3

I think Landon and I have finally gotten this anniversary thing figured out. We had such a good time celebrating number 3. We went shopping during the day, went to the melting pot for dinner and then stayed in the "Sun Valley Lodge" suite at the anniversary inn. ♥

Landon and I have developed a great tradition for our anniversary: every year we discuss what went great, what we could do better and then say one thing we are really going to work on for the following year. I know it sounds like a new year's resolution (you know, never happens) but it has been great for our marriage and has really made huge differences in the way that we relate to each other. I don't think I can adequately express how I feel about Landon or what he means to my life, but I will say that I ♥ being married. These last three years have completely changed me as a person. If I could sum my existence up in one word right now it would be content. I like where we are, I like where we are going and I am so in love with my husband. Here's to a fabulous fourth....

My new home

Intermountain Medical Center.... IMC. Lately it seems like this is my home away from home. I am here on Mondays, Tuesday, and Wednesdays for clinicals and then I venture on up to the rehab floor whenever I have time to sit with my Grandma. For those who don't know, my Grandma had a hemorrhagic stroke 3 weeks ago when she came down to Utah for the Jazz game and has been recovering here ever since.

I have been thinking alot lately about this career that I have chosen, and watching someone that I love struggle back to health has given me an entire new perspective on medicine. All of a sudden an IV bag is not just something I need to hurry and change, but something that is helping to pull the fluid off of my Grandmother's brain, a feeding tube went from something that slowed me down while giving morning meds to the only thing that is providing nutrition to the woman who has fed me countless times throughout my childhood. I am suddenly grateful for this hospital: for the smells, for the medicine, and for all the people who save lives everyday. It really is different to see this process from the eyes of the patient's family. I hope that I can carry this feeling and this lesson with me throughout my career in healthcare and remember that every patient is not just another case, not just someone I need to chart on... but a real person with feelings and worries and loved ones. My Grandma is a fighter and I know she is going to pull through this, and if I had to come to this hospital every day for the rest of my life: I would be happy to call it my new home.

Pros vs. Cons

Cons:

Monday- Work from 10-4 pick my patient at the hospital at five and have med cards, nursing diagnoses and patho complete. Finish online ATI exam by 9:00

Tuesday- Arrive at the hospital at 6:30, leave the floor at 2:30, attend post clinical conference until 3:30. Complete patho, med cards, lab data and nursing diagnoses for new patient

Wednesday- Arrive at the hospital at 6:30, leave the floor at 2:30, attend post clinical conference until 3:30. Finish up entire care plan for Thursday morning and study for any exams/quizzes

Thursday: Hand in nursing care plan by nine, attend class from 9:30-3:30 or 5:30 depending on the week. Study for any exams/quizzes

Friday- Attend class from 9:30-3:30 or 5:30 depending on the week

Pros:

Meeting some of the most fantastic people I have ever met. I ♥ these girls (and boys) so much. Friday our research class was cancelled so we went to lunch and a movie. It is so good to have people that I care about around me all the time. They really get what it's like to deal with the stressors of school and everyday life. Plus, it doesn't hurt that they are just so darn fun.

Thanks for all of the fun times guys! I ♥ you and appreciate the fun day. And Landon, thanks for putting up with my super stressed out/grumpy self. It's nice to know you will always be in my corner.

He's a Celebrity....

Close enough, anyway. This weekend Colby raced in the X-games. It was a blast to go and watch him and I was SO proud! He did a great job and it was so good to see him live his dream! This was his first year and something that he was wanted to do his whole life. I remember him watching them when he was little and idolizing all the racers. He placed sixth in the first race and then had an unfortunate mishap (he crashed) in the second race. Whatever the place... he definitely had the largest fan club there (we love him a lot).

On a totally different note: I am considering starting a Facebook. Now, hear me out. I hate social networks, despise them actually. I think it's weird that people have more "virtual friends" than real friends and I hate the thought that someone can just look me up through someone who knows someone that I know. My nursing class has a Facebook page where all of our pictures are placed and I can never see them. So.... do you have a Facebook? Do you like it? Will I be totally hypocritical if I get one?! ( I already know the answer to this, so just validate me and comment "No, not at all. I think you should get one." That would make us good friends, the real kind.)

Do you feel safe...

...knowing this is what your healthcare providers are doing during med/surg? Just wonderin'...

Boy Meets Girl

Landon and Che', Che' and Landon. How did this combination ever come to be? It's a funny story actually, one that contains actual photographic proof. The summer that I met Landon I had been dating another guy for a few months, we will refer to him as the Anti Charming. The AC was a player, and always made me fight for his attention. Toward the middle of August, I tested AC's devotion to me by stating, "If you ditch me for your friends again tonight, we are over." To which he shockingly replied, "Fine." Well if you know anything about me and my super power ego, you will know that this devastated me. I called all my family and told them I was ♥ broken, my Mom sent me $100 in the mail for ice cream, and my friends all took me out to dinner. The day that I took the AC's random belongings to him at work, (let's be serious, he didn't even like that dingy T-shirt I had of his, and the CD was so scratched it didn't even play.... I just wanted to see him looking really cute so that he would beg for me to come back, this did not happen.) I was furious and jaded about all men in general. When I returned to my apartment complex I noticed a little, white index card on the main building door that said:

Date needed tonight to a concert in Salt Lake. Cute girls need only apply. Apt#120

Well that just infuriated me. I ripped the note off the door and stormed to the apartment listed. I pounded on the door and when it was opened I yelled, "What is the matter with you?! Can't you even get a date"? In front of me stood a boy with a smile on his face from one ear to the other. He laughed at my boldness and asked me inside. I went back to my apartment for a short while, but later went back to talk to the cute boy in apartment 120. His name was Landon Fullmer, he was a farm boy who had just gotten home from Iraq and who quickly became my Louise, my Clyde, my Buzz.... my best friend.

His roomate saw us talking on the couch that day and took this picture:

Immediately following, the same roomate said, "I dare you to kiss her." And this happened:

Yes, I swear these pictures were of the day we met. Our very first day. Don't judge me! It's so funny to look back on that day and think about my first impression of Landon. He was so much fun and was such a gentlemen (Most of the time. On our first date it was really hot outside, Landon opened up the door for me and when I got in he handed me the keys and said, "Start it up and let me know when it cools down" and then he shut me in.) I had never dated a guy that made me laugh like Lanny. Thank you for being such a low life, down right, pain in my dating butt Anti-Charming, you saved my life. ♥

Out of Hibernation

Hi All! I have decided the time has come to crawl out of my cozy, little cave and rejoin the land of the living. I had the most fantastic Christmas break. Landon and I lived in our pajamas most of the time and prided ourselves on squatting in my parent's basement for no less than two weeks. I won't bore you with the details but there were many, many games, movies, food and laughs. I loved getting to spend so much time with my family and debrief from my last crazy semester. I feel refreshed and am ready to charge back into nursing school!



My Grandma is the most adorable, little lady you will ever come across. Every year she gives us all matching clothes. This year the boy's vests were something to behold. As for my sweater... see for yourself :)

Gift of the year: Snuggies. Landon and I were surprised with these matching beauties. Don't be jealous. I hear they are on sale. (Don't tell anyone: but I have actually used it MANY times since this picture was taken, between you and me of course.)

Two words: A Dorable.

My parents were living in Limbo this Christmas (halfway between their new house and their rental mobile home.... yep, you heard correctly) as a result, Santa filled my Dad's work socks this year.

Thanks everyone for the great holiday and break. I love you guys so much! Don't give up on my sad, abandoned blog... I am back and running.