H.S. We can't believe how fast time flies. She is 16 and driving every chance she gets! With the help of family, we were able to do a surprise party for her 16th birthday. She had a great time with all her closest friends. She is on the swim team again but she is learning that balancing swimming and school is tough. She is taking 4 AP classes and honors classes. I have no doubt she will do well in both!
Kassidy started Liberty Middle this year. She is lucky to have friends from both Chiles Elementary and Maniscalco. It definitely made the transition into a new environment easier for her. She is lucky to have Uncle Jimmy at school. He makes sure she is ok and keeps her in line too :) She is a social butterfly and is always outside riding her bike with friends and lately has discovered that she enjoys skateboarding. She also says she wants to dance, do gymnastics and sing. She is getting so tall! She grew 4 inches in one year. She turned 11 in March and she had a cupcake party. She is not a baby anymore :(
Both Kayla and Kassidy got to go to their first camp with Grace Family Church. They had so much fun meeting new friends and they both said they would definitely go again :)
Turner turned 4 on August 2. He had a Power Rangers party at Aunt Ashley and Uncle Andres' house. He had a blast having water play with all his cousins! Since I am not working right now he is not in pre-school but he still likes "school time" and he practices his letters, numbers and likes cutting and gluing.
When I feel like my life is uncertain (which has been a lot lately) I remember the things that I am certain about. God is faithful. As long as we seek his guidance things will happen just as they should. We are a family and we are supposed to be together. Wherever that may be. I know God has a plan for us and I'm so excited to see what it is!
