Back to School

I'm way behind on my blog. This post will explain why.

This year the boys tried to convince me they were too old for the traditional first day of school photo. I had to gently remind them that I am The Mom and they do what I say.

The girls, however, wanted their pictures taken before school,

 on the way to school,

at school, 

and with their teachers.

Yep, all five kids in school now. Ethan asked me what I was going to do all by myself. I told him I'd surely find something to do. In fact, I decided to go back to school myself.

A long, long time ago, I applied to the nursing program while I was still in high school. I applied to the program knowing I wouldn't get in but, they give you an extra point for the next year's application. Well, turns out, I was accepted. Therefore, two weeks after graduating from high school, I started college. My first class was Anatomy and Physiology, the study of the different parts of the body and how they work. That was also the summer that Aaron came home from his mission and we were engaged. (I know, I know, we were so young but, it was the right thing for us.) I moved to Logan that fall and started taking the actual nursing classes at Utah State. I lived in an apartment with great roommates. I tried to have the "college experience" which wasn't much since I was buried in studying and already engaged to the man of my dreams. Since I was straight out of high school, I also had to take all my "general" classes. Most people in the nursing program take their generals before they get into the program. One of my generals that quarter was Microbiology from one of the most infamously hard professors on campus. Did I mention this was all while I was planning a wedding? Academically, I felt like I was trying to just keep my head above water to keep from drowning. My grades were just high enough to stay in the program. Aaron and I were married 4 days after my first quarter at Utah State.

Two months later, we felt we should start our family. I was pregnant soon after making the decision. I studied  prenatal  and pediatric care while pregnant with Esteban. After the first year of nursing school, I was eligible to take the LPN exam to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. I was exhausted and pregnant. We were poor and without heath insurance. We refused to get on government assistance. I only had one more year to finish my RN but, the thought of doing it all was unbearable and we needed money desperately. I chose to drop out of the nursing program. I gave up my dream of being a nurse, for an even bigger dream of being a mom. As a LPN, I was able to help provide for our little family. We made the move to Texas when Esteban was only 6 months old. Had I remained in the program, we never would have moved. The decisions we made during that whirlwind year changed our family forever. I have no regrets.

Fast forward 15 years, I LOVE being a stay-at-home mom (most days). I've started working part time again as a LPN when I can work around my family's schedule. I had started thinking about going back to school to finish my RN. I have to reapply to the program. It is more competitive to get into the second year and only 10 people are accepted each year. I plan to take my generals before I get into the program this time.

One day this summer a friend of mine asked if I wanted to take a Pathophysiology, the study of diseases and how they affect the body, class with her. She is trying to get into the nursing program herself. I thought about it and decided to go ahead and do it.  Anatomy and Physiology are pre-requisites. Patho is the hardest class I have to take before getting back into the program. I jumped in with both feet. I had to re-train my brain to learn and memorize. For most students in class, they took anatomy last semester. The anatomy in this class is just a review for them. For me, however, my anatomy class was 15 years ago. I have to study twice as much in order to learn it all over again. It has been hard to realize that I have to take tests and be graded on my knowledge (This is something you don't have to worry about when you are a stay-at-home mom. You are tested in other ways. My patience is tested almost daily.)

This time around, I am a better student. I understand the sacrifice of time and money that that I have to make in order to go to school. I try to make it fun for my kids. Ethan can tell you all about graft rejection hypersensitivities. We compare grades and I understand better how hard it is to pull an "A" in a class. The kids giggle when they see me come in the door wearing a backpack. They loved the fact that when Aaron gave them all back-to-school blessings, I just got in line with them. I was promised that if I put the Lord and my family first, I will do well in my class. I juggle laundry, cooking, and cleaning around studying cancer on a cellular level and spinal cord injuries. I've learned to balance and prioritize. I feel the Lord bless me as I do my best. My life right now is crazy busy but, I wouldn't trade it for the world!