Family of a NAVY dentist: "Test Taking Master"

Growing up in elementary and junior high school, I loved to take tests. I got a total rush competing against my friends, always comparing their grades to mine. Didn't matter the test - Timed math facts, spelling tests, reading comprehension, whatever. I knew I would nail it and I did. I always did.

In high school, I was cool with tests until my senior year in calculus. My straight A's went away, THANKS A LOT MR. TURNER! I began to REALLY DOUBT my testing abilities after that. He got into my head.

At BYU, my grades were decent, until I met my sugar. Then... well... let's just say, there were way too many unofficial "snow days" that kept me from class, and instead, snuggling with my sugar.

At UNLV, my impeccable grades returned. I was unstoppable. Straight A's were expected and always achieved.

I would not have anymore academic tests for me to worry about so I just continued in my personal belief that I was a "Test Taking Master!"

But in 2005, I began to start taking tests again. These tests would change my life. They would change my sugar's life. However, these tests were more stressful than any other test I had ever taken in any of my schooling. I would study. I would pay attention to the proper timing to maximize the best results to be in my favor and to uphold my "Test Taking Master" status. Feeling completely prepared each time, I would take the test.

My testing continued each month for the next 2 and 1/2 years. I failed each time. I cried each time. I failed miserably. I just could not pass, always wanting, hoping, and praying to see either the pink or blue results that said I passed (never red because we know as teachers that red is detrimental to a test taker's psyche.) I don't believe that RED PEN nonsense but I have always found it funny. I began to hate people who could pass this test, with such ease. I became a very resentful person. (Let me reword that.) I became an even more resentful person to so many who were passing this simple test that I knew in my heart I was supposed to pass. That I was supposed to conquer. I no longer considered myself the "Test Taking Master."

Defeated. Disappointed. Desperate. My sugar and I decided to take an alternate route to passing the test. We were given a new outlook on how to pass the test and how I needed to change my attitude, my diet, and basically, my overall being. This testing tutor, or homeopathic doctor, Michelle Johnson, was what we needed for me to pass the test. (Along with our Heavenly Father's help of course!)

In 2008, after countless tests, I finally passed! My sugar and I finally would become parents. We gave birth to the most beautiful baby girl, Afton Joy, born on March 19, 2009. I had resumed my ability to test well, but still not sure I would ever resume the title I once held so proudly. Especially considering we were told that we would never be able to have children naturally from our fertility specialist doctors. (Boy, were they wrong!)

We loved every second of every minute we had with our proudest result of a test. She was and is perfect in every way!

In January of 2010, while being homeless, I somehow found myself needing to take that test again. Thinking to myself sarcastically, "Wow. This is a statistic I never dreamed of achieving during my lifetime- HOMELESS AND KNOCKED UP!" But it turned out, I was just that. Homeless and knocked up. I passed the test. Again.

On August 29, 2010, our sweet boy, Jack was born. He was more of a challenge in the process of getting him here, but worth every up and down (attempting to come at 24 weeks, emergency cerclage placed, mandatory bed rest for 14 weeks, breech, manual aversion, scare of C-section) we had to go through. Could I possibly be the "Test Taking Master" again?

I didn't need to know the answer to that question. It wasn't important to me to resume that title. I was sure that I was done having babies. I knew I was content with my girl and boy. They are so special to me and make our little family perfect! They both were the best results of any test I have ever taken.

However, in the end of August of this year, in the beginning of 2nd semester dental school for my sugar, if I may add, I had to take the test again. Clearly, my stress was much different this go round with taking the test. Amazingly, I happened to have one in my home. The test packaging read, "Expires after September 2009." I was sure that the results would not be accurate considering how old the test was, along with how crazy it was for us to actually have another baby at this time in this stressful, chaotic, "I'm basically a single mom thanks to dental school", stage of our lives. Not satisfied by the results, a friend bought me another to test to take. This one was from the DOLLAR store. I took the test again. Honestly though, how accurate could it be? It was from the freaking DOLLAR store. So I decided I would have the most official test possibly done. I would go to the actual doctor and have them confirm what I saw on these 2 different, expired and $1 tests.