Off we go!!!

Leaving for Kansas City at 1:45am! Lots to do before that time...and I'm already needing a nap!
Off to the Y for a quick aquafit workout with my sister! Then to Walmart to pick up last minute stuff we need. Home then to pack...as I haven't done that yet, and then off to bed for a nap!

Must run! See you next week! Pray for safe and peaceful travels and wonderful God encounters. I'm so looking forward to sitting in the prayer room for hours, seeing Joyska and being in KC again! Yippee!

I feel special!

Most days I still feel so new at work. Then I often focus on the things that could have gone better on my way home.

Today I feel pretty nice. I had a sweet young couple in labor all night long.

Ahhh...the joys of the job. This patient was complimenting me and praising nurses, and getting a little teary, as I'm putting in a catheter. I thought it was so nice to hear so many nice things about the care I was giving and my job in general.

The phrase that she said that stuck out to me was "Where were you this morning when I needed you?". It makes me feel like I'm giving optimal care when a patient states, like this phrase, that they would have welcomed my nursing care in another shift where I wasn't present.

I got lots of good feedback from this patient about some of my habits that are helpful! I often throw in a ton of teaching about what I'm doing and why throughout the labor. She told me, very articulately, what was helpful! That's great!

It is nice to bond with a couple. That is one special part about my job! I like making my way into the hearts of the dads. It is kind of like a challenge. I want to get one smile out of them. Or a laugh. And I want to win their trust that my intentions are to give the best care to their wives as possible. Some warm up quickly, and some take a little working on! Humor almost always helps!

So, cheers to a successful night of nursing! Yeah for nice patients! Yeah for positive feedback!

Now, I'm off to bed. This was my last night of three....one day shift to go on monday before I have a week off and we head to KC on thursday! Nite!

Tidbits of life...

-today is a day off for me! After working three 12-hour nights over the weekend.
-a high school friend, Jackie, had a baby in the last few days that I found out about today! A little girl named Elianna Joy!
-I got to sing with Jason at the Devotion set before the Encounter God Service last night and I really enjoyed it! I love that devotion stuff!
-tonight is girls night! I love girls night! And we are having a yummy potluck this month instead of going out to a restaurant. Also, one of us is getting married next month so we are bringing a little gift to make it feel a tiny bit like a surprise shower! Even though the potluck is at her house...so there will be no decorations or anything!
-yesterday launched a little lifestyle experiment for myself...we'll see how that goes...
-we leave for KC in 9 days or so!

I had the weirdest dream this last night. I woke up and realized that I had been crying because my eyes and checks were wet! I dreamt that Shane, me, Steph, my brother Shaun, my mom and my dad all went to the resort in Mexico that Shane and I went to for our honeymoon! I was excited about it, because it was really nice the first time that we went there! Well, this time, the accommodations were terrible! We were far from the pool and restaurants, and had to hike up a dirt trail, that was very muddy, and not lit in the dark, to find our room. We were all staying in one big room. It was terrible! Then, one afternoon at the pool, we ended up sitting next to my grandma and some others we recognized, along with a lady that I work with at the hospital. My grandma did some swimming and everything! Shane and I wanted to pay to up our room to a better one, but we thought it was kind of pointless, as we were only in Mexico for the weekend! I was so disappointed with the resort, the accommodations, the short stay, etc, that I ended up crying throughout my dream! How sad!

On an entirely different note, I got tagged by Lanney. Here are some facts about me!

FOUR JOBS I'VE HAD:
...these are just four of the many!......
1. Santa Clause Photographer
2. Children's retail worker - at Please Mum
3. Receptionist - at a massage clinic
4. Nurse!

FOUR MOVIES/SHOWS I'VE BEEN ADDICTED TO:
...well, I don't really watch tv...so this could represent the very distant past!
1. Amazing Race (present)
2. Survivor (past)
3. Dr. Phil (past and present)
4. Full House (very past)

FOUR PLACES I'VE LIVED:
1. Mitchell, Manitoba (two different homes)
2. Winnipeg, Manitoba (appartment on St.M)
3. Winnipeg Manitoba (apparment on St.A)
4. Winnipeg, Maniotba (present dwellings)

FOUR COUNTRIES I WOULD LIKE TO VISIT:
1. Africa (any country on this continent!)
2. England (or Europe in general)
3. Israel (definitely)
4. Australia (why not)

FOUR POPULAR FALSE ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT ME:
1. That I always have a clean house (I'm not so good at keeping up with those silly dishes)
2. That I'm a resident with my lab coat on!
3. ...can't think of any others!!!!......
4.

FOUR PEOPLE I LOOK LIKE (according to some people):
1. My sister!
2. Jennifer Garner (according to a patient and her husband that I had at the hospital a few weeks ago)
3. Jennifer Love Hewitt (according to a nice young boy in junior high)
4. Julia Stiles (according to a few people over the years...both Steph and I)

FOUR THINGS (I HOPE) TO DO BEFORE I DIE:
1. see Jesus
2. hear the audible voice of the Lord
3. travel over the world
4. have beautiful babies with my hubbie!

PEOPLE I TAG NEXT:
1. Shane
2. Christina
3. Jacquie
4. Deanna

IT IS OFFICIAL!!!!

Shane and I are going to Kansas City in 2 weeks with Jason and Yvonne for the weekend! I was pretty certain but there is always a little pause in the back of my mind when the boss hasn't officially ok'd it.

I just got off the phone with him. I had to switch three 12 hour shifts in order to work it out....and could find 2 others to switch 2 of my days with, and none for that third day. So, he switched it for me!!!

Now it is official! I'm off those days! The boss has written it down and given his approval! Yippee! Kansas City here we come! I'm totally excited and can't wait to see that wonderful city again! Now I can let myself get all excited!

What a nice day!

Shane and I spent the day in Steinbach together today. First, we dropped off our taxes and bumped into Shane's grandpa and mom. That was neat! A total blessing was that the wonderful tax man did our taxes today for us, so that we had the figures by the time we left Steinbach! How totally nice! Pat and Alvina totally blessed us...and it is generally great to see them! Taxes were so good to us this year. I'm totally flying with the combination of a really sugary slurpee and the knowledge of our tax return!

Then we got to pop in to my mom's and play with KK a little! KK is the nickname we call my 2 year old foster brother. Shane loves to chase him around the appartment and tickle him. KK's giggle is so sweet!

Off we went to get our hair cut! That is always a good time, as our hair girl is Becki, Steph's good friend. It is kinda like we are all just hanging out! She does a great job! And, we both got some extra color in our hair this time! So fun!

What a nice day together!

Oh, just a little something I was reading yesterday. Some fun facts about kissing!

Kissing my be good for your health

An article in Health magazine titled "Kiss me, Please" cited the following kissing facts:
- Kissing relieves stress by releasing mood-elevating endorphins in the brain
- It burns two calories per minute - and could lead to more exercise
- It firms the muscles in your face (and it's cheaper than a face-lift!)
- Swapping saliva with someone boosts your immune system by helping the body bolster its defenses
-It's fun!

So, on that note! I'm going to go and smooch my sweetie!

What a nice weekend!

We had a really nice weekend together as a family! There was a mix-up on our reservations to begin with. But, they ended up giving us the "executive suite" for the two nights for the same price as our original reservations of the basic room. Besides the discomfort of the beds, the weekend was really nice! We did a lot of eating of yummy food (Red Lobster, Pancake House, etc), did a lot of lying around and sharing the king-sized bed while watching movies/shows on tv, and did some hot-tubbing and water-sliding!

I really love my family members. I also love to see my husband enjoying my family. What a sport he is! To share living space with my family for 2 nights and enjoy himself throughout the time we were there! Wow, do I ever appreciate that.

Then to end a nice weekend, Steph, Shane and I went down to Altona with some other Sanctuary people to do a Celebration Service in a church down there. It was our first time going somewhere representing the house of prayer. That was really neat! We brought a worship team, some prayer/prophetic guys, and Steph and I were the dancers. Thinking back, I haven't danced since the first weekend in November at WCV's anniversary weekend! I can't believe it has been that long! 4 months! Boy, without any practice, I was pretty rusty, but it felt good to move again. I think something that has been keeping me away from dance, is the frustration that it can bring. Partly related to the fact that I feel so limited in the movement that I do. But, there is something that dance brings for me in worship, that other forms do not. So, I think I had better dance a little more often!

I was just so pleased with our team last night. The worship people did a wonderful job leading the people in worship. The ones of us that prayed did a fabulous job of modelling what we love to do, are just learning to do and inviting others to do it too!....interceding for the church we were visiting, the town of Altona and giving words for individual people in the room. It was an incredible evening to be apart of, especially in a team dynamic. It was an awesome experience to do with a spouse too. I was so proud of my hubbie...watching him as he prayed in the mic with passion, and had nuggets to share with individual people. He's my firey one!

I am so excited about the things that will be happening with the House of Prayer. I am so pleased with the group of awesome people that I get to partner with! I am pumped to see where God is going to take us with him individually, with him corporately, with each other, and in the world! This is such an exciting time in our lives!

How excited am I........

Tonight we are going to a hotel for the weekend with my family! Shane and I, Steph, Shaun and mom are all spending the weekend together, squished into a hotel room!

I'm so looking forward to staying at a hotel, being with my family, relaxing with them, swimming/hot tubbing with them, eating with them, and even sleeping with them! It should be interesting!!!

But, before the excitement begins, I have to do a full-day course on my Neonatal Resuscitation Program. It should be good. I have to pass a mock code at the end in order to get my final pass. Guess I should run along now and get to work!

I'd like to use the same lines....

..as last post....busy, busy, busy....

That was my night at work. We were swamped on L & D! And you know, two deliveries in one shift is definitely enough for me. Though the mixture of stress and adrenalin made the night go by quickly! And I was with two very pleasant couples, which makes the shift SO much nicer!

Ok....time for sleep! Hopefully, I will NOT dream about work today,as I very often do. Yesterday I didn't and I don't know why I assume so, but I do assume it had something to do with the ear plugs and the peaceful silence I slept in. I think it is all in my head!....ahhh...starting to not make any sense....must sleep....

Busy, busy, busy!

Yikes, work has been incredibly busy already this weekend! And it's only just begun! Both of the last 2 nights, work has called for me to come in early. No thanks. 12 hours of the day is long enough if I'm supposed to come back for another tomorrow!

Not much else is on my mind tonight. On my working weekends, I pretty much eat a little, sleep and work. Today I did try those lovely musician plugs again. And they stayed in my ears all day! I didn't take them out in my sleep! They are a little tender to my sensitive ears, but otherwise, definitely helped drown out little noises around this place!

Well, I'm going to watch a little of the prayer room before I header to work! Have enjoyable weekends all!

I passed!

I wrote my NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) test this morning. It was ok...but I did thought I may have failed certain parts. Yesterday was supposed to be my study day...but I totally procrastinated. I slept in, emailed people I've been meaning to, went to see my boss to pick my position, poured over the schedule of my new position lovingly, did some errands and went out with the girls in the evening. It hardly made any room for studying!

So, today I wrote the test. Then I headed to the gym. That felt nice! And picked up some groceries so that I have food for work this weekend.

When I returned home, Shane had the good news to tell me that the education lady from the hospital called to tell me that I passed! Yeah!

It is not completely finished yet though. I have to do a full day next friday of the course. It's all the lab stuff - hands on such. The final test is how I do with a fake mega code! We'll see! I hope it is fun and interesting!

Housegroup is here tonight. That should be interesting! ....I'm pumped to have accomplished all that I have and it still be early in the afternoon. I'm going to enjoy the rest of the day at home!

So blessed that I cried....

I honestly feel incredibly blessed and taken care of. Jesus has not only met my needs in the area of my job, but he has completely met my wants. I feel spoiled. And almost shocked that he would even fulfill my desires that aren't needs.

As most of you know, I was bumped from my beloved .75 position 2 weeks ago. Since then I have been praying that I would get my job back before the new positions are in effect as of March 11. I have been feeling like I would just be getting it back.

There was a position that went up that I thought the girl who bumped me might get. I was sure hoping..because if she got it, I would get my job back. I ran into the unit manager for her floor and spoke with her about this situation. She pretty much told me that there were other employees ahead of this girl and it was unlikely she would be getting the position. So, that gave me a new reality yesterday morning.

Later that morning, I went to peer at the schedule to find a switch for one of my weekends with the new schedule I would have to think I was going into. My boss popped his head in the doorframe and mentioned that at 1pm he was going to post 2 positions just like the one I currently have on the unfilled list!

This was great news! I wanted another .75 and if it is on the unfilled list, I don't have to worry about waiting until it is taken down and processed in a week, or about seniority. It is just first come first serve!

I zoomed upstairs to have my charge nurse help me locate a computer and a password so that I could print out my resume and be ready to hand it in at 1pm.

I put my resume into the right hands at 1:15pm yesterday. I thought it might take a few days perhaps. I got a call at 4:30pm when I was home. I had my choice of the two .75 positions!

So, today I went to pick which one I wanted. I was a little disappointed that both of them were the opposite weekend than I work now, but hey. At least I get my old schedule back and don't have to work the fulltime one!

But, Jesus had an even better plan.

One of the schedules is exactly what I work now. Meaning, I miss every other Encounter God service, every other housegroup night and can be at every tuesday prayer night.

One of the schedules had one day different. Meaning, I can make 3 out of 4 Encounter God services (and be late for the 4th), I miss 3 housegroup nights per month, and can still be at every tuesday prayer night. This also opens up every monday (both day and night), since I never work mondays or tuesdays.

I took the second position. Sunday nights are one of the most important days of the week for me. And now, I can be at all of the Encounter God Services (and late for one of them).

When I left, I was overwhelmed with the blessing in my life. I am a new nurse and I have the schedule that works perfectly for my life. I am in the area of nursing that I want to be in. I have the schedule that I want. I have the days off that are perfect.

I cried in the car when I thought about how intimate Jesus is that he would give me the position I wanted back, and with a twist that would make it even better. He is so dear to me. I am so blessed.

It once was lost, but now is found.....

The plug was under the bed, near the footboard. I have no idea how it got there. I had some blankets on the floor on my side of the bed that were in a position that the ear plug could not have slipped under the bed from the side. I have no idea what happened but I chuckle thinking that I threw the plug and it may have rebounded off the dresser onto the floor under the bed. That is the way my imagination thinks it may have happened!

It was a funny picture....Shane and I on our hands and knees, peering under the bed at the small, transparent-like plug laying in the darkness.

It has been found.

Lookin' a little silly......

So, about 6 months or so into our marriage, I started wearing a niteguard while sleeping at night. I found out very quickly once we were married that I grind my teeth at night...enough to wake Shane up! Since that is a very unbecoming sound and I was grinding away my enamel, I got a niteguard. It has been very helpful in protecting these teeth of mine and making the night more pleasant for my husband next to me!

Within the past few days, Shane and I received our musician plugs! Yeah Steph! Thanks a million! So, this past night when I was trying to go to bed, and realizing that I was really distracted from sleep and not really into going to bed but needed to, I thought I'd try out the musician plugs. Ahhh...they don't block all sound, but decrease the decibles of sound you hear (or something like that). It was enough to make things very quiet in my little head. I drifted off fairly quickly, though the hard contraptions in my ears were a little uncomfortable, bordering a little painful.

I awoke at 1:45am...from a pretty deep-feeling sleep....to notice I only had one ear plug in. Instead of rolling over and continuing in my quality rest, I started to look for the left plug in the dark. That lead to finding Shane still up in the kitchen. He had a little search for me, in the harsh light of the room, and came out with no plug. Forget it...I thought...by that point. I'll find it in the morning.

Well, by that point the damage was done. I had awakened myself enough to have a crappy night for the rest. Not a great sleep at all. Good thing today is just a piddly little 8 hour shift in the middle of my week off!

My question is where is the plug? It must be in the room somewhere. And I find it quite hard to believe that it would actually fall out, as they are mighty molded in there.

I'm thinking I thought they were uncomfortable as I slept and therefore took one out and got rid of it. I'm curious what I did with it though!

I remember a few nights while I was getting used to the new mouthguard. I found it under the bed a few mornings! I must have taken it out and somehow thought that the nightstand or the floor was not enough! It must be hidden! Under the bed! Now, that is talent to do in your sleep!

So, who knows where the plug could be hidden!!!!! I'll let you know if it appears in a strange location!

Ahhhhh.....a nice day!

I had a pretty nice day today!

It started with a sleep-in morning with my hubbie who has been a little under-the-weather in the stomach department for a few days out of the past week. So, he took a sick day (hee hee!).

Then I had brunch at a friend's place from high school. It was wonderful! The conversation was awesome and a whole bunch of topics came up that are dear to my heart recently and of which I feel quite a bit of passion for. I had a wonderful time! So great to connect with old friends!

Then, went home to the sick husband and snuggled on the couch while watching Dr. Phil together. I also got some much-needed reading in for the Neonatal Resuscitation Course that I'm doing. One more chapter to go...then studying...before I write the test on thursday morning.

Then came supper at the in-law's tonight! That was a nice and unexpected invitation!

And, another experience at Aquafit with Steph. This time I said to myself, "Screw the deep end!". All I do is drown! So, I worked my butt off in the shallow end and it felt far more productive!...I still had some drowning moments during the ab work, but it was far less frustrating!

Now it is time for a little sleep before I work tomorrow. I picked up an extra shift. Should be a good one!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPH.....AGAIN!!!

Today was a party day for Steph and I. We save the celebration for a saturday so we can have a full day!

It began with a yummy brunch of waffles, white sauce and berries. Followed by a workout at the gym...Aquafit. Generally a fun time for Steph and I. Not the case today. It was in the deep end and frankly, I just sink. Very frustrating.

Then we went and saw Pride and Prejudice in the cheap theatre. Ahhh....love.

Off to Kristi's personal spa....in my very own bathroom....where we did foot scrubs, in candlelight while drinking glasses of chocolate milk. Then a little foot massages with lotion and painting of the nails...sparkling sand was the color of choice.

Dinner was at Red Lobster....mmmmmm...shrimp!!!

And then, SURPRISE!!!!! A party for Steph at our appartment! She was totally surprised! All of my lying today paid off in the end! A huge thank-you to all who came on such short planning notice! You are all irreplaceable! It was wonderful to have you celebrate with you! THANK-YOU!

...now tea with my husband whom it feels I haven't seen in a few days....and then bedtime! nite!

What?!!!

-28 and feels like -41??????

It's 6:10am and news like that before braving the cold is very intimidating and makes me hate the cold we live in. I'm already cold just thinking about stepping outside! It just doesn't seem fair that it is allowed to get so cold where we live.

Ok. Enough of that complaining.

Back to work for me for the next two days. I had a pretty crappy sleep, but I'm actually looking forward to working today. I usually enjoy work when I'm there, but kinda dread going (a huge part being the newness of my job and fear I sometimes feel about what I might face). Today, I'm kinda looking forward to it!

I had a nice 3 days off! I spent all day monday and tuesday at home, with the exception of evening engagements! Birthday dinner for Steph and mom, prayer at our place and yesterday was Valentine's day for Shane and I. It was a really nice few days off! I should stay home a little more often on my days off! I like my home!

Ok...off I go. Pray that I don't freeze to death!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!

HAPPY 21ST BIRTHDAY, MY FAVORITE SISTER, STEPHANIE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY MOM TOO!!!! (We like to double up birthdays in our family!)

So, tonight we party! A yummy family dinner at Olive Garden! Mmmm.....breadsticks, salad and the best raspberry iced tea ever!!

Then on saturday, Steph and I get to spend the whole day partying! I still have to plan the day! Yikes! It will be great to hang together and celebrate Steph's birthday! I'm definitely looking forward to it!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SOME OF MY FAVORITE WOMEN ON THE PLANET!!!!

Dreams....

Oops! I slept past my alarm this morning! There is one bonus about a husband that doesn't always sleep very well - he can wake me up and save the day! I sure don't normally do that, but I was in the middle of some interesting dreaming.

So, on the topic of dreaming, I was wondering if there are some experts out there that know what things in dreams sometimes mean. Here is a few to throw at you!

1. Cars - usually ministry, right?
2. Open waters, like the ocean -
3. Bales of hay -
4. Photos -

I have a few of my own thoughts on the meaning of these things in this particular dream. Just thought I'd get some other views!

A day from.....double hockey sticks (a reference to a swear)!

What a crazy day. Out of control!

I had a nuty day on the postpartum ward. I did 4 discharges today. And the worst part was dealing with a sickly baby...who didn't belong in the normal nursery. I fretted over him all day...to finally get him back to NICU by the end of the day shift.

I was so overwhelmed. It is often like that on that particular ward. And I cried. I tried so hard not to. But then I met a nurse that I know from L & D in the hallway on the way back from NICU and she asked why my day was so insane. When people ask that question, it is just the last straw sometimes. I didn't allow myself to bawl like I totally could have. I just teared a little.

The evening part of my 12 hour shift was totally different. Very nice. Totally in control.

One more shift to go until the festivities of the week begin - Steph's birthday and Valentine's Day!