Race in the Morning

Can't wait for the race in the morning!!

Debbie

Burning the Midnight Oil

Burning the midnight oil...literally. The past few days have been long ones as I've tried to catch up on things around here. Last night I got to bed after 1am...tonight it is already after 12pm but I am almost done for the day...whew!

Had a ton of homework to catch up on. I have sort of lost interest in my current classes as the semester is coming to a close...yet, I still have a test in each class plus finals. I'm getting antsy to just be done. Especially since I am officially in the BSN program at Vanguard University

I start classes January 11th. I am excited, nervous, and often think that I am crazy to be doing this.

Now I just need to figure out a way to pay the tuition!!

I worked antepartum yesterday - had a couple of really nice patients. It made my day go by faster!! I also did what was probably the most disturbing delivery that I have ever done. I can't go in to details because of HIPPA rules but just let me say that handcuffs and shackles were part of the event.....wild!!

Tomorrow, we leave for Oregon YEAH!! Can you tell I am excited. We are going up to watch the Biola girls team and Ryan run in the NAIA national meet. I am so nervous for the girls but Erika says they are pumped. It is going to be one hot race!! Actually it is cold and rainy there but I know are girls are going to be fast even in the cold :)

Once we watch Biola win the race then we are going to go visit my sister Dawn for a couple of days. We will get to see my niece Sarah perform in the Nutcracker and just relax for a couple of days. We don't get to see my sister and her girls nearly enough since they moved to Oregon. Wonder if we will attempt to make Christmas cookies like we did last year?? We were missing a couple of ingredients so they didn't turn out the best...but we sure had fun making a mess while attempting to cut them out! I'll try to post pictures as much as I can...that is, if I have any internet service at my sisters. If not...I'll catch up later.

Now though it is time for me to try to get a little sleep.....

Debbie

School Update

this will be a short post since it is late and I worked all day...

I finally finished writing my admission essay or 'statement of purpose' paper for the RN to BSN program. I have an interview in the morning with the director of the nursing program. I hope it all goes well and that I get in. I'd start the program in January. I am nervous yet also think things will go well. I'll let you know once I hear any thing.

On another note - I got to witness a fun delivery today. The doctor told the mother to reach down and grab her baby as it was about 1/4 of the way on. Momma did then dad jumped in there and they delivered their cute little girl together...the best part was the dads giggles. He just couldn't stop - they were both so happy and it was so cute. Made me think that I have the coolest job!

Debbie

GSAC Champions!

This weekend I drove up to Fresno (seemed to take forever this time ~ 4 1/2 hours). It was so worth it though, for I got to see the awesome Biola cross country teams compete in GSAC (Golden State Athletic Conference). Both the men's and women's teams ran hard and fast.

And the women came out #1.

GSAC CHAMPIONS!!

I am so proud of all of these athletes. They have trained long and hard for this. Not only are the great runners ~ they are truly men and women with hearts for God. They are courageous, sweet and humble and I love being around them!! You can read about the race and get race results by clicking here.

Erika is 4th from the left.Having fun as usual with all her friends.

Coach Zimmerman also took home the 'coach of the year' award. I know he is happy and proud at the moment. Yet, they still have work to do...for they are now on their way to Nationals!

One of the men, Ryan Richert, also qualified for Nationals. That race will be held in two weeks in Vancouver, Washington...and yes, we already have our tickets purchased for that trip. It is going to be one fun, yet grueling race as they try to take Nationals this year. (last year they came in second...just three points behind the first place team). But for today, they can have some fun and celebrate a great race! There's my cute Erika again - wearing the Biola banner :)

You girls ROCK! I am so looking forward to watching you run at Nationals.

Debbie

This week

I've been a terrible blogger again lately. Maybe because I've just been busy living life and blogging takes time...great excuse isn't it?? Yet, it does surprise me when I look and see that a week has passed by and I haven't said a word.

Really, All I have been doing is working...and wondering why it is that all of my patients lately seem to deliver at the end of my shift...making it hard to get out on time...yet, at least I can see the fruit of my labor...The delivery. It is fun to be able to see the patients through the whole labor, then get to see their baby. But an hour earlier would really fit in to my schedule better. As if my schedule has anything to do with when a baby comes in to the world?!?!

Taught our perinatal hospice class last week and had to go in extra for a new computer system class. Extra hours, but I really like my days off to be spent at home...not on extra stuff at work. I know...be thankful I have a job...

School has been crazy too. Two exams this week. Aced the math test but only because I have decent test taking skills...not because I knew what I was doing. HA! Tomorrow we have a chemistry test. Wish me lots of luck!!

I've applied to the RN to BSN program. That is a scary thought, but one that I have been working towards the past couple of years. I should start in January if all goes well. Then we will see about getting that masters one day.

Voted yesterday. Only thing I will say is that I am glad that prop 19 failed - legalizing marijuana?? Who thought that one up?? Just what we need - making it easier for women to take drugs. I recently had a mom who took "medical marijuana" for her nausea. How responsible is that? And it isn't even legal at this point. How are we going to protect the innocent womb inhabitants if we make drugs legal?? Actually, how do we protect them now?? Just food for thought - I'm really not one to get in to all of the political stuff.

Of course Halloween came and went. This is probably my least favorite holiday. I like to see the kids dress up and I know that it is fun for them...I just don't like all of the scary things that go along with Halloween - like monsters and devils. Lily was very cute. She dressed up as Woody. I think she had just as much fun handing out candy as getting candy.

I about died when I saw this picture of my uncle dressed up. If you knew my uncle you would die laughing too. He would NEVER have done this in the past. His new wife has really changed him. For the better I think...doesn't he make a cute Dorothy??

Summer has struck again here in southern California. Record breaking heat. As in high 90's today. Weird weather that is for sure. I just hope it cools down by the weekend when Biola runs a big race up in Fresno. Of course we plan on driving up to watch the race. GO Eagles!!

My parents have been away on a cruise to the Panama Canal. They will be gone just a little over two weeks. It is different not being able to just call my mom whenever I feel like it. Not that we see each other every day or even every week for that matter...it is just nice knowing that she is a 5 mins drive away if I do want to visit.

Tomorrow I am seeing a doctor about this pesky cough / cold thing I have going on. I've been sick for the past month, have done two rounds of antibiotics and still can't get rid of this cough and shortness of breath. Figured it was time to get a full work up and get better. (I hear you...nurses are the worst patients....)

I know this is a random post. Just wanted to say hi to all of my blogger friends and family out there and let you know that nothing big is going on...just life stuff. Now I'm off to finish studying for chemistry...Oh joy!

Debbie

Wordless Wednesday

Welcome Timothy Addison

Last Friday I had the privilege of being invited to attend the birth of another baby from my church...Timothy Addison was born Friday,

Oct 15, 2010 at 1857.

I became friends with Pam and her husband Paul quite a few years ago. They had two children who have since grown up and have started having their own children. Three years ago, their daughter Patricia had little Matthew. I didn't take care of her then - in fact I didn't really even know her that well but I was at the hospital hanging out with Pam and I did get to take pictures when Pam's first grandchild was born. Earlier this year, I was able to attend another of their grandson's birth - which I blogged about here.

Since then, I have gotten to know Pam's daughter Patricia better ~ so of course when Patricia asked me to take care of her I told her that I would make every effort to be there.

Patricia was scheduled for a repeat C/Section at 3:30 pm - and as luck would have it the day was a crazy day on our unit. I wasn't scheduled to work but since they were so busy they welcomed an additional set of hands. They couldn't even get Patricia started so I admitted her as soon as I was able to get to the hospital. We got a bit of a late start, then my camera wouldn't work (hence I had to wait until Patricia posted some pictures so that I could borrow them for my blog), we got 'bumped' out of the operating room not once - but twice! And finally a little after 6 pm we were finally able to think about getting Timothy delivered. Patricia wrote a cute little story about his delivery on her blog which you can click on and read. Patricia and her husband Paul were such good sports about all of the delays and unexpected happenings. Finally ~ after waiting past her due date and then 3 more long hours this fine looking infant was delivered:
Timothy is healthy and weighed in at 9 pounds 9 oz! Not sure where Patricia was hiding that baby...I never expected him to be that big. He came out screaming - I think he was a little upset that we took him out of his nice warm home.

I've talked to Patricia since her delivery and she says they are all doing fine. She seemed so much more relaxed this time around and is really enjoying her little family and new son.

Congratulations to Paul and Patricia - and the grandparents Paul and Pam. I hope that I get to be around for all of your family additions!!

Welcome to our world Timothy Addison. You are just adorable! May you continue to grow big and strong. I can't wait to see you at church and watch you grow in to the man God has made you to be.

Debbie

It's Gone

My daughter Michelle has been talking about doing this for a long time.

She kept telling me that she was going to go for it.

She kept telling me that she thought it was a good idea.

Michelle already donates her blood on a regular basis.

She is on the national bone marrow donor list.

She donates her time to take photos at events like the microcephaly convention and even talks of taking pictures for my hospice patients.

Yet, I was still a bit surprised when I came home and saw this:You see ~ Michelle has had long hair for a very long time. I think the last time I saw her with short hair she was in kindergarten. Today she cut off her long hair to donate to locks of love. She is always giving, always thinking of others.

Here is a recent 'before' picture taken just a couple of weeks ago:

This is all that is left:

She is as cute as ever!!

Here's the tail that is hopefully going to be made in to a wig for some child who has lost his or hers.

You make me proud Michelle. I love you even if your long hair is gone - I know that it won't change the person that you are!!

Debbie