M.I.A.

I apologize for my disappearance during the month of September. 

I promise that Vince still turned 4 months old-- even if I didn't post about it. 

(Don't freak out, I WILL post pictures soon)

We also went on a trip to Hilton Head at the end of August. 

Pictures to come on that as well.

So where have I been?

The hospital.

No, I'm not sick.

(Well, that's sort of a lie)

I have been busy racking up clinical hours at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center.

UVRMC has been good to me.

I'm working on the 6th floor-- aka Med-Surg.

My preceptor is an adorable pregnant lady.

She grants me a lot of freedom, which makes me feel legitimate.

Her baby is due in early December, but her first baby was early.

Thus, I'll be done with clinical in early November.

Can you believe that?!

Basically, in ONE month I'm going to be finished.

I can almost taste the freedom of being done with packed 12-13 hour clinicals.

Now, don't get me wrong--

I love the nursing program.

I love learning and improving my nursing skills.

I love working with loads of different people and helping them recover

...

but I miss my baby all day.

During my pregnancy I would constantly fret about how I was going to be a mom AND be a nurse.

I hated the though of "throwing away" my education.

Oh man, things have drastically changed since Vince came along.

There is nothing more fulfilling than being a Mother.

I come home from those long days and can't wait to scoop up my baby and shower him with all of the kisses and love that were put on hold while I was gone.

As much as I love helping my patients during some of their greatest challenges,

nothing is better than nurturing my son and watching him grow.

I would have loved to quit the program when Vince was born,

but I couldn't justify it.

My life was too blessed and circumstances were too perfect for me to quit.

Paul's job is extremely flexible so he can watch Vince when I'm gone.

My Mom came out for 3 weeks when he was born to get me through Spring term and she is here again for an additional 3 weeks to help me through Fall Semester.

Vince is an angel baby. 

He sleeps well, eats well and is a happy camper.

With all of these blessings and my belief that getting an education is important...

yeah, there is no way I could have quit.

It isn't easy, but it will be worth it.

Although it is possible that I will never work, I will always keep my license up to date.

I no longer view this as throwing away my education.

Instead of caring for patients, I will care for my children.

I will use my skills to patch up scrapped knees.

My empathy to heal broken hearts.

My focus on safety to prevent broken bones.

My priority planning to fit 28 hours of stuff into a 24 hour day.

My disaster preparedness to stay calm in times of trouble.

My leadership skills to uphold decisions and discipline even when my kids talk back.

My teamwork skills to teach them how to implement ideas, solve problems and take turns.

The list goes on and on.

The blessing of a child has increased my understanding of the importance of Mothers.

Life moves at a different pace and my priorities have changed.

As I strive to be a better mom, Vince changes me into a better person.

I had no idea that life would be so different.

At first, it was tough to accept.

Now, I wouldn't have it any other way.