So many things...

Well...I can officially tell you everything that's been going on since graduation! :) Well...I guess you already know some of it...and some of you know more of it... BUT, the weekend I passed my NCLEX, I had an inteview in Bakersfield at Memorial Hospital (side note...where I was born!). I got a call a couple days later with a full time offer as an RN in their NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). The reason I couldn't say anything right away is that I was tied into a 2 year contract for employment in Arizona, in return for some money for school loans. Turns out, they had 60 days from graduation to place me, and they never did...and 60 days ended this last Wednesday. When my time was up, I officially announced that I had accepted a position elsewhere, and I was relieved of my contract! SO...it's official! Jon and I moved to Bakersfield this past Monday (what a trip!), and I will be starting work as a NICU RN in 2 weeks! I go on Tuesday to fill out all my paperwork and all that fun stuff...and orientation starts on August 9th. Jon and I found a house...a super cute one...and we get the keys on Monday! I'll post pics as soon as I get in there and get the house all set up! I'll keep you posted on fun stuff from work! Bought all my scrubs, my infant stethescope, and I'm all ready to go! Miss our friends in AZ SOOO much, but it's also fun to be home with friends and family here. We'll be back to visit AZ, FOR SURE!! Guess that's it for now...a very brief synopsis of our last month! Hope you're all well and enjoying summer! Lots of love from...CA!!!! :)

It's been a while...

...BUT, I haven't forgetten about you all! :) It's been a crazy, very busy last 4 weeks! SO much to catch you up on...but it's gotta wait until Thursday...You'll see why when you come back to read! :) Hope you're all well and enjoying the summer! It's been hot, hot, hot here in AZ...basically 112 degrees everyday! But, thank God for a pool and AC!! Come back Thursday for the whole story...Lots of love from AZ!

So...about the NCLEX...

I PASSED!! :) I am officially licensed to practice as an RN, and I can't wait to get to work! The test was awful...I walked out of there thinking that I failed. See...you take the test on the computer. When it is 95% sure that you have either passed or failed, it stops giving you questions and the screen turns bright blue. You'll get anywhere from 75 to 265 questions, and it can really go either way! I got 78 questions (3 of which I was sure I got right!) and I was out in about an hour and 10 minutes. I wasn't sure if that made me feel good or terrible! ;) I took the test last Thursday (the 10th) around 12:30pm and found out my results at 10am the next day! I looked my name up on the state board of nursing website...and there was a license number next to my name!! :) Needless to say...I was overwhelmed, I screamed, I was happy, and we celebrated with dinner at Tahoe Joe's (a yummy steakhouse) in Bakersfield. Now...about the job...STAY TUNED!! :) Lots of love from AZ!!

Oops...

Just realized my last post was a little bit of a repeat of the one before it! :) haha...well...in case you forgot... :)

School's out for...EVER! :)

Well...maybe not forever, but certainly for a while!! :) The graduation events were great, and it was fun to see the family and friends that could make it out. Here are a few pictures of the week and the various events...

Oh, and Lady had her first few swimming lessons! She did great, and she's a PRO now! :) All you have to do it show her the ball and open the pool gate, and she's in! We started with a kiddie pool to see how she'd do, and quickly graduated to the big pool!!

More exciting news...I GOT MY NCLEX DATE! :) This morning I received my "Authorization To Test" through email and got right to scheduling a date!! I thought about making it after my trip to California next week...then I decided that I want to do it as soon as possible...so I'm taking it during my trip to CA!! It's next Thursday, the 10th at 1pm in San Diego! :) I'll drive out there on Wednesday, take the test Thursday, then head up to Bakersfield to get ready for my interview there on Friday! Busy trip...but it'll get alot accomplished! I'm looking forward to seeing everyone in Bako and San Diego...it's been a while since I've seen everyone and been able to relax and enjoy their company (without school, assignments, etc!). SO...I'll let you know how it all goes...and I'll post pictures for sure! Hope you're all well and ready for summer! I heard it might get up to 110* here on Sunday!! Eek! Not sure I'm ready for that yet...thank goodness for a pool and AC!! :) Lots of love from AZ!!

I'M DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

...For now! :) Actually, I should say "We're Done!" Jon definitely gets to share the credit with me! :) What a crazy, wonderful, growing, changing, learning, amazing last 16 months! It all started with the best day of my life to date...our wedding...WAY BACK last January, and ended with a fun celebration of my graduation from Nursing School, LAST WEEK!! It was bittersweet, but much more sweet than bitter, to take that last test and walk across the stage. I wasn't sure whether to laugh, cry, run in a circle... Here are a few pics from a couple of the graduation events...

(Threw in one of Lady so you could see how big she is now! :) ) I really can't believe how fast school has gone...and that I'm about to be a "real" nurse!! I am hoping to hear from NCLEX (the National Licensure Examination for Nurses) in the next 2 weeks about scheduling a date. Once I pass that, I'm officially a licensed RN! I'll keep you all posted on a date when I get one! For now, it's sending my resume to whomever will look, and hoping to get interviews! I have a couple scheduled, and I'll let you know how those go too! Other than that...hoping to spend some QT with my husband, and just enjoy spending time WITH him, not just sitting in the same room with him while I do homework! Hope all's well where you are! Lots of love from AZ!! :)

I'm GRADUATING!! :)

Well, Class of 2010...WE DID IT! All 40 of us, graduating together! Like a good friend described, we've bcome a 40 person family! We came a long way over the last 16 months together, and I'm am proud and honored to know all of you. Thank you for your help and support, and for some of the best memories of my life. My girls, you know who you are, let's always keep in touch no matter where life takes us! You've become a huge part of my life and my heart, and I love you all so much!

So...what's next for me? A week of graduation fun next week, the Kaplan NCLEX review the following week, job interviews, taking (and hopefully passing) the NCLEX, and a job...if it all works out as I plan! :) Today, my first day after my last final, felt weird...weird but great! One side of my mind is still spinning in school mode, and the other side is so ready to relax. I'm sure it'll hit me after next week...once everyone has left, I've gone through graduation, and I'm actually learning how to "do" life outside of school again! I can't wait to be a wife and enjoy my husband...not just sit in the same room with him while I do homework. Thank you, Jon, for your support and love through all of this! What a tail spin we started last January...but I wouldn't have it any other way! I love you, and I couldn't have done this without you! Mom, what a crazy year! Thanks for understanding and supporting me everytime we talked. To the rest of my friends and family...thank you for your encouragement, phone call, emails, and cards...I can't wait to catch up with you all! :)

Well...yesterday I was a college student...today I'm a nurse! Crazy how things can change in a day!! :) I'll post pictures of all the graduation festivities soon. Send good thoughts my way for a job...something that will work for Jon and I both! I'll keep you posted along the way...and let you know when I get my NCLEX date! For now...lots of love from AZ!!