Parenting 101

So, the most important jobs are the most difficult. I fully acknowledge the fact that raising Ave to be a loving, smart, and happy girl will be the paramount of my success. I don't know if I am always up for the challenge. She is more stubborn and sassy than ever. I try to discipline her but sometimes its a joke. I can't and won't spank. We do time out but now she asks to be put in time out while telling me- "Mommy- put the timer on." I lose patience with my bossy girl and at the end of the day- feel overwhelmed with the heavy burden of worrying that I am not doing enough. I pray to Heavenly Father that he will pick up where I can not and help me to be the best mom to her.

Last night, we went to one of the bigger Dallas libraries. We're frequent visitors of our town's small library but I had reserved some books for us through the Dallas library system. Any who, Ave was mad because the Dallas library didn't have the kid's computer that our library does. I went to go check out books for us and I come back to the kid's area where I see that Ave has unloaded 25 or so teen paperbacks onto the table. She told me these were her books that she wanted. I told her they were for bigger girls and we had to help put them away. She starts screaming- not something that's tolerated well in any library.

The nice librarian comes over and tells Avery we must put the books back. Avery starts crying and runs over to me. I explained to her that she was sad because she made a bad choice and got in trouble for it. But, it was o.k. We now needed to clean up and not do it again next time. She is still mad/sad and won't help and I am very flustered at this point.

Ms. Librarian than asks me what I do for a living. I told her I was a nursing student. She then tells me that she thought I was a teacher because I was doing such a good job with my daughter. We talked while we put the books back and she told me that she could tell Ave was smart and strong-willed- which will be very good for her, as she gets older.

I don't know why- but this woman gave me the little extra encouragement I needed. These qualities I see in my daughter now are the exact aspects young women need in their characters. At this point, I want her to mind me and care more about others. I hope the struggle of keeping my patience with her and myself gets easier.

Dallas Museum of Art

Another fun outing. I haven't had a chance to go to this museum before and was excited when April invited us. We had a fun picnic before we went inside and Avery loved following her big friend, Cassidy, around. The museum was fun but there was so many people. We made a fun craft- an animal mask. I am so not artsy- but I always try for Avery. Its too bad hers (its a bunny- I know you can't see the ears) didn't turn out as well as Tanner's....A fun day- had by all!

Feels like Spring!

We are on Spring Break this week! I took Ave out of school and we are doing our best to find fun things in the area, to stay busy! One of our favorites is the Dallas Arboretum- we went yesterday with our good friends. The bright colors found in the flowers are beautiful and the park also has many playhouses from storybooks, such as: Dr. Seuss, Hansel and Gretel, Peter Pan. The kids loved walking around and enjoying the sunny weather in such a lovely environment.

Results

My interview was Monday afternoon. I went into it kinda frazzled. I had a test that day, a presentation and was running short on time. I made it there, pulled myself together, and said several prayers that I would be confident and I would get this job- if it was right for me.

I was told that the interview would consist of 5 nurses from ER, serving as the board. I walked into the room and there was eight. They each asked me different questions such as-

-what are 3 words your friends would use to describe you?
-what made you go into nursing?
-why do you want to work for this hospital system?
-what has been your most rewarding situation, taking care of a patient?
-what would you do if an older nurse was watching you perform a skill, on a patient,- and commented that you were completing the skill incorrectly?
-can you give us an example of how you have dealt with a difficult coworker?
-can you give us some examples of how you have dealt with difficult patients?
-where do you see yourself in 5 years?
-can you tell us the most difficult thing you've ever had to go through in your life?

I felt good about most of my answers- I was answering quickly and enjoyed talking about my experiences with nursing. The last question was difficult for me. I did not want to go on and on about my whole life story. My initial thought was - well, I am a single mom-motherhood itself isin't always a party-but I didn't say that. I answered very vaguely about taking ownership of your life's choices, trying to work through them and make more difficult decisions. I didn't know if it even made sense- but then I went on and talked about my career- ie:going to school.

After the panel interview, I went on a tour with one of the nurses. The emergency room department is hardcore. There are 88 beds and it has recently been remodeled and its beautiful. At the end of the tour, I did not want to leave!

So, the most important part of this story is.....I got an offer! The HR rep tried to call me yesterday but we never connected- so I finally got the news today. I am thrilled but it hasn't really hit me yet. This is what I've wanted since I was 18 and knew that nursing was my thing. Its taken a long time- but I am so close to being there- its mind-boggling to think that my dream is close to a reality.

I want a job!

Last Saturday, I went to a nursing career fair for the best hospital system in DFW. It was only for graduate nurses that are interested in the nursing internships. I thought it was going to be a little busy but when I got there...The line to even get into the conference center was extensive and took half an hour. Needless to say, I waited, made my way in, and was there for three hours and talked to personnel from 3 specialty areas: telemetry, er, and medical-surgical..

.Everywhere you looked, there were hundreds of nursing students that were also looking for the same opportunities as me. I felt like all 3 "mini interviews" went well. I gave them a copy of my resume, talked to them about my experiences, and they asked some standard interview questions.

I really, really, REALLY want the ER position. This line was the longest but I knew I had to talk to someone. I was actually interviewed by 2 ER nurses. They loooked at my resume and quickly told me 3 things 1) I chose the nursing school in the area that would best prepare me for real world nursing. 2) My GPA shows that I am doing well and am very competent. 3) My experiences in nursing have put me at an advantage, for this specific position. This was nice to hear. Next, they mentioned that there were only 8 internships available at the Dallas main hospital. They asked me why they should choose me. I told them I was more capable. I adapted, learned quickly, and can work well in stressful and difficult situations. I do have experience in nurisng that has laid a great foundation but I am now wanting to do more and be in the most challenging situation- that will help me grow and develop to the best nurse that I can possible be...Well, I said something kinda like this...

We talked for a good ten minutes and I walked away feeling good about it. But, you still don't know- its very intimidating to know that so many others may be more suitable for the position you want. I knew I just had to wait. The interviews went well with the other areas and I would be happy just being in this hospital system.

Yesterday, I heard back from HR and the ER manager wants a second interview with me! I think I am ecstatic just to be selected from so many other people. They have narrowed it down to to 15-20 possibilities. I am confident in myself and know that it will work out if it is the right place for me. If not, there are other wonderful opportunities in nursing. I want a job and I want a job that I will be happy in- and I am pretty sure I can find that- which is a huge blessing in itself.

But, if you wouldn't mind saying some prayers and crossing your fingers, I would surely appreciate it...My interview is Monday at 4:00p...I'll keep ya posted!

My daughter is a genius

Here is a funny video on Ave and her letter sounds. We disagree on a couple letters, as you will see...Ave has learned a "letter song" from the Leapfrog movie "The Letter Factory" that has helped a lot with this...But, I think she's just smart to begin with also.