Hello You Michiganders! This Post Is For You!

Blue Lily is a comin' your way!

Yes!

Your darn tootin you heard me right! What a bunch of lucky folks you are.

Here's the info that you need:
Wendy, the brilliant, magnificent, corky woman that she is (and I hear her hubby ain't too bad himself) will be in Detroit around September 11th!

What you need to do:
Contact the lady! Don't wait! Sessions fill up quickly and when their filled, their filled. Trust me, I know.

Click HERE and find Detroit on the right-hand-side. Contact Wendy and tell her I sent you!

***Disclosure***
I have received nothing from Blue Lily other than great service for writing this post. I only recommend people like this when I feel truly comfortable doing so. I love the photos hanging on my own wall. What she captures through her lens is nothing short of amazing. What I have spent on your typical photos from "mall places" is nearly as much yet not nearly as beautiful and unique. Pictures from Wendy are seriously a must-do for every family at least once in their lifetime, or if your me, once a year to capture how we've grown.

The Verdict

This morning, while the house was quiet, I read yesterdays paper.

Horoscope:

Libra- Today you will have a great day. Think of how you want your day to look and it will. Tomorrow, not so much. Things don't go as planned.



Hmmmm.......Should I still go take this darn test?! Gee whiz, nothing like making you re-think your strategy.



I went. Although I thought about backing out until I heard they only had eight of this particular test left. After this, the NET will become the HESI 2. The dreaded HESI 2. May the Lord be with anyone who takes that test. Let's just say it makes the NET look like child's play.



Yes, I passed!



Ha-lle-lu-jah!!!



Next: HESI PN (This is the LPN boards, I need to re-take for advanced placement into the RN program.) I will be taking this in about two-three weeks.

If I pass the HESI, I will be ready to apply to the nursing program starting in August.

P.S. My partner-in-crime passed also!

Here Goes Nothing

Two weeks of studying non-stop.
Weekends spent at Barnes and Noble (they have great rice crispy bars by the way).
Time away from the family, all for one goal.

Tomorrow is the test.
I'm exhausted.
If I don't know it, I just don't know it.

Hopefully my next post is a happy one.
If I don't write for a week, it's safe to say I failed.

Misery Love's Company

I've started the pharmacology class........bah humbug!
I'm studying like a mad woman for a NET test next Monday.
After that test it's another test......just to get in to nursing school!

There is nothing like jumpin in with both feet!

Only before it was just me, now I have a partner in crime. My sister-n-law is going back to school to get her RN as well. We are taking the same test on the same day. Like I said, misery loves company.

In my worries about how the children would adjust to less time with mommy, I never thought I could serve as an inspiration to them. Jalyn said to me "mommy, do I get to study when I go to college?" Oh dear, you will "get" to study much sooner than that! He has no idea God bless him!

If He Lead's you to it.............

(This was the last time I was in nursing school, 2000. I was just a baby!)

He will pull you through it.

I've heard it a million times yet only now am I beginning to grasp the value of this statement.

In taking on the challenge of returning to school with a family I've found that it all seems to be working out.

Child care is pretty much in place for the most part with only minor details to tend to.

Discounts on our everyday bills fell into our laps aiding with the expense of tuition.

I met with an advisor Monday to find that this was the last day to get into a class that is vital for admission into the program in August. I was admitted to the college and signed up for a pharmacology class right then and there. I start school Saturday.

All of my fears about going back to school are slowly but surely disappearing.

I am studying for admission tests that I will need to take very soon. How intimidating having been out of school for so long.

I can't say enough how much the support I've been given means to me.

Here's to a relaxing weekend for you all.

God Bless,

Rie

Progress Not Perfection

Nothing is worse than setting New Year's resolutions realizing you never held your end of the bargain from the previous year.

That was me, last year and mostly every year before that.


This year is different.

The reason?


My goals are Christ-focused taking ideas from the Bible itself.


"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."
Proverbs 16:9

I have chosen to finish my education this year, or at least get the ball rolling this year. I have tried countless times and for whatever reason, it was not meant to be. I will try again, and if school is not in His plans for me it won't happen.


"An intelligent person aims at wise actions, but a fool starts off in many directions."
Proverbs 17:24

For I know that my path has already been determined and new things are waiting, whichever path I'm led to I will take. At the very least, I've started in a direction for Him to determine my path.


"The Lord says, 'Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing..."
Isaiah 43:18-19

The Bible has also said that our body is the temple of the holy spirit. I have been weak, ill and needy, in no condition to take on a new thing. I want God to be able to use me for the great things he has planned for my life, if I'm weak I am of no purpose to Him. This is why getting back into the gym, eating healthy and gaining a few pounds have become important goals in my life.

I have surrounded my life with "yes people", people that have said yes to the Lord and love and support my life and the plans He has for it. Whenever we embark on a new journey we cannot do it alone, for nothing great in life is ever accomplished alone.


Last but certainly not least I will focus on my progress not perfection.
I will never be the perfect mother, daughter, wife, student or friend. I can and have spent too much time comparing myself to other "perfect" women that surround me. There never seems to be a shortage of those that will point out our mistakes and imperfections. Truth is, none of us are perfect and time spent feeling inadequate is time wasted. Instead I have chosen to lift myself up when I'm not feeling as though I measure up. Three days a week in the gym is not my ideal goal but even one day is more than last year because my progress is more important than perfection.

And lastly I leave you with one of my favorite Bible verses that sums up this post.


"Trust in the Lord with all your heart: do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take."
Proverbs 3:5-6

Welcome to this world Madisen Presley Bensen.

Daughter of my dear friends Scott and Laura.

View From My Seat

This is what errand running looks like in my car.

To you Michiganders, notice the absence of winter coats, the windows are down and the sun is out! It's this time of year I feel blessed to live in this state.

Leila is a smooth rider. Never complains or cries. She simply enjoys the ride....hmmmm, a lesson for life?

New Year New Dreams

Off to Tucson we drove to camp for a whole week! Relaxation and quality time with the kids was calling our names. Unfortunately, the universe had other plans.

Our trailer almost tipped on it's side when one of the jacks broke. Our heater went out during the night with temperatures in the 30's. They don't allow campfires in Tucson (this perhaps was the biggest bummer of all). I chipped a tooth. My mother and father-n-law came along and their heat went out at night. They had a major leak that required a plumber. He came down with double pink-eye and she had a major allergic reaction requiring a trip to urgent care.

Needless to say, we threw in the towel.

The lesson we all learned: You cannot control what happens around you but you can control your own reactions. We chose to make the best of everything that happened and continue our vacation... at home.

I had a lot of time to think about the New Year and all the things I want to change, but settled on two.

1. I need to be healthier. I've already begun getting back into the gym, if only to walk a treadmill for 30 minutes.......it's a start. Breakfast is the most important meal and I've skipped it for years, not this year.

2. When we brought Leila home I made the decision to stay home and work my butt off getting her the best care to give her the best start. Dealing with the State to get her accepted into their program which provides free therapy was a full time job in itself. She was accepted and has received therapy mostly in our home two-three times weekly. There have been surgeries and there will be more.

In October, the public school system will take over the responsibility for therapy integrated in the preschool program. She will go four times a week. I will continue my part at home. But now this leads me to ask the question, what will I do with my time come October?

I'm ever so proud of the family we've created. The time has come to strengthen myself and in doing so, strengthen my family. I want my kids to be proud of their mom, proud of her accomplishments.

The time has come.

The big decision is that I will be going back to school to receive my RN. I only have one year left but it will be a difficult one. Sacrifices will have to be made but it's never going to be easy. I've prayed long and hard for many years and this year feels right to pursue my dream. When both children are in school full time, I can work and help support our family.

On New Year's Eve, I submitted requests from the three school's I've attended to have transcripts sent to our local nursing school. A symbolic event as I marked the New Year with new dreams.

May the force be with me eh?

What new dreams will you fulfill in 2010?