WOW.........HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Can you believe 2010 is almost over?!?!?! It seems like yesterday we were making plans to ring in the 2010 new year. 2010 has definitely had some hills and valleys for our family, but nothing we couldn't conquer with God on our side. Each seems each of those valleys had something to teach us as we went thru them.
I am so excited with 2011 upon us! So many goals to set and accomplish as well as a new life to look forward to. I hope I can continue to be a light to those women around me as I continue to work toward the dream God has given me. I pray each of you are dreaming as well and letting God direct that dream in the facet he has for you and your life.
May each of you have a prosperous New Year :)
Love,
Jas and Melissa

Christmas......and the end of the year is upon us!

As I sit year reflecting on what all we have accomplished this year as a family, it astonishes me. We have so many blessings to be thankful for! We have a beautiful home God has given us, 4 very healthy beautiful children, 2 cars that run like new, family that love us beyond what we could ever imagine, friends that are amazing, and a love for each other that still burns so deep. I can't imagine a life without Jesus in our home. As I think about this amazing season of the year, I am so thankful for his love in mine and my family's life.
As we close out the year with BIG goals I am reminded of the love that surrounds me. Its the support of my family, friends and my many wonderful customers that keep me moving in the direction God has planted in my heart. I have such a desire to change the lives of women around me.
I will close by saying each and every one of you are loved so much by us. We love having you apart of our life and apart of this amazing journey God has us on.
Be blessed this Holiday season and remember it's not about the gifts we receive, but about the gift that was given to us 2000 years ago.
Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year for you and yours,
Love, The Whitmore's

Paci Fairy has come!

So yesterday while sorting through all the clothes to change them out for the season, Isabella declared she was paci free. SO she went and collected what we thought was all her paci's and preceded to throw all of them in the trash. Right before we left to go run some errands she came out of her room with a paci in her mouth. He explanation was she would keep just one. So we let her keep that one paci until she went to bed and then took all the rest we could find and got rid of them. She had a pretty good night, only getting up once to ask for it. This morning though was a completely different story. She cried for about 20 minutes asking for it. We explained that the paci fairy had come and collected all of her paci's while she slept. I think if I can keep her mind off of it today it will be a good day. At least we know that when we head to Disney world this next fall she will be broken of it and we won't have to search the parks for lost paci's......LOL

November is here....and its a NEW MONTH!

WOW....can you believe November is here! It feels like 2010 has flown by so fast. Only 8 more weeks til Christmas. So much to get accomplished between now and then, for sure. Baking, decorating, Christmas Band concert, Dance Concerts, LOTS and LOTS of Mary Kay parties, and tons of family and friend gatherings. This truly is my favorite time of year. The aroma of pumpkin spice and apple pie in the air makes my heart very warm. Thanksgiving and Christmas traditions make this season a very bright season in the Whitmore home.
So this is what is going on with all of us crazies in this house :) Noah has made 3rd chair in his coronet/trumpet class, he has private lessons going on once a week and seems to be doing very well. He loves his music! I am so thankful God gave him that wonderful talent. He now has another girlfriend, and has asked her to the dance at school. I was a very proud mom when he actually told me and didn't keep it from me for 8 mos. LOL
Grace is dancing alot of hours a week right now in preparation for Christmas performaces and competitions that will be held in the Spring. She is doing great in school, and keeping up with her grades with as much as she has going on. It seems like every weekend she is gone with friends. She is quite the social butterfly, for sure.
Jonah is doing very well in school. He has voiced that he wants to play baseball in the spring so we are currently looking for a league to put him in. He is now in the Big Kids children's church and is doing wonderful in there. He loves Jesus so much. He too has started taking an interest in music, but his is more with his voice. I love to listen to him worship. Makes my heart melt with joy.
Isabella is just Izzie! Playful and talkative ALWAYS! Not sure where she gets that from. She is going to be 4 so soon, seems like yesterday when we were waiting for her to arrive safely. I just can't believe how fast time flies. She is home full time with me and keeps asking when she gets to start dance with Gracie. So I guess she will be starting this next year.
Jas and I are doing great....just busy as ever! Keeping each other sane every day :) He is recovering really well from his surgery. Thank you Jesus! Getting back to his old routine for the most part.
I am running wild with Mary Kay, with HUGE goals to attack this month. I know it can be done, because I am walking in God's will. And when we are in his will all things are possible, as long as we are doing the work.
So here we are....NOVEMBER!!!!!! And a happy, busy one it will be :) Enjoy your month and remember to take time to reflect on what you are thankful for this joyous season. Love, Melissa

Back on the Road to Cadillac!

So if you have read the following updates you know how hard it was to get into nursing school and all the hoops I had to jump through. So in my mind I'm thinking is that really what I was supposed to be doing? God answered that question very quickly and loudly for me. On Sept. 10th I was removed from nursing school. I know, I know, everyone always wants to know what I did wrong. I did nothing wrong, just didn't pass one of my classes. The university I was attending has a very strict policy on failing classes. So I was removed from the nursing program.

I say all of that to say, when God closes one door most generally he opens another. So in my case, throughtout the summer my Mary Kay business just kept creeping back into my life without me wanting or needing it. Little did I know how much I did need it. It's really amazing to me to see how God works in and through things. You see I am a believer and I know that "God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." You see since I was about 7 years old I have known I have wanted to be a doctor/nurse. I wanted to change peoples lives, make an impact. But God said, wait, I have somehting so much more grand that I am going to use you in. I surely didn't think it would be by vehicle of Mary Kay. I thought I was done with that, I had resigned by Directorship 3 years ago, why in heavens would I want to pursue that again. But then God said to me "I'm not finished with you". That was enough right there. Because I want to please him and be in his will, so we are on the road again.

It was amazing to the first week fully out of school what God actually did with my business. The first time I was a director, I was still pretty timid in talking to women. Oh boy, don't ask God for something you are not ready to take on. Because he will either show you how to deal with it or he will give you the courage to conquer it. Which in my case he did :) And I am ever so thankful for it!

So with all that being said, we are back on the road to Cadillac. One I never, never thought we would be back on. I am happier than I have ever been, because I know that me and my family are following God's will. Will it be hard work? Heck yea!!!! Will I want to give up at times? You bet! But with God on my side all things are possible in his sight.

So December 1st we will be back in DIQ (Director in Qualification) and we will be well on our way to earning that prestige Pink Cadillac. The ultimate goal is NSD(National Sales Director) by 2020..........and we WILL hit it then or before, because that is the dream God has laid on my heart!

JR. 1 Semester.....almost complete! Whew

So I said I would be blogging every week during the first semester. Ummmm yeah, that didn't happen!!!!! I can not stress how busy these last 11 weeks have been with Jr. 1Nursing, I myself had no idea. So I will try to recap the past 11 weeks in a nutshell for you. There have been some hilarious moments and then some not so hilarious moments. I have had some amazing clinicals group friends who I feel, I have spent more time with, than my own family. Each of us on our own journey, learning more about ourselves than we imagined we ever would.

So the first week of Nursing School was a breeze other than the 29 assignments that were due. Yes, you read that correctly, 29. I think because this is an all online program the instructors feel the need to bombard us with useless paperwork :) Most of it is really helpful when it comes to testing weeks, so I really can't complain.

Second week is where it starting getting pretty interesting. This is the week we started taking patients with our PCT's and Nurses and really learned the ART OF NURSING......and if any of my Clinical Buddies are reading, you will definitely hound me about that one......LOL. But its true, this is when and where we learned our nursing skills to be able to take patients on our own earlier this past semester. First week we took our own patients, passed our own meds, and charted on our patients was quite intimidating. But it was the weeks earlier with our nurses that we learned what we needed to know to become competent in what we know.

So the weeks have gone by, tests, quizzes, and projects all due in conjuntion with 4 classes during a 13 week period. I know, crazy right! Well it is!!!!!! Most days in the beginning 4 weeks, I seriously did not know whether I was coming or going. Not to mention that I had to be up at 4 am in the morning to be at Clinicals. So I have had very little sleep the past 11 weeks. It is getting better though, I think I am getting more than 4 hours a night now......LOL! That is an improvement, for sure. Oh, did I mention I still am working 2 nights at the hospital, 12 hour shifts. There goes 24 more hours of sleep I could be getting....LOL Therefore there is not much time for much anything than school. Any free time has been dedicated to my sweet, supportive family. Not much friend time, needless to say!

So all skills I have had to perform to pass clinicals i.e. foley catheter, ng tube, and sterile dressing were all performed and passed with flying colors. I also had to perform a full head to toe assessment on my Clinical Partner Kara, first time I did not pass. Second time PASSED!!!!! Then we had to do another one for our exit for Clinicals and guess what I PASSED first time.....and my Clinical Instructor gave me such a positive remark, saying I had improved on my skills and my stage fright. For those of you who really know me well, know I do not do well at all in a teaching situation where I have to get up in front of people. So this in itself was a HUGE improvement. I have grown tremendously in the past 11 weeks thats for sure.

What's left.....well 2 more weeks and 3 more tests! A LOT more stress I guess, but as long as I have God as my partner anything is possible :)

My patient experiences have been amazing. I have had some funny patients, some grumpy patients, and some patients that just needed someone to listen to them. Each in their own way have taught me something about myself. My grumpy patient taught me that sometimes a person may look grumpy on the outside, but deep down they may just need a tender, loving touch and a quiet moment to talk to someone who will listen. My patient that just needed an ear to listen, well, WOW is all I can say! What a story this patient had. When your patient reaches up and says "Hey, can you just sit here with me a while longer" it touches your spirit. It makes you realize that not everyone has family, friends or a support system to come and be with them while they are sick. I may be the only person they have to support them.

Many times it can be a very sad situation, but more times it is so rewarding and heart felt. Nursing is one of those AMAZING fields that you must love to enjoy your daily duties. Do I love cleaning up poop and vomit! HECK NO......but because I love the journey I am on and the love of people, I don't even think about it. And yes, I know many of you think I am completely crazy, but its so true.

No matter what, God put a dream in my heart and I'm so stinkin' excited about the rest of the journey. I am 100% completely in LOVE with every aspect Nursing School has thrown my way so far. It is teaching me more patience, more love and causing me to reach out and find who I really am within myself. I can not wait til God reveals to me where he has a place for me to specialize. I know exactly where he doesn't want me.....LOL

In his time he will reveal it to me!

Until next time....keep me and my family in your prayers as we finish out this amazing journey :)

May Minimester!

Alrighty folks.....so Spring Semester I passed all of my classes with the exception of my Literature class. No one really to blame but myself, because I didn't turn in 1paper. What got me was I made a 98% on my final, so the teacher decided not to pass me and 75% of the rest of the class by 3/10 of a point. Quite discouraging really. So in all my discouragement, My girlfriend and clinical partner, Kara, woke me up by text at 8 am the very next day to go get me registered at the VERY LAST MINUTE for not 1, but 2 minimester classes so I could start nursing school on time. I tell you what, God really knows how to wake this girl up!!!!!! So after busting my tail for 17days in these 2 minimester classes I passed. It was a relief to know I really am not a failure in Literature. I came out making an A in the class. So yesterday I recieved my letter stating I was cleared for registration into all my UPPER DIVISION nursing classes. What a feeling of overjoyment :)

So next week, the journey officially begins. I opened the box of Nursing Books that have been sitting in my dining room for the past month, unopened, bought all my scrubs for clinicals, bought my stethescope, finished all immunizations and my drug test, and recieved my Nursing ID badge! WOW All that to say I AM READY for this AMAZING journey God is ready to take me on!

I know that each week will be a climb for me, as I am embarking on a very fast paced program, but I know I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH!

I am the happiest I have been in my life, other than when I married the love of my life, Jas and had my 4 beautiful babies......and I know that happiness only comes from knowing I am in the will of the Lord!

So make sure you are reading each week as I blog new posts about my nursing school journey, especially for you ladies in my life that have a desire to go to nursing school! The wait and the journey are SO WORTH IT!

Until next week........

The Climb

Last night Gracie and I were watching the Hannah Montana movie together and enjoying some mommy daughter time, when Miley starts singing THE CLIMB. I never really realized that everything these past 2 years has been completely about that song. As I sat there listening to the words I began to get really teary. I came to the realization that every step and situation has been a climb, many mountains have come our way but through perseverance and prayer God has brought us through for sure. I know in my heart I am right where God has me. I always say that he doesn't bring a storm to us unless he brings us through it. EVERY storm is a learning curve for us!!!! I can guarantee there will be many more mountains to climb over the next 15 mos. as we embark on this amazing journey. There will be many times I will likely feel like giving up, but through it I will rely on my God to give me the strength and understanding needed to bring me through :) I am posting the words to the song THE CLIMB as it will be my song thru the next year and a half. Even though it is not a Christian song, it really shows how Satan can tear us down as we are trying to reach our dreams.

THE CLIMB by MILEY CYRUS

I can almost see it
That dream I am dreaming
But there's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"

Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking

But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking

I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going

And I, I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on

'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Somebody's gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby
It's all about, it's all about the climb
Keep the faith, keep your faith

Nursing School

So bare with me :) This is my first time blogging, and I am still trying to get the hang of everything. I figure since I can talk a lot, maybe I can redirect that into writing. So I have decided that though the next 15 mos. I will blog about all my crazy experiences though Nursing School. I'm sure there will be plenty of things to talk about and learn as God takes me through this amazing experience.
So last week, the Friday before Easter we were in Orlando for Jason's dads wedding. We had been waiting for about a month for my nursing school acceptance letter and it still hadn't arrived in the mail by that Wednesday that we left. So I gave instructions to my neighbor, Jay, to call or text me if the UTA letter had come. So while we were sitting at Margaritaville I recieved a text message stating "The UTA letter is in the House". I immediately called Jay to find out whether it was good news or devastating news. I knew in my heart that God had worked it all out, and that it was really going to be fine. He had ordered my steps and whatever the news was, it was all in his plan. So as I sat there listening to Jay open the letter and start reading the letter to me and Jason over the phone, I had an overwhelming feeling of emotion run thru me. I had been accepted into the School of Nursing. Something I had been praying for, for many years, and here it was. My Ultimate moment.
I have to admit, I still haven't come off my high!!!!!! It is such a rewarding feeling knowing that all these semesters have paid off.
What an amazing journey God has set before me. One I absolutely cannot wait to embark on.
So, June 14, 2010, I will officially start the program and will graduate the end of Aug. 2011. So continue to check back as I blog all my moments through Nursing School.
"Work hard and cheerful at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for the people." Colossians 3:23