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. :)