OH HAPPY(/exhausting) DAY!

Exhausting because:
 I just got off my second night shift and I have to get up to go to a TOPS training (boo 3 hours of sleep).

Happy because:
First of all, I have to point out that if you're reading this blog you're very close to me and Chris. As in, we don't post this blog link to Facebook for a reason. We just have too many "friends" (452 on my last check) that we are still happy to keep up on FB with mixed in with all those real friends and family that we truly want to involve in our day to day. I point this out, because what I'm about to say is bursting out of me like a crazy thing that bursts out of things and I bring to you all gladly, however is not quite Facebook-worthy yet.

Just like Chris' acceptance to med school, this dandy little email came to me early this morning. I am OFFICIALLY accepted as a student at Georgetown University for their May 2011 cohort in the Midwifery and Women's Health Nurse Practitioner program (MSN)!!!

"But wait!" you say. "Georgetown is too far away!"
Dry your tears! This program is by correspondence and I will be able to take most of the course work at home, requiring trips out to DC two or three times during the program.

I am thrilled to be going back to school for something I TRULY love and cannot WAIT to make a career out of! I am blessed (especially in this economy) that this is a dual track program which means at the end I will be able to sit for both the Certified Nurse Midwife exam as well as the Women's Health NP exam, hopefully certifying me as both. I will be able to finish a year and a half before Christian finishes medical school, giving me a great opportunity to gain some experience in the field before making the big move to residency (wherever that may take us).

The reason this is not Facebook news is because I have to send in official paperwork, deposits, work out financial aide and decide how long (if at all) I'll stay with my ICU job at Maryvale. This is an intensive program that the counselors informed me would be unwise to work simultaneously through. That means my boss doesn't know yet. Some of my co-workers. You get my drift. But if you're reading this, I love you and want you to share in my excitement.

With that being said, I have to say thank you so much for your support during the "jobless months". Those will go down in our history as the most crazy and trying months for both of us and I couldn't have made it through without your constant encouragement and your hugs and tear-drying. Back when I was looking for a job, this opportunity did not exist (there was only one correspondence program for midwifery I was looking at and it required a year of nursing experience to apply). But I have to believe that even though I found this program only four months after finding my blessed job, that I was meant to gain the amazing experiences that I've gained in the ICU. It gave me time to find my TOPS job, which I LOVE and feel so grateful to be a part of (and will keep throughout school as it averages out to about 10 hours a week). I cannot help but have this overwhelming feeling that this is the right thing for me (for us!) and that I was meant to be everywhere I've been to make it here right now. Even through 8 months of job hunting! I learned more about my own strength and my relationship with Christian. I am SO thankful for everything that transpired and everyone who was by my side.

WHEW. I'm gonna start crying.....JEEZE.

Bottom line: I love you. I can't wait to share with everyone the details of this next adventure for us.

All our love,
Ash + Chris + V

P.S. Hope you're ready to start sporting one of these babies!!!