New Blog

Hey Family,

So a long time ago I promised to stop posting novels on this blog bumping off everyone else's posts and to start a blog for my family. Well I was in the process of writing a novel post on to this when I remembered about that promise. So...I started a blog for my family. It is obviously nothing fancy at this point. I just threw a couple of things together to make it work. I would like it to be mostly private so send me your email addresses so I can put you in as authorized users. For now, it is open to everyone, but I will be changing that soon. Here is the new address.

http://lisonbeelifelessons.blogspot.com/

-Matty

Missionary Skills...

Had a great week working in the hospital. I had 2 spanish speaking patients that challenged my rusty spanish skills. The patients absolutely love students because we'll pretty much do anything for them because we have time. I got to sit in a patient's room and chat with her for quite awhile yesterday...she hadn't had any visitors and she was the nicest lady. We have the patient for two days in a row so by the second morning they are so happy to see us. It is a great ego boost for me because I really know little to nothing about being a nurse. But, I can sure shoot the breeze. It has been so amazing for me to realize that many of the skills that are so useful for nursing I learned while serving as a missionary. The Spanish is very helpful. IT's rusty, but it's getting better quickly and the patients are really appreciative that someone speaks their language and after establishing some sort of a repore with them, I can get them to teach me how to say things that I need to know. Perhaps the best skill that I learned though is just how to talk to people. I can take anybody, pretty much, and find something to talk to them about by watching their body language, observing what's important to them, and checking out their surroundings. And...inevitably, the spanish speakers ask where I learned to speak spanish which opens up doors to talk about all kinds of things. Loving it. Missions are fantastic for so many reasons...

BabyX and Kristin...

So since not all of you (ahemm...Tammy) have access to Kristin's Facebook Page, she asked me to post the pics here.
Enjoy,
Stephen

Gotta love kids...at least they're honest

Scenario: 7 AM. I have just returned from my morning workout. I am upstairs waking up the girls in their room.

Malia (very groggy) says, "Mom, can you carry me downstairs?"

Bella "Malia, she stinks."

Me, "What?"

Bella, "You stink. You smell like sweat."

Me, (to Malia) "She's right."

Bella (to me) "Finally you agree with me."

Malia "I don't care. Will you carry me?"

I don't know why this stuck with me. I thought it was funny that Bella would point out to me that I smelled. She thought it was crazy that I would agree with her. And Malia, oblivious and sleepy didn't care. That about sums up our mornings. I smell. Bella is quick to point out the obvious. And Malia, she just wants to go back to sleep.

Good news!

Last week I passed of my catheter insertion and dressing change on wounds. You know what that means? If you are a patient at the hospital I am at, I could be the one sent in to do your catheter! Does that weird you out? Me too...but still excited about it! After a week and a half in nursing school! If I were a patient, I'd be frightened right now...

Neuroses

My neurotic pet peeves-you know you want to know...
1. Mouth sounds-especially chewing. SICK!!!
2. Stuff on my counter. Just don't unless you don't want it anyore. I will dispose of it immediately.
3. Unfinished projects. If I start it I will finish in a timely matter.
4. Lost stuff. I will neurotically search until I find it and be completely obsessed until I do.
5. Stupid ?'s. Your teacher lied. There are stupid questions that do notmerit an answer.
6. Flakiness. If you say you will so something or be somewhere, then DO IT!!

Now of you want to tick me off, I have just td you how. So don't!

First day of nursing school-I was so nervous that I prayed beforehand that I would find my new friend regina who I met at orientation...and what do you know? She was nervous too so she got there an hour early like me! Mirror mirror onthe wall, I am my mother after all! We all love mom because she gets places way early!!! An hour early was definitely overkill but better safe than sorry right? Nothing like a little tender mercy for the first day to let me know it will be okay! Hooray for nursing school!