the nights by myself

this night schedule is really cool in some ways...and then kinda cruddy in others. for example, i got off work sunday morning at 730am. came home, talked with rob (as he had just woken up for the day) and was in bed by 930am. slept till 5pm, got up and went to dinner with rob...and came home and barely could keep my eyes open and it was only 830pm. i had just gotten off 3 shifts in a row so i was pretty exhausted. so, in bed by 9pm sunday night...and up by 1am. got up, worked on school projects and headed to the gym around 515 am. worked out and on my way home, stopped by einstein bagels to pick up a bagels for my class that day. jumped in the shower around 615 am, out the door around 7am and class from 8am-12pm. class picture & exit interview with the dean had me headed off campus around 3pm. came home EXHAUSTED with a headache and went to bed and woke up around 530pm. felt lazy and sluggish, finally got wendys for dinner and tucked rob into bed around midnight (after i had vacumned the whole house while he had 3 hours of hw to do). now, here i sit, wide awake with a tired puppy at 3am in the morning. ugh!! i love the night shift bc it lets me get up early and get lots of stuff done...but then i get tired early so have to nap and that just recharges me and leaves me wide awake all night...

Desert in Bloom & Weird Sleep/Wake Schedules

can you believe the blooms on that prickly pear cactus? the desert is in full bloom right now and it is unbelievable. there are yellows, oranges, pinks, fuschia, even purple...my favorite color! we had a lot of rain this winter and it has turned this desert into an incredible array of color.

the picture of the with the prickly pear cactus i captured on my phone. i was walking to my car after a class this past week and the colors caught my eye, i literally stopped midsentenced and said "rob, you wouldnt believe the blooms on this cactus! i gotta let you go so i can take some pictures!" this time of year goes by too quickly, i am trying to savor every minute of it.

...but its hard to do that when you are up all night and sleep all day! that is currently my schedule, it bites! even when i dont have to work, my body doesnt let me sleep until 3/4 in the morning. for instance, tonight i was tired after small group so rob and i went to bed around 945pm. at 1215am i woke up, wide awake. i tossed and turned till 115am and finally got out of bed. now, after watching some television (16 and pregnant, such a great show! i really feel for those teen moms), i am now on the computer. after finishing this post, i am going to start working on some schoolwork, that should put me to sleep!!

4 weeks till graduation, wow.

Orange Blossoms

Right now its the time of year in Phoenix where the orange trees blossom these small white flowers. I am not exaggerating when I say the whole city is permeated with this sweet smell. Its wonderful! The weather here is also gorgeous. 75 and sunny, not hot or cold. This is the best time of year around here!

My Very First Patient...

...All by myself! :D let's see, where to start. She is on a vent, has a NG and duotube, an A-line, 2 peripheral IV's, continous tube feedings, and she's on an insulin trip which I've been titrating all night. PLUS all her regular meds, pain control, ABG's...etc. All in a nights work ;)

Blogging from the ICU

Tonight is my 2nd night in the ICU and my 4th night shift. Tonight seems to be the easiest one to date, thank goodness :)

Tomorrow is my little bro's last night with us...and back to Colorado he goes. We have went out to eat a lot, went hiking, worked out, and played Risk which is a favorite of ours. Rob and Brian have also spent lots of time bonding over video games!

6 weeks and counting till graduation...

First Night Shift

Tonight is the first (of many) nights shifts. I work 7pm to 7am tomorrow morning. I am excited for the experience, but not for trying to keep myself awake all night! This is my first night as a nurse extern in the Trauma ICU at JCL. My passion is critical care nursing and to work in this ICU is an accomplishment and a huge opportunity for me to start my nursing career in a specialty I love! Wish me luck for tonight!

Exciting News!

The last few weeks has been rainy here in Phoenix, and its not even monsoon season! I know some have enjoyed the rain, but I am not one of them. I am missing the sunshine...bad! Rob and I have been very busy the last few weeks and I have some very exciting news!

Rob finished on of his classes for this semester tonight, Systematic Theology. He really enjoyed the class and to be, the title sounds like a class he would enjoy. He is halfway through his program, which is really exciting! I can't believe that he is almost there. He has worked really hard but I have seen him grow spiritually as well, which i think is really neat.

I am starting my last 8 weeks of nursing school...and it's not as easy as everyone before me has said it is. Maybe its just because I havent started it yet, and i just see all of these due dates looming out before me. I am also doing my praciticum during the night, so i am a little anxious about working nights. But the real exciting news is, i was just offered an externship position this evening in the ICU at the hospital i work out! I am beyond excited. this is a rare opportunity and I have really worked hard to get to know different nurses on that floor and show them that i am worth the "chance". God also has given answer to a desire of my heart and for that I am so truly thankful for a loving and considerate Heavenly Father. wow, He is amazing.

I know we havent been keeping up on here lately...i guess when you are tired and have been typing on a computer all day for "work", its hard to get on here and type some more! Hopefully, when i start working my steady nursing job and the craziness of grad/NCLEX fades, i will be better about getting on here.

right now though, we are busy with deadlines and due dates, graduation plans, and wedding plans for my brother and his fiancee Andrea. we will be flying out there in may for their wedding and i am so excited to get home.

sonora and socrates are doing great :) no news is good news i guess in regards to them!