Recent Events

Its been busy around here, and I realize its about time to catch up! As you know I graduated last month, and the past few weeks have been spent studying for the NCLEX to get my license as an RN and be able to apply for jobs. Well, I took that test last Thursday the 14th. And.. I PASSED!!! Holy cow, the test was tough! It shut off at 75 questions, which is the minimum. (Max: 265). I had no clue how I did. I knew there were questions I guessed on because I had no idea. Whether or not my rationalization to pick my guess was right, I had no clue. Took me under 2 hours to complete, and I was so anxious to find out the next day how I did. That next morning I got onto the AZ board of nursing website to see if the results would show and kept refreshing.... for about an hour. It wasn't showing up! I decided to finally take a shower and hoped it would be up by the time I finished. As soon as I got out it was up! Elena McRae: Registered Nurse. Woohoo!!! Needless to say, I've been very relaxed and HAPPY since then. :)

We also went up to Pinetop this past weekend to have a small family reunion on the Gomez side for Father's Day. The weather was wonderful, in the 80s. Saturday was overcast and it sprinkled a little bit. I sure love it up there. We all had a lot of fun, and I ate waaaay too much. I seem to always do that to myself.

Kyle has been a busy man working. Work has been slow with his original job, so he's been taking other jobs anywhere else to make up for the lack of hours. Words can hardly express my gratitude for my husband. He is such a hard worker! I am so thankful for his willingness to work as hard as he has to take care of the both of us and blessed me to be able to focus on school and not have to work. He has been so wonderful, patient, loving, and encouraging. I don't know how I came to be so lucky to have met him, but I sure am glad I did!

Other than that, we've just had lots of fun in between. Our latest  interest has been 24. Now, this is a big thing. Kyle is not a fan of tv or watching movies. He understands it can be fun, but for the most part thinks its a big waste of time. Well, I begged him to watch an episode of 24 one night before going to bed. Well, that turned into 3 or 4 episodes. Now, he is just as excited- if not more- than I am to watch it! We have watched almost 2 seasons together. Having a few suuuper late nights. Its been fun to enjoy something that even though it doesn't really help us accomplish any goals, its been fun to snuggle up and just be together. :)

May 8, 2012 : Nursing Pinning Ceremony

AKA: My graduation!!!!! :D

Last night was the night I have been anxiously awaiting for a verrrry long time. I officially completed the Nursing School program at Phoenix College. Woot woot!! I can hardly begin to put into words the way I feel. Overwhelmed. Grateful. Exhausted. Relieved. Anxious (state boards are coming up...).

I have learned so much about myself this past year. I have been through many highs and many lows, and much appreciation goes to my parents, family, husband, and God for supporting me (literally!), encouraging me, loving me, being patient with me, and helping me to KEEP GOING. There were many instances where I wondered why I  had chosen nursing of all things, if you haven't done nursing school, then its hard to fully comprehend what it is like! It is intense. I have never been so grateful to get at the very least a 76% on a test! haha. Then there are those moments in clinical when you take care of patients who are dying, patients who are vulnerable and can't care for themselves, patients who remind you of your own family: mom, dad, grandparents, siblings, and realize that a patient is more than just a disease process or a sickness. They are a real person, with  feelings, emotions, culture, history, and they are also a child of God. I am grateful that the profession I chose was one of healing and taking care of those who can't take care of themselves. Nursing is much more than putting on a "band-aid", passing meds, emptying bedpans, or placing IVs. It is an art, a science, a passion. I look forward to placing that RN behind my name once I pass the NCLEX, and putting my education into action.

I felt like the luckiest girl in the world. I was surrounded my all 5 siblings (and 2 sisters-in-law), niece and nephew, parents, in-laws and grandparents; to support me in this achievement. So loved!

(L-R) Mark, Karen, Neil, Abbie, Kristin, Me, Sarah

2012 Graduating Nurses!

After Kyle pinned me 

My amazing mom, Janae

My wonderful dad, Mark

My handsome husband and I 

The in-laws: Steve and Sharon

My super cool grandparents! Janiel and Frank

The whole familia, and support system

My niece, Zaley (Azalea)

The ladies of  the family
(L-R) Sarah, Emily, Zaley, Erin and baby girl #2, Me, Mom, Grandma

<3 <3 <3

I DID IT!!!!

I am so glad that school is over with, so now I can re-learn what it is like to feel "normal" again, to reconnect with friends, watch a movie or read a book without feeling guilty that I'm not studying, and not have to write another concept map or care plan. It has been a huge accomplishment, and I am proud of it. :)

Super Hero

Kyle is a Super Hero. He can do anything, build anything, create anything, make new things out of old things... he's very talented. He just recently finished building some horse stalls for a friend of his. Can't wait til he's building our own horse stalls some day. Here's a couple pics of his talented work:

One day I'll be petting my own horse :)

Kyle's First

My husband had never eaten sushi before this night. Can you believe that?! He's 10 years older than I am... I was astounded. I love sushi. I crave sushi. I would eat it more often if it wasn't so dang expensive.

My sister-in-law's sister recommended a sushi place, so we decided to go. It was definitely a good choice. Not my favorite, but it was delicious. Kyle was hesitant, but after that first bite he was hooked! Success. So glad we both like it. :)