2 Graduations in 2 weeks!

 This time it was Caitlin's turn to graduate!  She officially finished private Kindergarten at Childrens' Lighthouse.  She was so excited to be graduating at the same time as mommy.

Caitlin with some of her classmates and her teacher, Ms. Shelley

Caitlin receiving her "diploma"

I officially graduated yesterday!  These are some shots from right before the ceremony with some of my classmates.  We had lots of fun.  We had a lot of time to check out everyone's shoes as they walked across the stage!  Kim flew in from Vegas to attend along with both sets of parents and Laurie.  There will be more pictures to come! 

Jennifer Mitchell, RN, MSN  (yeah, baby!!)

Sigma Theta Tau

I was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau, the international honor society for nurses, Wednesday night.  My parents came to town to witness the event along with Malcolm, the kids, and Herschel and Joan.  The other ladies with me in the bottom picture were in a couple of my classes.  And to think-I started my graduate program on academic probation and am graduating with honors.  Priceless.  Graduation is tomorrow!!!!

Did you see it?

The ticker at the top?  That's right...  3 weeks until graduation.  I can hardly believe it.  Malcolm is planning a big family barbeque the following Saturday for me with the assistance of a good friend of ours.  I will be sure to post LOTS of pictures!

I got a job!

I have accepted a position as a full time nurse educator at my current job!  Effective May 6th I will be the educator for the 2 medical-surgical floors at Texas Health Southwest Fort Worth.  We're very excited about this!  This will be in addition to functioning as the nursing services orientation coordinator and new graduate nurse residency coordinator/manager.  Next step-take over the world!!  Haha!!

Life goes on...

Our busy time of year is officially over.  Malcolm and I celebrated 11 years of marriage.  At Thanksgiving we had the usual family get-together with about 20 people at the house, including friends and family.  Dylan turned 7.  Caitlin turned 5.  Caitlin had a bell recital as well as a ballet recital.  We had an indoor swim party for the kids.  We celebrated Christmas.  Bring on the new year!!  Jennifer graduates with a Master's in Nursing Administration with an Advanced Teaching Certificate on May 12, 2012!

Caitlin age (almost) 5

                                                                                Dylan age 7

The kids visited Santa at Bass Pro Shop



Dylan is making straight A's in first grade.  Caitlin has learned all her letters and numbers and is starting to read simple words in pre-K.  Malcolm has completed training and certification for fire officer 1, field training officer, and rapid water rescue.  He's full time dad and full time firefighter for Saginaw FD (10 years now!).  Jennifer made straight A's in graduate school for the fall semester and is still working 2 jobs (part time).  We hope the new year brings happiness and joy for all our friends and family.  God bless.

The learning never stops...

If you ever reach a point in life or your career where you feel like you have stopped learning new things, it's time to move on.  I am now in a unique career where even though I may be teaching the same things over and over, it's always a new experience thanks to the people involved.  I facilitated my first class today, and I think it went very well.  All my speakers showed up and had minimal problems with the computer.  The audience was engaged and interactive.  A few asked me when the next class would be.  Yay!

My classes start next week at UTA.  As does my job at the Smart Hospital (again).  Plus I will be attending clinicals with a nurse administrator one day a week.  At least our new tenants are supposed to move in this weekend-one less thing to worry about!

Dylan started 1st grade on Monday with his buddy Harrison.  Caitlin started private Kindergarten also on Monday and is already making friends.  I pray they both learn and grow (physically and mentally) and are successful in school. 

We (hopefully) should only have to purchase things like milk, eggs, and lunchmeat for the next 4 months...  It's going to be such a busy semester for us, so keep us in your thoughts.