We're MOVING!!!

The big decision has FINALLY been made! We are moving to FLORIDA!!! Chris has accepted a job with Premier Rehab (a part of PT Solutions) in Fort Walton, which is right outside of Destin. We never imagined we would end up in that part of Florida, but God has led us there and we are so excited about this new phase in our lives. Chris and I met the owner and regional manager on Wednesday in Montgomery. They interviewed Chris for a few hours and then took both of us out for drinks later that night. We sat and talked for about 2 hours and at the end they offered Chris the job. We told them that we wanted some time to think about it and pray about it, and Chris called them today (Friday) with his acceptance! God is so good. We have had so many opportunities and have been so blessed throughout this entire process. I know that so many of you have been praying for us and I cannot thank you enough. For so long we felt like we had NO direction and we have been slightly stressed and confused (to say the least). It was incredible how God made it so completely obvious that this is where we are to be for this point in our lives. Right now we are planning on moving down there the 2nd week of July. We will keep you updated! Thank you again for your prayers and encouragement! We're so excited and can't wait to be Floridians!!! Come and visit us whenever you want!!

Kitchen Progress

Some of you have asked for updates on Ed and Cheryl's kitchen. I've posted a few pictures of the most recent development... the cabinets! It's looking great!

Dr. Christopher Brian Ireland

Chris graduated!!! That's right everyone, my husband is now a Physical Therapist! He has worked so hard over the last 3 years and I am so proud of him. The time and dedication he put into his school work has paid off! Last week we went to Augusta, Ga for graduation. MCG (Medical College of Ga) has several ceremonies for the graduates. On Thursday, May 7th, was the Honors and Hooding ceremony. Here, the graduates are acknowledged by being "hooded" with their Doctorate or Masters hood. Below are pictures of Christopher's doctorate hooding.

His professor, Doug performed the hooding

After the ceremony we went to a place called Bollweevil in downtown Augusta. They have 24 incredible desserts the size of Texas! (That is only a slight exaggeration, just ask my dad!) We ran into the Muchnicks/Pattersons as well as Leanna Dailey and her family while at the Bollweevil.

On Friday morning, May 8th, the PT department held a small and intimate ceremony for the students. A few of the professors and students spoke and then the graduates were given a White Coat with their new title on it! At the end of the ceremony they did a candle light circle where they all said a brief statement to the person next to them. This was a very special time for the students and professors to enjoy their last moments together as one.

The guys before the PT celebration!



Receiving his white coat

DPT class of 2009

Justin is impressed with his brothers new title as DOCTOR!

I am married to a Doctor!

Apparently blue was the color of the day!

Friday afternoon was MCG's graduation ceremony. We had AWESOME seats and were able to get great pictures of Christopher throughout the ceremony. It was so amazing to watch him walk across that stage and receive his diploma that he has worked so very hard for. I honestly cannot believe that these three years are over. We could not have made it through if it weren't for your love and support through it all. The prayers that you prayed and the encouragment along the way have meant so much to both of us and we THANK YOU!!

Enon Hopkins and Chris excited to be graduating!


GRADUATING!!!!!

This is only half of the diploma... it is HUGE! It's also in Latin, which is kinda neat.

Congratulations, Doctor Christopher Brian Ireland!!!!

Bakerella

So, I found this new blog via my friend Janna. Everything looks so yummy and hopefully one day I'll be able to try some of this stuff out! I really wanted to make the graduations caps for Chris and his classmates this weekend, but feared they would not do well traveling in the car! Check it out... and thanks Janna! :) www.bakerella.blogspot.com

Absence makes the heart grow fonder!

Chris and I are finally back together after a long 3 weeks apart! Though I missed him terribly, the time did seem to go by rather quickly. It has been so wonderful being back together and catching up on all we did over the 3 weeks apart. I love him so much and am glad we are together again! Thanks everyone for your prayers!

Amanda's 21st Birthday!

On Saturday April 25th, my little sister, Amanda, turned the big 2-1! My parents and I drove to Tuscaloosa to help her celebrate. We started the evening by having dinner with Amanda, her boyfriend Justin, and his parents. Amanda and Justin were really excited because this was the first time any of us met his parents. We enjoyed a nice dinner at Kozy's for both Amanda's and Justin's birthdays. (Justin turned 22 on April 23rd.) We all really liked Mr. and Mrs. Byrd. After dinner, we went back to Justin's house where he had a group of Amanda's friends waiting there to surprise her.. and surprised she was! The night was full of fun and games, family and friends, alcohol and of course... Presents and Cake!!! Amanda seemed to really enjoy her 21st birthday and couldn't believe how fast the day flew by! Happy Birthday sis!

Amanda and her first drink at dinner!

Justin and Amanda at Kozy's.

Happy Birthday, Amanda!!!!!

Amanda with Mr. and Mrs. Byrd


The family, minus Christopher. :(

A long 3 weeks

I have been in Destin for a week now and miss my sweet husband so much! We left Birmingham on March 27th and drove up to DC on March 28th. Chris is doing his FINAL clinic at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. His first two weeks at WRAMC he worked in the amputations department and today he started his last two weeks in the prosthetics department. He is loving every minute of his rotation and though he is not hands on (he is only able to observe) he has learned quite a bit. Last week the Secretary of Homeland Security stopped by to visit some of the patients. She stopped to talk with some of Chris' patients so he was excited to be so close to someone with such an important job in our country! She had all sorts of security with her and Chris found it fascinating. Cheryl, Chris' mom, and I spent a week in DC touring the city. We walked miles and miles and miles. There is really so much to do in that city that I honestly believe you could be there for months and still not see it all. One exciting thing we did was sit in the senate gallery during one of there sessions. We saw John McCain, John Kerry, and some other big names. On Wednesday, Cheryl and I drove up to Baltimore (45 min drive) and had lunch with Chris' grandparents. Friday night the three of us met Preston and Denby Heard for dinner in China Town. It was so great catching up with them! Denby is pregnant with a little boy, Paul, and is due at the end of May. She is absolutely adorable!

Last Monday I came to Destin and let me tell you, saying good-bye to my husband for 3 weeks was NOT fun. I cried and cried. Our first week apart went by really fast. I came to Destin and had family in town. Aunt Sheri, Uncle Andy, Erin and Morgan were here for the girls spring break and Mike and Ness came down on Thursday. Having a full house made the week fly by. Now, it's Monday and everyone is gone. The Bowers/Rueda's are back in Miami and both of my parents are working. It's storming here so I can't go to the beach. It's rather lonely around here. I miss Chris a lot and can't wait to see him in 2 weeks!!!

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter!!! Oh! Congratulations to Davey and Sarah Akin for the birth of their beautiful little girl, Lailey!