Flexibility

Do you ever feel like life is like playing a game of twister, but you never know in what way you'll have to bend or turn or stretch? At present, as mom to a 15 mos old and wife to a surgical resident, flexibility seems to be what I need most at times. As soon as I have a plan or an idea of what I should do one morning, afternoon, evening...look out! Here comes a call to be flexible! Sigh...This is actually quite a humbling process and hones down my desire to plan and control and have it all go "my way." So, I work on having realistic expectations and plans, but then surrendering them whenever need be and trying to faithfully and lovingly accept it, and meet my family where they are. You never know when Lee can't be home, or just needs to sleep, or when Sullivan needs down time or a nap or whatever it may be...
Perhaps God simply knows exactly what I need to work on, huh? May God help me seek the strength and faith to live fully and abundantly where I am.

Water play and a trip to the cabin

Hello! We've been busy up here! We have two fun outdoor playtoys, a water table and a little baby pool (thanks to Aunt Lauren and Daddy), and good times have been had. We also unexpectedly got away to McRae,GA, to visit with my parents, fish, and just soak up some quiet this past weekend. Sullivan is on the cusp of walking and has even taken a few steps recently. She likes to "bear crawl" and do a semi-headstand right now, by straightening her legs and putting her hands on the floor. She continues to be a joy and "sings" and "talks" all the time now. She understands so much! It is really amazing to watch her grow. Her newest words are:
English: dog, duck, teese (for cheese or trees), daddy, mommy
Spanish: "mah" (mas=more), joo ("hoo"=jugo=juice)
sounds: woof, bah bah
So fun...

Sullivan's School

Since August of 2008, Sullivan has been going to Berea First Baptist Church Child Develpement Center. It has been a blessing as it is very close to where I teach, although about 15-20 minutes from our house. She has already moved through 3 different infant rooms already and has recently been placed in the Toddler I room with the big kids! They have puzzle time, book time, art, and even time outside on the toddler playground. She has made several buddies and comes home simply exhausted from all the excitement! We are so thankful for this school and the wonderful women that care for her. Above is the school as well as Sullivan (crying) with her buddy Tucker and Ms. Lindsey.

Annual Ortho Picnic

More orthopedic residency events! Yes, it is that time where all over our great nation new interns, i.e. new graduates with MDs, head off to their teaching hospitals to get welcomed into their residency programs, which can be anywhere from 3-7 years. We are welcoming our new 4 residents here with several events and this weekend was no exception as we hosted the Annual Picnic. The rain stayed away (thankfully!) and Salsaritas came to my rescue with the food and I think everyone had a grand time. Here are a few of the photos...

A piece of the puzzle

Sullivan received a few great puzzles for Christmas ("chunky puzzles" from Melissa and Doug) from her Gigi and well, it seems that for the moment, the pieces are much more interesting as subsitutes for a paci!? (Did we get rid of it too soon?!) Sullivan selects either the turtle or dog puzzle piece and slips it in her mouth each day as we play in our den! Here she is in all her glory.

Included above are also a few recent pictures of the Orthopedic Resident Roast from last weekend. The first one is of the rising 3rd yr class and then the girls, both wives and 2 residents. The whole program gets together each year for a night of dinner, drinks and a humorous "roast" of a send-off for the graduating 5yrs. A very fun night indeed.

Happy 4th Anniversary to us!

Tonight, four years ago, Lee and I said our vows in Holy Spirit Church in Montgomery, Alabama. We enjoyed a lovely garden reception at Dawson's at Rose Hill, an old, small plantation home off of highway 80, just parallel to 85, and had a ball with family and friends. We celebrated this year by finally engraving our rings and the evening tonight with yummy home-cooked steaks, a nice Pinot Noir and even ice cream cones for dessert. Happy four years to us!

PS- I don't have any digital pictures of our wedding, so these are just a few from 2006 and 2007.

Fun with family

Sullivan and I spent the last 7 days back at home in Montgomery and spent some wonderful, much-needed down time with family. We also fared our first airplane experience, basically unscathed except for sore arms and sticky lollipop mess from all of my attempts to keep a 14mos old quiet, content and seated in my lap for long periods of time! Whew! I'm glad to be home...
Above you'll see pics of the grandmothers, Aunt Lauren and cousins Josephine and McRae.