I Got A Helicopter...

The job hunt has been an extremely long and difficult experience. I moved to Utah because I really felt like it was the right place for me. Ever since I have been out here, I have been blessed with a constant reassurance that I made the right decision. But I couldn't live in Utah without an income. I have been SO fortunate to have such loving and supportive parents who have helped me through this transition time in my life. There were days when I would sit and apply to several different jobs at several different hospitals...praying to just get one. Although I desired to get any of the jobs, it never felt like the right fit. I knew I belonged in the Neonatal ICU...I just knew it was my next step. The frustrating thing was finding an employer who believed in me as much as I believed in myself.

Throughout the past couple of months I have been working with the Director of Women Services at Timpanogos Hospital trying to get a position in Mother Baby (Postpartum) or Labor & Delivery. I applied through two different rounds with an interview during one of them, but I didn't get the job. In December, I was told by the Director she would be hiring again and she wanted me to apply. Although I felt a little discourage, I applied hoping this time would be different. When I got back from Christmas, I was called in for an interview. With the previous interview the Director actually wasn't able to make it and I met with two other people. So when I was called in for another interview, I didn't think anything of it. But the interview wasn't what I expected. She just started talking about the job and orientation. Then she asked me if I was working anywhere else or had any interviews. I told her about how I was to have an interview with Dixie for a Neonatal ICU position...

On my way home for Christmas, I received a call from Moriah (my capstone nurse) to inform me that the NICU at Timp would be hiring. Due to Moriah's wonderful recommendation, Dixie (Director of Timp's NICU) wanted to meet with me for an interview sometime in January.

...Kim appreciated my honesty and by the end she unofficially offered to hold at least a PRN position for me. I felt so confused walking out of that interview. Did I just possibly give up a full time position as a RN without even knowing it. I was freaking out!! Later that day when I was getting advice from Bryan and he told me, " Megan...you don't want to be the girl who lets a rescue boat go by waiting for a helicopter to come." I have been praying for a job...any job!! What if I just let Heavenly Father's answer to my prayers float on by me. Could I be that stupid or careless? The next day I called Kim back to make sure she understood that even though I was interviewing with the NICU, I want to be considered for the full time position with Mother Baby. I didn't want to be the girl who let the rescue boat go by...

Although I didn't want to be naive...I couldn't help but feel Heavenly Father WAS sending me a helicopter. I truly felt I had a good chance with getting a job in the NICU at Timp and didn't want to lose this opportunity if given. I had great recommendations and many connections. I was in a tough position. I was afraid I was going to lose any possibility of working in a hospital at all. I prayed for days, letting Heavenly Father know how grateful I am for everything he as given me. As much as my heart is in the NICU...I knew if that is where I was to end up, Heavenly Father would get me there and it will be on His time. Dixie called me Monday, January 23rd for an interview that Thursday, January 26th at 12:30.

I was nervous going to that interview. I hadn't heard from Kim and felt some much pressure for this one interview. I ended up meeting a night shift nursing supervisor, Dannet. She was extremely sweet and ended up giving me a tour of the NICU because Dixie was running a little behind. The tour was great and I was actually having fun. This really helped me as I went into my interview with Dixie, Dannet, and Mona. I really felt that the interview went well and was told Dixie would be getting back to me by Wednesday. All that was left to do was to wait and hear back from either Dixie or Kim and then I would have to make a decision...if I was given a decision to make.

This is how I felt during the total of about three weeks I had been waiting: scared, nervous, hopeful, humble, lost, intimidated, small, prayerful, naive...but with all these emotions I had a sense of calmness. I knew Heavenly Father would take care of me!! He had gotten me this far through so many tough decisions and I truly don't regret any of them.

On Friday, Janurary 27th I got a call from Dixie offering me a full time position in their Neonatal ICU. When I heard these words from Dixie I had an overwhelming feeling gratitude. I was grateful to my Heavenly Father. I was grateful to my ability to listen and follow to the Holy Spirit. I was grateful to my loving parents and their support. I was grateful for my family and their support. I was grateful to Moriah and her recommendation for this position. I was grateful to my friends for being there to listen. I was just so grateful!! Several times throughout the day I would get teary eyed because of the magnificent blessing I was just given. About 30 minutes after Dixie's call, Kim called me. She wanted to say congratulations for getting a position in the NICU because she knew that is what I really wanted. It made me happy to hear from her and that she hadn't forgotten about me. It was a great morning and I loved the feeling of being able to call my parents and tell them that...

I GOT A HELICOPTER...HEAVENLY FATHER SENT ME A HELICOPTER!!

King Henry 207 Update

Katie came in Provo!! It was so much fun having her come down. I have missed her so much...she just needs to move down her. But since she came down, we tried to all get together for breakfast...which is not as easy as it sounds. Originally it was going to be everyone, but McKenzie ended up being called into work. Lame!! It was Martin Luther King day!! Then in the morning Taylor called because it was snowing and she did think she could drive in the snow to come. I wasn't going to let snow ruin this...So Jill, Erin, Katie, and I piled in my car and we headed up to South Jordan. It ended up being more of a lunch date than breakfast by the time we all got together. But it was totally worth it!! We are all going in a several different directions and I love catching up and reminiscing about the past. Here is an update:

Taylor has moved down to South Jordan. She is doing her student teaching in middle school (I think it is with 8th graders) in Health and History. She graduates this April. Her and Sky have been married for over 6 months. They seem to be doing great and love to be married. Taylor is a great little homemaker. She is really into cooking dinner and I have heard she is amazing at it. Lucky Sky!!

Katie is still living in Rexburg, ID. She is also doing her student teaching but with 2nd graders. She has told me some really great stories. She is also graduating in April. Her and Dexter have been married for over a year!! Crazy how time flies :) I really wish she lived closer but I enjoy every time we get together. She seems to be doing great and Dexter makes her so happy.

Erin is living with me...she is SO lucky!! She will be graduating this December in Broadcast Journalism. She is currently working in PR for a department on campus. She seems to be really loving it and it definitely keeps her busy. She is hoping to have an internship over the summer. It is never a dull moment living with Erin!!

Jill is also SO lucky to be living with me!! She is graduating this April in Psychology. She doesn't have a clue what she will be doing after April. I totally understand how she feels and not knowing what to do with your life. Hopefully it involves her staying close and living with me. I will be sad to see her go if that is what happens. She is the proud Auntie to beautiful twin girls and is lucky to have them so close to visit. I might love going with her. I miss being around my niblings, so I hang out with hers.

McKenzie couldn't make it :( But she graduated this last December in Public Health and is walking in April. She is currently working as a Dental Assistant, but she doesn't seem to like it that much. So she is looking for a better fit during her free time. Her and Austin have been married the longest out of this group. They seem to be doing really well. Austin is taking a semester off from school and working for this small company that shows tremendous potential. I am glad she lives close so I can see her often!!

My Mom always said your college friends are some of the best friends you will make in your life time. It is so true!! I have gone through so much with these girls. I can't imagine not having them in my life and I know we will remain really great friends throughout the rest of our lives.

Jillie's Never Ending Birthday...

Happy 23rd Birthday Jillie!!

Tradition continued with tp-ing the birthday girl's door way too early in the morning so she wakes up to a nice surprise.

After everyone else got done being productive with classes or work...we went to Texas Roadhouse to kick off the celebration.

After dinner Jill, Erin, and I had to go meet with the bishop. We all ended up getting callings. Jill is Relief Society Service Somethin'. Erin got called to be a ward music chorister. I got the amazing calling of being on the Social Committee. Yay... I am actually a little excited. This calling will put me out of my comfort zone. I have a hard time not being shy when I first meet people and this calling requires me to be outgoing and social.

Later we met up more friends at The Chocolate in Orem for dessert.

(Angelica, Jill, Me, Erin, Camille, Michelynah, McKenzie, and Sam)

I am so grateful to have Jillie back from her mission. I have really missed her and living with her. I love it when she comes into my room to just talk and we end up talking for hours on my bed. She truly is one of my best friends!!

Michelynah and Angelica were my adopted roommates while I lived by myself at Windsor.

Oh Sammy Boy!!

Sam is Jill's little brother and it has been fun having him live in the same complex as us. It has been a good time getting to know him.

So the following clips are of the new Ladies of Lanai L4 trying to take a picture. Erin and Camille look great the entire time but Jill and I were struggling...

Jill kept falling off her chair and it really funny

...FINALLY...

I love being able to get together with McKenzie even though she is married. She actually lives really close to us and we could walk to her house in less than 5 minutes.

Such a loving and healthy brother/sister relationship

...Jillie's Chocolate Birthday Party...

If you anything about Jill at all...it should be that she LOVES chocolate. So Erin and I decided it should be the theme of her party. It was such a fun night!! We saw people we haven't seen in a long time and just spent hours hanging out with friends.

After everyone left...we (Ladies of Lanai L4) concluded with a dance party!!