March Madness

March has been a crazy month for us. We have been gone every weekend, and I finally started to work! I kept a 2 month old boy for the month of March. His name is Tucker and I miss him already!

Our weekend travels began with a trip to Augusta for a prep class Christopher had for his boards exam. It was so great to see all of his classmates and my old co-workers. I was also able to meet up with Natalie Muchnick for lunch at our favorie place, Vallarta's Mexican Restaurant. Saturday night we had an engagement party for Alex and Jess who will be getting married in October of this year.

Chris and me with the bride and groom!

Chris with the Groom... they were in charge of the grills

Mario, Chris, Alex and Tim

The following weekend we attempted to go backing in the N. GA mountains but the cold weather and rain cut our trip short. We got to Dahlonega late Friday night and slept in our cars. Saturday morning we woke up and were absolutely freezing and the rain was only getting worse so we decided to all eat breakfast together and then call it a weekend. So, Chris and I called his parents and we ended up spending the rest of the weekend with them. Chris helped with the demolition of their kitchen... enjoy the pictures!

The third weekend we went to Destin to see my parents. We took Justin and Adriane with us for a nice long weekend. The weather was absolutely perfect! It was Alabama's spring break, so Amanda, her boyfriend Justin, and their friend Mary Kate were there as well. We spent a lot of time at the beach and ate some GREAT seafood. Pictures will come soon!

Well, to close this long post, I wanted to let you all know that tonight is our last night in Birmingham. We leave for Douglasville tomorrow and then early Saturday morning we will begin our drive up to Washington DC. We are really excited about this next phase and can't wait to keep you posted on Chris' job searching! Thanks for reading!

SNOW DAY!!

It's March 1st and we woke up to SNOW in Alabama!! We knew there was a possibility of snow, but we honestly didn't think there would be enough to stick because that just doesn't happen in the south. We were wrong. I woke up this morning and looked out the window and much to my surprise there was a beautiful layer of white, fluffy snow. Chris and I got up and ate breakfast and enjoyed watching the snow fall, then we got ready for Sunday school. (yes, we skipped the church service...) On our way to church the snow began to fall pretty heavily and it was absolutely beautiful. I took a few pictures along our drive. When we got there, there was only one other couple in our small group that showed up (besides the teachers) so we all decided to go to IHOP. Chris and I had already eaten breakfast but who can pass up a SECOND breakfast at IHOP??? Not us! I wanted so badly to get a picture of Chris and I in the snow, but by the time we left breakfast the snow was already melted. Though there is no picture of the two of us, we did enjoy the snow. It makes you feel like a kid again. Enjoy the pictures!!

5 more weeks

We only have 5 more weeks left in Birmingham. I cannot believe how fast our time here is going. Things are going really well for us. Chris stays really busy with clinic and I will FINALLY start a steady babysitting job on March 2nd for an 8 week old boy named Tucker. I have really enjoyed these past few months of relaxation, but I am ready to start making some money and to get out of the house more. Living with Justin and Adriane is still working out great. Justin travels a lot so we don't see him too often, but he will be home more in March . This coming weekend will actually be mine and Chris' last weekend in Bham... we are travelling somewhere every weekend in March. Cheryl, my mother-in-law, and I finally sat down and figured out the days we will be in Washington D.C. I'm so excited we are able to do something like that. I'm also glad because that means I will only have to be without Chris for 3 1/2 weeks instead of 4 1/2. Keep praying for us as we have a lot of decisions to make in the next few months as Chris graduates and takes his boards then starts working. We are talking about places he would like to apply and then we will need to find housing wherever that may be. Again, we have a lot going on in the next.. oh, 6 months and would really appreciate your prayers. It's an exciting time and we are looking forward to the plans God has in store for us.

Also, we would really like to thank you for your prayers concerning Christopher's grandfather. We were in Orlando Feb. 7-9 for the memorial service and it went really well. It was a nice time to be with family. Thank you all!

Prayers

Early this morning Christopher's grandfather passed away from prostate/bone cancer. This has a been a long and slow process so we are glad that he is no longer suffering, but it is still a very sad time for all of us. Cheryl, Chris' mom was there when he passed, so please keep her in your prayers as well as Chris and the rest of the family. We'll miss you Granddad!

Birmingham

We are adjusting well to being back in Birmingham and living with Justin and Adriane. Chris leaves every morning at 6:30 for clinic and doesn't get home till 6pm at night. It's frustrating for him because it only takes him 30 minutes to get to clinic in the morning, yet in the afternoon it takes him 1 1/2 hours to get home with traffic. He has assured me that if we stay in the Birmingham area after graduation that we WILL be living in Homewood- if not downtown! lol. He is really enjoying this rotation and likes the people he is working with. His CI (clinical instructor) is a female and he has been able to learn a lot of different techniques especially when transferrring patients. Chris also just signed up for the boards prep class and received his study book in the mail this weekend, which means the studying will begin soon.

As for me, the babysitting job hasn't quite worked out as I had hoped it would. I "interviewed" with another family last week and I should be hearing from her today as to whether or not she wants me to keep her 3 year old son. Please pray that this will work out and that I can start working tomorrow if possible. I have really enjoyed being back in Birmingham though. I have seen Ali a few times since we have been back and she and Luke (and Mae) even had us over for dinner the first weekend we were here. We are going back to the Church at Brook Hills and even tried a small group yesterday! We are hoping that being in a small group will help to connect with others our age.

All settled in....for now!

December 31, Chris and I moved to Birmingham for his 12 week clinical rotation at Spain Rehab. We moved in with Chris' brother and sister-in-law, Justin and Adriane (and their puppy, Piper) who have so graciously given of their time and space for these next 3 months. We are thrilled to be somewhat settled after a month of traveling for the Christmas holidays and are looking forward to what these next weeks and months have in store for us. We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a fantastic New Year!

Congratulations are in order!

Our sweet friends Alex and Jess (both are in Chris' PT class) got engaged December 14th, 2008 and are planning to get married in October of this year. They are such a great couple and we are so excited for them!

Also, Daniel and Mandie Stallings welcomed their baby girl, McKenzie on December 29th, 2008 and she is absolutely beautiful! Click on their name and it will take you to their blog for more updates and pictures of McKenzie.

Congratulations to you all- we couldn't be happier for you.