The end of a year and the beginning of a new one!

I love New Year's Eve. I'm big on beginnings and endings and so I love the last day of the year. I journal and reflect on the highlights...good and bad...of the previous year and all the things that I accomplished and all the firsts. Then I think about the upcoming year and what it may hold, what I want it to look like and some goals or themes for myself..which are usually spiritual.

Shane and I are celebrating the New Year here in Kansas City! We leave early tomorrow morning with a very long drive back! And I'm not too excited because I have to drive the entire 14 hours back. I did it on the way here...mostly to have bragging rights that I could drive the whole trip. But I was expecting to sleep some on the way back because each night here is full of great conversation with Shane and Joyska which makes for very late nights! Oh well! At least Shane and I now know that I can do the whole trip and therefore we can come out just the two of us, no problem!

The conference has been really good! Lots of incredible worship, and great teachings. It is incredibly intense and so we've had to pick and chose some of the sessions we want to go to. We'd wear ourselves out way to fast otherwise!

It has been so nice to hang out with Joyska too! She has been so generous to let us stay over at her place! We've had some fun and yummy times at Panera Bread, Cold Stone and of course, our McDonald's drive thru experiences late at night! Bless you Joyska for your generous heart! We've enjoyed your presence over the last few days!

So, it is late already (in the afternoon) and I need to shower so that we can head out to the solemn assembly. It is worship and prayer from 2 until midnight. I'm looking forward to hearing an hour of Tim Hughes. I think it will be good! I'm getting ready to pray! Heck, if they open up the mic and I feel led, maybe I'll pray in the KC Convention Centre! We're going to head back to Joyska's, as is the present plan, to bring in the New Year together!

See you all back in Manitoba!

Merry Christmas!

So, it is Christmas today. I just got home, kissed my husband and wished him a Merry Christmas and had some breakfast after working the night shift. So, I was able to have many hours of Christmas already...unlike normal people that probably are still sleeping and haven't even woken up to Christmas yet. Our sweet charge nurse brought Christmas socks in for each of us that were working! And we had a yummy Christmas potluck. It was a really nice night actually! I had my delivery of the night earlier in the evening while it was still Christmas Eve. Then just helped out others and did break relief for the rest of the night!

As a child, we always celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve. I'm guessing that's why I find it feels more like Christmas when it is dark outside. When I was walking past the big windows that display the city and its' lights at the hospital during the night, it was special to me that I was awake in the wee hours of Christmas morning.

I didn't mind working Christmas this year. The shift was good and I haven't minded the idea of working Christmas. It was just a little sad to leave the festivities and head to work last night. I went to the in-laws' for Christmas munchies and got to see the family with Shaner for a little while. I felt a little like Eyeore....a little droopy and a little sad. It was mostly just for the ride to the hospital and the walk into the building. Then I got myself pep-talked into a better attitude.

Shaner and I are planning on sleeping the day away. We aren't really doing anything for Christmas this year here at our place. We'll probably eat something together for supper before I head back to work tonight. But otherwise, no presents to open from each other. It may seem strange, but I also think it is a good opportunity. It is probably some life lesson about our values about the real meaning of Christmas. We, generally speaking, say that Christmas is not about the presents. Well, at least for other years, we can look back at a our second Christmas as a married couple and say that we put our words into action. It really isn't about the presents but when you don't have them, you realize what a big part of the holiday they seem to be. It is both relieving/freeing and slightly too bad not to have presents for each other this year. It is a good experiment though.....

So, merry Christmas to you all. Enjoy the day....however you do that.

And happy birthday, my Jesus. I love you and I'm thinking about you.

Such wonderful news!!!!

Due to a very generous, anonymous person, Shane and I are going to Kansas City next week after all!

When we took our car in the other week and got new brakes and 4 new tires, we cancelled our trip to KC for December. We were disappointed, but had peace about not going. By that I mean that we weren't whining and pining for the trip. But, deep down both of us just couldn't believe that we weren't going. Shane thought that somehow we just might be going after all. I kept thinking that, but didn't know how that was at all possible. We didn't really verbalize that too much to each other, but just accepted that it looked like we weren't going.

Well, somebody approached us with a wad of cash to cover the trip and said that he/she wanted us to be able to go after all! After refusing the blessing twice, we accepted! And with joy! I'm totally pumped to be able to go to One Thing next week!

So, Shaner and I get to go to KC together again! We also get to be a part of a pretty great-sounding conference! 10,000 young adults! Incredible worship leaders and speakers! Fill me with knowledge and let me worship!

We'll be gone for 6 days and get to stay with our friend, Joyska! We've never stayed at her place before! I look forward to good times and good eats (here we come Panera Bread!).

And.....when we get back to Winnipeg, I'm working quite a bit and will be in Manitoba for 5 days before heading south to Puerto Rico with my sister for 9-10 days! It is holiday time for me! And what a blessing that both trips were totally taken care of! Otherwise they would have been impossible for us!

Thank-you Lord for your provision and blessings! He totally blessed us!

Ravenously hungry....

I think my spirit man is ravenously hungry today. I feel something pretty strong inside like an emotional craving or something. It is both very annoying because I automatically want to satisfying it easily and quickly, but also very good because I know that it is right. It is what I want my spirit to be doing! Longing after God!

The tough part is walking towards filling it. Having motivation to spend part of the day in prayer, read a bunch of the Word, rest in His presence. When I'm doing these things, I know they were exactly what I needed to do Strangely, everything in me tries to do other things instead of the very things that will satisfy and the very thing I was made to do. I hate the irony of that.

I just awoke and I'm already hungry in the spirit. I guess I better get to cooking......

Can you believe it?

Yesterday was the first 12 hour shift that I've ever done on LDRP when NO ONE, not one, came in in labor the entire day. That was totally not the usual.

At the beginning of the morning, we had a full board (all our rooms taken) minus 2 or so. We had so many discharges that by the time I left at 7:30pm, there was 5 patients left....and 5 nurses. I had 2 patients and their babies! When normally I have 4-5 moms plus their babies!!!! I was pretty unbelievable!

This is my theory: Being the last saturday before Christmas, everyone wanted to get to their Christmas parties, gatherings, finish shopping, etc. so instead of coming in with a hint of anything (labor, feeling sick, etc.) they toughed it out all day as to join in with the festivities. When these ladies go home at night after being up and about all day, eating lots, etc. that's when things will hit. That's when their aching bodies have time to rest and their brains have time to think. So, I'm off to work in the next 20 minutes and we'll see if my theory is correct. We'll see...

In the meantime, I got offerred to take another LOA last evening. That is always really nice, but Shane and I didn't have plans and we need the hours/money, so I declined. It was a nice evening to be there!

Yesterday, today and tomorrow...

I actually did 8 out of the 10 things to do on my list from yesterday. The only things I didn't do was the dishes and talk with the insurance guy! The day was full and fun! I really did enjoy the movie...Narnia....whatever they called it....The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe. I didn't have very high expectations and so I really enjoyed it!

Also, the neurologist put Shane on a new drug yesterday. The "new kid on the block" according to our doctor. He isn't allow to put just anyone on this drug, according to Pharmacare. We get to try it out because we're trying our fourth drug already! The bummer is that it is expensive! I joked with Shane in the car about the fact that we should get sponsered for our medical bills. It really isn't that bad at all! It is just a little stressful when you add more to the financial list! But, if it works, and doesn't cause icky side effects, I'll be so thankful!

As for today, I worked a 12 hour shift on Labor and Delivery. It was a nice day. And I actually still had the energy to do some grocery shopping afterwards!

Tomorrow, I'm back to the hospital again for shift 2 out of 3 this weekend. I think it should be a pretty good weekend.

Strangely, I'm kinda looking forward to working over the Christmas weekend.....I must be psycho! It is kinda special to be with patients on Christmas...especially those celebrating a special time in their lives such as an addition to their families! And to top it off, I get to take a family member with me over the wee hours of Christmas Eve!! My little sis (well, I guess that isn't exactly true...my mature, beautiful, adult sister) is coming to hang with me over a 12 hour night shift to job shadow me! We get to spend the whole shift together! I've requested that we be placed on one of the labor floors so that Steph can hopefully see her first delivery! That would be special! I want to see her watch her first birth! That is special for me too! It may be a little strange too...as my nursing role is a role that Steph hasn't seen me in before. None of my loved ones really...minus Christina as we were in clinical together. I'm really looking forward to having that shift together!

Well, I'm going to do a little vegging and reading before I hop into bed for a good night's sleep....maybe a warm bath would be nice......

Morning to you all!

Today is a sleep-in day for me and I actually got up at 9:30! That is pretty early for my sleep-in days! I wanted to get a bunch done today and not feel rushed.
Also, I woke up with a sore throat. Yucky! It wasn't sore yesterday when I saw the doctor! We'll watch and see what it wants to do.

So, on the agenda for today:
1. have breakfast

2. have some God time

3. do the dishes with Shane

4. ask Shane how the exam went (he's writing it as I type and it's his last one!!!!)

5. go to the gym this morning (we renewed our membership for the year yesterday....got an even better deal on it than last year! Thank-you Lord for the membership assistance program! Oddly, the girl that looked over all my finances and gave us the deal is a Christian, used to go to the Vineyard and now is aware of the House of Prayer due to our conversation! Small world!)

6. pop by the hospital to hand in my RN registration (it finally came! I've waited so long! Now I get a raise right in time for the Christmas time and a half hours! Yippee!)

7. have a nice belated birthday coffee with Christina! The warm drink should feel nice on the throat too! And coffee with Christina is always nice! Something we are trying to do regularly as we both work strange shift work, unlike most people we know.

8. talk with our insurance guy

9. pop by the neurologist...too many yucky side effects with the newest drug Shane's been on (since the end of October). We're going to try and start something new today! I'm SO THANKFUL!!!

10. movie with housegroup friends this evening! We're going to see Naria on the big screen! It will be fun to go out with th0se guys! Also, I had only heard the story once in grade 3 so I quickly read it last week. Now I'm up to date on the storyline!

So, when I map it out like that, it's a full day!!! I'm happy that I got up at a good hour to do all these lovely things! So, off I go to make a phone call or two and start the list! Honey Nuts Cheerios, here I come!

Just thinking about the physical response of crying....

Crying is a bit of a bizarre reaction. Tears flowing from your eyes, your nose getting involved and either running or plugging up, and your face scrunching up in a funny look. All of this really affecting your ability to speak or appear normal in public.

Yet, after you cry, there is such a feeling of relief. Strange, how a physical reaction that often comes from an emotional source, creates such emotional relief.

I tend to find myself a little on the teary side lately. And often at inopportune times, such as a work. I can always feel it coming on and it is really hard to stop the tears from coming and prevent my voice from giving it away. I always try to talk myself out of crying when I'm at work. Sometimes it works a little, other times, not at all. I had a teary experience yesterday and stated to the nurse I was talking with "I always cry at the most inopportune times!". That was the truth, but it was also a nice way to break the ice! It made us both laugh.

I do wonder what my tears and wailing do to the heart of my Father. I wish I really knew how much He loves me. I wish I really knew how my tears affect the feelings in His heart. I can't believe that when He is with me when I'm fighting tears at work, or allowing myself to wail in the car, that He is without compassion. He must feel a lot. I wish I had a glimpse of that revelation in my heart.

Well, crying is a healthy response. Jesus did it too.

HAPPY 23RD BIRTHDAY, CHRISTINA!!!

Today is my friend, Christina's, birthday. Birthdays are a big deal to her. She always feels a little strange around birthdays, processing the whole thing of aging. I think it may be getting easier for her over the years.

C - caring girl; Christina cares about those she loves. She is pretty thoughtful about the little things. She sends care packages to those she loves that are farther away. She usually remembers to ask you about small things that you previously mentioned...she's got a good memory.

H - helpful; Christina is a helpful girl. That is obvious in the profession that she has chosen and the way in which she cares to serve her patients. Christina has helped out with rides many occasions!

R - responsible; Christina is a pretty responsible girl. She has been out on her own and away from her family/parents for many years already. That required her to be very responsible. She's good with the resources that she has. She's also a reliable friend.

I - irreplaceable; Christina is irreplaceable. There is no one else like her. No one else with the same gifts, talents and quirks. She is uniquely herself.

S - sassy; Christina is a little sassy. Not in the way of speach, but in her "daring" side. She loves to pose (as you have probably seen in the pictures occasionally posted on her blog). You should see this girl salsa!

T - teachable; Christina has a very teachable spirit. She is willing to learn new things all the time. She has a tender heart that wants more and more of what God has for her.

I - interesting; Christina is interesting. She has good things to share with others. She has lots to offer. It is a good time hanging out with Christina. I love the times we have together!

N - nice; Christina is genuinely nice. She speaks well of people. She speaks kindly to people.

A - admirable; Christina is admirable. She is pursuing God in a way that is a good example to others around her. I admire the way she is desiring the things of God in her life in a real and true way.

Happy Birthday, my friend! It has been so nice to get to know you over the years, as roommates, nursing students, friends, and sisters in Christ! I hope to get to know you even more as we get older and have many more years of friendship!

Morning!

Yesterday had ups and downs.

Baking with mom was great! I am looking forward to the day when Steph doesn't work every week day and can join us in holiday baking! The babies were home and I got to give lots of loving, rock Vivi to sleep, give Caden kisses. Strangely, I don't seem to remember how to spell my foster brother's name! And I got to see my bro....who was very helpful in the afternoon, as he ran out and did errands for the bakers! Thanks Shaun!

As per the downs, the car needed a whole bunch of stuff done to it. Brakes, new tires, etc. Therefore, it equalled one whopping bill. And therefore the pre-trip inspection that we went there for, became a no-trip inspection. We will not be going to KC at the end of the month. No moula for that. We are disappointed but I'm ok with it. We hummed and hawed long enough in deciding that I was ok with either decision. We will enjoy the holidays here at home.

So, tonight I begin another round of night shifts. Only 2 this time. So today I hope to relax at home, hit the gym and then try to nap again this afternoon. See ya later!

Start up that oven, Mama! We're gonna do us some baking!

....off I go to Steinbach! Bright and early to get the car checked up at the dealers and to my mom's place! I pray that there isn't a lot that needs to be done with our car today! Please Jesus!

Christmas baking..... here we come!

Tomorrow morning I'm off to my mom's to bake some goodies for the season and our little Christmas party. We baked 5 different things last year. This year we are just choosing our favorite 3 from last year. We're not going overboard! It should be fun!

I had such a nice evening with my sister! Shane and I went over to see her new place and have supper with her. That was nice! Then Steph and I went to the Y together to get Steph hooked up with a pass and get her acquainted with the gym. It is going to be SO nice to have a gym partner again! I had a friend I went to some classes with (ie. butts and gutts) last winter, but she cancelled her membership and moved into the country. I've missed having a partner! Now I can hang with my sister, have a gym partner and having somebody with me will make me want to go to aquafit in the evening when I can! It will feel like a social outing! We ended our lovely evening with yummy eggnog steamers and a cozy time relaxing in Steph's new bedroom! She gave me a great wrist/forearm massage! That sounds pretty strange, I know. I've had such sore wrists in the past 3-4 days with work. My sister's massage gifting is one of the best-kept secrets! Oops.....guess I just made that one public knowledge!

I just finished working my 3 12 hour night shifts over the weekend. It sure feels like I fall off the scene during my working weeks/weekends. I'm ok with that though. It's all good. I think it is a maturing thing for me to not be able to make everything that I want to. It's good for me (though I don't always want to think so).

I'm soon off for bed....haven't slept in the nighttime since thursday night! I don't think it will be a problem! Except that I'm pretty awake and feel like doing stuff....and can't sleep in tomorrow!

I suppose it's back to the working world......

Because I wasn't at work on sunday (feeling yucky), I have been off for a week. It has been so nice! So, tonight is back to the working world. For 5 12 hour night shifts in the next week! Yikes! You practically eat, sleep and breathe work. It will be good to get back in the swing of things. I'm always a little nervous going back....especially after a nice break of a week!

I love the weeks off that I get. Especially at home with my husband. I go for coffee with friends. I make plans. I sleep in with Shane. We snuggle and watch Dr. Phil together. We go grocery shopping in the middle of the day. I go to the Y. We have a lot of relaxing time in our home....reading books, having God time. And I have the time to make good, hearty suppers.

Life is pretty sweet on my week off. It is during those weeks that I wonder what I would do if I had to be at work every day like regular people. It doesn't leave any time for anything! And then I tend to focus a little too much on work all the time...and my perspective is a little different than I'd like it to be. I sure like the perspective I can focus on when I have a whole lot of time to invest in reading the Word, prayer, listening to worship, etc. Your perspective is different when you surround yourself with these things....which is possible on my weeks off. I definitely see the diffference.

So, today I will go to the Y, hopefully set up the Christmas tree with Shaner and then take a nap before I join the owls working the night shift at the hospital tonight! Enjoy your weekends....mine is coming to a close as yours are beginning!

guess what just slid under the door?

the mailed-out, original copy of the criminal record check. must have gotten to a neighbor instead of me. the address was mine. somehow it didn't get directly to me. oh well. it actually arrived.

A big pain in the butt.....

Some policies suck. In my situation, I'm referring to the licencing stuff for my registered nurse licence. I'm playing a huge waiting game.

So, way back in mid October I received my final PASS in the mail from my RN exam that was written in August. I waited a long time to get that pass. So, finally having received it, I sent away my registration and fees right away! Every day that passes that I'm not registered as an RN, I am paid a few bucks less per hour.

The following week I received a call from the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba informing me that I didn't have an accompanying criminal record check. There was no written instructions to get one done on the papers that I had received. It just said to fill out the registration papers and send in the money. I asked the lady on the phone who informed me that they stated the need for a criminal record check at an information session back in April at the University. Looking back, I had an exam that day and wasn't at that session. Besides, that was 6-7 months ago!

So, I got my criminal record check done on October 31. It was supposed to arrive on or after November 15. And supposedly, the College gave me 30 days from when they sent out the pass letter (in mid October) to get my RN licence, otherwise my grad licence would be expired. Still following?

So, I waited and waited. Last tuesday, the 22nd, I had to do something so that I could legally work my shift on thursday, seeing as though my criminal record check hadn't arrived, therefore my RN licence wouldn't be happening yet, and my grad licence had expired. So, I renewed my grad licence last tuesday.

Friday rolled around and I was at work. Human resources at the hospital called me about the fact that my licence was expired. I informed them of the situation and the fact that I had renewed my grad licence, yet they needed proof of that (which makes sense). I called the lady at the College all day. I finally got the ahold of her 30 minutes before the end of the day!

So, I've still been waiting for that stupid record check. Even this morning it had still not arrived!

That's it! Off to the police station downtown I go to figure this out. Well, they had no idea why I didn't receive it. They printed off a copy for me. No explanation, no apology. That sometimes sucks. But, the thing of most importance : I had a copy of the criminal record check in my hand.

Off to the College I go to hand it in in person to speed up the process. Now they can process my registration and hopefully I'll receive my licence in the mail in the next few days. (Crossing my fingers).

Then I'll be able to bring it in to Human Resources and get paid what a starting RN gets instead of my grad nurse salary. Whew! What a pain and what a mess! I'm glad that it is getting sorted out and almost finished!

A little under the weather....

I felt a little on the yucky side today. Not a great night's sleep last night.....with great feelings of nausea and a sore stomach. So, though I was supposed to work a 12 hour shift today, I called in sick for the first time since I started working at St. B in August. I wasn't on my death bed, but I didn't know if I would feel better or worse if I went in to work. You know, feeling nausous already and smelling the smells of labor and delivery could be a little conflicting for me! Also, if it was anything that I could spread, it wouldn't be a great idea to give my germs to little babies and their mothers.

So, an extra 6 hours of sleep helped a bit and I was feeling quite a bit better by noon. Still moments of sore stomach and nausous, but not so bad.

When you are feeling a little yucky but don't want to be sitting alone at home, mom's house is a nice place to go. I feel comfortable being lazy and sickly at my mom's house. So that's just what I did as I blessed my hubbie to go off and party for the Grey Cup. It was such a nice time to be with my bro, sis and mama. Ahhhh.....nice time.

It is too late for me. I must get these teeth brushed and get to bed! Nite all!

I don't know about this blogging thing....

Lots happening in my head and life, but I don't feel like putting it onto a screen. The trip down to Kansas City was incredibly good for Shane and I. Lots of time in the prayer room, good times with friends, lots of confirmations through the Holy Spirit, prophetic words, etc. That's pretty much all I have to say about that at this point.

Today I'm back to the grind of work. I haven't worked since the tuesday before the weekend! That is a long time! I'm trying to pray peace over myself to prevent being really anxious/nervous about working again. May I ask myself again, "why did I pick such a high energy, high stress area of nursing?" Oh yes, the rewards are great. It is special.

We called on tuesday for the MRI results. They are fine and normal. Shane's brain looks good with both the CT Scan and the MRI. He had another EEG on tuesday morning (the sleep-deprived one), so we'll see what that shows us. Shane got some awesome prayer time in the healing room when we were in KC. Since then, I haven't really put any thought into the concerns I sometimes have about Shane's health. It is covered and taken care of.

Off I go to face the day!

And........WE'RE OFF!!!!!

In a matter of 4 hours we are off on our trek to Kansas City! I'm wasting time in the meantime watching some tv and doing some blogging at Jason and Yvonne's who were so gracious to invite Shane and I over for supper and relaxing before we leave early in the morning (2:30am). I really should be napping, but I'm not so much in the mood to sleep. I want to get going!

We'll be out in KC until sunday, then we trek back. I'm actually looking forward to the drive. I know that I'll probably be sick of it pretty fast, but it is kinda fun to make memories with friends on roadtrips. And this time we get to add Corrie (Johan's wife) to the mix in the van! That should be fun! I'm not too excited about passing through South Dakota. Last time we went to KC, I was offended at how long that state felt. It felt like we were in South Dakota the entire 14 hours! Another good thing about the drive this time is that I don't have to stress out about the whole bladder thing. I learnt that when these people travel, they take many bathroom breaks! So I don't have to worry about having to pee my pants, or dehydrate myself (like I did last time) to prevent such accidents. Besides, we have a prego with us, and she'll need to pee, I'm sure of it.

As for KC itself, I'm really looking forward to the time in the prayer room. I plan on doing a whole lot of soaking, listening to what Jesus wants to say to me this weekend and communing with the Holy Spirit. I want to hear something and come away knowing something that I didn't before. That isn't too difficult a task while at IHOP....as last time I came back totally blown away with things I never heard/thought about before. Bring it on!!!!

So, I'm excited about what these next few days hold. I'm looking forward to some time in the prophesy room. I'm curious what I'm going to hear. I'm totally happy to be getting away with my husband and friends for a few days. I'm happy to be going to KC...it's such a beautiful city. I'm hungry to hear more teaching from the guys down there. They can impart so much as I learned last trip down. I'm looking forward to being in the atmosphere of 24-7 prayer and worship. It is indescribable. So, yes, I think I'm excited!

See you all next week!

It's a new day....

Thank-you for all your prayers. Shane's MRI went fine from what we know. He was out of there faster than we had thought it would take. Thanks pops (in-law) for taking Shane! Hopefully we'll have some results next week!

Another prayer request for all you out there that pray....
A friend of mine is having a court session today. She has to get on the stand and testify about a situation that involves someone that used to be very close to her. I am asking for you all to pray this morning/afternoon for peace, safety, a hedge of protection around her, and conviction in the courtroom. We prayed at prayer last night that no words that are untrue would be able to be spoken by anyone or heard, especially by the judge. Jesus, bring justice in this situation!

MRI day.

Today is Shane's MRI. We've been waiting for this test since July. Boy, 4 months is just a little too long to wait for a test in Manitoba!

The MRI is at 7:15pm. If you could all say a prayer, we'd appreciate that. Shane has requested that I stay home, at prayer, while he goes to the MRI. He said he doesn't want to cancel prayer night for anything. So, it is a little tough as a wife to stay home as he goes, but I know that I wouldn't get to be with him during it anyways, and we won't be hearing any results today either. Instead, Shane's dad is going to take him. And we are going to pray.

Otherwise, I think today will be a nice day. We both have the day off. No work, no school. It's past noon and we're just getting up. We'll clean the house, do some laundry, relax, etc. together. It is a pretty sweet deal to have days of in the middle of the week to hang out and relax with your spouse! I really enjoy this time in our lives!

Feeling like I just got off a merry-go-round and want to throw up!

Hee hee! That's a nice thought, eh?
I just got home from a 12 hour night. And though I tried to nap last afternoon, it did not work for me. So, I've pretty much been awake since yesterday morning at 8am when I got up for church.....and now it is a good 8:45am the following day! Yikes! What am I doing to my body?

Around 6am this morning I started to feel a little nausous with the whole exhausion thing. But, I made it and didn't die of sleep deprivation! And I sure plan on making up for it by sleeping all day and all night!

On top of all of that, I had a patient whom I felt a little out of my league with. Too many problems throughout the night that I didn't feel knowledgeable to handle! Medication error (not due to me, but I found it), wicked high temperature, potential allergic reaction to a drug, not very good fetal heart tracing, very sick mother, diabetes to boot, shortness of breath, etc. Yikes! I was a little overwhelmed. Almost went to cry on my break, but I didn't let myself!

The night is over for me. Someone else took over my patient. I will check when I go to work on wednesday how my patient did. Off to bed for me.

pretty tired.....

pretty stinkin' exhausted this evening. i was up at 5:30am for a workshop/conference thingy that i had over at HSC (health science centre). there were a bunch of obstetrical nurses from st. b and hsc, some obstetricians, residents, family docs and a few midwives. it was a pretty fun day....but the afternoon was really long! it was nice to interact with colleagues (i can now use that term!) in a setting that was away from work, and in streetwear! we always look the same in our green and blue hospital scrubs that have the big "property of st. boniface hospital" stamp across the front.

a highlight for me was learning how to do a forceps delivery! of course, it was on a fake pelvis and infant! but i got to figure out how to maneuver those forceps and step by step do the delivery. i got 100% on that skill station and an "excellent" writen by the senior resident who was marking me! that was nice! too bad i won't ever be doing it in real life, as that skill is totally not in my legal scope of practice!

well, i'm pooped. i really need to get some sleep tonight! tomorrow is another day off though....i love those!
nite!

.........ADIOS AMIGOS!!!!!!!!

Thanks to my wonderful sister............and her wonderful company............I'M GOING TO PUERTO RICO IN JANUARY!!!!!
Of course I have to figure out all the details/dates/work/etc.....but heck! I'm going! There is a business part to it for Steph, but mostly we get to enjoy a free, yes free, holiday, together in Puerto Rico!

We've always wanted to go on a sister holiday, but when funds are limited and you have a spouse, that isn't the first thing in line. So, here is our chance! Free, completely funded by her company! And I get to go as her guest!!!! That totally rocks!

I'm so excited to fly on a plane with my sister, get another passport stamp with my sister, lay on the beach in bathing suits and drink fun drinks with my sister, sleep in the same room and share a hotel room with my sister, eat in a variety of restaurants with my sister, participate in the activities that all-inclusive resorts offer with my sister, take some of their salsa and merengue dance classes with my sister, swim in the ocean with my sister, take LOTS of pictures with my sister, have warm weather in the middle of our Manitoban winter with my sister, .............MUST I GO ON?????

I am totally excited! And so very honored that I have a sister who would pick me as her guest! I love sisters!

Not so tough lately.....

I'm generally a pretty strong person, mentally and emotionally. I have felt great strength through the medical ordeals of Shane's epilepsy since July.

Lately, I'm not feeling so tough. In the past week, Shane has had 2 seizures, in which I have been here to help him recover from. Last wednesday morning, Steph found him on the floor in the office and quickly woke me up. Late thursday night, I was awoken from sleep to find him on the floor in the hallway. The banging of his fingers against the doorframe was loud enough to wake me up from a dead sleep.

That second one was a little too much for me. I felt so alone. It is 1am. People are sleeping. My husband is incoherent on the floor. It is dark. I have to start my first 12 hour shifts in my rotation in 6 and a half hours. Do I go to work? Do I stay home with Shane? Will he have another one in the morning if I go?

So, I called my mom after Shane came to and we got him into bed. And I cried. I haven't done that about the seizures and such in a while.

As for the doctor's this afternoon, again Shane's body is different than the norm. His levels are fine. Highly therapeutic. The therapeutic range is 8-12. Shane is at 11.2. That's a wonderful level to be at. Except that the seizures are continuing. We don't know why.

So, we were instructed to contact our neurologist directly, as this kinda goes out of the scope of what our GP is generally doing. I called the secretary. She's going to talk to the neurologist and then call us back probably tomorrow. She says that he may want to meet with us earlier than our next appointment. And, he may want to try a new medication. That feels like starting at the beginning all over again. For the third time.

So, I'm feeling a little down about the whole thing. I'm having a harder time with it than Shane is. It totally sucks emotionally to find your husband on the floor, unresponsive. It totally sucks to not know what is going to happen when you go to bed before him, or go to work in the morning. It totally sucks that I don't know if today will accompany seizures or not. It totally sucks for him and interferes with his whole day.

I'm scared about the MRI and what it might find. I'm annoyed with the idea of doing another EEG and not getting specific answers. And I'm afraid of the answers. I'm afraid of the possibility that the CT scan missed something important back in July and now we've waited until November to find out. I'm dreading the results and anticipating them all at the same time.

I'm just not feeling so tough right now. I could if I wanted to, but not today. I have the right perspective and have my faith in the Great Healer. But, today I'm sad.

Pathology....

Good news in the pathology department. Got the mole removed because my hubbie noticed it looking a little different over time and there were some abnormal qualities about it. The pathology came back all normal. No precancerous or cancerous cells at all. All normal! Thank-you Lord (not that I was really worried, but that's great regardless!)!

In other news.....

We have another doctor's appointment today. This time it is for Shane. We will be finding out what his tegretol levels have been with the recent seizures. We also have to inform the doctor of the latest one. I don't think we'll get many answers today...we are seeing the GP not the neurologist. But, some answers would be nice. Even if it was simply that the recent seizures were due to low levels, that would help. Continue to keep us in your prayers please!

Things to do today:

-do my hair for my driver's picture
-go pay the dentist
-visit the doctor's to get the stitches removed from my back (got a mole removed 12 days ago)
-bake something....somehow I feel like baking on tuesdays!
-clean the house with my hubbie
-spend time with my Jesus
-perhaps hit the weights at the Y
-pray this evening with whomever shows up for Tuesday Night Prayer

It should be a pretty nice day!

Just thinking....

I was chatting on the phone with a friend this evening (lovely Bonnie) for a short while, and realized something neat. It is in relation to the previous post...along the lines of passing my exam and graduating....the whole school topic.

Shane and I started dating in September of 2000....the fall after my high school graduation. I worked full time that year. I realized that working full time kinda sucked and decided to go back to school. I started my first year of university as the beginning of our second year of dating began.

The neat thing is that Shane has been either a boyfriend or a fiance or a husband through my entire nursing degree. From start to finish. I knew that....but I never really thought about it that way! That is so neat that he has been there through the entire process...all those years!

Another neat thing is that we are at the beginning again. Our roles have really changed in the last few months. I get up early, go off to work, have days off, can do some relaxing when I'm home, etc. I used to be doing some sort of homework all the time. Now, Shane is the one having to stay home with homework, sit in front of the computer typing papers for hours, etc. It is very different in that way than it used to be!

I think it is kinda cool that we are at the beginning of his degree, just like we were with mine 4 years ago. Those years went really quickly....and yet there were big things that happened in that time.....such as getting married! So, I'm curious what the next few years will hold and think it is a fun thought to be having another graduation in another 4 years! We'll see what happens as life pans out according to God's leading!

I passed!!!!! I passed!!!!!

I just had a feeling this afternoon to check the mail for my RN exam results! They were there! I've been waiting for them recently, since I wrote the exam back in the beginning of August. And lo and behold, I passed!

Yippee! Today I am going to mail off my RN registration, which of course accompanies a heafty registration cost. Then as soon as I get my registration in the mail, I will bring it to the hospital and get the increase in wage from graduate nurse to registered nurse!!! That, along with my degree, helps out the wage a bit! That is great!

So, now my last four years are officially and completely finished. I finished the classes, the clinicals, the RN exam, the convocation and now the final pass came that was most essential. Yeah! Finally a relief....it is completely finished!!!!

But, homework isn't. I'm off to do some readings for a workshop coming up......

I'm still alive.....

Tomorrow is my last 12 hour shift of 3....I'm pretty tired tonight! Long days, but they are not too bad so far.

Today was insane! I had two deliveries! I felt like such an adrenalin junkie....high to low, high to low, multiple times today! I'm ready to crash!

Today felt good though. It was insane. We were totally not staffed properly. BUT, I'm doing the stuff. I'm getting more into the flow. And that feels good!

(Not to mention, it feels good when your patient's husband tells you that you sound like you know more than the doctor! That really feels nice!)

Off to bed! One more to go!

Today is convocation.....

One last official celebration of the end of my bachelor of nursing degree. We had the pinning ceremony and dinner/dance back in April with the nursing faculty alone. That was a fun time!

Today is the big cap and gown day. A ceremony filled with a whole bunch of faculties, not only mine. But, I'm looking forward to looking all "graduated" in the cap, hood and gown! I haven't put one on since grade 12 grad back in 2000.

My lovely mom is getting a babysitter and coming out for the occasion. My dad is taking off the afternoon from work to come. My totally supportive sister is taking off work too! Not sure if my bro is coming yet, but I heard my grandparents are even coming in from Steinbach for the occasion!

Before we do that this afternoon, I am going to a graduation brunch one of my classmates is organizing. I'm looking forward to hearing about where everyone is now...even though it has only been half a year since we were in class together! It will be good!

One great thing about getting my degree today is that I can go to work tomorrow and have a few cents an hour increase by showing human resources my degree in paper! Not much, but every little bit helps!!!

Off I go to beautify myself!

Gotta make this quick!

I'm off to my first day in my new position! I'm a little nervous as I am orientating to one of the new wards this morning! I'm scared, a little! I hope I catch on super quick, as I only get 3 buddy shifts on this ward before I'm on my own! Please Jesus, would you be with me and give me a quick to understand and remember kind of mind!

Thank-you to each and every one of you who sent a happy birthday email, e-card, comment, took me out for a celebration in any way (especially Steph, Shane, my family, Shane's parents, Amy, etc), made a phone call to wish me the greetings, bought cake (housegroup), etc. I had a fabulous birthday! I celebrated all week long with the first outing starting on friday October 7 and the last celebration on saturday October 15!! That is one fun week!

Our computer has been dealing with a virus in the past few days so I have had a lot of time between the crashing computer and my husband who is busy doing home work on here, to blog. So, here is a very quick update! If you think of me, say a prayer about the first day on a new ward! I would totally appreciate that!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!

....and my dad, and my friend Ruth, and little Rachel! All of us are celebrating today!

I absolutely love celebrating birthdays! Today I turn 23! That sounds like a good age and a fun year ahead!

I'm meeting Stephanie for a pumpkin spice latte at 1pm.....then my hubbie has some sort of celebration planned for the afternoon and/or evening! I love it!

At some point today I want to sit down and journal about the thing that happened in my 22nd year and the goals and desires I have for the next year of 23. I'm kinda big on beginnings and ends. I think this will be a great year!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!

Thinking quick this morning.....

I've been up for a long time! Besides a little nap last night, I've been up since yesterday morning! I worked the night shift last night and am soon on my way to bed.

I had a nice quiet night for the majority of it. I was awaiting the next laboring patient as my own. I got to do some readings for the hospital and a workshop I have to attend in the meantime, which was very handy. Though computer screens and florescent lights at 3am are not too wonderful on the eyes!

Well, in my patient flew at 4:55am and we welcomed the baby by 5:28! It was a quick one!

Then, I drove a girl from work home who lives very close to our appartment. On the way we were chatting and in the midst of the conversation it came up that Shane and I have dealt with medical issues this summer....namely, the seizures. It is amazing how sharing one little piece of info can open up another person. This girl just found out (within the last week I think) that she has a tumor on her spine. She told me some of the details around finding out and we had arrived at her place by this time. Just before she jumped out of the car, I mentioned that I would be praying for her. Then I asked her if I could pray for her right there in the car. I laid my hand on the top of her back and prayed for healing. I prayed for the outpouring of signs and wonders (see! the practice of tuesday night prayer is wearing off in the marketplace!!!). I prayed for the comfort, strength and support of Jesus over her. I asked her if we could cover her in prayer tonight, even though she isn't physically with us. She agreed and mentioned how the perfect people have come in contact with her lately. I thank God for those divine appointments and the God moment that we had this morning. I'm often so afraid to step out. It is embarassing and sad to admit. I just often feel the akwardness and don't know what to say. But today I did it! I was totally obedient and flowed naturally in the opportunity God gave me! I didn't even see it coming! Thanks God!

And to add more to the busy morning I've already had, I called the float pool boss and verbally agreed to take the new job in the float pool. I called my other boss to let her know that I will be taking a different position and had to leave a message. I wanted to speak to her in person, but I didn't see her at the hospital this morning. I hope it goes over well!!!!!!

So, I'm off to bed while my husband is still there! Ahhhh....sleep!

Lots of Thanksgiving.....

It is a pretty busy week over at our place with Thanksgiving and my birthday all in one week. Some years it actually is the same day.

Saturday was Thanksgiving with Shane's family, yesterday was with my mom's side, today with my dad's side. And then we are having a Thanksgiving dinner next sunday with my mom and siblings! Yikes!

Yesterday afternoon, Steph took family pictures for Shane and I! That's right! Pictures of our little family...just the two of us! They turned out so well! She really did a great job! I just want to keep looking at them!

In the job area, it looks like I'm going to take the plunge and take the new job offer. There are so many good things about it, that I don't want to turn it down! I'm definitely scared about it, but I hope it is such a great decision for our family!

So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, here are some things I am thankful for:
- my awesome husband and rockin' marriage!
- my great friends and family members!
- that there is always food in my house
- warm bathes
- my comfy bed and warm blankets
- a great group of people at church that have some of the same vision!!! Yah! I love when that happens!
- our little prayer group on tuesdays!
- my job and God's financial provision for us
- God's destiny for our lives and the excitement it brings!
- Being willing to follow in whatever God leads....having the faith through Him to have taken some steps this year (eg. Shane quitting his job, going to school, etc)
- this upcoming year and all the awesome things it is going to bring! More wisdom and revelation of Jesus, walking further into our callings here on earth, loving each other more, and hopefully a bunch of great and exciting things!

Thank-you Jesus for all you've done, all you're doing and all that you are going to do!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL!!!!

So, the job situation.....

I got a call on thursday with another job offer. I must have applied for it a while back and somehow it is up for my grab right now. I guess the girl that originally got it, got another position and now I'm the next one for the picking.

So, I asked a bunch of questions on thursday and friday and now Shane and I are praying about it over the weekend. I have to give in my answer by tuesday at noon. The boss is holding it for me until then.

These are the details:
-It is a .75 permanent position. A .75 means about 7 and a half 8 hour shifts in a two week period. Full time is 10, which is the other position I'm supposed to be starting. By about the .85 position you are looking at another tax bracket, so I'm told. So, really I'm not making that much less at a .75 plus getting paid out the stats as opposed to the full time. And I can pick up when I want to.
-Unlike the permanent position that I got a few weeks ago that starts a week today, this new position is 12 hour shifts instead of 8 hour ones. That means a psycho amount of work in a few days, but a lot more time off in between.
-The schedule is downright incredible. My full time would be 7 on, 2 off, 3 on, 2 off. Pretty psycho. You practically live at the hospital. The .75 is 3 on, 2 off, 2 on, 6 off, 3 on, 3 off, 2 on, 7 off. So, pretty much I would get 2 weeks off a month!
-The scarey part.....the .75 is in the maternal/child float pool. This means I wouldn't be sticking to the same ward each day I go to work. The full time is on the low risk labor, delivery, recovery, postpartum side. With the .75 I would be starting off the hop on LDRP (where I am presently), L & D (higher risk....did half of my practicum there), and I'd be orientated to 3A Postpartum right away. By January at the latest I would be orientated to 3B....gynecology(womens' surgeries) and antepartum (where women go when having troubles earlier in their pregnancies). By spring, I would be in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit). Can you say incredibly frightening but an incredible opportunity????????

So, I've heard good feedback from some people I love and trust. I am leaning towards this new position but want to continue to ask Jesus about it. It would be a year of INTENSE LEARNING. A really steep learning curve. But, it would be an incredible opportunity for me and would allow me to be more diverse in the areas I nurse and make me more and more valuable in my employment.

Oh, and one more thing that was positive. I had already arrange a few days that I needed off in November. This new job would require me to work those days. So I asked if those days would be flexible or not, as that would influence my decision. The boss is totally willing to switch those days for me if I take the job. Yikes!

So, pray for Shane and I as we pray and ask for wisdom. I know it sounds like a no-brainer, but there are some pros and cons to each decision. I'll keep you posted!

And.......celebrate!

This morning/afternoon will be a fun time! Sisters know how to celebrate one another the best! Steph is taking me out for my birthday a few days early so that we could celebrate it on a weekend. We have pedicures at 10am! I love those things! Such a girly/sister thing to do! Then we are going for lunch at PineRidge Hollow! She even made a reservation! Ahhh...the atmosphere and the food there make it very wonderful. Then we are off to Birds Hill Park for some horse back riding. I am excited! I'm a little scared of horses, but that is minor! We will enjoy ourselves like crazy today!

Last night we went out with my mom, brother, sister and Shane for the family celebration for my birthday! We went to Olive Garden and though the wait was extremely long, it was a great time! Such funny conversations can come up when you are with family! I love my family very much!

So, I will update about the job thing later when I have a moment! Gotta run!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIAN!!!!!

Today is Brian's 40th birthday! And he seems to love birthdays! So, pray for the guy today!

In other news, lots of things going on in my mind. Today we are going for lunch with my dad, a funeral for Shane's friend and a family birthday celebration for me! My birthday is on wednesday! It is a day full of highly charged emotional stuff....celebrations and sadness. If you think of us today, say a prayer. The funeral is at 2pm.

Interesting decisions coming up about my job. I'll fill you in later.

Prayer please....

It has been a rough week around here. Last week monday we got the results from the EEG saying that there are some abnormalities in Shane's left temporal lobe. That same day we went to the doctors' and had another blow by seeing him check off the "permanent" box in regards to the "disability". A little disheartening. Shane has another EEG and an MRI scheduled for November. Then we had another seizure thursday morning, which hasn't happening in quite a while. Very disheartening.

Now, we found out later on last night that a friend of Shane's growing up died yesterday morning in a car accident.

Shane is really having a tough time this week. Pray for my hubbie if you would. Pray for peace. Pray for comfort. Pray for a heart and mind of an overcomer in the midst of grieving.

Tenderizing of the heart...

I arrived at church today feeling alright, definitely tired. Worship started. I found myself unable to keep myself from crying. My eyes just teared and teared, accompanied by the rest of my body joining in with all the emotion. I didn't know what kind of reaction I was having!

I've been asking the Lord to reveal His affections to my heart lately. I want to know in my heart, instead of just my head, the affections that Jesus has for me. I want fresh revelation all the time about how Jesus feels about me.

Yesterday I was having some time with the Lord and asked to feel/know the affections he has for me. I felt a fierce love. His ravenous desire for my presence. Wow, He fiercely desires my very presence. He longs for me far more than I long for Him!

This morning, I felt the tender emotions of love. He really is my only hope. I felt that. I felt that my heart was being tenderized. I felt unexplained vulnerability, but it was a good thing. Whatever He was doing, it was a good process in my heart. No matter what happens on this earth, in my life, He will always be with me. His purpose for me is number 1. When it doesn't make sense, doesn't seem fair or part of what I would think would be the plan, He is sovereign.

Today I choose to give my yes to all that God has for me and my life. Today I choose to say that God is good. Today I choose to hear His voice and live fully. Today I choose to fix my gaze on Him regardless of what is before me. I set my mind, my heart and affections on Him.

I fiercly desire to know His emotions and affections. I will know the heart of my Lover more. I will.

HE IS SO FAITHFUL....I KNEW IT ALL ALONG!!!

I have great news that I found out at 5pm today! I got a permanent job!!!!!

When Shane and I decided last month (August) that he would quit his job and go back to school, I had a term position that ends next friday. It was a little scarey, but we felt that we heard right and we went for it! Because we were resting in the fact that we felt we heard right and obeyed, we trusted that God would provide a job after my lovely .7 term ended. I've been applying for everything (minus one full time evenings position....because that would be AWEFUL) since the beginning of July. Multiple times I've thought that I'm going to get the position and people who I wouldn't think would want the position, would apply for it! They were coming out of the woodworks!

I can be a person that stresses out a little. It is a sucky part of my humanity that I'm often dealing with in my character. There were a few moments in the last 2-3 months where that stress wanted to slither its way in to make me worried about provision and whether or not we'd have any income coming in after September 30. But, amazingly, I've been really at peace about the whole thing. Each time I would apply, not hear back and know that someone else had got the position, I wouldn't feel that stressful feeling that can be so natural. I have felt a lot of peace throughout this process and really felt my heart resting in the fact that I knew that God would provide something. I just knew He would. And He did.

My unit manager called me today with 2 positions that I could choose from!!! One was a term and the other a permanent. So, I picked the permanent because that means it is mine until I quit! It doesn't run out and isn't only for a short while! It is mine!

So, I got a full time, day/night, 8 hour position on LDRP....where my present term is. It is going to be pretty crazy working so many days and nights...especially with lovely stretches of 7! But, God totally provided for us! And this is something that will provide income, allow me to work lots and get more comfortable in my first year of nursing, and provide for us an income that will get us through a few more years as a one-income, one-student family! Also, it leaves all my evenings open to continue to pursue the things I love along side my husband, such as tuesday prayer nights, housegroup, Encounter God Nights on sundays and friends and family! I am totally blessed.

What a praise report! And I knew it all along!

A little tip I've been learning....

Prior to leaving for a shift at the hospital, I can still get that nervous/dreading feeling about what my shift could hold. I've been told that that feeling often is present throughout the first year of working.

I love when things go right and it feels like you are competent and smooth sailing! I worked nights the last two nights and am a little wired from my last shift. So, I thought I'd blog and eat some cheerios before heading to bed for the day.

When I got on we had multiple patients in labor. I had seen the board and knew that my assignment was a first time mom that was 5 cm. Ok...that's not so bad. Well, after putting my lunch away and getting myself together, I heard loud screaming from a room down the hallway. I thought for sure that has to be the other patient that is almost fully dilated. BUT OF COURSE NOT! It is my lovely patient...absolutely freaking out (and adamantly not wanting an epidural). When they are out of control, it is hard for me to remain calm sometimes. I get a little frazzled inside!

So, I managed to remain incredibly calm despite the circumstances! After being with her for 20 minutes and seeing how out of control she was, the patient said she wanted an epidural. I noticed a strange sense of grunting/pushing while she was screaming through her contractions. I checked her and sure enough....from 5 cm to fully dilated in half an hour. No epidural there after all.

I thank the Lord that it was that quick, because that could have been a very intense situation for quite a while!

Then, another laboring patient was assigned to me at 5:45am. I'm thinking, she too is a first time mom, only 4cm and really calm. I should not be having another delivery on my shift at this rate. This patient remained that calm the entire time ( a little demerol had something to do with that....but not all). She just happened to mention to me that she felt a little like pushing the last few contractions. So, I checked her and lo and behold, she was fully dilated! So, I'm thinking, I'm off in the next 45-60 min. I probably won't get to meet this little one on my shift. Well, she was a fabulous pusher and my second delivery (the doctor made it to both!) of the night happened just as I was supposed to be leaving!

So, this is the little tip that has been helping me these days. When driving to work in the car, I pray prior to getting to the hospital. Part of my prayer asks God to keep me safe and my patients safe, well and alive. The other key part of my prayer is reciting the verse, "Nothing is impossible with God!". This focuses me to know that no matter what case I find myself in at work, God is right there with me and nothing is impossible with Him!!!! This has been my saving grace lately. Thank-you Lord for being with me in each situation and in each delivery! And He's making me feel more and more competent and comfortable in those situations! That feels nice!

A little bit from Revelation....

I've been reading the book of Revelation, while going through the book "When Jesus Returns" by David Pawson. I was doing a little more reading/studying again this afternoon. I ended a certain section and liked the last bit that Pawson ended with. Here it is.

"If the 'Big Trouble' only covers the last few years, it may be that we shall not have to face it in our lifetime. So, could it be a waste of time for all but the last generation of saints to prepare for it?

One answer is that the current trend and speed of world events makes it an increasing possibility in the near future.

But the main response to this kind of thinking must be the reminder that future events cast their shadows before them. In other words, what will one day be experienced by the whole church on a universal scale ('hated by all nations' Matt 24:9) is already happening in local and regional settings. Any Christian can go through much tribulation before all go through the 'Great Tribulation'. We must all be ready for the kind of troubles that reach a climax then, but can come now.

This section (Revelation 6-16) is therefore directly relevant to ALL BELIEVERS, whatever their contemporary situation. The church is already under pressure in the majority of countries and the number of those where this is not the case diminshes annually.

And beyond all this lies the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, for which EVERY BELIEVER needs to be ready. The main motive for preparing to be faithful under pressure is to be able to face him without shame. "

I myself stressed the all/every believer parts. I believe that this book isn't one that should be pushed to the side and forgotten about in the Bible. As it is warned at the end of Revelation, "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophesy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes away from this book of prophesy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book." (Revelation 22:18,19) Therefore, if we as believers disregard this book, we are taking away from this book in our own lives. By pretending that it doesn't exist in the Bible, never studying it or reading it, or disregarding the parts we don't understand or make us feel uncomfortable, we are taking away from the intention that God has for this book. He wouldn't have put it in the Bible or shown these things to John if they weren't important and to be included.

The main point is that we as believers need to be ready for the things ahead. We need to have a mindset that is looking ahead and prepared, both for eternity and for our futures here while still in this life. We could experience the things we read about in Revelation in our lifetime. Or, we may not. But, I don't want to be unprepared if we are that last generation. Regardless of our level of understanding or interpretation of the words written in Revelation, the fact remains that we need to be prepared and need to explore the words written in this book. The New Testament alone makes reference to Jesus' coming over 300 times. Clearly it is a crucial part of the story.

So, I challenge you, take a step toward the book of Revelation. Open it up, and read it. Front to back. Ask questions. This book was written for you and I, just as the other books of the Bible were.

I like the country!

I'm looking forward to the day when we can move out of the busy city and settle down in the country (or small town) somewhere. Life just seems slower when you leave the city limits.

I had the day off yesterday and I had a great day! I slept in, got to see my hubbie in the morning, walked him to the bus stop to send him off to school, went for a good workout at the Y, baked carrot cake, then baked banana bread, did some laundry, and got ready for the evening! Whew! It felt pretty productive! I know that I'm having a relaxing day at home when I have time to bake something. It has been a while....it always feels nice when there is something fresh, knowing I've made it, and the appartment smells nice!

Yesterday we went for supper and a bonfire at my dad's in Mitchell. Supper was yummy! Dad barbequed salmon and I brought the carrot cake. Mmmmm.... Around 9pm and later, friends came for the fire. It was sort of a belated celebration for Shane's 25th birthday last month....and sort of just a general bonfire. I just love the fact that people can get together and stare at a fire for hours and be content doing that for an evening. That is so great!

Needless to say, it was a really late night! So, I'm up after a sleeping-in kind of morning....Shane's still enjoying the zzzzzs.

What a day!

There are a number of special things about today. #1 - 5 years ago to the day Shane and I started dating...or whatever you want to call it. I started out calling it "friends with benefits" but that was before I realized what kind of benefits people would generally think I meant! Then I abandoned that phrase!

#2 - As I mentioned before, today is Shane's first day at school! That's special!

#3 - I DELIVERED MY FIRST BABY TODAY!!!!
Yes, you read right! Today was an insanely busy day for me! I had two of my laboring patients deliver, with fairly quick labors. For the second one, I ended up doing the delivery. Mom wasn't pushing so great, and so I thought it might be a little while before we would be having that baby. Well, once that magic push that moves baby's head around that pelvic bone happens, there is no turning back! Usually that means there is at least a little more pushing for a first time mom! Well, that wasn't so! I pulled the emergency light to get some help and quickly paged the doctor for delivery from the room. My unit manager (who does NOT do hands on work on the ward) and a grad nurse that was orientating to the unit responded. Usually it is the nurse with more experience who delivers...so I thought the unit manager would! Well, she was moving a little too slow for me! That baby was coming and someone had to deliver it, so I jumped in! I delivered the head only to find a tight nuchal cord (umbilical cord around the neck). Generally you can pull it gently over the baby's head. Well, this one was pretty tight. I didn't want to pull on it too much! There was no stopping this mom...and in the midst of getting that cord away from the neck, she pushed out the rest of the baby. I clamped the cord and gave the dad the honor of cutting it...amidst the craziness of the situation!

So, I am broken in officially with my first delivery. The new grad nurse that was present was a girl that was in school with me. She hasn't done labor and delivery yet....and was pretty excited about the whole thing. She gave me great feedback on how well I did the delivery and how calm I was! That was nice! I didn't know how my unit manager would react to me doing a delivery. She saw me at the end of the shift and gave me great affirmation about what a great job I did! That was great!

Now I'm pooped! With all that adrenalin pumping all day long, I'm totally exhausted this evening. I've also worked 10 out of the last 11 days...and some overtime on top of that! I have the next 3 days off! Yippee!!!!

Off to make tacos for supper with the husband! See ya!

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL TO MY HUBBIE!!!

Today is Shaner's first day of school for the year! I'm excited for him! He's been preparing, already reading textbooks!, and getting excited for this new life of studenthood! I'm happy for him!

It is going to be weird being the one without the homework! It is such role reversal for us! So, while he is studying away, I can read books for fun and study the Word! That part really rocks!

So, cheers to my dude and have a wonderful first day!

No thoughts to share these days....

Sorry people....no great things to share lately. Actually, nothing much to say at all. And not a whole lot of time that I feel like spending typing out the thoughts that are in my head as of late. I'd rather speak them to those around me.

Maybe tomorrow.....

Glowing....

You ever have one of those days when you feel like you are glowing? I just felt like my face was glowing today. Not with redness and sweat from working hard but with a softness and a smile that comes from inside. I don't know what made my face feel different than usual, but somehow it did. Today, while I worked with the pregnant patients and those who had just had their little ones, I felt that I was in on the "pregnant glow" without the pregnant part.

Now that the shift is over and I'm home and pretty tired, I feel more droopy than glowing! Whew! Number 6 in a row and I'm back tomorrow! Yikes! I'm thankful I turned down that overtime today...they seem to be asking every day! It is nice to know that work is available!

Baby steps of faith.....

So, Shane and I decide that he is going to go back to school and pray/study the Word at home. Shane hands in his 2 week notice on August 22. My term position that is supposed to be until October 1 goes up for grabs as a permanent position on August 26, with a start date of September 3 for whomever gets the position. This means that I could be out of a job as of saturday.

But, we choose not to stress and choose to trust that we heard right and rest in the fact that God is our Provider....not money or jobs.

I talked to my unit manager this morning after my night shift. (Yeah! I did 4 nights in a row and totally made it with no problems! I can handle the night!) Naturally, someone with more seniority got my great .7 position.

BUT, there is good news of God's faithfulness! She is letting me finish my term until September 30 (which was going to be my last day anyways). Instead of today being my last day, I get to have the whole month of September to work, roll in a little dough, and apply for more positions that come up! Thank-you Jesus for your provision! He is going to take care of us!

Speaking of last days of work......tomorrow is Shane's last day!!! And then he will welcome the world of long prayer times, time to listen to good teaching tapes, hiding away in the spare room, reading and studying the Word, and working hard at school! Does that tempt any of you?

Cheers to my Provider!

I love the end and the beginning!

I really like the idea that today is the last day of August and that as of tomorrow, we are starting a whole new month! I'm looking forward to the fall, even though I could handle a few more months of summer weather. There are good things happening in my life and I'm excited to learn more, experience more and grow more this next year.

I was reading in Revelation this evening. I really get awed/inspired/excited about that book. Today it felt as though I was reading it for the first time all over again.

"I saw the thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshipped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.)" Revelation 20:4,5

So, I pondered the thousand year reign for a bit. Wow! That is going to be pretty amazing! Those that know Jesus and follow him will reign with him for a thousand years! That means we will be reigning with people of the Bible like the 12 disciples, Queen Esther, Ruth, Paul.....I never thought of this before! It is going to be pretty interesting to see how God makes all things new as He promised (21:5) and what kinds of roles we will all play in this Kingdom on earth. I'm feeling the mystery and the awe of what is to come.....

Not much to say....

Not a lot of inspiration to blog lately. Enjoying life nonetheless.
-Had my bro over last week for 3 days (can't remember if I blogged that before or not)
-Attended a really nice wedding on friday night
-Had a hilarious dinner at Applebee's with Shane's grandpa and parents on saturday...grandpa is SO funny!
-Had Shane's parents over for chatting and a movie on saturday night! That was really nice!
-Enjoyed singing at Encounter God Night with Johan and Krista! I like working with them! Feeling a smidge less uncomfortable about being up there after last night....for now!
-Worked the night shift last night....leaving in the next 10 minutes for night shift #2 of 4 this week.

Adios, must comb my wet hair and brush my teeth before flying out the door! Hope it's a good one tonight!

IT DIDN'T FLOP!!!!

Just returned home from working the evening shift on L & D. I haven't been there since my senior practicum...as my job right now is on LDRP. I just picked up an extra shift tonight and they put me there! It was nice!

I realized something in the car on the ride out of the parkade this evening. I've been hearing other nurses say that some days are good and others are bad as you start out. It can take a good year before you don't get sick at the idea of coming in for a shift out of fear and apprehension!

I realized that I'm the kind of person that likes it black or white...not that I didn't know it before, but I realized it again. If something bad happens in the shift, it gets deemed bad. Even if the majority was good. I tend to sum up the evening far too quickly when things get a little crazy.

So, I'm proud to report that tonight was not a flop!
- I had 2 great couples to work with
- They thanked me for doing a great job! How nice!
- I did a pelvic exam...and totally felt the cervix and knew exactly what I was feeling! Didn't have to doubt myself or get a second opinion! Lately, I'm getting them more often..but it is an acquired art, that's for sure!
- Administered a certain medication through a pump that I haven't given since sometime in my practicum...and gave it safely!
- Transferred a patient and was with her on another ward for half an hour and everything went very smoothly!
- Set up/assisted/etc. an epidural and it went well! Last week was my first time doing the whole epidural process alone (without another nurse to help) and it totally flopped! I forgot SO many things and it was with one of the anesthesiologists that isn't the most friendly! That sucked! But tonight went well and the doc was awesome!
- Saw the CRN (head cheese) of the unit that I normally work on (hadn't seen her since my practicum) and she was super glad to see me around. She totally complimented and encouraged me by saying that I'm in the right place and to apply for everything that comes up job-wise! How sweet!
- I got my first pay check! It will be direct deposited into our account tomorrow! But, I got to look at the pay sub.....boy, they took 1/3 of my cheque away!!!! Deductions suck!

So, I'm deeming this night a success! Even though not everything goes smoothly, I'm going to try to give myself a few more pats on the back these days. So, good job!

And for our latest news.....

I didn't want to steal Shane's thunder...but now that some of you know of our latest plans, I can post them too!

Shane handed in his 2 weeks notice on monday! He is going back to school in two weeks from tomorrow! The schedule we managed to work out allows him to do full time university and part-time prayer/God time as his life for the next year! It is quite a nice schedule! And I'm totally excited to see Shane thrive and do something that he loves! He is planning on working towards getting into Athletic Therapy.

It has been a huge leap of faith for us at this point in our lives! We have been praying hard about this decision in the last month and a bit. Shane had wanted to go back to school, but we only got really serious about thinking about it with all the medical issues in the last 5-6 weeks. Now we are praying for a year term or a permanent position for me so that we have finances coming in. That's mostly why this is such a leap of faith at this time (finances).

I'm excited about a new season for us...and more specifically for Shane. I think it will have its tough moments, as normally happens when one spouse is a student, but I think it will be life-giving. I know, now from experience, that it really feels good to work hard at something like a university degree, and then complete it! And be able to have a career in what you love to do! I'm also totally pumped about what God wants to do with my hubbie in the next year! Now with more deliberate space and time to spend with God, I'm really excited to see what is going to come out of it!

Well, that's all the news for now!

Slacker....

I've been SUCH a slacker at going to the gym this summer....it has pretty much been nonexistant! That is so bad! Especially because they are giving us such a nice discount!

So, today I went for the first time in a LONG time! I went to my first ever aquafit class...and it was really fun! It was me with a group of middle-aged and senior women! They were great! And I enjoyed being the young one amongst nice older women =) Though, I just can't be quite as "free" as they are in the shower room after the class! Yikes! I'd rather be wrapped up in multiple towels with no skin showing...thank-you very much!

You may, or may not, have read my hubbie's blog this morning.....a new season is coming for us and it is pretty exciting and scarey! No, we are NOT having a baby! I'll wait to post it for a bit...so that his blog gets the first readers, as it is greatly his news to share!

Ahhhh Love.....

We got to attend my cousin's wedding yesterday and dance the night away in the evening! Bring out the ugly dancing, Steph!

I really enjoy going to weddings, and especially hearing the vows that people make to one another, in front of friends, family and God. It is really a special thing that has such mystery and awe in my heart. It is a glimpse of eternity.

The reception was pretty fun! It was held in a nice restaurant that is actually a renovated old barn! The food was amazing! And there was tons of it! And the dancing was fun! Steph can encourage just about anyone to dance with her...minus the boys in our family (Shane, dad). One guy said this was the first time anyone has gotten him to dance sober. We told him that anyone can do it because the rule is the uglier, the better! Therefore, anyone can! It was so fun to see people who normally wouldn't feel confident to even move at all in regular dancing settings, going for it with us! That made me feel nice!

Oooo..they had a bit of a surprise for the guests at the ceremony. When the pastor announced the couple at the very end, we found out that the groom had changed his name to the bride's last name! I haven't been to a wedding that has done that before! That was a big surprise! They are going to get lots of cheques with the wrong last name from the presentation!

Well, after that nice party and seeing as though I'm working the night shift tonight, Shane and I slept the morning away. It was wonderful. And I've got to use my vocal chords tonight at Encounter God Night and I'm nervous about that, on a side note! I've got the heart, and the desire, but only wish that God would impart the voice! Help! I need supernatural help! And a whole lot of strength added to my voice!

So, I will have some God time, some food and tidy up my messy house this afternoon. Enjoy the rest of the weekend and relax!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY FAVORITE MAN ON THIS EARTH!!!!!

Today is my Shaner's 25th birthday! Sounds like an exciting year.....25! I'm exciting to see what God is going to continue doing in my hubbie this year! I think there are really good things in store!

So, enjoy this day, babe! It's all about you today!......and really, when can you say that except on your birthday???!!!

One small factor that kinda sucks is that I'm working from 3:30-11:45pm today =( That means work people and Shane's family get to do all the celebrating today. That sucks, but oh well, we can celebrate other times! We went for an early birthday dinner just the two of us on wednesday to Moxie's. That was nice! And we get to sleep in as long as we want tomorrow, together! Yippeee!!! No work!!! Maybe I'll make my Shaner a special breakfast or something....and then we are off to a wedding for the afternoon/evening. You know what that means? I get to dance with the guy! Yeah!

So, adios! I'm off to see my mom and the babes in the mall for an hour! Ta ta for now!

Good morning.....well, actually good evening....

I am up from my night...while the rest of regular life goes on as I sleep the day away.

Thanks for prayers last night and today. The night went well. Shane felt a little sick but no seizures so I am very thankful! My shift was nice too. I recovered a patient who had just delivered an hour before my shift started and then got a laboring patient at 4am. I got her the epidural she wanted and succeeded in starting the IV! I haven't done one in a little while being off the past few weeks and all, so I was a little nervous when I couldn't see any veins! Well, I went by feeling and actually got it right away! Woo hoo!!

Tonight we pray! I'm looking forward to meeting some new people that are checking out prayer tonight! It is totally great how we are not advertising prayer night and yet somehow word spreads and people are starting to come that I've never met before! Only You, Lord, only You. Do Your Will in our home, during our prayer times and bring the ones that You want to our way! Have Your Will tonight and speak to us about what is on your heart!

I work again tonight. I hope that 7 hours of sleep today was enough to hold me through the evening and night! It's going to have to be!

Adios, I'm off to pick up my husband and clean my house before people arrive tonight!

A few concerns tonight....

1. My first night shift of my position starts in 40 minutes and is also the first one since all the stuff has happened with Shane....meaning Shane is home alone at night. That is making us a little nervous tonight as he is feeling funky on his meds lately and that is the time of day that is a little scarey for us. Please pray!

2. Yesterday was a pretty hard shift. Had a laboring patient. Out of control. Language barrier. Difficulty with the baby at delivery. Really freaked me out. In the end, left the room to have a big cry in the bathroom. Way too intense for a newby like me. I'm concerned about tonight's shift.

So, in general lately, there are good days and bad ones. Today is one of those bad ones and I would really appreciate some prayer!

Babies, babies....

So, last night was a little scarey, but a little empowering. I had my first shift as a real nurse working with a laboring mom. Can I say thank goodness for epidurals? It made my job so much easier last night! Boy was I scared when I got to work and saw that I was with a laboring patient! Yikes! I had a nurse help me out right at delivery and the doctor made it....but otherwise, I did it! I was THE nurse of the evening! And it wasn't so bad! That feels good!

We picked up our car this morning in Steinbach. It had to get work done on the handles from the break-in we had in July. Stinkin' deductible! Oh well...so goes life!

I'm off for another shift....still a scarey thing! But I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! I have to remind myself that I will never be alone....Jesus is always with me!

Have a great saturday!

Going to do it all over again......

I'm off to my second shift in just a little while. I haven't let myself think much about yesterday's shift so that I wouldn't get nervous about today. So, I'm still keeping that motto and not thinking about work much until I get there! So far, it seems to be working alright for me!

I'm working evenings all this weekend for a girl that wanted the weekend off. She switched me so that I could go to my cousin's wedding next weekend....and then asked me to switch a few more shifts so that she could spend more time with her husband. It worked out ok for me...I get to go to the wedding now and I get two weekends off out of the deal! That is nice! Also, it is good to be at work a lot at the beginning so that I can get into the flow of things. Big breaks in between shifts would make me a little more nervous!

I just returned from a nice "coffee" time with my lovely friend, Christina! It is so nice to both be starting out in our nursing careers and have each other to talk to about it. There is something about connecting with someone who is doing the same things as you....and it is special since we did a lot of our training/schooling together! Thanks for calling Chris!

Well, I'm off to relax a little until it is time to leave! Have a good weekend!

Insanity!......but I survived........

It was a really crazy first day at the hospital. See, I thought maybe I'd get a little orientation seeing as though I've been away from the hopsital for 3 weeks, and not been on that ward specifically for 2 months to the day. That is quite a while for a newby like me.

Nope. No such luck. No orientation. No buddy nurse. All alone. Very alone.

Generally, a maximum of 4 moms and 4 babies is the workload. That in itself keeps you quite busy! What did I have as my assignment my first day as a "real" nurse? 5 moms and 5 babies!!! I thought I might go nuts!

I had some nice help later on in the day, though....or I wouldn't have made it! But, I'm just learning as I go! It is quite strange to be having to teach someone a skill that I haven't even learnt yet!

And to top it off, I was asked to work overtime on my first day there! Yikes! Not today....but for future reference, time and a half will be nice......=)

Off to watch a movie with friends that are coming over with ice cream treats! Yippee!

Today is the day......

It is bright and early and it was hard to drag myself out of bed.....not the greatest sleep with many awake periods....
But, today is a new day and I am starting my job! It is going to be great and I hope to love going to work each day!
I'll let you all know how it goes!

Have wonderful days!

One.....well, two, last things before I jump into bed........

Tomorrow is my first day of my first nursing job ever! I would be totally nervous if I let myself think about it. But, I'm not thinking about it so that I don't get uptight about tomorrow! Ok, you prayer warriors, pray tomorrow like you did today, because I totally felt that! I begin my nursing career on LDRP bright and early tomorrow morning! The first day of getting paid! Bring it on!

Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY LITTLE BROTHER!!! Today is his real birthday, even though we celebrated over the weekend! I even got to call camp this evening and talk to him myself! That was nice! Happy 17th birthday Shaun! That is such a great sounding year....17....ahhhhh....I loved that year!

Off to bed to get in a good night's sleep.....zzzz......

I'M DONE!!!!!! YIPPEEEEEE!!!!!!

I got out of my exam early both this morning and this afternoon! That is a nice bonus! And now, I'm finished it all! Just have to wait up to 3 months to get the results of pass or fail......I better have passed! It could have been a lot worse. It wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. But, I also could have done a lot better. Doesn't matter anymore! I'm finished!!!!

Thanks for all your prayers! I totally felt them! I felt a lot of peace, wasn't anxious at all today. And I didn't even reach barf stage from writing for too long! It really did go pretty well. The massive headache I had for the entire afternoon sucked though. Oh well.

As for Shane, here is the update since the weekend:
- Seizure during the night on sunday to monday (first one in 3 weeks)
- Neurologist appointment on monday afternoon
- Increasing the medication aggressively, especially since the recent seizure activity
- EEG (to look at electrical activity in brain) bumped up to September 19 instead of October 31, by being willing to pay a simple fee of $20
- MRI being booked...not sure when.....in the next 3-4 months
- Echocardiogram being booked...not sure when.....heart murmur found in the neurologist's office that day (that was the icing on the cake!)
- official diagnosis of epilepsy...but no answer of why at this point....

Therefore, with the diagnosis, the neurologist says we don't have to keep a seizure count going, we probably still will keep them counted and recorded for our own info and to tell our doctor, but we may not post them anymore as it is a pretty personal issue and I really want to be respectful of Shane's feelings in this area. All of the updates posted were info that Shane was comfortable to share thus far......just disclaimering that we may not share all as the crisis part seems to be settling down as we adjust to all this stuff......

Please keep on praying and keep giving us all the wonderful support that you great friends have been giving! Thanks for all the encouragement! We have totally appreciated it!

18 minutes until leaving time.......!!!!!

No, I'm not boarding a plane, going on an exciting voyage or having a baby....
It is E day....Exam Day.....the biggest one in my nursing career, and the one least studied for!
I leave by 7am....register at 7:30am....start writing around 8am....
We are scheduled to write until 6pm! I sure hope that I don't go crazy sitting and writing a test that stinkin' long!
I totally haven't studied enough...but what is enough? I could spend forever learning more and relearning the last 4 years of information!

On another note, prayer last night was awesome, in my opinion! I really need to blog very soon about topics like the weekend at the lake, Shane's neurologist appointment that was on monday and prayer last night! Soon.......

Please pray for me today if you think of me! Thanks so much!

To the lake we go!

Rock Lake, here we come! I'm looking forward to the weekend that I'm going to spend with my family and hubbie at the lake! My brother has been out there working for the summer and we are all going up this weekend to see him, visit camp and be blessed by what God is doing out there. My mom, sister, brother (I think), and Shane and I are all in one big lodge room together! That should be fun...and maybe a little interesting! I do believe my dad is coming out on saturday too to visit!

It is my baby bro's birthday on wednesday (when I'll be writing my exam)....so I'm bringing him a card and a cd as a little birthday celebration. I hope he enjoys them! He's going to be 17 already....guess he's not really a baby bro technically at that age! Oh well, he's still my baby bro!

I'm really needing a little gift from the Lord this weekend. I hope it is a refreshing time for my whole family. I just want a little something....not exactly sure what.

So, I will do a little more studying, finish my packing and take my hubbie for another doctor's appointment! Adios amigos! Enjoy the warm weather this weekend!

One last exam.....

Well, my RN exam isn't until next wednesday, but I'm feeling the pressure of needing to study more than I am! I just went hard for an hour and now I need a breather. Blogging and a bath sounds like a good way to clear my mind!

If I think about next week, I sorta start to stress out! Wednesday is my exam and it is ALL day long! We have to be there early...like 7:30 or 8am....and are scheduled until 6pm! That is one full day!

Then I start my job the next day bright and early! I'm totally freaked out about starting out on my own! I don't think I get any orientation or anything, because I've been there during my senior practicum. That freaks me right out, because I haven't been on LDRP since the beginning/middle of June. That is 2 months ago already! And I feel like I learned so much on L & D that I need to have a refresher of the other unit. I learned most of my labor stuff on L & D and now I need to figure out what is the same and what's different on the other ward.

I hate feeling stressed out! I really need some prayer and a bathe to get some peace flowing! If you think of me in the next week...especially next week.....please say a little prayer! It is such an exciting but totally scarey time in my life! Yikes!

And the update continues.....

So, the doctor put Shane on a corticosteriod to help with the rash. Already by this morning, the rash is looking better! We still have the benadryl on hand to help with the itching, but aren't needing it quite as much as before. The plan is to be on the steriod for 1 week or so.

We went to the lab this morning to get Shane's tegretol levels drawn. We see the family doc again on friday and will find out what kind of levels we're at this time. In the meantime, if the rash doesn't go away, Shane could be allergic to tegretol as well. Let's hope not! The doc mentioned that he entertained the idea of taking Shane off everything and clearing out his levels completely before starting all over again. But, both him and Shane didn't want to take the chance of seizures in the meantime. So, we'll keep on plugging away!

And, great news! We got our appointment letter for the neurologist in the mail yesterday! It is for this coming monday! That was really fast! 4 days short of a month to the day since the first 2 seizures. Thank-you God!

In my own little world, I am studying a little each day, since monday, for my national RN exam that is next wednesday. I'm trying to fit all kinds of things into my days at the same time. For example, today I took Shane to the lab and then to work, am going out for lunch with my friend Tanya to celebrate her birthday and then visiting my mom and her babies for the afternoon! I'm so looking forward to holding my now 7 pound foster sister!

I'm a little anxious these days about two jobs that I applied for earlier this week. I desperately want one of them! So, pray that if it is in God's plan for us, that I get one of these two jobs and that I find out quickly! .....in the meantime, I'm trying not to get my hopes up, as I am at the very bottom of the seniority pole! So, pretty much NO ONE has to apply for me to get it! Please, nobody apply!

Must go get some studying in before I take off for Steinbach for the rest of the day! Bye for now!

Update on the medical side of things.....

Shane still has a lovely rash that he's had all over since last wednesday when we visited Emerg. It doesn't seem to be getting any better. His hands and arms look a little better to me, but his back, legs and feet look worse! He's still really itchy at times and is taking benadryl to help with the itchl.

Shane started on the new anti-convulsant on friday night. Since then he's had some nausea, a painful stomach, he's still a little dizzy on occasion, has had a headache that comes and goes and has just a little bit of a stutter left. Still not really enjoying this!

So, I called the doctor's again this morning to check in. He wants to see us again today, even though we are already seeing him on friday afternoon. He may start Shane on some steriods.....I'll fill you all in when we get back from the doctor's this afternoon.

Today is also Shane's first day back at work. It isn't too exciting for him to have to go back in the midst of all of this. It would be nice to get things stable first. So, we are praying that his workplace is gracious with all these doctor's appointments and weekly visits to the lab which cut into his work day.

We are continuing to pray for wisdom and guidance as to what to do in this time. Thanks for your prayers!