He's Home!!

Alex spent the last 2 weeks in China touring all the cool cities and transportation systems up and down the coast. But now, HE'S FINALLY HOME!! We've figured out that over the past 16 months (almost) of marriage, Alex and I have spent nearly 2 months apart!! Between my trip to Taiwan last year, and his two weeks in China and various other little trips, 2 months it is...much more than most newly weds. Plus, if you add all the night shifts plus late nights/early morning studying/clinicals/tests, there have been too many other nights where one of us fell asleep without the other home or left the house before the other even woke up. Needless to say, we are hoping to change that over the next...rest of our life :) We have agreed to only go on cool vacations together now! Our future (unscheduled) plans include trips to China (again), Europe, Hawaii, Caribbean (again) and much more!!

While Alex was gone, I went home to visit my parents and all the kitties :)

And, every Thursday I babysit our friends' cute little girl Emma. See? Isn't she darling?!

After my trip home to see my family, I came home to this on the bed :) This is what Alex left me before he left for China!

Now he's home and I couldn't be happier!! We have spent the last two days taking naps, watching movies, and just spending all of our time together. We will get back to real life this week. I'm so happy we have no plans for extended separation again :)

We Moved!

About two weeks ago, Alex and I moved out of our tiny "First Married Apartment" into a much nicer, two-bedroom apartment. Out new amenities include a washer and dryer, a dishwasher, a living room (which means we have a couch!), and a second bedroom. We are very happy to be here! Plus, we are a block closer to campus!

Moving isn't the only change. Alex quit his job at the MTC and started a new job work with one of his professors. I am about 3 months into my job at Timpanogos Regional Hospital, which I still love! Alex leaves for China next week for 16 days and when he gets back we're set for a very fun summer! We couldn't ask for things to be going better for us! :)

A Humbling Experience

I have recently had a very humbling experience at the hospital that has inspired me and provided an opportunity to draw closer to my Heavenly Father. I was assigned a patient that was a few days postpartum, having given birth at a birthing center. After many unfortunate turns of events and several difficult days in the hospital, the patient died from an awful infection.

Why, then, was this a humbling experience? After the patient was admitted to the hospital, I found my self pondering about the last 2 hours of my life. I have to admit, I get frustrated with screaming, dramatic patients in our busy ER but this experience opened my eyes. I found myself praying to my Father in Heaven to help this women, to spare her life, and to bless the doctors/nurses that were caring for her. I felt a little bit like a hypocrite. I have, however, learned a few things. First, the fact that things aren't always what they appear to be (which I've now learned countless times in the ER). And second, that our Heavenly Father loves every single one of his children, even if they are screaming, annoying, drunk, rude, non-compliant, judgmental, or bad choice makers. AND He expects us to love them as well.

This was the first patient I have had that has died soon after my care. I know now that there was nothing we could have done better or different, but I know this experience will always remind me of my need to use my skills and knowledge to provide the best care possible, regardless of how annoyed or frustrated I become with a patient. 

I hope to talk to women in my life about the potential dangers that can occur during childbirth and how important it is to be near help and watched over during that time. All I can do now is educate people. Educate them on the need for proper healthcare, on the potential risks women face when given birth, on the chances of infection, on the severity of complications, and on the possibility of something going wrong, even in low-risk situations. 

Amy Hawkins, RN

I have to say the last 2 months have been the most unexpected and blessed months of my life (other than when I met and married my wonderful husband, of course!)

-I graduated from BYU College of Nursing on December 16, 2011 with a Bachelor Degree in Nursing and a minor in Gerontology. 


-I studied for and passed my NCLEX (nurse licensing exam) in just 75 questions on February 2, 2012 and found out I passed on February 3, 2012!

Now, just to set the record straight, this test is not walk in the park. I spent much of the last 5 months studying for this test and, in the end, I had taken over 4000 practice questions in various subject areas like maternity, pediatrics, psych, pharmocology, health promotion, safety & infection control, physiological adaptations, management of care, and much more. I estimate to have studied over 100 hours along the way.

And now that I have passed and I officially have my license in hand, I have to say it was ALL WORTH IT! Who knew passing an exam could be SO fulfilling?! Now that I think about it, if I would have just "passed" a test while in school, I would have felt like I failed (as many of my classmates would agree).  Now, "passing" is the best feeling in the world!

-I got a job in the Emergency Department at Timpanogos Regional Hospital with all the wonderful nurses and doctors I did my capstone with on Friday, February 10, 2012!!


Over the last month and I half, I have sent in over 60 job applications; most of which, were rejected on the spot. The job hunt has been THE MOST DAUNTING part about becoming a nurse. Who knew?! They say the economy needs nurses but apparently that is everywhere except Utah. I was distraught and put-out by the process and to tell you the truth, I contemplated getting a job at a department store just to "have a job" while searching for a nursing job.

Last week, I applied to a PRN (as needed) position at my capstone location, Timpanogos Regional Hospital. I definitely felt like I'd get an interview since I have so many connections with nurses and others there but I was still unsure since my self-esteem had really taken a hit after 60+ applications and only 1 interview up to that point.

Friday, February 10 my prayers were answered. Brett, the nurse manager at Timp, called me up and offered me the job on the spot! I owe all the nurses on my unit! They really fought for me and I couldn't be more grateful!!

I start work on February 21st! I am so excited!

Our Heavenly Father has truly blessed us throughout the last few months. We are so grateful!

-Amy Hawkins, RN BS

2012!

It's 2012! I guess it should feel different, like we're actually in a new year...but it all feels the same. I'm sure I will still write 2011 on everything like I always do until about April of the new year. We have a lot to look forward to this year! A new job, Alex's trip to China...and maybe other things...who knows. I decided to start out the new year with a new look. 12 inches gone.

And we took some family pictures with The Hawkins side.

And I came across a the First Presidency message by President Thomas S. Monson in the January 2012 Ensign entitled 'Living the Abundant Life'. He talks about the ABC's of making this year great! A-Attitude, you can always have a good attitude to make like happier. B- Believe, believe in yourself and your goals and have faith that you can succeed. C- Courage, have courage to try a few times, you will not always succeed on the first try and that does not make you a failure. Try, try again. "I will try again tomorrow".

Happy New Year everyone! Hope 2012 is as great for you as it will be for The Hawkins :)

Merry Christmas! Love, the Hawkins

Dear Friends and Family,

2011 has been a great year for our new family! We started out the year with a spectacular wedding, celebrating with many of our friends and family, and then jumped back into school at BYU. Amy went to Taiwan for the month of May for a nursing study abroad where she worked in a local hospital and in the community with the nurses of Taiwan. Alex stayed home and continued school and work at the Missionary Training Center and cared for our first baby, Maizy, a little duckling.

We spent the summer working and going on vacation. We visited Eugene, Oregon to see Amy’s sisters compete in their first track meet at their new stadium. Then, we visited Fresno with Alex’s family and spent a few days relaxing at the Cabin. In August, we finally took a honeymoon to the Caribbean. The islands were beautiful and relaxing on the cruise ship was just what we needed before school started again. Luckily we avoided Hurricane Irene.

From there, we were right back into school. Amy started her last semester of nursing school and Alex continued his Civil Engineering Degree. Amy is now a college graduate and is looking forward to passing her licensing exam and finding a job in Emergency or Critical Care nursing. Maizy grew up quick and was sent to boarding school in October. She is happy in her new home in Salt Lake City where she has a pond to swim in and other ducks to play with.

The coming year will be amazing as our family learns and grows. We wish you all the best and a Merry Christmas!

 Love,

The Hawkins

The BOYS Christmas Party

This week, all of Alex's high school friends planned a Christmas party for all "The BOYS" and, if they have one, their wives. Since we all live pretty far from each other now, we don't get together often so it was great to finally have a big party with everyone there. We met at Bri's parents house in Sandy. Dus and Bri planned dinner and delegated other things like dessert (which we brought- caramel popcorn) and drinks. We had almost everyone there! Dustin and Bri, Alex and I, Josh and Heidi, Alex and Alisha, Chris and Lindy, Rob, Derek, Andy, Tay Park, Justin Gowan, and Jentry and Lauren came too.

After dinner we played some great games. One where you roll dice and if you get doubles, you put on oven mitts and use 2 knives to try to get into a symphony bar than is wrapped in news paper and duct tape. Once the next person gets doubles, you switch. The goal is to eat the most chocolate.

The next game we played was called the name game. We all put a slip of paper in a bowl with our names then we all drew one. We were that person for the round. The teams were boys vs girls and the goal was to get three girls or three boys in the front seats. The catch is that you needed to call people by their new name. Very fun! And the girls won!! :)

We did a white elephant gift exchange too. Seriously, I have never seen so many great gift for a white elephant. Of course their were some ridiculous things...but good for the most part. I ended up with nice cutting knives ad Alex traded last minute for pictures of ducks...haha. We now have pictures of maizy :)

All around great night! :)