Grateful

So I have an amazing life and so much to be grateful for. I often don't remember how much I have so I am taking the time to list the most important things in my life.

My parents are my heroes. My dad has been as source of strength and love for me my whole life. He's always there to help me when I need it and even when I think I don't. My mom is so patient and my best friend. I talk to her all the time and she is still teaching me new things. Seriously, without the love and support of my parents I would not be where I am right now.

My siblings are entertaining. Scott is the smart older brother who has put up with a lot of my crap over the years. Amber listens to me and lets me invade her house--I could not have asked for a better older sister. Mark always makes me laugh and is a great example in how he treats those around him. Kevin is so amazingly talented--I wish I had your cheeks bud. Kristi has way to much energy for one person but she is my mini me! Kalli is the sweetest girl and always tells me she loves me. Weston is the biggest guy in my life--his giggles, small hugs, and simple daily discoveries continually make me laugh.

My testimony. My parents helped me understand from an early age how to develop a relationship with my Heavenly Father. It is because of this I have felt His love, guidance, and support through my whole life. He is the reason I live the way I do. I love the peace that comes from the scriptures.

My friends. You know who you are and why I love you. Thank you for making me laugh and putting up with my craziness.

My music and books. I have a small addiction to any type of music and love to blast it my car, my room, or any area. I can't sing very well but its fun to pretend. I love to read and will read whatever I can get my hands on--you should see my collection. I get lost in bookstores and get lost in the worlds that books create.

My job. I know I talk about this a lot but I have a job that I love. I am pushed beyond what I thought I could handle and yet still come out on top. Some of my best friends are at work and always help me laugh and understand me when I cry. Plus who can deny the adrenaline rushes that come :D.

Various other things: Driving by the temple when its lit up in the darkness; listening to the rain while drinking hot chocolate; Christmas music; sleeping in my comfy bed; my beautiful blue car; celebrity boyfriends; being able to take pictures; traveling all over the world; and so much more.

Why I Became What I Am

So I've been thinking for the last few days about why I really became an emergency room nurse. Here are a few reasons.

1. I want to make a difference in the world. I want to help people when they are at their most vunerable and let them know someone cares.
2. I want to never stop learning. Everyday when I go to work I never know what to expect. I always have to stay on my toes and alert to what my patients are doing.
3. I want to be challenged and pushed. I love figuring out new diseases, processes, and procedures. Nothing ever presents the same. I wanted to break out of my shell.
   
4. I want to better understand the human body--it fascinates me. I love seeing how the body heals and protects itself!
5. I want to uplift those around me including my coworkers--who are the best people by the way. I wanted to be in an environment where the staff works together.
6. I want to be an adrenaline junkie--I live off the adrenaline that comes when we are slammed or doing CPR on a someone bringing them back from the brink of death.
7. I want to see on a day by day how the Lord's hand works in peoples' lives. Some of the most spiritual experiences have come when watching a human being leave this world or fighting to live. The Lord makes this call, not me or anyone else, no matter how hard we work.

One of the coolest experiences I have had so far in my short career as a nurse happened this week. I was floating and went to cover a lunch. I get report about an ambulance coming: Older man, Glascowed at 15, difficulty breathing. I get this report as I watch the paramedics wheel around the corner with an older man who was clearly not conscious. I give the doctor a heads up and run toward the room. IV in, blood sent, Cat Scan ready to go within 10mins of being there. The patient was unconscious and would not respond to anything but deep painful stimuli. We were really close to putting a tube down his throat right away. After all the tests we did, including an MRI, there was still no change in his condition and we could not find anything wrong except that his blood pressure was through the roof! All his labs, scans, and EKGs were normal! Becky and I tagteamed this one and he ended up in the ICU for a few days. I got a recent report that he was no longer on the vent and actually talking to his family. I don't know if anything Becky and I did anything to change his outcome but it was good to hear that he was still going strong! Considering my code from a few hours before this didn't make it.

Okay another perk to working in the ER is being a part of the crazy people that we encounter. That same night we get an ambulance call saying "we are enroute to you facility with a few patients who have been at a party eating cookies." We all looked at each other for clarification. Yes, they had said cookies, however, these cookies were laced with TCH. The patient I got was totally faking it. I love how my sixth sense has gotten better in figuring out when people are being dumb. I stuck an ammonia capsule under her nose and she fought me. Oh the fun and stupid things people do.

So yeah nothing else is going on in my life sorry. My life really is pretty simple nothing to big going on. But despite my crappy schedule and the fact that my job is emotionally and physically draining--I love it!

Private

Okay so like most of the Blogging community lately I am going private to avoid the many creepy people out in the world. Leave me your email if you want to keep looking at my somewhat entertaining life.

BYU Football & A Great Weekend

So in trying to be a cool sister I'm trying to spend individual time with each of my siblings. This past week I took Kristi to the last BYU Football home game. Anyone who knows this girl knows how much she loves BYU! She knows all the players and will hurt anyone that mentions U of U. I got into the game and lost my voice a little bit for the rest of the day. Kristi and I joked and just had fun! Oh how I love Kristi, plus our shirts were the best!

After the game, in order to avoid the massive amounts of traffic, we headed to Amber's house and played with her and Weston. I taught him how to sick out his tongue and spit. He became fasicnated and tried to grab my tongue.

This weekend was great--my first full weekend off in a long time where I wasn't a gimp. I LOVED going to a full three hours of church, playing with my friends, and going to an Angel Tree dinner with my family. I love this time of year and I'm totally getting into the Christmas Spirit. I love shopping for other people and the service projects that always come up. I've been amazingly blessed in my life and often ask why I am where I am. After years of debating this I came to the conclusion it is so I can lift others and use my resources to help those around me. I love the Christmas Spirit and have vowed to get into it sooner! (Plus its an excuse to listen to Christmas music)

Beauty

I love photography and look for every opportunity to take pictures. Sunday I drove up around the Provo Temple while it was raining and took these. One of my favorite ways to relax is to read and listen to the rain.

Halloween

I absolutely LOVE Halloween!! What better Holiday is there besides Christmas? Here are some of my favorite things:

• The excuse to eat all sorts of candy and junk food you can in 24 hours--serious I don't think I ate healthy thing today.
  
• I get to watch Garfield's Halloween, The Village, Its the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, and any other scary movie.
• Seeing cute little kids running around yelling "Trick or Treat"
• Dressing up in the most dramatic over the top costumes that I can think of!!
• Seeing all my friends and coworkers dressed up--HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
• Starting November 1st bring on the Christmas Music
  

So once again I had to work on Halloween but it was so worth it!! I had the most amazing costume and made it all myself. The night itself was slow enough that we got a little creative. Seriously, I have never had a Friday night like that. We were so slow that I let my student practice an IV on me. But the best part was all my coworkers that dressed up:

I was an evil/devil fairy this year--this picture make me look Incredibly pale! I love the boots :D

The Hippy named Jeff and I'm not quite sure what John was.

Lauren was so entertaining, especially the hot looking teeth! Plus John just had to show off his legs!

There really are no words to describe Levi

Aren't we creepy looking--Rachel I love you!

Hello Cruella Devil!

My fairy in crime--Becky and Richard Simmons--aka Justin

Mullet Central-Chris, John, and Sam

Creepy Rach just plain Creepy!!

Sorry Boys--Melissa is just that much stronger than you!

So my awesome brother and sister brought Weston into see me, where he proceeded to charm the entire ER! Oh that meant a lot to see them! I brag about them a lot at work so it was fun to show my coworkers that they do exist!

I LOVE Halloween!