Synopsis of Our Family at This Time

So many little things have been happening in the Troutman house this last few weeks.

Damian is playing football for his high school team now. Left tackle! He is doing great and we are amazed at the dedication he has shown. This summer, not even a couple weeks after school was on break, they started practicing for 3 hours per day M-F. Whether is was 7am or 5pm he went nearly every day, unless we had previously scheduled time away.

He is now a freshmen in high school! Wow! Where has time gone? I can not believe I have a high schooler. He makes me so proud. I am excited to see where high school takes him, the different ventures he will embark upon and the new things he will discover about himself and preparing for adulthood. He also also started seminary. For those of you who aren't aware of what this is, this is when he attends a class prior to the start of school every morning and learns more about the gospel and reads scriptures.

Damian has officially applied for his Eagle Scout. His board of review will be in October and if all goes well, we will be celebrating with a ceremony early December. We are so proud of him and his dedication to the scouting program. A total of 57 merit badges and still desires to get more to earn his palms. He recently had to write an ambition letter with his application. I was impressed at the things he said in it. He has goals and dreams almost like he is growing up! So awesome to see him transition from a boy to a young man.

I have been nursing for 3 years now. I was blessed to start in the ER where I always wanted to be. A little over a year ago I started being a relief charge nurse on occasions of vacations and fill in needs. It has been a great learning and growing experience. I recently have been offered a promotion in the ER being part of the leadership team. I was not expecting this to happen and am very honored that I was considered for a position of high regard. My struggles with being away from the bedside will ensue, but I am hopeful that I will be able to still have floor time and also be able to make a difference in the success within our ER. I am thankful that the love of educating others will give more opportunities for new ER nurses. I hope I can be a mentor and guide the way of a successful nursing career to them all. I was told that I need to take the leap of faith that ultimately I will make a bigger impact being in this new role.

In this recent change to start in just 2 short weeks, I will also be on a normal sleeping schedule, working days. I have worked nights for the last 3 years and rarely have sun exposure! I may get a little tan, take the tin foil off my windows and hopefully my eyes will understand there is a bright thing in the sky that will take some getting used to. I do hope that with my schedule change, I will have more energy and be able to fit in more personal time which will promote a more healthy lifestyle. We shall see....

Russ is doing well. He is such a great house dad. Making sure all the house needs are tended to, taking and picking up Damian from seminary, school and football, and ultimately being a huge support and help to me. He may even get off the hook of having to cook every night once I am home at dinner time!

Time will ever evolve things in our lives. We must appreciate and accept the changes. Embrace growing and learning more. Love spending time with one another. Put yourself out there to be able to progress and learn.