We used our Provo Beach Resort passes that we got for Christmas from Grandpa and Grandma Lowry. It was a busy night there with lots of families using their passes before they expired. We had a good time! The flow rider was booked out so thankfully they gave us a pass to come back another time and do it.
We had a chocolate tasting per Lynnlee and thanks to her for the fun and yummy activity! We bought every milk chocolate bar at Walmart. I'm sure if we went to some other stores we could have found some other brands to add to it but seven kinds seemed sufficient.
My basketball friends got together to celebrate Amy's 50th! It was a really fun night of catching up. I've known these ladies for ten years! They are great examples to me.
I normally cut my boys' hair. One day I noticed a hair cut sale at Great Clips. We decided to go there instead and Sienna wanted in on it too. She cut off a few inches for a short summer do. Tag went with a euro hawk and Kade got a nice crew cut.
Dry Creek Elementary has a really fun Art Fair every spring. Everyone hangs up art in the hallway, there are classrooms with different art workshops. The favorite is the clay. Tag and I walked around and saw Origami in one of the classrooms, print making, water color, and sketching. There was also a drumming workshop. In the gym different classes were playing recorders, ukuleles and a short play.
We went to the school musical for family night. Marshall and James ended up helping Cam with a project so we had Scarlett and Audrey use their tickets.
Ever since I graduated with my RN-BSN from BYU-Idaho I have thought about becoming a nurse practitioner. I would hear about class mates going back. I would look into different programs and not feel good about it. In 2019 my friend from nursing school, Courtney who I went to ASN and BSN together, told me she was going back to become a NP. I looked into it more in depth and still didn't feel good about it. January of this year I decided to look into it again. I was amazed at the change of feeling I felt. This time I felt really good, excited and all things positive. Thoughts that I normally had were then reversed and I felt opposite. For example, I used to think that I couldn't do it because what if I didn't know the answers or couldn't help the patient. Then my thoughts changed to, I can do this, I can help others. I want to help others. I want to learn more.
First I told Marshall to see what he thought. He was supportive. I checked with family members to see what they thought and everyone was supportive. I looked into a handful of programs. Weber, Baylor, Western Govenors, West Minster, and U of U. Weber stuck out to me because it is a hybrid program. I really felt like an online only program wouldn't be the best. I was also drawn to it because it is a doctorate program compared to some that were only masters. Weber won out it cost, time frame, doctorate, and hybrid. I only applied to Weber. Since I went there for my ASN I was hoping it would help me and I was excited to come full circle.
The application process took two months. I revised my resume, wrote an essay, made a video, and asked three coworkers to write letters of recommendation. It was a huge relief to when I got everything submitted. Then I had to wait about a month to hear back. Once I knew acceptance letters could be going out, I began checking my email multiple times a day. One Friday I trained really long for my race. I biked for a couple of hours and then had a six mile run. I was really struggling and tired on my run. Half way through I decided to check my email. I saw the email from Lynda Blanch. I didn't want to open the email right there in case I didn't get in. Marshall was working from home so I sent him a text and let him know I got the email. I told him I would open it when I got home. I got home and then we sat down together and opened the email. I read the acceptance letter and was beyond elated!!!
This whole experience since January has added to my testimony of making decisions and feeling the Holy Ghost. The feelings I've had were night and day difference from before when it wasn't right to now when it is right. I also kept waiting for the feeling to change, like maybe it was just a fun idea for a week but then it would fade. It hasn't though. I'm just as excited about it now as I was in January. It's amazing the window of opportunity that I have right now. I have worked 20-30 hours per week for the last few years. Knowing that I can exchange work for school and have the time for school gives me peace. It also helps that Marshall works from home more now and can get off earlier now. Knowing he can help our kids when I'm tied up gives me peace of mind. James will be driving by the time I start so that helps too.
Lynnlee has a great group of friends! They came together in 6th grade. One night Addie pulled up with everyone in her side by side. Lynnlee jumped in and they rode around the neighborhood.
James decided he wanted to start going to date dances the year he turned sixteen. He asked a girl named Jocelyn. She is in his friends group. He asked her with a puzzle and hid a missing piece in her house with his name on it. She answered him back with jam.
Their day date was at an escape room in Orem. Marshall was the chauffeur for half of the group. He was great and perfect for the job as he coached James and McKay to go up to their door to get them, open their door, compliment them, etc.
