Pictures of Ashley in Her Baptism Dress

I made Ashley get dressed in her white dress again this morning (which I have to say we were quite moody this morning, so I had to threaten to take something away if she didn't cooperate and smile. :) ) Anyway, picture #1 is her forced smile. I took like 20 pictures or something, and some were more forced than others, but finally the last two were just perfect. She really is something else, and her personality is a force to be reckoned with, but I will forever love these pictures, and will remember the battle it took to get there (including my forgetting to get the picture last week). She didn't want to wear her white dress, because she all of a sudden today says that the dress itches (no mention of that last week, she just didn't want to wear that dress today). Anyway, I hope you all enjoy my beautiful daughter (I think she is a lot like me, oh know!).

Ashley's Baptism

I just realized that I never took a picture of Ashley on her baptism in her beautiful white dress. It was such a busy day! I will take a picture of her in her white dress and post it later. I can't believe it.

Ashley's Baptism

Ashley got baptized this past Sunday, January 3, and it was a beautiful day. She was supposed to get baptized December 26, but it snowed here and church was canceled. There was such a beautiful, sweet spirit there. Grandpa Shurtleff conducted. I led the music. Grandma Shurtleff played the piano. We sang I Am A Child of God for the opening hymn. Bestemor gave a beautiful opening prayer. Grandpa Shurtleff gave the talk on Baptism. Then the Ashley, her siblings, cousins, and friends all sang I Know That My Savior Loves Me. Then she was baptized by Jason. She was so nervous and scared. Tears welled up in her eyes as we walked back to the font. She has always been afraid of going under the water. This summer though, she practiced swimming under water a lot. She said that it had been a long time since the summer though. Anyway, she said that after she had been baptized it wasn't scary anymore. Then Jason gave the talk on the Holy Ghost. Then he confirmed her. Sister Williams welcomed her from the primary. Jason was the only bishopric member there, so he welcomed her into the ward. The closing hymn was I Feel My Savior's Love. Grandma Carroll gave a beautiful closing prayer. The Relief Society room was jammed full of people. She had many family and friends there to support her. Everyone kept saying what a beautiful baptism it had been, and what a sweet spirit had been there. Several said it was just perfect. Jason and I echoed all of these comments. I can't believe she is old enough to be baptized. It was such a beautiful day though.

You won't believe what happened to me today!

Today after a very tough test, and lecture, the Dean of Nursing Mrs. Knight told us that it was time for us to elect class officers. She said we would nominate some and then vote. She said we needed a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. I knew who I was going to nominate and was ready to say something when she opened up the nominations. However, before I could say anything somebody hollered out my name. I was shocked and almost fell out of my seat. I really couldn't believe that somebody would nominate me. I was the first one nominated for President. 4 more were nominated, 2 of which declined the nomination. They asked the last 3 of us to come to the front. My head was spinning and I didn't even know what to say. Then Taylor (the person I was going to nominate) said he really just wanted to do SNA (Student Nurses Association - we have to have a leadership committee for that too). So it was just me and Terri left, she turned to me and said what do you want to do, and then said she really wanted to do SNA too and wasn't sure if she wanted both. I said I couldn't do SNA because of travel, so she said ok and sat down. That wasn't how it was supposed to work, the class was supposed to vote, but before I knew it I was the only one left standing and was therefore nominated as the President of the Graduating Class of 2012. I am very humbled by this, and am excited. I will be the voice of the students to the faculty on a regular basis, even in their faculty meetings. I have a great VP, Secretary, and Treasurer too, so that will help. All three of them are single, so that will help. Anyway, I am honored with this great opportunity!

First Day of Clinical

Well my first day of clinical's in the hospital was Monday. Wow was it stressful. I wasn't too terribly stressed while I was there, but I have to admit I don't know if I was more stressed before I got there or after I left. It was definitely an eye opener. I have a major test tomorrow, that I am slightly stressed about. I am also very tired right now, and looking at a long night. Anyone who reads this please pray for me tomorrow. I can hardly wait for the LONG 3 weeks off that I will have at Christmas time. That will be wonderful, no teachers giving assignments or anything like that, just time off. I have 2 more clinical days, the next 2 Mondays. I am excited, but am in a very difficult area. It is the MSSU (Medical Surgical Stepdown Unit). My instructor told us the first day that this was really not a freshmen level area, and that we would just have to see how we all did that day, and she might have to move us somewhere else. However, at the end of the day she was very proud of us all, and very pleased with all we were able to accomplish. Anyway, only 2 more times this semester, so I hope to learn all I can, and especially improve my self-confidence. I know I have tons of pictures to post soon, maybe things will slow down soon. Ha! Ha!