A Sick Rat

Carvagio, we call him Vagge, has been very sick this last month and his family has been very concerned! One may ask, how do you know your rat is sick, but this person has never seen a sick rat. They sneeze, have red around their noses, they squeak when you touch them, they wheeze, and breathe really hard. It's quite pathetic to see. I was treating Vagge with antibiotics in his water for a few weeks before we decided to take him to the vet. This may sound strange- a rat to the vet? But yes, Vagge went. He is a spoiled rat. We went to Riverwoods Pet Hospital and I really enjoyed their services. They knew exactly what was the matter with Vagge- he had an upper respiratory infection bordering on pneumonia. Fluid was filling into his lungs. They gave him a shot of a very strong antibiotic, lasix (a diuretic), and a corticosteroid (it decreases inflammation). They sent him home with a antibiotic syrup for two weeks. Wow....... our five dollar rat suddenly become a lot more expensive.

You know, it was all worth it. I grew up always wishing that we took our animals to the vet more often. I promised myself that when I had my own animals, I would make sure they got the care they need. I don't know what will happen to Vagge, we have him in our bathroom tucked in one of our cupboards underneath the sink. He's being quarantined from Leo and Gello. Even if he doesn't get better, at least I will never have to wonder whether or not I could have helped him.

Monthly update

Looking at my blog, I guess it's time for another monthly update (apparently that's just how often I feel so inclined to write on this blog.) I think I'll call this month the disaster of '09: the financial, emotional, and physical downfall of the Jacksons. No, things haven't been that bad, but we are really looking forward to the summer when this semester is done. I'm at the point, and I know I reach this every semester, when I think, "Nursing? not worth it. I literally do not see how I can possibly make it to next Wednesday." When I think that, literally, it feels like something will happen. Either I'll run away, die, or I'll do what Bill Murray did and relive one day over and over again forever. Regardless, Wednesday is not coming. If I had to relive a day over and over again, it would be Tuesday. I just never got the hang of that day, I called in "Terrible Tuesday" in high school, and somehow Tuesday is still terrible. I think some Pagan god might make me relive that day so that we can reconcile our differences. I would have to have a perfect Tuesday, and I would describe it to you, but I can't even imagine it. My apologies to Tuesday.

A Busy February

Another busy month for the Jackson family. Phil has been working at Asset Builders up in Draper and Instant Info on  UVU campus. He's also painting a lot for all of his classes!  He's really excited because of his early birthday/valentine's day present. I got him a Wacom tablet to help him with his assignments.  He's also excited that we got a new car, which happens to be his dream car.  A 2009 Honda Civic (steely gray). 

I started my labor and delivery unit for my clinical rotation and saw babies being born for the first time.  It was incredible!  I'm going to American Fork Hospital where most women who want to have a natural birth go.  Even though AF is known for natural births, I was amazed at how many women simply let the doctor tell them what to do. I've learned listening to the doctor is not always the best. I really enjoy L&D and could see myself working as a doula, L&D nurse, or nurse midwife because I like the idea of helping women have the best birth experience. I think Phil is on his guard that I might like this subject too much. Maybe he should be a little nervous.

One thing we're both looking forward to is our weekend vacation to Cedar Falls. This may be the last time we visit my childhood home, so I'm sure we'll make many nostalgic trips throughout the weekend. We both need a break from our pretty hectic life!

Beginning of a New Year

So it's really good that I finally changed the Thanksgiving background.  Phil and I are starting off to a great new year, we're just really busy!  So the update is that Phil is working two jobs (39 hours!) while going to school full time.  His schedule consists of getting to school at eight, then staying to work until eight at night.  Once home, he has to finish his weekly paintings that are due.  He's busy, but he absolutely loves what he's doing!  I'm also going to school and looking for a job.  This semester I'm studying Labor and Delivery and Pediatric nursing-  I finally feel like I might enjoy this whole nursing thing!

Another joy in our lives are our callings- Phil has been coaching the YM basketball team and going on camp outs with the scouts.  He purposefully mentions how much he enjoys the young mens to the bishop because he hopes he doesn't leave..... ever.  I think I might follow in his footsteps because I've never had so much fun in a calling.  I never though I would enjoy teaching songs to the primary, but it's a blast!

Finally, our animals- the rats are doing great, thriving actually.  We had a scare when Vage got too excited over some peanut butter and almost choked on it.  He recovered thankfully, because we didn't want to do ratty CPR!  The birds have laid eggs and are being dutiful parents, finally. They laid two other sets of eggs before and never sat on them.  Our fishes are good- but the frog we got with Elle, Scott, and Ben died.  He only had one eye and we think his eye hole got infected or he starved.  We were feeding him, but all of the food was coming out of his eye hole!  Oh well, he's in froggy heaven.

A New Blog for the Jacksons

Ok so, I'm starting a blog for the Jackson family- consisting of Phil and me.  Hopefully I can get Phil to get in on this too so we can both start blogging.  We're both a little busy with everything, ward, school, and work stuff keep us going.  I've got to jet to class, but this was just an attempt to get something on our blog so we don't look to ridiculous! P.S.  Birthday countdown!  Four days until my birthday.