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.

Holiday Fun

The past week has been busy and so much fun! Chris and I were in Destin with my family for a week and while there, we celebrated our first anniversary as well as Christmas with my family. The weather in Destin was warm, but unfortunately the fog was so bad we were only able to enjoy the beach twice (once in sweatshirts and the next in bathing suits!) We enjoyed being able to relax, eat and sleep all week long. Saturday morning we all left Destin and stayed at our house in Sharpsburg for the weekend. Saturday night we celebrated Christmas with my grandfather and his wife, Sunday morning was Christmas with my grandmother and Sunday night was Christmas with my mom's side of the family. All of the cousins from GA/FL were there as well as significant others. There were 23 total, I believe. It is always so much fun when all of us are able to get together- I'm afraid those times are going to be few and far between the older we get.

Christmas with my family

Christopher got a Wii from my parents!

Making our first gingerbread house ever

The entire family (minus Jessi- the photographer! and Nana, David and Papa) at Nana's Christmas Cantata

Family photo before opening gifts.

All the girls... I don't know what I would do without them!

My cousin Jessi and her sweet baby boy, Eliah

We were also able to see the Campbells and the Humbles for a short time while in PTC. We miss you guys so much!

We are now at Ed and Cheryl's in Douglasville and will be celebrating Christmas with their family on Christmas Eve and on Christmas morning the six of us and Piper (the puppy) will drive up to Baltimore, MD to spend the weekend with Chris' grandparents, Nanna and Poppop. His cousins will drive up from DC on Saturday. It's going to be a fun weekend!

Merry Christmas and we love you all!

One Year Anniversary!

Today, Chris and I are celebrating our first anniversary! We cannot believe how fast this year went. There have been many firsts throughout this year such as; first home, first mission trip as a married couple, my first job and so much more. We have been so blessed during our first year of marriage and have had such a wonderful time experiencing marriage.

Last week we went to Helen, GA to celebrate our anniversary and though the weather was not bright and sunny, we still had a great time walking around the town and enjoying our time together. The rain finally stopped on Thursday afternoon and we were able to go on a hike that led to a waterfall. The two nights we spent in Helen was relaxing and a great way to celebrate our anniversary.

We are now in Destin, Fl spending the week with my parents and sister. Tonight Chris and I are going to dinner at Commanders Palace for our anniversary. We are really looking forward to a night of remembering our wedding day. Again, we would like to thank all of you who were a part of our wedding. You all mean so much to us and we love you!