It has been a long time....

Amber has completed 7th grade. She will be in 8th grade next year. She has also made the Cheerleading squad for the school basketball team.

Alyssa has completed 5th grade. She will be in 6th grade next year. Alyssa plans to follow in her sister's footsteps and be in the chorus also.

I have completed school. I graduated from college with a 3.6 gpa in practical nursing which is a diploma program. I will also be receiving my A.A.S. (Associates in Applied Science) in Health Studies in September 2008 with a 3.6 gpa also.

Both of the girls will be attending Middle School Summer Camp this year. Amber is not too thrilled, but Alyssa seems excited. They will be going to Horn's Creek in Tennessee again this year. Amber is excited that next summer she will get to go to High School Summer Camp with Christopher.

I have been dating a really wonderful guy named Scott for the past 6 months. He calls us his "Sweet Angels". We attend church together. Scott has an identical twin brother. The girls really seem to like Scott.



I am also now a blonde.

1 Quarter of Nursing COMPLETED!!!!

I have finished my 1st quarter of nursing school. I took my final on December 6th. (I have unofficially PASSED the class.) The 2nd quarter starts on January 4th. I get to learn how to give injections on the 1st day of class. I am now 1/6th of the way done. Only 5 more quarters, 1 externship, and an NCLEX (nursing boards) to go!!!!!

November 2006

Mid November - The divorce is final. I want to wish Brian the best. He will always have a special place in my heart.

Thanksgiving - The girls had a great time visiting with Nana & Papa, Uncle Chuck, Uncle Mark, Aunt Laura, Mayson, Luke, Claire, John Mark, and their dad (of course). I will post some of Amber's pictures in the next few days.

I celebrated a very quiet Thanksgiving with my parents. We chose to skip the traditional big meal (since it was just us 3) and had filet mignon, baked potato, and salad for our dinner.

We have much to be thankful for...our freedom, a loving God, our lives, our families, our friends, forgiveness, and so much more.

November 27th - My cast was removed. The wrist is still not completely healed, but they felt mobility was more important at this time. I wear a splint for most activities. Putting any weight on the wrist is still very painful. It also hurts after strenuous use. The nice thing about the splint...I can wash my arm and hands properly. I am supposed to wear the splint for the next 5 weeks.

Health Update!!!!

Amber has lost 4 more teeth...with the help of the dentist. Yesterday she had her oral surgery. She states "I have a very religious mouth because it is so holy! It is Baptist too!" One of the teeth removed had almost no roots on it, but the others had some roots. The cuspids had some extremely long roots.

I have my cast on. I broke my wrist in 2 places. I broke the center wrist bone and another bone near the thumb. My cast is boring white! I have promised the girls that they can color all over it 4 days before it comes off. That way it will still look professional for clinicals. I am supposed to get it off the Monday after Thanksgiving.

Injuries

Last week it was Christopher getting hit in the temple by a football. Today it is me...I broke my right wrist this evening. I hope that this is not the "1 injury a week" month for the families. I am typing this with my left hand, so bear with me. Yes, I am right handed. I am wondering how this will effect me at school, but I can't imagine it causing me too much problems. I am keeping this short because my left shoulder is starting to hurt (from typing by itself) and my pain pill hasn't taken effect yet. I hope everyone has a blessed rest of the month. By the way, I have a splint at the moment, but am supposed to get a cast on Monday.

Nursing School...

Nursing school is going good so far. It requires a lot of reading. Lab time is pretty fun because we just do a lot of role playing. Clinicals will be starting in 1 week. We will start clinicals at a Senior Center and then move to a hospital. I am still nervous about applying what I actually am learning and already know.

We still haven't recieved the rest of our uniforms (school shirts & "Crocodile Hunter" vest) that we have to wear with white pants. I have my first test tomorrow. I also have to take my Drug Calculation test on October 18th - I have to make a 100% on this test. I am a little nervous. We took a Drug Calculation Quiz yesterday, I made a 100% (after she removed the apothecary question). Apothecary calculations are out-of-date, they are being phased out.

Our visit to the GA Aquarium

We went to the Georgia Aquarium with Ken, Donna, and Chris the day before the girls went to school. A special "THANKS" to Uncle Ken and Aunt Donna for letting us come with them. We enjoyed ourselves at the aquarium. And THANKS to Chris too.

I hope you enjoy the pictures!!!

After a long day of fun...

School is going good...

The girls seem to be settling into the school year great.

Amber is enjoying being part of the "top dogs" at school. I hope she realizes she will be at the bottom of the food chain next year in 6th grade. Amber likes her teacher, Mr. Seusser (pronounced: sizer). Amber is off to a good start with AR. She is currently tied for 1st in her class with 4 points. The person she is tied with had 500 something points last year, remember Amber had 107 points, so I don't really expect Amber to stay in 1st. I do expect her to do her best and to at least get her minimum required AR points for this 9 weeks (15 points). Bonus info: Mr. Seusser has a son who was born last year on what day? March 6th!!!

Alyssa is also in 1st place in her class for AR. She leads her class with 2 points, which is also what she is required to get per week. As you might have guessed, no many kids got the required 2 points - matter of fact Alyssa was the only one. Alyssa seems to enjoy Mrs. Carrasco. This is the same teacher that Amber had last year. Alyssa's biggest competition for AR will come from a boy named Cameron in her class. He was in her class last year. He is a very intelligent boy who has his head on straight all ready. Hmmmmm, I will have to remember him when she is old enough to have a boyfriend.

I have been volunteering in Alyssa's class. I volunteered in Amber's at the end of last year. Everything was going good until yesterday. My car got hit by a teacher at the school. It is not that bad. They put a small dent in the passenger front door and loosened the side view mirror on the passenger side. I think the teacher only had a busted tail light. She called the police and came and got me. I appreciated her honesty. She said that last year someone hit her car and she never found out who. Oh well!!! Life goes on.

I have almost purchased all my school supplies. I still need to buy a watch with a second hand on it. Today I purchased my scrub pants, shoes, pen light, and bandage scissors. This is really starting to feel REAL!!! I mean I really feel like I am getting ready to start nursing school. I am still full of MIXED EMOTIONS!!!!

I am officially in the ADN program!

Back in April I posted that I received my acceptance letter to the ADN program for Nursing. Well today, it is official. I am in the ADN program. My major is now Associates Degree in Nursing. And I have registered for my 1st nursing class. I have purchased all my books and my stethoscope and blood pressure gauge. I have had my physical ($600 later) and I have most of my immunizations. For some reason the only thing I am not immune to is MEASLES!!!! So I will probably have to have a measles vaccination very soon. I still have to purchase my nursing shoes and scrub pants & the official Athens Tech nursing program shirts & vest to complete my ensemble.

I am really excited about classes starting. I have mixed emotions about clinicals. They start in October and I am SCARED, NERVOUS, and EXCITED about them. I still have to finish the 3 textbooks that we are supposed to self-teach during the summer. The Medical Terminology and Math for Meds are both interesting as they have software to practice on, but the Diet and Nutrition Therapy is boring and depressing because junk food tastes so GOOD.

What's going on...

The girls are doing great. This weekend we had to decorate Valentine Boxes for classroom contests. The girls painted shoeboxes that I wrapped in Kraft paper. They had me do the glitter writing, but they gave me specific instructions on the layout. I will try to post pictures of the boxes later.

Amber also had to work on her Science project that is due on Wednesday. She has to do a report on the Solar System. This report consists of 2 papers: 1) at least 3 facts on each planet and the moon and 2) minimum of 1 page about 1 planet of your choice. Both of these papers have to be hand-written. Amber has picked Mars as her planet of choice.

We found some very cool websites while searching for facts on the planets. We found one website that tells you how much you weigh on each planet (make sure you are in the Kid's eye view) http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/profile.cfm?Object=Sun&Display=Kids (just click on the planet and enter your weight, then hit go!)

On Earth: 116 lbs (Kim)
On the Sun: 3248 lbs
On Pluto: 9.3 lbs
On a Comet: 0.071 lbs

If I were weight conscious I would want to avoid most of the other planets and especially the Sun. We also found a website that told you how old you are and when your next birthday would be on the other planets http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/age/index.html (it's based on each of the planets years [length of orbit]). I am: 157.6 Mercurian years old and will celebrate my next birthday on March 19, 2006 on Mercury; 20.1 Martian years old and will celebrate my next birthday on August 28, 2007 on Mars; and 0.152 Plutonian years old and will celebrate my 1st birthday on October 5, 2216. We found our research to be quite fun.

I made my 1st 100 on a Medical Microbiology Exam. I was quite please with this feat. I hope to keep this effort up. I am doing pretty good this quarter. My Anatomy professor thinks I'm crazy for taking both Anatomy & Physiology and Medical Microbiology at the same time, but I have to have them done by April 1st to qualify for the nursing program this fall. You gotta do what you gotta do.

Amber had a school performance at the last PTO meeting on 2/8/06. She played a drum and she sang in the chorus. She did great. I will also try to post some of the pictures for that. Both of the girls are performing in the Children's Choir musical on 2/19/06. Amber is in an ensemble plus the chior and Alyssa is in the chior. They are both excited about this performance. They are extra excited because their Dad and their Nana & Pappaw will be there to see the musical.

Happy Valentine's Day (I know it's early) to all. I need to go to bed. (It is late.)

A Much Needed 411

It has been a while since my last posting. So I feel that an update is very much needed. I apologize for the delay. I will try to do better.

Amber
Amber got her report card for the 2nd nine weeks. She made 1 B and 4 A's. She has greatly improved. She has done very well on her reading also. She is the AR leader for her classroom. The closest student to her is still 20 points behind her. Amber is counting the days until 5th grade. Her school uses the 4-H program to supplement their regular curriculum. Amber is excited because she saw a notice for a Horse Care Club. The Horse Care Club teaches you how to groom and care for a horse. She can't wait to participate in this club. Amber has experienced some grief since our last posting. Amber's little baby, Angel (the dog), was taken back to the pound. Angel was tearing to many clothes and she was biting hard. Angel had also become an accomplished jumper. She could jump very high and would scratch you with her paws and teeth. Amber was sad to see Angel go, but she asked for us to get rid of her. Fortunately, Grandma got a miniature Chihuahua. He is an adorable looking little puppy. He only weighs about 1 pound and 12 ounces. Grandma allowed all of us to help name it. Amber suggested Pepi, as in Pepi Le' Pew. Amber likes Pepi, but hasn't decided if she wants to have a dog like Pepi for her own. Amber had a lot of fun shopping at Limited Too. She bought 2 tops on clearance and a pair of sunglasses.

Alyssa
Alyssa also got her report card. Alyssa received 1 B and 7 A's. She has also improved this grade period. Alyssa is looking forward to 4th grade. She wants to get Amber's teacher, Mrs. Carrasco. Alyssa was glad to see Angel go. Alyssa loved Angel, but didn't like her because she could jump higher than she was tall. Alyssa is not much of a dog lover. She has really taken to Pepi, though. Pepi is just the right size dog for her. Pepi also has a wonderful temperment and personality. Alyssa tells me that she is not very keen of her current teacher, Ms. Greenwald. Alyssa says that Ms. Greenwald is mean. (I think Ms. Greenwald is a very tough teacher, but I don't think she is mean.) Alyssa went shopping today for some new clothes. Amber and Alyssa worked out a deal with their shopping cards from Christmas. Amber gave $25 of her Penney's card to Alyssa in exchange for Alyssa's $25 card from Limited Too. Alyssa had a lot of fun shopping with at Penney's. Alyssa bought a pair of jeans, a pair of khaki's, a skirt (with attached shorts) and a t-shirt.

Kim
I have started a new quarter of school. I made 1 B and 2 A's last quarter. This was my 1st B in school since I started back in school. I also got my scores for the NLN-RN Pre-Entrance Exam. I ended up with a 92. From what I have heard that is a great score. So far, out of every one that I have talked that already has their score back the closest to my score is 1 person who made a 91. Every one else has been in the mid to upper 80's. So, I am feeling pretty confident about my NLN score. This quarter I am taking 2 tough subjects which are Medical Microbiology and the last half of Anatomy & Physiology. This quarter in A&P we will learn about blood, the heart, the digestive system, the endocrine system, and the reproductive system to name a few. These are very detailed systems with lots of minute details to learn. Wish me luck. I have put in my application for the nursing program. Now it is a wait and see thing. The application states that we have until April 1st to complete any required courses which basically means they will not start making any decisions until the grades for this quarter come out. Like I said, it is now a wait and see thing. I have not had the chance to go shopping with my Christmas money. I hope to buy some jeans and a good lightweight jacket.

We just finished Christmas on January 14th. This was the first opportunity that the Watkins could all get together. So needless to say, my Christmas tree is still up. I plan to take it down tomorrow. The girls and myself had a great Christmas and we hope that all of you did too. We are praying that every one has a great year.

Our list of Thanksgiving

Alyssa –

I am thankful that God is in my heart, that I am getting the education I need, for all the teachers I have had, that I have a family, my friends, and that I have a life. I am glad that I don’t have to get a life.

Amber –

I am thankful that Jesus came to Earth to take away our sins. I am thankful for my family. I am thankful that I go to a good school and have a great teacher. I am very thankful for my dog, Angel. I am also thankful for the electricity that brings me: Nintendo, TV, hot water, air conditioning and heat, DirecTV, DVD player, Stereo, VCR, computer, and lights. I am thankful that I am growing up and getting taller. I am thankful that this century has good fashion taste. I am also thankful that I don’t have to wear glasses (at least yet). I am thankful that I am alive. I am also thankful for anything important that I may have not mentioned.

Kim –

I am thankful for God’s wonderful love and mercy. I am thankful for family. I am very thankful for our health. I am thankful that the girls and myself are all doing great in school. I am thankful for life. I am thankful for fried turkey skin!! I am thankful for everything and one. Last, but not least, I am thankful for school. (Amber helped me write my list of thanksgiving.)

Grades have come in...

The girls have gotten their 1st report cards for the year. They have done a great job.

Alyssa’s grades
Reading Comprehension (A)
Reading Vocabulary (A)
Reading Fluency(Year End Goal 120) 134
Spelling (A)
English/Language Arts (B)
Math Concepts (A)
Math Facts (A)
Science/Health (B)
Social Studies (A)
Teacher Comments: Alyssa made the Merit Roll (A’s & B’s)! Keep up the good work!

Amber’s grades
Reading (B)
English/Language Arts (B)
Math (A)
Science/Health (B)
Social Studies (B)
Teacher Comments: Amber’s excellent work is a reflection of her fine attitude and effort. Congratulations on always having your homework! It is a pleasure to work with such a willing child!


The girls are truly doing a great job in school! I am doing ok in school too. I made a 98 on my first math test and a 78 (C+) on my first Anatomy test. I also made a 25 (of 25) on my first speech and a 23 (of 25) on my first test in speech. I am hoping to be able to bring up my Anatomy grade with the next test.

The weather is getting cooler. The girls are looking forward to Halloween (really the CANDY!!) They are even thinking ahead to Christmas.

The girls are closing in on the end of their 1st grading period for the year. They are very excited about getting their report cards. They think the best thing about report cards is that they are closer to the end of school. It must be that "1 down ONLY 3 more to go" thought process. I have been tracking the girls AR (Accelerated Reading) points at home. The girls are constantly asking how many points they both have. Today Amber passed her sister in AR points. This is a VERY BIG DEAL. Alyssa has always led in points because she loves to read so much. Last year Amber only read when you made her. This year Amber has made AR a competition between Alyssa and herself. I still haven't decided if Alyssa is also treating AR as a competition. I say, "What ever works to get them reading."

I have gone to orientation for my school. I have also registered for my classes. I am taking 3 classes (which is 15 credit hours): Anatomy & Physiology I, College Algebra, and Public Speaking. Because students have to get special permission to take more than 19 credit hours I could not take a fourth class. All the classes I have to take are 5 credit hour classes. My current degree is an Associates Degree in Health Science. Once I have been accepted in to the nursing program my degree will be an Associates Degree in Nursing. I bought my books the other day for school. I only needed 3 textbooks and a school printed lab book which cost a fine penny. I still think that the books are the most expensive part of college (atleast at the junior/technical college level).

Welcome to our blog...

Hello to All!!!

This is my first attempt to use a blog. I wanted to start a blog so that all our family and friends could keep in touch with us easier. I felt this might be an opportunity for some to get better acquainted with the girls and myself and for others to keep informed of what we are up to. I will try to post on a regular basis - although I don't know what that regular basis may be yet.

Amber
Age: 10 (10 1/2 if you ask her)
Grade: 4th

Amber is doing very well in the 4th grade. She says her teacher is very good and extremely nice, but she also has a mean side too. We decided to say the teacher is "tough, but nice". Amber is trying to prepare her sister for the "real world" which means whatever grade Amber is in. Amber enjoys her new school. Every afternoon when I pick her up from school the staff (school staff load and unload students every afternoon and morning) member loading Amber into the car comment on how heavy her backsack is because she can't get it in the car by herself. She is regularly bringing home 4-5 text books a day. Amber even has homework on Fridays now that she is in a harder grade (Amber calls it a harder grade). Amber is also doing very well on her A.R. which is Accelerated Reading (a required reading program for all students - you read books on your reading level and take comprehension tests on the books for points) and is hoping to get a lot of AR points this year. Amber is in our church's children's choir. She has auditioned for a solo part in the musical that they will be performing sometime in 2006.

Alyssa
Age: 8
Grade: 3rd

Alyssa is doing very well in the 3rd grade. She also says her teacher is very tough and nice, but also a little mean too. We have definitely decided that Alyssa has the toughest 3rd grade teacher. Alyssa's homework usually consists of: 2-3 sheets of math homework, spelling assignment (ABC order, write 3x's, or use in sentences), Language Arts study guide, Social Studies study guide, Science study guide, and Reading assignment. Alyssa is also doing very well on her AR points this year. She is leading her class in AR points at this time (she and another classmate keep taking turns leading the class - I think Alyssa is determined to take the lead and keep it). Alyssa has a VERY best friend named Colleen. Colleen is also in the 3rd grade and lives in our subdivision. Alyssa and Colleen play well together and sometimes Amber will play with them. Alyssa also sings in our church's children's choir. She didn't want to try out for a solo and hasn't decided for sure if she will actually perform the musical, but she really enjoys choir practice because she gets candy every week.

Angel
Age: 14 1/2 weeks

Our puppy is a dachschund mix. Her mom was a 15 lb. long hair maltese dachschund. Her dad is an unknown factor. Amber likes to think she might be part Black Lab and likes to show me Angel's webbed paws, but we are not really sure of what dad was. We are hoping she will remain to be a small-to-medium dog. She is getting to be quite brave. She has discovered how to shimmy under the gate to get out, but can't shimmy to get back in the backyard (which is where she wants to be if the garage door is not up). She can also climb ladders, but she can't climb down the ladder nor will she jump off the ladder.

Angel's Mom: Amber
Angel's Aunt: Alyssa
Angel's Nana: Kim




Kim
Age: 37 (but I like the age the girls say I am, which is 27 - sounds less depressing)
Grade: College Sophomore

I am going to school to become a nurse (for those who didn't know). I have 6 more general degree classes left and then I will only have my nursing classes to take. I will be applying to the nursing program in the beginning of 2006 for the Fall 2006 term. Only 4 of the remaining 6 classes have to be finished before I can apply to the nursing program. I actually don't start classes until September 27th. My school is on a quarter system instead of a semester system. I am actually excited about this because I feel like I can finish school a little bit faster this way. We have all settled into Winder, GA very well. We are attending a large church with a wonderful orchestra and choir every Sunday morning. The orchestra is not your run of the mill orchestra. We have trombones, trumpets, violins, drums, etc... and electric guitars and boy can they play some upbeat praise music. The Choir has over 150 members and the music is so uplifting. I haven't joined the choir yet, but I am thinking about it.