I love my new job!

I've had two days orientation so far, but I already know that I am going to love this job! I've started IVs on kids ranging from preemie, new born that day, to 17 years old. And apparently I'm pretty good! I seem to be better at it under pressure because we've had several kids who have already had other nurses try to get IVs on them and been unsuccessful. They call us in and as soon as we step in the room, the child is crawling up the wall! There is always two of us, because we usually need someone to hold the arm, leg, or head of the child so we can get the IV in. On a couple of cases we have needed two people holding the child down while I put it in! And the parents are there watching the whole thing. Luckily I've been able to get it in the first try! I actually had a room full of family, when putting in an IV for a 4 y/o, and just as I was about to put the needle in, the grandmother stood up and snapped some pictures! Not something I would think you'd want to put in the kids scrapbook for the memories!
I've been oriented on placing PICC lines which go from the forearm into the superior vena cava. I'll get to use ultrasound to place them, scalpels, lidocain, and then I get to suture it into place as long as the tip of the catheter is in the right place. We have to get an x-ray done in the patient's room to check that. I'm excited to try my first one, knowing full well that anything can happen! The one I saw placed went so slick that I got excited to try my first one. I know this probably sounds a little (or a lot) morbid to some, but I get a rush everytime I see that flashback of blood in the catheter and I'm able to advance it into the vein with ease. I know Annaleigh will agree with me, it's COOL!

I joined the work force!

I got the job I wanted at Primary Children's this week! I had an interview every day last week except Friday and was at the end of my rope trying to find sitters for my girls while I drove north to these interviews. PCMC was on Monday and I didn't think I had interviewed well. I don't do well with 3 other people on the other side of the table asking me questions about how I would handle stressful situations that I may come upon. I answered the best I could, but didn't feel well about it. I didn't hear from them until Tuesday, this week, and by then had told the hospice/home care center that I would take the PRN job as a case manager. I was worried about the scheduling for my family, but thought we might be able to work it out. When PC called I was ecstatic! It was scheduled time, and I could work my way into a full time position if I wanted to AND keep up my skills! I will be on the IV team and we are responsible for placing about 95% of the IVs and PICCs placed in the hospital. This is evidently a very respected team at the hospital and I'm really looking forward to improving my skills in this area! Yeah! I'm really excited to start! And I should be able to work night shifts on weekends and then sleep while Derek is home with the girls. Again, so excited!

Erin is baptized and lovin' it!

We were excited that Lauri, Jay, Kyle and Mark happened to be in town at the right time!


Most of the cousins that were there


The proud family of Erin N Kobe


I think Erin is glowing!


Erin was so excited for her day!

Today Erin was baptized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! She couldn't wait for this day to come. She was up before 6:30am because she was so excited! Her daddy was able to baptise her and confirm her on the same day. Derek gave a very short talk, (they say to keep it short for the kids, but I think the parents appreciate it too) then Erin's parents, Aunt Laura, Aunt Erin, Uncle Kyle and Uncle Trevor sang Dearest Children, God is Near You. There were three other children being baptized that day, one from our ward (another Aaron). Erin was the third to go and she looked so nice all it white (I need to get a picture or two from you Dad). We really appreciate the family support and love shown to Erin on her day! She was born into a great family if I say so myself! We then went to, as Morgan lovingly calls it, Chuck A Grandma, or as the rest of us would call it Chuck a Rama, at Erin's request of course! We were having an open house today and wasn't able to entertain at home afterwards. I have to say... I'm ok with that! I may just do it that way again for Morgan's...we'll see. It's been a good day, but everyone is beat! We did manage to go home long enough to change clothes. I sent Shannon upstairs to change her clothes and went to change mine. I then went upstairs to check on Shannon and she had fallen asleep on the floor in fetal position with one arm in her dress. I woke her up and she told me "I can't get my dress off!" So we'll just take a rest on the floor until Mom comes to help me! I should have taken a picture, but we were in a hurry to get out. Again, thanks to everyone who came and everyone who was there in spirit. It made Erin's day even more special for her! We love you all!

TEN YEARS AND STILL TICKING!

Derek and I celebrated our 10th anniversary yesterday and can you believe it, we still like each other! Just kidding! I love him more today, than the day I said "yes"! So for those of you who don't know Derek very well, or at all here is a little taste of the guy I call "babe"!

1. Derek has been blessed with 4 girls (sorry Derek no boys in your future)
2. Derek loves to get out doors and go...snowmobiling, motorcycling, boating, camping...you name it he likes doing it outside!
3. He can't stand not being busy. He needs to have something to do all the time.
4. He has a very sweet tooth! He loves chocolate when he has the munchies!
5. His favorite color is yellow.
6. Derek's dream job is to own a charter service and fly jets.
7. He likes to sleep in...a lot!
8. He loves spending time with his family...yah us!
9. Derek is 6ft 4inches

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST..

10. Derek is an awesome and loving husband and father!

I LOVE YOU BABE!

I've been inspired!

Watching Kara and Karli becoming quite the pros at the ol' camera thing has inspired me to dust off my camera and take those pictures of Shannon in her "not-cowgirl boots"!

A true "not-cowgirl" learns to sleep anywhere!


At least it's not her sleeve!

DRAMA....at the Kobe home!

The culprit.....

The victim.....


The accusers....

While I was making Erin's birthday dinner, Erin said "Mom! There is a huge spider out side!" I went to look, and, I'll admit, at first glance it looked real. So I went to get my shoes on to take care of it, when the girls started to scream bloody murder! Sam is outside and really excited to have everyone near the door so he is jumping around the "spider" and the girls are worried he is going to get hurt. Very sweet, but VERY loud! Lauren was scared and started to cry, so I hurried outside and felt very sheepish when I got closer and noticed that it didn't move. I showed the girls that it wasn't real, but Erin ran into the laundry room and shut herself in! I swept the toy aside and went in to put my shoes away. Erin wouldn't let me in! She thought I was going to throw the spider at her! What kind of mother does she think I am? I should have! Erin wouldn't even get the toy spider for me to take a picture. I had to send Morgan out to get it for me! I'm going to hang onto it for future use...because that's the kind of mother I am!

Evening Crazies

In the hospital we talk about our elderly patients sometimes getting the "evening crazies". Well, we have a younger version in our home and her name is Lauren.This was last Sunday and she was bored, so I had a pair of tights that already had a hole in them. So, naturally, they go on her head!....And she loved it! Of course, once her sight has been altered, she feels the need for speed...in any direction!