1 Month Early Birthday

For the Holidays we got Protesters! As we waited for the verdict on the Mike Brown case we counted down the minuets until the verdict came no inditement. We watched the craziness in St. Louis, especially Ferguson as their city was destroyed to pieces. We especially liked the event where all the protesters got near ABI where Chris works. We watched as they stood under the bridge. That's the bridge that's my work! It was kind of funny to see that the protesters were literally right where Chris works. Yet, the next day everyone showed up for their clinical appointment...We even had a whole hour dedicated to the whole shindig at church today. 

So that was the start to the Holiday Season, Thanksgiving was a peaceful day. I didn't see any protesters on the way to our friends house which was nice since the day before I44 was blocked off. Thanksgiving Feast was a hit! Thanks Pappy's! Chris and I love their ribs... seriously BEST ribs ever. I am not even a huge fan of ribs. That says something for having it for Thanksgiving. Everything was delicious, the coconut sweet potatoes, the fruit salad, the green bean casserole, mashed potatoes. Mmm but the best part was of course our company, it was nice to be able to celebrate Thanksgiving even though both our families were away. I think Chris and I are getting used to it since it's been a while since we have gone home for Thanksgiving. We played Mexican Horse Races... Chris's game wasn't sure if everyone knew what was going on..and we played Wolf. Guess who got out first? Ya me and Chris sought me out! He just knows me too well. 

Because of our busy schedules: Finals coming up, Chris going to San Diego, Being on call, and going home for Christmas, we decided to celebrate my birthday this weekend! 

Friday night I drug out Chris to go Black Friday Shopping at the Outlets. Honestly, Black Friday is a bust there really is not many good deals but I'll always take a shopping trip:). 

Saturday morning we went on a gorgeous hike on a gorgeous day! It was in the 60's this weekend and perfect hiking weather. We went to Hawns Hiking about an hour south of St. Louis. We hiked for a little bit and then went back and got some Pi Pizza. My favorite! To end the birthday extravaganza we went ice skating in Steinberg Ice Skating Rink, Chris and I both agreed probably one of the coolest ice skating rinks we have ever been to. It had the feel of Rockefeller center with a cool burning fire. No Christmas tree though, I feel like they were trying to be politically correct while playing holiday songs and no stereotyping colors of Christmas. Had such a blast! Here is to year 23! One of the most stressful years in my life!!!

Maggie Posing like a Person

 Ice Skating at Steinberg Skating Rink

 Self-Timer, as my water bottle drops into the rushing river 

Maggie cocking her head as I am screaming to get her attention

One happy puppy

Vanessa, Lydia, and I taking a Indians and Pilgrims Shot

 Our St. Louis Family :)

Best Part... Doing the dishes...

Grand Jury Decision

That scene from Hot Rod where people from all corners of the city join in and unite with THAT epic song. Peaceful walking and then all of a sudden violent RIOT.
Bob McCulloch, the St. Louis County Prosecutor. Grand Jury of 12 people selected in May.
The group of 12 includes nine white people (six men and three women) and three black people (two women and one man), court officials said.3 autopsies
"The Decision"
40 degrees 8:17 P.M.
Drug analysis, toxicities, blood analysis
In Missouri, grand jurors don't have to be unanimous to indict, as long as nine of the 12 agree on a charge. BUT the decision was unanimous. 
No indictment of Darren Wilson.

"Peaceful protest" Obama says, half screen shot to the protests and they are rocking the police car. 
This will be an interesting week. Especially with Thanksgiving and all let me be the first to say I am grateful for a country that keeps me safe!
Clinical canceled tomorrow and no make ups? Unheard of but that is what is happening, I even researched my patient and all his medications!

In other news, last Sunday there was  a little bit of church drama. As we were standing up singing "Redeemer of Israel our only delight..." A woman passes out behind me. Orthostatic hypotension! A "reason why we don't stand for the hymns of Zion" something like that at the MTC Chris says they announce. I totally would have been the first one I could have checked her BP and Pulse! But the other 10 doctors in my ward beat me.

I am pretty excited for Thanksgiving, I am not cooking a Turkey like last year. That was an epic turkey, but we are going to go with Pappy ribs and burnt ends mmmmm so tasty!! 

A lot is going on this week, and finals are not too far away! I can't believe I am halfway through with my Nursing program and on my way to being an RN! I can't wait and love every second of it! Even the countless hours of studying nursing has lovingly given me :)

Nauvoo

We just love our Houston friends so much. The have come out and visited us twice within the last 4 months. We couldn't ask for better friends :). The first time around we did the typical St Louis tourists activities-- listed on my other blog. This time around we went to Nauvoo, Mark Twain's Boyhood Home, and Carthage Jail. It was an amazing weekend so nice to have a little break from nonstop nursing school. 

We started the weekend off with a little Ted Drewes. I had never been there before and thought we would give it a try. I love custard ice cream. In Utah, they also have a little custard shop that I used to go to all the time. This Custard place is a little unique in that they have all these unique flavors and mix-ins. So good! Lewis and Jesse got the best by far. PB cup, banana, and hot chocolate syrup. MMM! So tasty. Also, when they hand you the ice cream, they turn it upside down and give it to you. Since it is so thick the ice-cream does not fall out! Amazing..

We woke up early and set our trek to Nauvoo. We stopped in Hannibal where Mark Twain grew up. No they are not cannibals... 

Carthage jail was BY FAR my favorite. The spirit that was there was eminent and we all could feel the love for the prophet Joseph Smith. The women taking us on the tour also started getting teary-eyed at the end of the tour. I wonder how many times this happens to her. It is a very spiritual place but I felt that maybe we had a little different of experience. The spirit drew closer as good friends were coming to learn more about the life of Joseph Smith and where the Gospel of Jesus Christ was restored. 

Of course I had to tell the missionary workers that we had a descendant of Hyrum Smith in our group. They said they had a great great grandson of John Taylor come in just that morning. It is crazy to see the descendants of our ancestors Lyman Wight (sold Adam-Ondi-Ahman  to the Mormons) , Anson Call (bodyguard to Brigham Young), and Hyrum Smith (brother to Joseph.)

We followed Carthage Jail with a visit to the Nauvoo Temple. We wanted to do a session in the temple but it was closed! Bad timing. We still walked around in the chill 40 degree air and took pictures. 

We walked the old streets and went to Josephs Store and learned that the upstairs room was where the revelation for Relief Society took place! 

We went home with some good Old fashioned fudge, a Nauvoo Red Brick, a metal diamond ring, horse shoe, and a very tired puppy. 

Had a great weekend with some great friends 

Relief Society Revelation taken place here. 

Replica of original key

Josephs Store

Top window was where Joseph Smith fell when he got shot by the mob

Great Great Great Grandpa Hyrum and Great Great Great Grandpa Joseph...Any resemblance?? 

Bullet shot at the door

First week of Clinicals!

5:20 wake up call! We carpooled to Christians Hospital 40 mins north. Most people say you need to be careful when driving up to this area because this is the area you hear on the news, last nights shooting…
We had our pre-round meeting for the nurses and went over all the medications and what our patient had etc. We worked on the oncology floor which was pretty hard. Everyone who was dying basically was on our floor. My patient was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and renal failure plus she got MRSA while in the hospital. Not a pretty sight. She was due for surgery when I learned she was NPO. I thought I was going to be so bored today! Not even administering meds? Boy was I wrong!
My professor/ nurse called the OR manager and asked if I could go down and watch the surgery. They said yes and I got in the get up and wore the surgical hair net and shoes plus the scrubs. I even managed to take a selfie in the locker rooms :) The OR was amazing! I loved the adrenaline rush. This was the first time I witnessed medicine physically working before my eyes. The anesthesiologist put her under and taped her eyes shut. They sliced her nose in half and got all the infectious MRSA out. I thought HOLY CRAP! While they suctioned out half liter of blood and sputum. I mentioned to the surgical team that she has an ulcer on her left leg. After this they started asking me all these questions, is she diabetic? Any allergies? They got me a stool so I could see the whole surgery. After they were done the surgeon said she looks like Muhammad Ali. Probably because of her nose…?
The next day of Clinicals was interesting to… I wasn't there when it happened but another nursing student went into the hospital room with a tech. He was looking straight at them but not blinking…A little creepy but it happens… So they bagged him up and told us students that we were able to go to the morgue. He was a tall fellow so as we were putting him in the morgue we tried to shut the door. "pop" close the door again "pop" close the door and hold it a few sec. "pop" The door would not shut!!! So Kyle our strong nurse had to push his legs so that they were bent. He was a little stiff because by this time he was dead several hours. The door shut and as I walked out I noticed the morgue was right next to the foods services. Why is this? I have no idea…Wasn't very hungry the rest of the day.

Had to post a picture of maggie 

Super Super excited

Selfie!!!

Surprise Visit from Texas!

This weekend we got a surprise visit from Jesse and Lewis Wight our friends from Texas! It was perfect weather this weekend so we were able to go outside and walk around the arch. It is about 2 miles from our apartment so not too complicated to get there. After walking around and playing catch for a bit we went to Pie Pizza (Obama sent the Chef to the white house for an event). It is chicago style pizza, so deep dish and super tasty. The words from Lewis, "This is the best pizza I have ever had!" 

We had plans to go to Forest Park and watch the fireworks and decided we would bring Maggie…bad idea. First of our complications, we knew it was going to be horrible traffic so we thought why not ride the Metro? Once we bought our tickets we hear an announcement geared toward us, "No dogs on the Metro!" That was a change in our plans, so Chris and Lewis were wise…and went to the stop before and put Maggie in her carrier and slipped right on the Metro. Sly…The metro was coming from East Saint Louis and I think that may be the last time I ride the metro. On our way back a man started yelling at another older gentleman who was minding his own business lets just say there were several A, B, C, and F's used… I couldn't wait to get out of there.

The next day we wanted to show Lewis and Jesse The City Museum. It is hard to describe but it is basically a huge adult jungle gym made out of random objects. The best part were the slides and the free falling slide. I was a little nervous to go down one particular slide because it went into a black hole. The other little kids behind me were encouraging me saying, "You can do it!" As I dropped down into the abyss, Chris said just before "Just give her a little time, her mom just died riding this slide." Supposedly a little girl started crying. 

That night we had tickets to the 311 show. This was a memorable concert, The Urge (a local St. Louis band) opened for 311. The whole time I was wondering PTMFUS was. Then I found out when they stopped playing. Waiting in line for the disgusting portapotties the particular one I was waiting for the one farthest away from all the lines trying to get a somewhat decent one. I saw the red lock turn green and then red again. Chris was with me and we were both like uh nope not ready I guess. So then it finally opened green. A man walks out like no big deal and what do you know a women is in there coming out. Oh that is just lovely, I never saw a portapotty like that… "That johnny on the spot is leaking!" a man yells out. The women from the other bathroom tip toes around the massive puddle as chris joins in the oohs…

The second singer in 311 reminded Chris and I of Lewis Litt from Suits. The man could not dance and his voice sounded like "baby voice" as Chris and I tried to impersonate him. He definitely made the show. 

Maggie is all groomed. When we went to pick her up the groomer decided to leave all her hair on top of her head and shave it in a dome. She came out of the room bobbing her fro forward and backward. Needless to say, we thought it would be better to take off the fro…