La Jolla Trip

A couple years ago, I was able to go to the CO River with my best friend, Beth, & her family. They had some friends (Tom & Sue) that were going to meet us there with their son & his wife (Chris & Joanne). Anyway, we bonded so strongly during that trip that they've become great friends! Beth & I were able to visit Chris & Sue on our cross-country trip from Calvin back to CA on our stop in Chicago. It's been fun seeing them here & there since the amazing trip to the river, & can only hope to be able to organize another trip like that in the near future.

Anyway, now that there is background.... Sue, Joanne, Beth, & myself were blessed to be able to spend the day together today. Joanne is here from Chicago visiting Tom & Sue, so we thought we'd get together & catch up yet again. We had a BLAST!!! We drove down to La Jolla & had some lunch. Here are a couple pictures from lunch:

From L-R: Beth, Sue, Me, Joanne

After some shopping & a lot of walking, we decided to drive back down to see the sea lions. It was fun to just see such a large group of these animals together. While we were taking some of the pictures, we even got to see some dolphins off the coast. They were too far to catch a good picture, but fun to see them, nonetheless.

Here are a few pictures of our time out by the sea lions:

The next few are all of the sea lions & the views from the look-out points:

Massive amount of sea lions...

Mommy & baby

My favorite clump of sea lions... check out the white one!

This one was posing for me

All in all... a WONDERFUL day with great friends!

Update on Dakota & Quinn

Dakota is FINALLY feeling better! I talked with Kate a couple days ago & she said things are pretty much back to normal. I could tell she was feeling better because Kate sounded more upbeat. So glad the little one is back to her normal self! :) LOVE YOU, KODY-BEAR!

Little Miss Quinn.... unfortunately, she had to be under lights to help decrease her yellow color (jaundice). The level they draw (bilirubin) was high on Monday, so Andy & Jess had to get lights brought to their house so they could treat it at home rather than in the hospital. She also had to eat strictly formula, which has been a big bummer for Jess (& Quinn too, I'm sure), but we're just glad it's all helping. Her level to day was down significantly from Monday, so we'll just keep waiting to see if she can stay off the lights, now. I'll try to keep everyone posted. Here are a few more pictures of the sweet one & her big brother.

Miss Quinn out from her bili lights for her feeding

Papa got to feed her a bottle

BIG YAAAAAWN!!!!!!

Sweet pea

I just <3 baby feet!!

"I'm a big brother!"

Giggles from a sweet boy...

"Trey.... where are your muscles?"

Trey: ...

Kody bear is sick :(

Poor girl....

I got an email today & have been talking with Kate the last few days getting updates on little Miss Dakota. She has been throwing up most of the last week & they had to take her into the ER tonight. She got an IV (after 2 pokes) & had some other tests run & was given IV antibiotics. after keeping some apple juice down, she was able to be sent home. If anything happens tonight or tomorrow, they were told she'd need to be admitted. Please pray for both Kate & Ryan as they both take care of their sweet heart, but also pray for Kody-bear! It's not too often she's super cozy with people, & Kate said she's been extremely cuddly the last few days.

Please...

PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!!!

~Auntie Em

Blessed Beyond Belief!

There's absolutely NOTHING like being an Auntie!!! Here's why...

This precious guy:

♥Trey Andrew Hugen♥

He's been so much fun having around the last 21 months!! I just love having play dates with the little man.

Then came this sweet pea:

♥ Dakota Ryan Koeman ♥

Her smiles will brighten just about ANYONE's day! I love being able to visit her out in MI & absolutely adore the time I get to spend with her & her family when they visit CA!

& now announcing........

♥♥♥ Quinn Everly Hugen ♥♥♥

Born March 22, 2010 at 4:40pm

7lb 15oz, 20in

Welcome to the world, sweet heart!

Mom, Dad & the little princess are both doing wonderfully well! Big brother Trey is adjusting to the whole "having a baby sister" idea.

Auntie Em loves you all!!!!!!

New baby on the way...

So it's taken me more than a few days to write again. Oops!! I must admit, it's just not my top priority to write about myself & what's going on in my life. I think the thing is, I don't feel like I have much to write about!

Well, I have SOMETHING to write about today. I got to take a few pictures of my nephew, Trey, & my sister-in-law, Jess. She's 37, almost 38 weeks pregnant with their second baby & she wanted a few pictures of her & T before the new baby arrived. I love playing with my new camera, so she allows me to have them as my models from time to time. :) Here are a few from Wednesday morning at Seal Beach...

Kisses for baby

Jess asked Trey, "Is there a girl or boy in mommy's belly?" He responded... "A GIRL!!!!!!!!" We'll see, buddy!

Trey looking at the water

Kisses for Mommy

My little man :)

Looking forward to welcoming a new little one to our family soon!! :)

Congested

So, I've been working the last couple nights & all of a sudden, I was completely congested. Which, by the way, is never a good feeling while working in a closed unit that has little to no air circulation! To help a sister out, someone called maintenance to clean a light fixture that was COVERED in dust. So, to add to the congestion, dust filled the room after it was cleaned. I was sneezing ALL NIGHT last night. I went to ask if I could get any meds for myself at the pharmacy, & the pharmacist did me a favor & gave me Sudafed. WHOA did that help! This morning I got home & was yet again, congested. I took Advil Cold & Sinus, but it didn't do much good. Any other suggestions for me?!

I'll try posting later tonight or tomorrow to help update everyone what's been going on in my life over the last year. Off to work I go from 3-7pm! :)

Bad Blogger

So.... I apologize for failing miserably at blogging regularly. I just looked back at my blog & saw it's been over a YEAR since I've blogged last. Bad. VERY bad. I am so very sorry to those of you that were following (not too many, but still...). I will do my best to do better. I have had a ton of things happen in the last year, so I will do my best to catch up in the next few weeks. How does that sound?

For now, I just redecorated the blog to give me a little more motivation. I will try to write after I get some sleep. Until then, goodnight!

~Emily

First Night Shift...

Tonight, I start night shift at the hospital. I'm nervous I'm gonna fall asleep on the job, but I think I might just be living off adrenaline at least for tonight. Please pray that all goes well and that I'll be able to sleep like a baby tomorrow before a second shift tomorrow night. I'll try to post more details soon about how things are going. :)

First Day!

Sooooo.... tomorrow's the big day! I have my first orientation day tomorrow at the hospital. I'm very excited to get going and to have something to keep me busy. I know this first week might not be all that exciting, but I'm eager to get through the basics and the hospital orientation so I can get into the NICU and do my thing! :) I'm so excited to see what God has planned for me during this orientation period and how I will be growing into the nurse He wants me to be!

A couple prayer requests:

1. I'm sick. I had a low grade fever today (in the 99.0-99.8 range) and my cold/cough symptoms are just brutal. I've been sneezing like I never have before, so please just pray for no fever tomorrow and for the sneezing and coughing to ease up.

2. I want to ask for a calm spirit. I'm so eager and excited, but I don't want to get caught up in that excitement. I want to learn the most I can and just soak up these first few days of hospital orientation.

Thanks for all the prayers and support thus far! I'm so excited for this day to finally be here!!

RN

First, I need to say sorry for not posting in FOR-E-VER. Clearly, I'm bad at this. Oh well.

Second, I took my nursing boards last week Tuesday and found out Friday morning that I PASSED!! I'm so excited to finally be finished studying and am on to the next step of my life! I'm a REAL nurse now!!! I contacted my managers and they told me I'll for sure be starting at Long Beach Memorial's NICU on October 26th. I'm extremely excited and just can't wait for what God has in store for me in the next months and years!

Thank you all so much for your prayers. I know God was with me while I took the boards and will continue to be with me as I begin my career! :)

Dancing with Jesus

Grandma Minnie went to be with Jesus last night. Even though we know she's in a better place, we tend to be selfish and wish she could be around longer just for us. My mom and I leave tomorrow morning for Pella, IA for the funeral and my dad will follow us in the early afternoon. The viewing is Friday night and the funeral will be Saturday at 1:30pm.

Please remember our family in your prayers-- safe travels, precious memories, and comfort for all of us. Those who will be there, but also those who aren't able to make it.

Grandma-- you will be remembered with honor and will forever be dearly missed. Love you!

Grandma Minnie De Jong

My family got a call last Tuesday that Grandma wasn't doing well. Her heart rate and blood pressure were EXTREMELY low and she was also somewhat dehydrated. My mom flew out to Pella, IA the next morning to be able to say her goodbyes in case anything happened.

The doctors were able to raise her heart rate and blood pressure, as well as work on an infection she had. They got her hydrated through and IV, but could not get rid of the nausea she was having. After a couple days in the hospital and not being able to get much down, the doctors asked if she wanted to have a feeding tube placed. She decided that just was not a way to live, and instead of agreeing, she decided to avoid any "heroic measures."

Today, she is very tired and is still in the hospital, but under hospice care. She will most likely be transferred to a comfort house tomorrow as long as there is an opening. My mom is still there and probably will be through the middle of this week. She told me that Grandma still has her good old sense of humor, which is great to hear, but that she continues to get more fatigued as the days go by. The doctors and nurses aren't sure if that is her body shutting down, or just because of the many visitors and the busyness of the last week.

Please pray for our family as we go through this hard waiting period, but also pray for Grandma-- that she will be comfortable through all of this and that she will be able to meet Jesus peacefully in His time.

Grandma Minnie and Me at Leslie's Wedding last summer

Auntie Carol, Mom, Auntie Judy, Grandma, Uncle Bob, and Auntie Lois
*** Not pictured: Auntie Linda & Grandpa***

Thank you for your prayers and support,
Emily

The New Hugen Addition...

TREY ANDREW HUGEN

8 lbs. 3 oz., 20 1/2 inches

Look at those feet! He's a Hugen!

My sister-in-law, Jessica, gave birth to her and Andy's son, Trey Andrew Hugen today (June 11, 2009) at 10:16am. Jessica and Trey are both doing wonderfully and Andy has been of great support to Jess-- he's jumped right in as Trey's daddy. I can't believe I'm really Auntie Em! Looking forward to seeing this little man again tomorrow!

Auntie Em with Trey

Nana was just BEAMING holding Trey

Proud Papa!

Papa Hugen & I just can't get enough!!

Home Safe and Sound....

My best friend, Beth, and I got home safely on Saturday morning. We were able to get our rental care back on time and now it's time to unpack and start studying like MAD for my nursing boards. I am scheduled for jury duty this week, but didn't have to go in today. I'll be calling the rest of the week to see if I have to report. We'll see. Otherwise, I'll be studying all day, every day. I'll post again soon with more details about the trip and possibly some pictures. :)

DONE WITH FINALS!!!!!!

I have completed all my finals and am officially DONE with Calvin College! I finished my last exam this past Friday afternoon and it has been so nice to have nothing hanging over my head this weekend. I'll be packing up my things, selling my furniture, and getting ready to walk across Calvin's commencement stage this coming Saturday. Beth Punt, my best friend, is flying out on Wednesday morning and my parents are heading out here on Wednesday evening. It'll be good to have them all here for such a special weekend!

I'm blessed to have a second family out here in MI, and I'm so glad I get to share the events of this week (Nursing Pinning and Graduation) with them. Some of my brother-in-law's family are able to make it to pinning, some close family friends, an aunt and uncle, and of course my parents, Kate and Ry, and Beth. Can't wait for the festivities!! :)

Packin' up and gettin' ready to head home to CA!!!

Stress

The stress is definitely building up now. I am feeling overwhelmed with the workload I have before me and especially with a couple computerized tests I have that are supposed to be predictors of how I will do on my nursing boards this summer. I'm just praying I get everything done in a timely manner and that God will give me the peace I need to complete those tests to the best of my ability. Please pray!!

The past couple weeks...

The past couple weeks have been pretty good out here in MI. The weather has been getting warmer, more sunny (with the exception of some rain and T-storms), and spring is finally developing! :) Now THAT is my kind of weather!

School continues to be busy with projects here and there. My clinical is going well; however, I'm getting ready to be done with the community work we're doing and get back into the hospital. Last weekend, my community nursing class worked at a clean up day at the community center. (Pictures below) Most of us worked on bringing mulch to all of the planters and into the garden with wheel barrels and then spreading it all out. It was a beautiful day! Unfortunately, while taking the last trip up the stairs, lifting wheel barrel, my back was tweaked somehow. I've been having back spasms ever since, and within the last few days I've been having some numbness/tingling in my legs. It gets better with movement, but as soon as I calm down again, it tightens up again and seems to be pinching a nerve. Since it's only been getting worse and the ibuprofen doesn't seem to do much anymore, I'm heading to health services in the afternoon tomorrow (hopefully) so I can get a prescription for an anti-spasmotic or a referral of some sorts. Please pray that the pain is relieved soon so I can sleep better and continue to be active outside. I hate having to avoid activity... especially when it's so nice out!

(L-R: Me, Laura, Professor Beth Gordon, Christi, Sara, & Valerie)

Last Sunday, I got to hang out with Kate and Ryan for the day. We went to church, out to lunch, and then vegged all day. It was nice to have some quality time with them for a day. :)


One of my housemates, Jessica, had a wedding shower today. It was so fun to be with all the girls and to celebrate all together. Her mom and a couple of her sisters came out from Saginaw, MI, so it was nice to see them as well.

This week, I have academic advising on Tuesday and Wednesday, so it will be a nice break from clinical in the middle of the week. I have a couple presentations tomorrow, but the rest of the week should be a breeze! :)

Graduation was 4 weeks away as of yesterday... we're all getting so excited, but we're also getting very sentimental and wanting to spend good quality time with each other. It'll be nice to be done with school, but strange to start something new all over again!

For now,
Emily

Update on Alaina

I got an e-mail from Steph today saying...

"Just an update- Alaina has Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia which is the most common type of leukemia in kids, so that's good because it's treatable and lots of studies have been done on it! She's starting chemo today so a few specific prayer requests:

- that her body will respond well and that all those bad cells will die quickly
- that Alaina will have peace- she's pretty scared and it's hard for her to understand whats happening.
-for her family"

Please keep praying!!

Alaina

I got news today from my friend, Stephanie, that her best friend's niece possibly has Leukemia. Her friend is very upset and it's hitting close to home for Steph too, but they are asking for prayers from anyone and everyone. The little girl's name is Alaina-- she is 3 years old. Please pray for her family and anyone else who is struggling with the news. The doctors think she'll be a fighter because she seems to be a feisty little girl, but pray that the Lord's will be done in Alaina's life.

One of my favorite songs that we sing at my church out here in Michigan is called, "Mighty to Save." Here are the lyrics:

"MIGHTY TO SAVE"

Everyone needs compassion,
Love that's never failing;
Let mercy fall on me.

Everyone needs forgiveness,
The kindness of a Savior;
The Hope of nations.

Savior, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.

So take me as You find me,
All my fears and failures,
Fill my life again.

I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in,
Now I surrender.

My Savior, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.

Shine your light and let the whole world see,
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus (x2)

My Savior, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.

My Savior, you can move the mountains,
You are mighty to save,
You are mighty to save.
Forever, Author of Salvation,
You rose and conquered the grave,
Yes you conquered the grave

The words are so powerful. The family is very fearful of what might be in the future, but I want to ask for prayer that they will feel God's presence during this difficult time. I'll try to keep you all posted as I get more news.

Thanks for your prayers!

Remembering Tyler

Today at Bethany, my church in CA, there is a blood drive hosted in honor of this little man, Tyler Verkaik. He passed away Sept. 6, 2007 due to an infection after receiving a bone marrow transplant the previous June. Please remember his family (both his biological and his family in Christ) as they remember his life today- he would have been 4 years old!