Spencer

I have just been feeling the need to brag a little about my husband. He is so amazing in so many ways, but he is such a great nurse. He is always striving to improve and better himself and his knowledge in the field. I want to put this down (since it is documenting our lives) about all the many things he is doing.

First off, most recently he took the PALS certification. It pediatric acute life support, I believe. There was the possibility that it can take 2 days, but of course he finished it early on the 1st day.

TNCC-trauma nursing core curriculum. He took this in Denver and it normally is a class for flight nurses or ER nurses, but he wanted to continue to improve himself. During the practical exam portion, he was the only one to get 100%. The person checking him kept asking if he was sure that he had never worked in the ER before. Pretty awesome, I think.

He also completed his CCRN which I already posted about, but still, the man is amazing.

Spencer is also constantly receiving letters which have been sent to his boss from patient's families or other nurses, talking about how much he helps them and they are so grateful for it. I'm going to include only a couple, but you'll get the idea.

"Spencer G. helped out everyone wherever he could."

"His nurse, Spencer needs to have kudos. Spencer especially was so wonderful, and kind, meeting all of our basic needs and questions---and then some. We were especially grateful to have Spencer for 2 days in a row to give John (not the real name) and his family continuity of care."

"Spencer did an amazing job today!! It was a busy day and he had two very busy patients. Both of them were intubated, complicated patients and they BOTH went to MRI. In addition to that one of his patients had a TEE and he had to stay in the room for that to help with sedation and a bubble study. He kept his head in straight and did amazingly well through all of it. I was very impressed."

I am a very lucky woman to have married him and his patients are very lucky to have him. Good job, babe!

Language

You know your child has been seeing to many

movies with swear words when you hear him say

"son of a FISH".

I about laughed my head off. I can't believe that is what he thought they were saying, but at least when he tried to copy he said something innocent. Don't worry, he now knows to not say either version.

CCRN

Spencer took a nursing test yesterday called the CCRN. Don't ask me what that stands for, because I have no idea. It is an extra certification for critical care nurses, saying they know their stuff. Only about 50,000 nurses in the whole country have this certification and now my darling husband is one of them.

We have had him studying for forever, because in the Anesthetist school applications, this will really set him apart from other applicants, so we are now very close to actually applying to programs. We will keep you posted as more news happens.

Congratulations darling, I knew you could do it!

Tri #6

I have no pictures to post since I was there by myself, but I just wanted to let everyone know that I finished this race 4 minutes and 18 seconds faster that I have done a Tri in the past, horrendously slow swim and bathroom break notwithstanding. It was a great day.

Madelyn

My sweet, crazy, wonderful little 21 month old baby

has been going in the potty at least once a day

for almost a week. How awesome is that?

Taylor Swift

Sienna and I were able to attend the Taylor Swift concert together, just the two of us. It was so fun. She was amazing live, so entertaining and we love all her songs. It was a little emotional for me, which surprised me, but it's so surreal that Sienna is getting so big and we are growing and maturing in our relationship together. She is such a sweet, beautiful, amazing and good girl and I am so lucky that she is my daughter.

Triathlon #5

So last Saturday I raced in Salem, making it my 5th triathlon. I love this venue, they put on such a great set-up (besides sticking in a very steep uphill climb on the bike 2 days before the race). I talked my friend Shanda into doing it with me and it was so fun. My friend Deni, who was the one who got me into Tris was there also, but we never got a picture with her. She is superwoman and had such a fast time. She is my inspiration.

We had some mishaps, with Shanda getting a flat tire during the bike, but luckily I came upon her not much after and we got it changed. I didn't really care about time after that delay, but I still had fun and it was awesome that Shanda and I were able to finish together. I love these races. Well, it's a love-hate and the whole super sick feeling at the beginning sucks, but the exhilaration at the end more than makes up for it.

after the swim (I always feel really dizzy)bike dismount

run start (your legs feel like bricks)

running to the finish together!

Aidan's Pre-School Program

Aidan had his pre-school graduation and program, but we were in Pennsylvania, so we weren't able to make it, but we snuck in and got to see the practice program and it was so cute. Aidan loves to sing and he did such a great job. He had learned so much and we are so proud of him. His teacher, Miss Amber is truly amazing, especially with a lot of turmoil in her personal life and she never let it affect her school. We love you Miss Amber!

Fancy Nancy Princess Party

Sienna, Madelyn and I were able to go to a Fancy Nancy princess Party for a fundraiser for a friend and her daughter. It was very fun and for a great cause. We had pink hot chocolate, little snacks of all kind, Sienna got her nails painted, she made a crown and even put on a little fashion show.

Grandpa Hanson

My Grandpa Hanson is very beloved and special. He is actually my birth father's dad, who died when I was 17 months old, but has always stayed very close to our family. He accepted my new dad as his son and all the new grand kids as his own. He is such a special man and I love him more than words can say. We were so lucky to have him stay with us while he was in Utah. He loves Madelyn and he could get her giggling so easily. I love it. Here are a few pictures.

look at her eyeing his ice cream, the little mooch