Off Again

Because this topic is still so fresh and saddening I figured I'd just leave a short and sweet blog post in an effort to reach everyone so I don't have to retell the story over and over.

Today I resigned from my job. It hurts because I still have a deep passion for obstetrics, but over the past week certain issues arose making it impossible for me to continue working in this position. I'm incredibly grateful to the coworkers and supervisors I only knew briefly due to my short time in this position. I know this is all pretty vague, but the details need not be shared.

Your prayers are appreciated and certainly welcomed as the future is so very uncertain for Phillip and I right now. This whole crazy situation is much more tolerable due to the love I've felt from friends and family.

Catch Up

I swear I never intend to write long, drawn-out posts, but then I inadvertently wait 24378924 years in between blog posts and I feel the need to catch you up on our recently rapid lives. I will do all in my power to keep it short and sweet.

What has changed since my last post? Here we go:

• Christmas with the families
• We bought a house (eep!)
• I quit my job
• I started my new dream job
• We went all crazygonuts painting/remodeling said new house
• I got way larger

Big things! I can't wait to post pictures of this wonderful home once we get it to where we want it. We're mostly through with painting (so close!). Next, we tackle the full bath. Then, floors. Then, who knows. Phillip and I both comment frequently on how blessed we are that everything with this house has gone so smoothly. I truly love this place and it's so funny to think this is the home where I'll have my babies, have friends and family over for celebrations and just for fun, cook so many future meals, and simply live out our lives.

Now that I've been at my new job for a few weeks I suppose I can formally announce that I left my endoscopy position at Lutheran for a position in the Family Birthing Center at Marion General Hospital!

You guys. You guys, you guys, you guys. I've only been on the floor a few days, but I'm ecstatic to finally be in the position I've been pursuing for so long. Plus, better pay so...bring on the laboring ladies and their babies!

Finally, the bambino. I've mentioned several times how difficult it's been for me to stay positive during pregnancy. Yesterday was a monumental turning point. We hadn't originally planned to do any further ultrasounds, but after some discussion we decided to go ahead with a mid-pregnancy ultrasound. While ultrasounds terrify me since they can always find bad, this ultrasound was SO MUCH GOOD. They took a good look at literally every angle of our little one and (I have to try not to cry as I type this) everything looks normal. I saw a strong, pumping 4 chamber heart; a long, curved spine; 10 tiny fingers and 10 tiny toes; a 3 vessel cord, and, of course, a tiny baby face! Oh my word Oh my word I love this little baby so much. That ultrasound gave me so much more confidence in this pregnancy and the life of our baby. All of this still really doesn't see real, but I'm so much more excited now. Finally! I'm excited! I've been feeling completely fine physically, but I want nothing more than for this pregnancy to be over so I can hold and love on my child. Only a few more months! My little one is about 2 pounds now!

I'll try to post more frequently, but with inconsistent internet, a screwy computer, and lots going on in the work/home renovation department...no promises.

So Much!

Missing this boy

You guys. Many of you are local so you get to keep up with the day to day life of the Oprie duo, but if you haven't been in the loop, I apologize (why do I always try to spell it appologize?!).

I'm not even sure where to begin really! How's this: I have a job! I'm a week and a half in and it's going great so far! I'm working in the endoscopy department at Lutheran Hospital in Ft. Wayne. It's way less stressful than working the floor. This...is an excellent thing.

Next news: Phillip is on the road! He's on tour with Gungor doing lights and various stage/tech work. He left Sunday September 30th and he'll be gone a total of 6 weeks. So, we're a week a half down. He's having a great time and he's gaining invaluable experience so I am MORE than okay to be missing him for the next few weeks.

Next up: We are house hunting and I don't like it. There was a house we were liking, but when I called the realtor he informed me that an accepted offer had already been put on the house. Loads of poop everywhere. Oh well. We'll keep looking. And by 'we' I mean me since Phill is gone.

Finally: Leaves are on the ground, chill is in the air, the heater is on, everyone has their Northface on, and I am starting to regret packing our coats in the storage unit. Fall is my friend.

August

Some lively iPhone photos with my family from my amazing mama's 5 year work anniversary party. Congratulations Coach House Day Spa staff!

Life has been a little quirky lately. The big answer: we're both still job searching. We spent last week with my dear Tash and her new HUSBAND Jon (is this real life?!) in Nashville. I'd never been, so it was pretty exciting to be introduced to a new city. We've considered Nashville as a possible/potential/not-sure-if-I-can-really-handle-it place to live. Phill would likely have more opportunities in the tech/media/production job industry, we'd have some established friends in the area already, and we're only 6 hours from family. My first choice is to stay in the Huntington/Ft. Wayne area, but I know I shouldn't shelter our possibilities like that. 

So guess what? I actually have a job interview next Wednesday at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville! At this point I'm more nervous and confused than excited. It's exciting to have someone finally seek me out, but I'm just not completely sold yet. I was told that Centennial (like so many other butthead facilities) require 1 year of OB experience in order to work in their OB department, so I can't be considered for any of those positions. GIVE ME THE EXPERIENCE! Anyway, I'm interviewing for a post-op women's floor but over the phone I was told they also do post-op eye and bariatric. I don't know about all that, but I'll have the opportunity to answer all my questions at the interview. I feel that if they offer me a position I'm really in no present situation to turn it down. We wouldn't even have to move all our stuff down if we're concerned we won't love it. If we would take the risk and not love it, who says we have to stay, yaknowwhatimean?

Beside all of that craziness, Phillip and I are both really looking forward to spending Labor Day weekend with my big ol' Carmien side of the family at the family cottage in Bay View. Everyone in the above photos plus SO MANY more will be there. For the first time in a long time everyone will be there! It'll be crowded and amazing. The cottage is for sleeping, garage sales, games, food, Kilwin's, & bike rides. We'll be in the car a lot next week, but it'll be worth it.

Happenings

This week is, so far, shaping up to be a good one. I worked Saturday and Sunday, but Sunday was a bit special because even though I have yet to take the preceptor class, I was given a new hire to precept for the day. This adds to the ego boost I've been receiving at work, lately. I haven't shared much, because it's embarrassing...in a good way?...but a little over a week ago we had {what everyone thought was} a real deal JCAHO survey. STRESS EVERYWHERE TO THE MAXIMUM. Basically, this means everything has to be in tip-top shape. All things need to be in the appropriate places, and everyone needs to know everything ever made known ever. Because they can talk to you! And talk to me they did. Of course, they would choose one of my patients to do a chart review. Therefore, they chatted with me, with my supervisor present, and had me go through the chart while asking me some questions. They informed me, too, that they were simply the mock crowd to prepare us for the real JCAHO peeps.

Basically, they told me I did very well. Yay! After this, my supervisor would not stop talking about it and praising me to everyone she encountered. This, of course, makes me feel super awesome, but super red-faced whenever it's brought up.

Yesterday, I had the day off and since it was President's Day Phillip had the day off, too! We went over to our friends Justin and Heather's home for lunch, which turned into an all day awesome affair. Tasty food, sweet treats, games, and HIMYM. We had a super fun time. Also, I took this video of Margot dancing:

Another important tidbit about Sunday: IT WAS MY BROSTER'S {aka brother's} BIRTHDAY! He's all of 24 years old now. What makes this even better is that I get to see him in exactly one week! My aunt will be in Arizona all next week, Trey flies in on Tuesday, and then Mom joins the party on Thursday! I'm pumped.

This kid is super fantastically awesome.

He's a pretty good dude.
I love my brother!

Have a great week!

Cute & Witty Blog Title

I had a relatively busy week this week! I {finally} was able to pick up a shift with my part-time gig giving flu and pneumonia vaccines on Wednesday in between two work days at this hospital. Therefore, last night, after I got home from the hospital I was WIPED. I went to bed at 9:30 and, of course, woke up with a nasty headache. I was really bummed that I didn't get to enjoy a super night's sleep and feel lovely and refreshed, but the day ended well!

DATE NIGHT!

Like the crappy camera phone pic? We went to the Apple store to fix Phill's computer {thank God it ended up being a simple thing}, then to the exquisite China Harvest Buffet for a $5.99 meal. We like to keep it classy. Also, here's this:

It's not super noticeable in this pic, but my hair is getting really long! It's easier to tell from the back...and when I'm not wearing brown...

But the big news of the week...

WE'RE COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!

After nagging my bosses like crazy to check if I could get the time off, they finally took a good look at it yesterday and said I was approved! YAY! So, Phill and I booked our tickets today! Yay for Chase rewards points making it much more doable! I know Phill is excited in his keep-it-to-himself sort of way, but I'm more of the wear-it-on-my-sleeve sort. December 19-26 we're Midwest bound!

I'M SO SUPER EXCITED!!!

If I Had To Guess...

...I'd say your weekend was far superior to mine.

Womp, womp.

Work sucked HARD, yo. At least it got progressively better with each day...I guess???

Friday--Hell
Saturday--Purgatory
Sunday--regular ol' hellish work day

The plus side: it's done, over, finished (until Wednesday, that is). Also, I got paid. Psh, that hardly makes up for it. I should get paid triple time for the hours I put in this weekend.

I won't bore you with the details, but if you were wondering whether two of my patients required sitters for suicide watch, one required manual catheter irrigation every couple hours and one of the crazies (I apologize for lack of better convenient term) necessitated a police escort at discharge...I will assure you all that was, indeed, a part of my splendid weekend.

I cried a lot and I vented to Phill with lots of, ahem, choice language. But seriously, no pity party for this girl AT ALL. I'm proud of myself. I really accomplished a lot this weekend that went WAY above and beyond my regular call of duty. So, go ahead, Alyssa.

PAT YOSELF ON THE BACK!

**Friday = Tattoo Day!

Who Needs a Career?

It's probably not a huge surprise to most of you reading that I have been wanting to make a transition in my career. This Med/Surg {According to this article, I'm, apparently, the "faint-hearted"} business is seriously wearing on me on a daily basis.  I have to really pump myself up and say desperate prayers on my drive into work every day in order to just get through it. Each day is a hit or miss. Some are good, many are really busy but tolerable, and {too many} some are just downright awful. The problem is that even the "good" days, aren't really good. I have no passion for my job. I do not enjoy it and I can guarantee I'm not working to my best potential because this is not where my strengths lie.

I want to be a Certified Nurse Midwife.

There are a couple problems:

• School--I'm terrified to go back to school. Also, more school means more money and another commitment. Basically, I'm a scaredy-cat.
• I have no Women-Infant experience, so what if it turns out I don't love being a Midwife? What if I'm pointing myself in the wrong direction?
• I've yet to find a way to be able to get this experience. There are few positions of this nature available here in the West Valley, and I'm pretty hesitant to even go for them because I'm afraid that, working in a hospital setting, there will be certain aspects of my job, particularly if I scored a L&D position, that I wouldn't agree with. For example, {I'm speaking in generalities, people} I'm against labor induction. Of course, there's a time and place, but it is WAY abused. Also, I think women should be active, not sedentary on a hospital bed, during their labor. Furthermore, they probably shouldn't be lying flat to deliver a baby at all {unless that's the position that seems to suit the laboring mom best}. Geez, I could go on and on, but that's really not the purpose of this post...
• Being a Midwife entails much more responsibility and autonomy than what is presently expected of me. In truth, this sounds amazing, but the thought of it being a reality is so God-awful terrifying. There's so much pressure and I'm not sure I would be successful, you know? In fact, the more I think about it, the more it truly frightens me.

I really dislike my current job, but it's so difficult to even consider making a change. Does any of this many a bit of sense to anyone?  Goodness. Trying to wrap my mind around all of this right now is almost making me want to cry!

Life is just so tricky. I know I've said this before, and I'm certain I'll say it again, but it sure would be nice if God would give me a pretty little road map for LIFE.

Any advice?

Yesterday is Gone...Praise the Lord

Yesterday was one of the hardest days of my career to date.

My day was centered around one patient for 12 straight hours, but I still had other patients to care for. I was frazzled and frantic trying to control this patient for the entire shift. It was just...bad. I'm hugely grateful for all the help and support I received from fellow coworkers, but it still was just so rough. As soon as I sat down on the couch when I got home, I started to cry. I was just so burnt out after such a day! BUT! After watching Grey's, HIMYM, & Glee I was a brand new gal. Isn't it silly how silly TV shows can change it around like that?

Here's the good news, though: Today {at work} is IMMENSELY better! Unfortunately, that high-care patient was transferred to ICU last night, so the whole floor overall seems less chaotic. My patients aren't wild and I don't have a ring-around going with Case Management or anything. God is good. I'm so thankful.

I'm pretty proud, too, of how well I've been sticking to achieving my goals. One of the main things I've been trying to do with healthy eating is "clean eating" inspired by Jess at IROCKSOWHAT. Mainly, eat healthy, and no sugar. Yes, you read that right. This girl, sweet tooth and candy/ice-cream obsession and all, is going 30 days without sugar {except that naturally occurring in fruit and whatnot}. I don't think you realize how much food I've had to turn away just in 2 days at work. It's ridiculous. Anyway, so good so far! I've made lots of smoothies at home to keep me happy.

HAPPY WEEKEND EVERYONE!

Before Midnight?!

That's right, folks. I'm blogging before 12AM.

Phill is out of town til Tuesday evening with the Creative Arts group for the youth ministry. Not sure exactly what that entails, but I do know it means I'm watching Henry, Brian and Sarah's dog, until they return!

This is Henry and Margot playing:

This is my reaction when I think Henry is getting a bit too frisky with my precious baby Margot:

Anywhoo...I worked this weekend and it was all around not too shabby. I absolutely hate the situation one of my poor patients is going through. Without breaking any HIPAA laws let me give you a run-down of this poopy circumstance: female 10 days post-partum with MRSA infected epidural site to lumbar spine. Nasty infection with purulent drainage, a newborn at home that she now can't be around due to hospitalization and later can't be around due to MRSA, and she is being transferred to a different facility so a neurosurgeon can evaluate her. It's making me even more sad just thinking about it all.

Friday was a treat because Fridays are Phill's regularly scheduled days off and I actually had the day off with him! We went with our friends Justin and Heather to a spring training game, Dbacks (hehe, that will never NOT be funny) vs. Mariners. 

I waited in line for the first 3 innings just for this damn drink. It was hot out. I needed refreshment. Fountain pop (not soda) reigns supreme. I chose THE WORST concession line of all time. The drink was heavenly, though :-)

The cutest couple there (maybe I'm biased). PS--I swear I was not naked at the ballpark.

PS--I swear these drunken ladies were hysterical during the 7th inning stretch

stud

2nd cutest couple there? Haha this just makes me laugh seeing Justin laying out like that. To be fair, I totally snuck this photo in. Neither of them know this was taken...poor souls.

You see? If you all would just move out here with Phillip and I you could live in a vacation spot year round! The housing market here is beyond ideal right now. For reals. Just ask Mom and Dad. They know. Basically, I want everyone to move out here because it's pretty and we're here and the climate is really sucking me in and making it so I don't want to leave!

So, who likes coffee? Who likes cake? Who likes toffee? Who likes sugar? Who likes all these things combined?

(PS--you do)

I made this:

Brown Sugar Toffee Cake!

(Obviously, not my picture, however, it really did look exactly like this)

Oh, so you want to make it for yourself, hmm? Well, you're in luck! I'll share the recipe. Seriously, it was a big hit and super yummy...don't you worry about the "sugar" and "calories".

Brown Sugar Toffee Cake

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/8 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
6 Tbs. butter, softened
1 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs, at room temperature
1/4 cup cold strong coffee
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup fat-free plain yogurt, at room temperature
3 milk chocolate–toffee bars, such as Heath

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325°F. Coat 9-inch round cake pan with cooking spray.

Combine together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl and then set it aside.

Beat butter, brown sugar, and sugar together in a separate bowl with electric mixer until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time, and then beat in coffee and vanilla extract. Add 1/4 cup yogurt, and beat until smooth. Add half of flour mixture, and beat until smooth. Beat in remaining 1/4 cup yogurt, then remaining flour mixture. Beat 2 to 3 minutes, or until batter is smooth and creamy.

Spread batter in prepared cake pan, and bake 35 to 40 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, pulse milk chocolate-toffee bars in food processor 8 times, or until crushed into bits. {Or, if you're cool like me and can't get the food processor to agree with you, you can stick the candy bars in zip top bags (must double or triple bag) and take a hammer to 'em!} Sprinkle chocolate-toffee bits on top of cake while hot. Cool completely before serving. 

Have a great start to your week!

Praise be to God

Last night I opened my Bible in search of peace and contentment for my anxious little ol' self. Lately, I'm always feeling this way the night before work in the morning and it's so frustrating. But, (go figure!) the Lord answered. My prayers must have been heard beacuse today has been completely tolerable. I know there will still be sucky days ahead, but I'm feeling pretty dang grateful right now.

Praise be to God

I'M ON VACATION!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's really a stay-cation, but when you live in the warmest, sunniest, most pleasant city in the country...vacation is every day. You hate me now, right? It's cool. I understand.

Ahhh! I'm so excited that today is over and the goodness can now commence. Today was crazy. It started with my patient running a 103.6 fever whilst tachycardiac in the 150s-160s. I made the doc aware and we both agreed it was probably alcohol withdrawal so he had me medicate based on the already initiated alcohol withdrawal protocol. Ativan-done. Tylenol-done. No change? More Ativan-done. Still no change in heart rate but patient is now suuuuper sleepy and barely arousable? Ok, lunch break for Alyssa. Return from lunch and CHAOS ENSUES!!! I return from lunch to: previously stated patient being transferred to ICU, patient now with new NG, patient returning from lung biopsy, and patient who was previously not being discharged now being discharged...and the other patient just being near deaf. Needless to say---crazy day.

BUT IT'S OVER!

I'm sooooooo excited to pick up Mom, Dad, and Trey from the airport tomorrow and then whisk them over to the best food we've yet discovered in the Valley. Where you ask? Oh, I'll tell you.

Chino Bandito 

{And with a website like that, you know it's classy}

Gotta love those super stereotypical Mexican panda logos

Sure, maybe it is just your average run-of-the-mill Chinese-Mexican restaurant, but in person it's truthfully so much more. Yes, you read correctly. Chinese-Mexican.

This is totally random, but I'll leave you all with this sweet, enlightening, and uplifting posty-post :-) Remember how certain things are more important than others? Yeah, that's a tricky one.

Happy Weekend {I know mine will be a good one}!

Rory & Lorelai Are Just Leaving?!

Oh man guys. I started watching Season 2 of GG. I just finished the episode where Lorelai breaks down and decides not to marry Max. Obviously, a road trip is in order after making a rash drastic decision that alters you life. Oh man.

So...today was tricky. I got a phone call at 5:30AM telling me there were too many nurses scheduled and I shouldn't come in unless I hear otherwise. At first, I was frustrated because I need the hours and I need to accumulate PTO, but then I remembered I like to sleep so I became happy. Then, at 10 I was called again saying a nurse is sick and my relief for her would be greatly appreciated. I obliged. I arrived at 11:30ish, went to 5C (I've never worked this floor before), got report from sicky nurse, and then the craziness ensued.

Scary times. Frustrating, frustrating times.

But! I made it out alive. I then met Phillip at the church for a marriage seminar thing that was going on. I only caught the last half, but it was pretty cool. This is what I learned: I still really love my husband =)

BIG NEWS!

Ok, the news really isn't that big, but I'm so proud of myself. The news is this: I completed a crafty project. A sweet garland! There are so many lovely garlands out there right now. If I had my way, I would have a slew of garlands with which to decorate and redecorate our little home. But, I have neither the will nor the talent to make this dream a reality. Therefore, I will stick to being proud of my one garland {at least for now}. My bathroom won the rights to garland #1.

{Obviously NOT garland, but these lovely ladies are new to el bano, too.}

It adds a little something, without adding too much. I am pleased. {I always feel the urge to insert a smiley face after sentences like that, but then I'm afraid I'll be judged for my overzealous usage of smiley faces.}

Materials: Coffee dyed coffee filters, natural colored coffee filters, sheet music, pretty floral fabric from pillow case found at a thrift store, and pretty lace fabric found at another thrift store! Oh, yeah and the rope stuff...found at a thrift store. So what! Yes, maybe I am a thrift store junkie! I cannot possibly see how this could be viewed as a "problem".  So get over it =) {That smiley face was necessary. Duh.}

I drew inspiration for the little garlands here and here.

Also, a sweet treat package from Mom & Dad Oprie arrived today. YUM! I may have eaten 4 already. I'm not sure my taste buds have the capacity to be sweeted out. I have an insane sweet tooth that is pretty much nagging me all the time.

What you can't see is the little puppy nose that was desperately trying to get a bite of this delicious treat.

Happy Friday everyone! Congratulations! You made it to the weekend! 

{I'll be working this weekend. Bummer.}

...

I really don't want to go to work in the morning.

Thoughts, Revelations, Maternity

Tonight, after watching countless episodes of Say Yes To The Dress, I watched The Business of Being Born

"Director Abby Epstein's controversial documentary takes a hard look at America's maternity care system, juxtaposing hospital deliveries against the growing popularity of at-home, natural childbirths that some expectant parents are opting for."

 

I struggle to know when God is speaking to me and when I make myself believe God is speaking to me. However, either way, watching this awakened something deep inside me.  There was once a time I toyed with the idea of going the OB nursing route and possibly going into midwifery afterward. Now, more than ever, I'm considering that a major possibility. There are problems, though. 1) Now is not the time. There is no feasible way to get by if I were to start school while Phill is interning. 2) There is no midwifery school in Arizona. There are 5 long-distance programs in the U.S., though. 3) I have no OB nursing background 

Damn. I'm psyching myself out of it already.

I just really, really believe in natural childbirth and I deeply love pregnant women (even if a picture of a bare preggo belly does kinda gross me out). I want each and every pregnant woman to feel special, beautiful, and loved. There is a grace and beauty about pregnant women that I sense and see, but many of these women probably DO NOT feel this way when carrying an ever-growing human inside their abdomen. Many nurses go the OB route because babies are cute. True, but I really love caring for the mother. No matter the situation, there is so much more the new mother needs and craves that goes way beyond physiological care. I want to be there to offer physical, emotional, psychological, & spiritual care.

I am just so, so very afraid to make the leap. What if all this just sounds nice and perfect, but in actuality proves to be too much or simply not as expected? What then? Obviously, a large amount of deep thought and prayer are in my immediate future. All this uncertainty is really grating the nerves on the Type A portion of Alyssa (yes, I believe I am a mixture of the 2 rather than exclusively subscribing to either one).

**Disclaimer: I strongly encourage everyone, especially women, to watch this film. You can watch it instantly on Netflix. That being said, there is plenty of footage of naked pregnant women and live births, including alien-esque newborns coming straight from the womb and the bodily fluids involved in the process. But really, it's not terribly graphic. I just wanted to forewarn you in case of a squeamish stomach.

**Also-The worst paid for pregnancy photo ever:

You're welcome.