Last Time in Flagstaff (Most Likely)!!!

I am currently attending a course about the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) here in good old Flagstaff. This course in offering tips, study strategies, and testing format that will help pass the NPTE. The NPTE is a 250 question in 5 hours computer based test so be able to get a license to practice physical therapy in the state (Nevada in my case) you desire. The passing score is 600 out of 800 (don't know how they get that number) but its roughly 75%. The current pass rate for first time NPTE takers is 80%. I guess one good thing about the test, is that you don't have to take it in the state your practicing. I just have to find a testing center here in Utah to take it at and they send it to Nevada for me.

We were giving 8-12 practice questions for each section of the exam over the 2-day course. I scored around 65% which I am very pleased with considering I haven't begun studying yet. I plan on spending 5-6 hours a day, 5-6 days a week, for 4-6 weeks studying so I will be able to take the NPTE between June 11-22. So yes, the website may not be updated (unless Katie does it) in this time.

So now, All I have left is Graduation and a Rogers Family (Parents, Sister's family, us) trip to Disneyland. I'm staying with friends in our Flagstaff ward and former SHS classmate, Monica Clifton (now Harmon). All of my family will arrive Friday afternoon and then graduate the next day and then driving to California on Mother's Day.

I will put up pictures for Graduation and Disneyland as soon as we get back.

Summer Has Begun!!

Well, typically I don't think of summer officially starting until Memorial Day but since I am finished with my LAST internship, I feel it has begun early for me. This past weekend, the Boy's (My dad, brother-in-law Jon, his two boys, Braydon and I) went on a retreat to the cabin while the Girl's had a Scrapbooking Party at my parents house.

We did some four-wheeling riding, BB gun shooting (for the little boys), .22 and skeet shooting (for the BIG boys). I also got to see some of the NFL draft and the Jazz playoff game. We had a good time up there. When we were driving up to the cabin we ran into a lot of muddy, slick spots from the snow melt off. We stopped and helped a family get un-stuck. Other then that, it was a very relaxing weekend.

We just signed Braydon up for T-ball. He is so excited. We went a park in Spanish Fork with Katie's sister's family and played some baseball. We also just bought him a "real" glove and his first "real" baseball to start working with. I can't wait to see him play. We have a plastic T-ball stand with plastic bat and ball that he hits pretty good. But of course, the plastic ball and bat are over sized to make it easier to hit but I still think he will do good.

That's about it for us. We have a party up in Heber this weekend and then I leave for Flagstaff on Sunday for my last class before I graduate!!! (I thought that day would never come!!!)

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY BRAYDON!!!

This past weekend was Braydon's Birthday. We had a party Saturday with the Moore's and the Rogers. It was a nice day outside and decided to have the festivities in the backyard. Braydon opened his presents (he got spoiled!!!) and then had some cake and ice cream. The cake was made by Katie with assistance from Angela (it was very good!!!)

After that, we went to the Kangaroo Zoo in Pleasant Grove to let all the children run around. It's a place that has 8-12 giant blow-up jumpers. We were there for about an hour and all the kids were all "red-faced", "hot and sweaty", and all were ready to go to sleep. They all had a good time and enjoyed themselves (even Katie got into it!!! Check out the pictures)

Monday was his official Birthday and we had a special Family Home Evening with it all planned by Braydon. He wanted spaghetti noodles with Parmesan cheese for dinner and for treat he wanted fried tortilla's with cinnamon-sugar. I wasn't feeling to good so I laid on the couch and Katie played with Braydon and all his new toys.

I did add a photo album for Braydon's Birthday from the cake to the Kangaroo Zoo so check them out.

VIVA LAS VEGAS!!!!!

It's official!!!

I have accepted a new Physical Therapy job in Las Vegas. I will be working for Mountainland Rehabilitation at Spring Valley Hospital in southwest Las Vegas. The hospital has four floors and I will be mostly working on the Orthopedic floor with patients who have just had surgeries (Total Knees, Total Hips, Total Shoulders, Various Back Surgeries, and any other surgeries you can think of). The nice thing about working in a hospital is that you get to see Physicians (Surgeons) on a regular basis and if (or when) the opportunity arrives to work in an Outpatient setting, I will already know the Physicians. I my have to work an few weekends or holidays but since it is in Las Vegas, a lot of PT just want to work a few shifts including weekends or holidays.

We are VERY excited to have this opportunity to work in such a nice environment. My manager is from Utah county and went to BYU. I even know some of his relatives that live in Springville. I felt very comfortable throughout the interview process and felt very good about working with the PT's in my department and living in Vegas.

We had several other jobs available but looking at the starting salary, cost of living, and house prices (thanks Jake), it just makes sense to move to Las Vegas and get some experience and maybe (most likely) getting back to Utah if I get a chance. We have started looking at some houses to see what we can afford with all the student loans hanging over our heads.

Katie is excited yet scared to move to a "Big City." I think she is even more excited about not having to work anymore (at least until she gets bored) and not having to drive in the snow!!!

Braydon is also excited to get to play with his friend Ryan on a more regular basis but will miss his cousin very much. He is also excited to start kindergarten when he moves there (can you believe that???)

So, if anybody wants to spend some time in Las Vegas, we will always have an open door and free room to stay in. I will let you know how the house hunting goes.

By the way, I will most likely leave for Vegas around June and Katie and Braydon will come down in August so Braydon can start school in September.

PS: I did put some Easter pictures (With the Crane's and Rogers) up in our Photo album along with some other random pictures from home.

Exciting Week Ahead!!!

This last few weeks have flown by as if they were just here yesterday! I had an un-expected phone call from a Clinic Director from Mountainland Rehabilitation (MLR) last week. I had spoken to a fellow NAU classmate (well, he graduated a year ago) who works for MLR and was asking him about any job openings that he may know of. He gave my number out to a few people and one called me and set up an interview for the next day. The clinic is about 11th E and 3900 S in SLC. I went up there and had a good interview and he asked me back for a second interview in the middle of April to see how the clinic runs and to see it in action. I is exciting to get out and start interviewing with potential job opportunities.

The end of this week I have two more interviews. One interview in Las Vegas on Thursday and one in Kingman, Az on Friday. I'm looking forward to visiting them and learning more about their clinics. I feel that I got some of the "rust" out during the SLC interview and feel confident that these next two will go even better.

We went to Katie's parents house for a early Easter party. The kids got to build a bunny gingerbread house, make cupcakes, and color eggs. They also got lots of candy and toys from the Easter egg hunt. The adults had a good time playing Texas Hold'em (Yes, I think we ALL have a gambling problem!!! J/K!!!). I was able to win the tournament over Katie's Aunt Heidi and earned a cool $70 (Since I didn't have to "buy-in" thanks to my brother-in-law).

I will let you all know how the interviews went next week.

I did put 3 new photo albums up so take a look at them.