All we need is love...

Amelia was great during our Thanksgiving feast. She stayed in her highchair the whole meal and was such a good girl. When it got quiet (as we were all stuffing our face) she would yell out or clap for herself. A pretty big indicator she is used to ALL attention being on her.

Then, she played some football and posed for a photo or two.


After football we played with some toys and then, it was time to go riding. Amelia is a natural equestrian.

She doesn't tire out easily so she was off to help Gammy put some ornaments on the Christmas tree. I love that Amelia is making such specific choices these days. Her favorite ornament was a little train--she went to it each time.

On Friday I went shopping with Steph. We didn't get up at an insane hour because neither of us care to lose sleep for a good deal. So, we got to Branson around eleven and still got some amazing deals. I am well over 75% done with my shopping! It was a great sister day. She rules.


Steph just got some bangs cut and it was so funny to see Amelia's reaction. She stared at Steph for a long time and even gave her the stink eye at first. Steph said, "You can change the color of your entire hair and it doesn't phase her, but I cut bangs and she stares me down." Haha.

Tonight we went to see G and Pa at the farm and G suggested we go eat at Master Chef. I grimmaced inside, but said sure. For some reason, I fear Amelia + restaurants. I don't really want to take her until she is like five. But, she proved me wrong tonight as she sat in her highchair for an hour and fifteen minutes just smiling and eating squash and bananas. It was a great meal. The restaurant was decorated really cute with Christmas stuff and after we ate, Amelia got to go around and look at everything. In closing, I would like to thank Mom and Dad's new fast computer that has lovingly allowed me to upload these pics. Good riddance 1980 computer with zero photography loving power.

Thankfully...

Ross and I are loved and supported by our families.

Ross and I have been granted the amazing responsibility to raise Amelia.

Ross and I are committed to each other in this crazy world.

Thankfully.

We will enjoy an amazing dinner prepared by Meme.

We will laugh and talk and joke and lounge today.

We will live in the moment.

Everything generated in my head sounds cliche. But I think that it is fine to sound cliche if you mean it. And I do. I am thankful and blessed and overwhelmed with love. A wonderful place to be.



Thankfully, the girl in the green ruffle pants is my daughter. Otherwise, I might steal her.

First, First Thanksgiving

We had Thanksgiving at Mammaw's house on Sunday and Amelia did great. She was NOT too sure at first about all of the people that were there, but slowly she warmed up to the crowd. The food was delicious and we gave G her birthday present while we were there.
After Thanksgiving dinner, we headed back to Little Rock for a few days to just hang out and do laundry and check our mail. Amelia was a little confused when we got home, but it was better than her car seat, where she was a LOT angry on the way back--whew. After she realized we were home, she was so tickled. She played and played in her room and didn't go to bed until ten.

Yesterday we didn't leave the house and just played and played all day. Someone was delighted. We are repeating that today.

Nine Months

I didn't like being pregnant, which is taboo to say. However, I will say it. Ugh. So, to think that today Amelia has been in the world the same amount of time that I carried her in my stomach is insane to me. These nine months have been incredible. She has been learning at such a rapid rate lately. Here is our birthday girl.


At nine months she is sleeping through the night (in our bed) with one bottle. This past week, she went to one long afternoon nap a day as opposed to her usual two naps. We will see if this is permanent or not, but it seems to be. Amelia can say dog very consistently and identifies it with dog. She is finally saying mama, but does not say it in conjunction with seeing me. Other words she can "say," include:

- hi
- ball
- dada
- cat (this one is iffy)
- 'nana (Aunt Steph says she said this while eating a banana, but it is verrry iffy)

This week she started raising her arms up when you ask her, "How big is Amelia?" Then, we say, "So big!" and she raises both arms up. Like here:

It is quite possibly the cutest thing she does. And, she will wave bye-bye when people are leaving, or often, after they are already gone. Amelia is standing for about five seconds at a time and walking up and down the couch. Car rides are usually iffy. If she starts out mad, she will stay mad and scream and yell the entire ride. I just want to pull over and get her out, but I am getting better about just driving on down the road. Still, I usually just pray she sleeps ha.

She has tried bites of banana and likes them, but did NOT like the bites of avocado that I gave her. I will try introducing some more finger foods this month, like cooked carrots and sweet potatoes.

I cannot even explain how much having Amelia has changed the way I look at things. Look at this smile:


Ahhh. Sweet nine months. And had I known this bliss, I would have carried her another two years in there.

See Ya Springfield

Ross finishes his "love affair" with Cox Friday. He has loved, loved this hospital and the residents and attendings and everything in between. So lucky we could stay with Jen and be up here with him :) Springfield pictures:

Bass Pro with Aunt Jen



Raccoon Hat



Helping Jared play the bongos


Have I mention she loves Jared? When we go back to LR, I think she will be most depressed that it is just her dad and I, ha. Here is Jared reading Amelia the Thanksgiving card he got her.

Her present was a container of bubbles and she loooved watching them float all over the living room.
Fun times--hard to believe the rotation is already over. Ross has the next five weeks OFF. That is right! No gimmicks, just an actual five weeks off with no hospital rotations. Wahoo.

Whirlwind Part Three

Daddy after his interview.

The dinner was fantabulous last night. The Senior resident that took us out to dinner was from Harrison and so was his wife, who also attended. So, it was truly just a wonderful meal and a very relaxing atmosphere. We ate at Touch and I had hummus, filet mignon, and flourless chocolate cake. Delish. Cox has such a wonderful program and we felt comfortable asking all our questions. Success! It is comforting to know that there are great options out there for Ross's residency and great options for our family as well.

Sunday Pictures:

Amelia discovered Uncle D's tattoo for the first time and it was hilarious. She wanted it OFF of his arm. She kept pinching and pulling until Derek had to distract her with something else.

Peek-a-boo with Aunt Steph

Steph ruining our first co-brunette photo

Amelia has been back in Jared-land here in Springfield. And once again, all he has to do is walk in the room and she dissolves into fits of laughter. Oh, and guess who can stand up without holding on to anything? (for short five second or so bursts) Proof follows.



Gampy captured a picture of her two bottom teeth during bathtime the other night. I am now quite out of order on my whirlwind post, but this had to be shown, eyes shut and all.


Night.

Whirlwind Part Two

PAAAARRTTYYYY!

Well, actually, before the party Jaimi stopped by while she was in town with her presh family and everyone got to play together. Amelia was excited, of course. And tackled the kids, of course.


I mean, this girl is an aggressive player. Jackson is three (and a half?) and Amelia took him down. He has such a sweet disposition though. He let her do that because he was afraid he would hurt her. See? Presh. I wish I had gotten more pictures of Jordan because she has the sweetest cheeks you have ever seen.Thanks for stoppping by Jaimi, Josh, Jackson, and Jordan.



Now, on to the party. Amelia wore her new fleece dress and holy polka dots it was so cute. Here she is with the birthday girl.



Meme got some great gifts and Amelia stood very close with the hope of more tissue paper or another bow to play with. Christmas will be a blast!

Uncle Derek and Steph came over on Sunday after church to eat some birthday leftovers. Amelia's party dress became a church dress (I know, genius) and she played and played with her Aunt and Uncle. Pictures of that playtime to follow.

Ross's Springfield interview was today and he feels like it went very well. Three down! The dinner is tonight at Touch. Hmm. Interesting name for a restaurant, so we shall see. Amelia is staying with her Aunt Jen while we go out to eat. I'll keep ya posted.

Whirlwind Part One

Reporting live from Springfield. Wow. Living life to the fullest right now--and I don't feel exhausted one bit. I feel rested and filled to the brim with love. Re-cap time.

Came home after the interviews and hugged on this little woman who was a peach while we were gone.

She had a great time with Mom and Dad while we were gone. Then, I drove to LR for our Book Club meeting. We had wonderful discussion over our book, Three Cups of Tea. I took away from this novel a renewed respect for the people of the Middle East and am quite ashamed at the stereotypes I form and judgment I pass without doing any research. This book was an eye opener to how little I actually know about other cultures and people groups. One highlight of the night was that one of our members, Jessica, got to meet the author and attend one of his lectures. I am green with envy.

Oh, and I am the one with the brown hair. My roots were trailer park nasty and I cannot keep the brown hidden. I literally need a highlight every two weeks. Sigh. The blonde is gone for now. It is a pretty color...

Amy had cinnamon ice cream, baklava, hot chocolate, tea, cream cheese delight, and coffee cake; she was definitely a wonderful host. Our next selection is The Red Tent and I cannot wait to start reading! (want to join me?) Oh, and I chickened out on spending the night at our apartment alone, so I stayed with Amy and Kyle. Thanks guys :) Another highlight was seeing Owen--I had missed those big, brown eyes.


I came home the next morning and we had Meme's birthday party. Seventy three and absolutely breathtakingly gorgeous, spry, generous, loving, and feisty as ever. Amelia made her a card and she was so proud of it (Amelia and Meme).
Pictures from the party will follow, but on a very serious note, one of my precious students from P.A. died in a fourwheeler accident on Friday afternoon. His parents are John and Lesli Hugg and his family could really use your prayers for peace and comfort. He was a wonderfully gifted student and such a delight to have in class. All his classmates at P.A. are having a very rough time and could also use your prayers. Thank you.

What Can We Do?,

The past few years, I have wanted to get involved and help do something BIGGER for Christmas. But, I don't. Growing up, Mom always got an Angel Tree child and picked out toys and clothes for them and that made a big impact on me and I really want to instill that mentality in Amelia--to do for others. But, as of now, I don't. Part of me says, "Hey, we are living on loans. We can't give." Totally and completely not true. We already have the money taken out that we need and we can just spend less of it on gifts and more of it on those in need.

My family gives the BEST gifts. I do not want to take away from that gift giving excitement, but I do want to channel some energy into giving to others as well. Derek sent me this video link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVqqj1v-ZBU&feature=player_embedded#.

It really got me thinking that THIS is the year that I will do something outside of myself. Nothing huge--but something. Operation Christmas Child is an organization that I have always wanted to get involved in and it is very simple.

1. Get a shoebox
2. Wrap it and fill it with some little toys
3. Take it to a drop center


Here is the website that lists drop centers near you and gives details.
https://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/Pack_A_Shoe_Box/

If there is an organization that does something that you think is great, let me know.

Teach 'Em Young

Amelia went on her first four and a half hour shopping adventure last weekend. She did great and even rode in her stroller. You all know that she will NOT stroll for me, but Mom pushed her for like two hours. CRAZY! After she got tired of that she rode in the backpack for a while, but overall it was a great success.



She got a lot of cute clothes. I mean...more than the normal person would think of when they hear 'a lot.' As in...a ridiculous amount. We couldn't help it though. Children's Place, Osh Kosh, and Gymboree were all having huge sales :)

Aunt Steph has stopped by to see Amelia every day and even took off work to take care of her today while I am in Columbia. Thanks Steph! Yes, I cannot stop posting while I sit in the motel.I love this picture of Amelia and Derek. Moustache and all.

Interview Insider

Ross just left for his second interview and I want to go back to sleep. But, that doesn't come as easily as it used to. So, I thought I would update you on the interview trail. Kansas City dinner went well. The residents were easy to talk to and most of our questions were answered before he even went to the interview the next day. They seem very family friendly and we were impressed with the level of experience he would leave the program with. Ross felt that the interview went very well also. He was extremely nervous and we are thankful for all the encouragement and prayers. When he finished, he was beaming from ear to ear, so I knew it had gone very well. He loved the program and was flying high as we left for Columbia. Oh, and I had soup, KC strip, twice baked potatoes, and lemon cake. DIVINE.

Dinner number two was a BLAST. I would love to hang out with those people in real life. Much more laid back atmosphere, a lot of laughing, a lot of just general non-residency related talk, and a great overall THREE hour dinner. I had Parmesan fries, short ribs, mashed potatoes, and chocolate cake. This place was so cute and so pricey--yikes. However, the more we found out about the program, the more it did not seem a fit for us. Ross really wants to do C-sections and the program does not really allow for that, so he was bummed. Plus they are one of the few programs that still do 30 hour call every four days. Gag. He just left for the interview, but I doubt his mind will be changed by the end.





We have had a whirlwind trip with little time to do much that isn't related to pros and cons lists, but it has been fun just being together and preparing for this next big journey. By the way, I wanted to live in Harrison the rest of my life, so the fact that I moved to Sheridan and then Little Rock and now possibly somewhere else and to Mountain Home in three years after that makes me smile. God is funny.


I get to see Amelia tonight! Miss her so much.

Inner Views

Today begins the interview journey for Ross. Spouse dinner tonight in Kansas City, interview on Monday and travel to Columbia on Tuesday. Ross is hoping for a match in Springfield, but all of the other interviews are very important because Springfield only accepts eight med students from the entire U.S. and from the Caribbean schools. ONLY EIGHT. I, of course, love Little Rock and would love to stay there, but apparently their program is the pits. I assumed all residency programs would be the same, but I have been informed that I am mistaken. Here we are in KC at the Hilton (paid for) and we are getting ready for dinner. Spouses are encouraged to attend to get a feel for the program, so I am dressing up and turning on the charm-- free steak :) Looking at the positives.

Sometimes the grass is greener on the other side.

Sometimes it isn't.

But Amelia is teaching me that either way, it is best to love what you've got. Sometimes, you should just be tickled that there is grass in November. AND, that it is still green :)
Missing her already.

Old School

I loved high school. Obviously the world of academia is fascinating to me. I love learning, but that isn't really what this post is dedicated to. I am lucky enough to still have fabulous friends from high school. Life happens. Staying in touch is hard. We are busy. Blah blah. Despite these things, my friends have still made efforts to see me and I to see them and that is something that I am really proud of. Being in Harrison last week was awesome because I got to see my friends and had some free time to chat with them and just be.

Ally Cat and I go way back. To the tune of 23 years. We sang songs together in Kindergarten, had our first male teacher in 5th grade, made up the BEST dances, discovered a love of crayola names, went through a wooden maze in Branson in 6th grade, and had a blast "skiing" at the lake when we were 16. We lived and breathed basketball and the locker room and Anderson's pizza. The smell of sweat and determination (and maybe her no shaving phase) led us to the State Tourney and I will never forget those times. She is the best Britney Spears and the life of the party--even if there isn't a party. College roomie and oh how we lived in HOMINY. I die when I remember "It looks good on me," and those pre-Jeff BOY magnet days haha. Love her.
Jaimi now has two kids and was a mom and a wife before me. I so admire her loving spirit and look up to the way that she loves her kids and is so emotionally present for them. But, I will never forget her tall basketball socks, "straightened" hair or her Space Jam mouse-like ways. I lovingly remember the painted Scary Hole and the hours of collages. And oh the boys. The days of T.J. and Keith are gone, but the hours we spent worrying about our relationships bring a smile to my face. How I love the cotton candy ice cream before the drive to church and the hours of makeup and pictures before the dances. She spent days and days at my house and only one time did we fight and I ripped her shirt. Ba ha ha. I laugh out loud at Pear-Rear and the fact that she spent so much time at our house that MY mom once grounded her. We were inseperable at times. Seriously--I loved high school.
Amy moved in from the dreaded rival school and in a very Heather-like fashion, I wanted nothing to do with her. But how I would have missed out. Amy is my level-headed, no worries, logical, math teacher compadre. She is positive and fun and made the best locker signs. I fondly remember the fight song and Trig class--and wonder how we didn't EVER get in trouble. Even when I was threatened to be "Jack-Slapped." She braided everyone's hair on the bus rides and married her high school sweetheart. In fact, when she was pregnant, I was boyfriend-less and totally still tagging around with her and her husband. Those were great times--great memories. I loved my first two years at Omaha--teaching along side her and watching her love for the students as she gave countless hours devoted to them. We tried very hard to duplicate for our kids the fabulous HS experience we had. She is a wonderful mom to two boys and never is too busy to see me when I am in town. High school was great, but our friendship is stronger now than ever.
But, my best friend of all wasn't even in my high school class. Nope, she did not belong to the Class of 99--EVEN THOUGH are boys were great and our girls were fine. However, there were many times when I never realized that. Steph was right there with me always--cheering at the games, helping with with what to wear, and loving me in my dramatic 'why did we break up' melt downs. In fact, she would probably consider these girls some of her closest friends too. Stephanie was there when everyone else went home. She was the best friend that even got to go on family vacations. Munchakikimo. Guf Shores Two Thousand. Figis Gifts. Baby sitting service. Swinging. Water Slides. I was beside myself to move three hours away from the ultimate best friend. But, the effort has doubled and we are closer than ever. She has since turned into an amazing aunt and continues to be my supportive best friend. Steph has never been my little sister, just my greatest companion.

Now, all high school friendships haven't survived. There are a couple that I would have bet money on that didn't stand the test of time. And you know what? That is okay. I wouldn't trade those memories for anything. I was who I was at the time and they were who they were. So what if everything didn't stay the same? However, I am grateful for the friendships that are still growing.

So, FBLA, track, basketball, FHA, Senior Scholars, Beta, Yearbook, and Student Council, here's to you. Dances, Mad Hatters, field trips, Mooner, Panther Den, Homecoming, and Pep Rallies, here's to you.

Ally, Jaimi, Amy Jo, and Steph, here's to you.