Thoughts From a Frazzled Mind

Unitek Conference On the 1st of November Unitek (the company that owns my school) sponsored a one-day convention centered around the theme of "Infusing Caring into Teaching and Learning".  The Keynote speaker was Dr. Jean Watson who is quite famous in nursing education circles.  She is known for her Caring Theory which encourages nurses (and educators) to really care  for their patients (students) as well as themselves.  I really like her principles.  As I was listening I was thinking how her principles go with my goal for the year, to focus on being kind, and how it links so closely with Christ's admonition to "love one another".  If we all focused on these principles, the world would be such a better place!  I'll admit, I have been so busy lately that I haven't focused as much as I should on being kind - I'm glad that I had an opportunity to be reminded. My co-workers & Jean Watson Jamie, Randy, Amber, Jean, Audrey, & Andy Aunt Lona...

School Update After completing one semester of the DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) program at Grand Canyon University, I ran into some snags with my practicum site approvals and the school made me withdraw for a few weeks in order to get things straightened out.  Needless to say, I was majorly disappointed.  First, I had momentum and didn't want to delay my progress, second that meant that Amber would be moving on leaving me behind.  However, as often happens with trials, I realized that this was a blessing in disguise.  As I pondered my options, I realized that a DNP was not the degree that I really wanted.  I love nursing and everything about it, but my heart is truly attached to the education and teaching of nursing.  A co-worker suggested that I look into a program at Liberty University and it felt right.  I decided to change my focus to education and curriculum development.  I compared the program at Grand Canyon with the one at Liberty bec...

Oh, the fun, sunny days!  I just love summertime, wearing shorts and sandals, the kids loving warm weather and playing outside, darkness waiting until 9:00 to appear, perfect! Mont and Kiaya I was a work and got this picture text from Mont.  When I saw it, I was very confused.  I knew that the Parrishes were going to be in Utah/Idaho to celebrate his parents 50th anniversary, but I couldn't figure out how in the world Mont found Kiaya because Shandra was at work.  It took a long time but I finally remembered that Kiaya was at Lisa's house, her babysitter.  Lisa and her husband Brent are very good friends of the Parrishes family and when Mont stopped by to see them, I guess Kiaya ran right up to him.  He said it made him very happy! Joan's Treatment Last year Joan was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.  The treatment usually involves a waiting/maintenance time with little to no treatment unless the patient sta...

Air Conditioner Several years ago when we replaced our flat roof with a pitched one our contractor (Ashley's husband, Mark) removed the old swamp cooler and wouldn't let us cut a hole in "his" new roof to replace it.  We didn't have the money for central air conditioning so every summer we swelter and sweat as we suffer through the hot weather with one window air conditioner and several fans.  It has been tolerable, but usually, there are a few weeks where we seriously suffer. This year our furnace has had a few sputters and attacks of not working so we decided to bite the bullet and get a new furnace as well as central air conditioning.  I'm thinking that Kim is really going to love it, but I find myself wrapped in a blanket most of the time! Kalel goes to Yellowstone Mickel has been planning for over a year for a great-big family vacation to Yellowstone.  Kim and I weren't able to go because we had already planned to go to Parrishes house in Texas,...