Thoughts From a Frazzled Mind

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...

I think that I am finally climbing out of the deep dark hole of depression and starting to feel the effects of the sun (as well as The Son) again.  Struggling with depression in the winter months is something that I deal with every year, but I'm pretty sure that this year was the worst I have ever experienced.  Not only was I depressed, but I also fought bouts of anxiety.  Needless to say, it was AWFUL!  I have felt the stirrings of peace and happiness now for the last 4 days and it is WONDERFUL!  It probably is not gone entirely, but at least I feel like I can handle it pretty much again. I have been extremely lax in writing the last couple of months, so here is a summary of my doings. First, and very most important, I’m going to be a grandma again!  Tasha took a pregnancy test on Christmas morning that was positive – what a great Christmas present!  She let Kim and I see the test but then she proceeded to forbid us from telling anyone for t...

I feel like all I do is talk about how busy I am!  Hopefully when I become a seasoned veteran nursing instructor I won't have to scramble so hard every day trying to pull together all the things that I have to do to make my classes worthwhile to the students!  I feel like I am continually brushing off my friends because I am never home and when I am home I am exhausted!  My poor visiting teachers never can seem to catch up with me.  Hopefully it won't always be this hard.  But, even though it is hard, I can't believe how much I enjoy it. Monday we headed down to "the house" (Kim's term for his parents' home) to visit with the California Olsens (less Douglas).  Lori had a niece (or nephew) getting married, so the Olsen family was the recipient of a nice visit.  It was so good to see them all!  It is always a happy occasion when the California Olsens are here.  We still call them the California Olsens even though 3 of them are now living in...

It is quite amazing to me that I have to be creative and come up with lots of words in order to teach my students I have less and less desire to use words to record my life.  Today however, I have some forced down time so I decided to write - however I'm not sure that any of my thoughts will be creative, or even entertaining for that matter! My teaching job is unbelievably stressful.  It is mind numbing to think how much work there is to re-learn concepts and facts in order to know them better than the students.  Add to that the pressure of presenting the right information in the best way so that the students will be be prepared to pass the state boards and be good, knowledgeable caregivers.  Add to that the stress of preparing tests and quizzes that accurately assess the students' understanding.  Not to mention preparing and grading all of the assignments.  And I thought writing my master's thesis was hard! Teaching nursing is tough! I feel a huge...

The annual Memorial weekend wood carving jamboree was again held in Boise and of course Kim, his brother, Dave, and I were exited to go.  But, to add to the fun, this year their other brother, Doug, flew up from California and joined us!  Doug is a novice carver, but no one was worried about him catching on quickly. The Olsen brothers were fortunate to have another Olsen, Ryan, as their instructor.  Ryan has quite a history with the Olsens beginning years ago when Ross and Joan attended with us when it was held in Twin Falls.  Ryan was quickly "adopted" by Ross and Joan when they found that he had come to the Jamboree alone.  That first year Ryan attended Cleve Taylor's class with Kim and Joan.  It was his first year carving and the knife he used to carve with was an old kitchen steak knife!  Cleve took pity on the new, yet talented, carver and donated a few tools to him. Every year since, Kim and Dave have made a really big deal about joining with...