The End of an Era

Ryan and I have been cleaning the same office building 5 days a week for 11 years and 4 months. Today was our last day... it is bettersweet for me. We will start cleaning another building in July but I was so sad today because I know everything about this building.
I know how long a roll of toilet paper or paper towels will last in certain bathrooms, I know who drives what car so I won't be surprised when a person is in an office, I know on any given Sunday there will still be 2 or 3 people working on the 4th floor, I know that if the white 4-runner is not in the parking lot it will be back because he likes to work late, I know about people's children and things they have going on in their lives, I know that in her garbage can she will have her lunch in an old grocery bag and that will be the only thing there. Even though I am glad to have this 2 month break I will be sad not to see their smiling faces anymore everyday when I go in to clean. I don't want to learn all these things over again at a new place.
Ryan is laughing at me because I cried a little about it today. Just sad because it has been my life for so long. Oh well, on to bigger and better things I guess.

Can you walk on water?

The other day Ryan and I were adjusting the jets in the hot tub. We had taken the winter cover off but we have a blue bubble cover that we use to keep the water from condensing on the bottom of the big cover and hold as much heat in as possible, that was still on. I had my arm almost up to my shoulder in the cold water and Lily was walking around the edge of the hot tub and was directly across from me. Not sure if she thought the blue cover was hard and that she could just come across to me, or if she really thought she could walk on water... Needless to say, she jumped right in the freezing water and tried to walk across to me!! I think she was in shock once her little body hit the water and starting going under. Luckily, I was right there to grab her- didn't have time to see if she can swim or not because I just hurried and got her out. Bet she'll never make that mistake again ;)

Unofficially...

I couldn't wait another second... As soon as I woke up this morning I was down on the computer on Pearson Vue's website. The moment of truth had arrived. To view my unofficial results all I had to do was put in my credit card number. Before I pressed the "next" button my heart almost beat out of my chest!! And there it was "PASS." I couldn't believe it!!!!!!! A moment of shock. It was over, I never have to take that test again... And then the tears came. Now if only DOPL could catch up.

So as of now, I am officially an unofficial RN!!!!!!! There is no better feeling in the world!!!!!!!

Study, Study, then Study some more...

I was getting down to the wire. My N-CLEX date has finally arrived. Hopefully in a few days it will be EXCELLENT news... but now it's just a waiting game.
Ryan has been so sweet the last couple days. He had someone do the cleaning for us Tuesday and Wednesday so I could use that extra 3 hours to study with. Yesterday he said, "Do you want me to go to the store and get stuff to cook you dinner with?" So I had a yummy pasta dish for dinner that is one of my favorites. Then when I got out to my car he had text me and told me to call when I was finished with the test. When I got home he was cooking one of my absolute favorite breakfasts (that I normally only get 2 or 3 times a year), Eggs Benedict. It was perfection!!!
Last night it was so hard for me to stop studying and go to bed. I'm so nervous about letting eveyone down. He said, "Doesn't my confidence in you make you feel okay?" It really meant a lot to know that he truly believed I could pass. I sure hope it's good news...

What a difference 1 night makes...

I started orienting as an RN on the Infant Medical Surgical Unit at Primary Children's Hospital this week. My first shift was not what I expected. I really wanted to do as much as I could because I felt I would learn more that way. I ended up with 3 respiratory patients so you know what that means... Score, Suction, Score at least 13 times!!! Then a respiratory score every 2 hours, checking IV lines every 2 hours, Meds, Fluid Bolus, Fever... It was busy. I had tried to chart everything on everyone but by the end of the night I needed a little help to finish on time. Thanks Joelle for being so great and FUN to work with!! Near the end of the shift I said, "No wonder why nurses never take breaks!" It was a very BUSY night but it went VERY fast.

Needless to say I was a little scared to see what the next shift would bring...MUCH BETTER!! I actually felt like maybe I could do it. It was a more manageable assignment for someone just starting out. Only 2 patients and only one was a respiratory kiddo. That was nicer. I was able to chart everything on both patients, felt like I had more time to actually think about what we were doing and why, and had more opportunity to spend more time with the patients and work on assessment skills. I did pretty much everything a real nurse would do- including all the "paper work," with some assistance. I still need to get out of Nursing School mode of care plans and just think about what is going on. But, I feel pretty good. I can do it!!

Merry Christmas 2010

Let's begin with Christmas Eve...

I have driven past an empty shopping cart with a sign that says "Need Wood" for almost 2 years on my way to and from school. This particular evening as I drove past it was OVERFLOWING with bags of goodies and there were more bags on the ground everywhere surrounding the cart. At this moment is the first time this season I have really felt the Spirit of Christmas. I was amazed at the generosity that people had to give this homeless person things that he probably desperately needed. It almost brought tears to my eyes!!

We enjoyed a great meal and beautiful nativity at Ryan's sisters house and then headed out to his other sisters to play games, build the toys from Santa, and help with some other family members presents. Needless to say we were exhausted and ready for bed by midnight but the presents weren't finished so we had to stay up later and later... When we got home we put together Stockings and opened them up because we knew we would be cutting it close in the morning. Our presents this year (and probably for many years to come) are the POOL and a new dining room set. It looks great and I'm so excited to have them both!!

Christmas morning came way too soon. It was off to breakfast at Ryan's parents with his family. Sausage casserole- YUM!! We were spoiled with some new lounge chairs for the pool. Thanks!

Then, a stop by my parents house to exchange presents and enjoy a second breakfast of Eggs Benedict- my favorite!! But, I was so stuffed that I could only eat one :( Once again, spoiled with gift cards so we could buy more patio furniture or chemicals for the pool. Thanks!!

Every year my brothers and sisters that live at home make shirts to wear on Christmas or dress up in twinner outfits or something fun like that. This is the first time Ryan and I were included. We all got black sweatshirts and decorated them... Mine and Ryan's were decorated by my sister, Michelle, since we were busy. They were super cute and we had a lot of fun modeling them!

Presenting: The A-Team!!!

The backs- minus Mitch

That's my hand, LOL

We all got socks for Christmas- I didn't have mine on yet but I had some just as good

SuperStar!!

The Fronts

We finished up Christmas at my grandparents with a nice dinner. Then headed back to Ryan's sisters to play more games. No rest for the weary. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Graduation trip to Vegas

We stayed at The Signature at MGM Grand
I was practicing the self timer on the camera so here we are in our hotel room

The Main Event: Utah vs Boise State in the Las Vegas Bowl

Opening Kick off. Some Fighter jets flew over the stadium before it began and it was the LOUDEST thing I have ever heard!!

Here are Ryan and I at the game. See that guy in the yellow coat next to me? He was my drunk buddy who talked my ear off the entire game. He migrated from England to Las Vegas to get out of the cold and snow and thought that the game was FREEZING!! He was so cold in his coat and snow pants that he had to go buy a hat. This was nothing compared to the BYU vs Utah game!!!

Swoop came right up to us and Corey was ready for a pic

The last time the Utes would lead...

Taking a knee for an injured opponent

The very sad but final score...

It was so fun for me to go and be there!! What a great man I have that will take me to do the things that bring me JOY!