My 1st RN "job"

Friday morning I received a call from Dee Dee who was going to be the Confirmation 2 Retreat nurse, but she was feeling ill and ended up needing to be home with her kids for the weekend. So, she asked me if I wanted to do it. I did not think that it was just a coincidence that I had no assignments due over the weekend and I was feeling very called to do it. After thinking about it all day, I decided to go. Dee Dee was preparing me on what to do and expect, but she started freaking me out with all her stories, but I remained prayerful. While I was babysitting, but once all 4 kids went to bed, I looked up some med information for the teens' prescriptions and then left at 10:30 pm, picked up Brian and we headed up to Running Springs (arriving at 1 am).

It was a lot of fun being on the retreat this weekend, but at the same time, so strange being there in a different role (and also only knowing a couple dozen familiar faces). It was a wonderful experience and I am very thankful that nothing bad happened. Nothing occurred that a little advil, benadryl, pepto-bismal, or a band-aid couldn't handle. :) I was really scared to be there working as an independent nurse for the first time, but I knew God was there with me (and also Brian). I definitely think this experience has increased my nursing self-confidence and I look forward to using my skills to help like this in the future.

I included a couple fun pictures from today, hanging out with Jon and Megan. We missed our photographer, Dick, though...

Max vs. Rose

Well, I am not housesitting anymore, but I said I would post a picture of the mastiff and lab together so that you can compare sizes. So...here is Max and Rose. Both of them are soooo sweet!

Relaxin'

Well, it's spring break for me right now and I am thoroughly enjoying the extra time! I am still housesitting in Ladera, so I have been making good use of their Wii while I am still here. :) I love that thing and am actually thankful I don't own one because I would spend WAY too much time on it. :P I am in love with Wii Fit and this Endless Ocean game. (It's a diving game and is basically so realistic that I never need to go diving...I actually get scared in this game (so silly, I know), especially when there are sharks in front of me or nothing but black deep waters - lol). Anyway, I can't believe spring break is half over now, but it has been so nice catching up on some zzzzz's and lounging around watching TV and movies (like The Little Mermaid or Must Love Dogs). Well, that's all for now...better go do some more relaxin'. 

Meet Max

This is my housesitting buddy, Max. He's a mastiff...and he is extremely large! I don't think it even shows up that great in these pictures, but it was just to give you an idea. 

These pics were taken around Christmas time. The family also has a yellow lab, so I will try to add a pic of the mastiff and the lab together, because that helps compare the sizes. 

I feel like a celebrity or something when I walk this dog - every car slows down to see him, people stop to say hi, pet him, etc. It's pretty crazy. He is such a sweetheart though...I can see why they are known as "Gentle Giants." I am looking forward to hanging out with Max and Rose (the lab) for a few weeks! 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Well, I noticed that it has been a month since my last post, so I thought I should write something. I really don't have much to say except that school is still crazy! Schoolwork is really all that I have been doing these days. We are at the half way point in the semester!!! Very exciting...and I am really looking forward to our Spring Break in a couple weeks!

Since it is St. Patrick's Day, I thought I would add an excerpt from St. Patrick's "breastplate" prayer:

I bind unto myself today
The power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, His might to stay,
His ear to hearken to my need.
The wisdom of my God to teach,
His hand to guide, his shield to ward,
The word of God to give me speech,
His heavenly host to be my guard.

I love what this prayer says and should probably read it everyday! I hope you enjoyed reading it too. :)

Hanging in there

Well, as much as I hate school right now, it is definitely nice not knowing I'm alone. I got an email from a classmate today saying "I hate school right now, and I'm kinda wishing I was working instead!" Another classmate has her gmail message as "Hating School!" I think all of us in this right now hate it and are totally overwhelmed, but I have to say that I am so thankful for all the support of my friends. I seriously couldn't do it with out them/you! :) I think grad school is one of the hardest, most challenging things that I have done so far. I just can't wait to see how it all works out and what God has planned for me. For now, I will continue hanging in there!

Engagement Pictures

Well, I am housesitting today in Ladera Ranch - the mastiff and lab. It's nice having a quiet place to work on schoolwork. Anyway, I am on my laptop and realized that I finally can post a couple pics from our engagement photo shoot. :) So, here's a glimpse...

I don't want to show you too many, so just these 2 to "chew" on. :) By the way, these were taken at Oak Canyon Nature Center in Anaheim Hills, a place where Brian and I often hike/walk to. And we took these on February 1 - Super Bowl Sunday.

Our Engagement Party

Friday, February 6 was our Engagement party at Pam's house.
It was so much fun and a very memorable evening.
We really enjoyed having all our family and church friends join us to celebrate our engagement.

Some of my bridal party

Best Man & Maid of Honor

Finally a Registered Nurse

This morning I woke up to dogs barking at around 7 am. As I was about to go back to sleep, I was praying that I would find out today if I passed the NCLEX. So, I picked up my phone to call Brian to say good morning and I had a text from Meagan telling me to check because our transcripts were finally filed. So I did and there it was - my name with a RN license number! SO EXCITING! I couldn't believe my eyes...I was shaking...and I called Brian right away and he screamed! Haha!! I just can't even believe this day has finally come. Thank you, God.