A Brief Update!

Hey all, So Sorry I haven't posted to the blog in AWHILE... It has been a hectic last couple of months. So I will do my best to give you a quick update of what is going on in our world :)

As I think most of you know, I was accepted to Gonzaga and started my Masters level studies there a few months ago. I completed 2 core classes and found out that their program is not exactly what I had in mind to pursue my degree. They have a great focus in all their courses on building Nurse Practioner skills, and since I do not want to be a Nurse Practitioner, I decided this program was not for me. I have instead decided to transfer to the University of Phoenix, which is a shorter program, is more tailored to just the Masters in Nursing and will cost me $10,000 less (always a bonus!). I start that program on the 23rd, and it has been hectic connecting the dots between the 2 programs to fulfill requirements.

I had a big test for nursing this last month that is a national specialty certification test. I passed and am now the only registered nurse at my hospital with a ANCC Board Certification in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing. This also means a small raise as soon as I get my certificate ~ yeah!

Jacqui has been excelling in school. She gets time outs regularly for 'side talking' (imagine that) and her teacher and I do not see eye to eye on many matters, but Jacqui is loving school and the learning experience, and that is the most important thing at the end of the day. We are working on her reading and writing at home for an hour each day and she absolutely loves showing me her new skills as she becomes more secure in them!

Last month we attended a Montessorri workshop for the Spokane School District that I am hoping to get Jacqui into next year. It is a lottery program so if they have room she will get in and be placed in a Montessorri program for 1st-6th grade through the public school district. It seems a bit more in line with my desires for her education and we are hopeful that she gets accepted and excells with the freedom to pursue her own interests in education!

Grandad #1 just got home from Kenya and Cairo, Egypt this last week. He has some amazing pictures and stories, and we are going to work on getting them collected to present them on the blog.

And last but not least, I have applied for 2 management positions within the VA, both would be significant promotions for me... one is in Spokane for the unit I am already working on, and the other position is in Walla Walla as the new Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program Manager. I will probably have interviews for both in the upcoming month, and would appreciate your prayers for God to put me where I can be of the most help and service. It would be great to return to Walla Walla and be closer to family as Jacqui grows up :)

That is all for now, we will try to post some new pictures and stories soon. Love you all!