· Christopher’s FIRST two years (i.e. first half) of medical school are over!!!! No more classrooms, no more lectures, no more professors, no more finals- after six years, it’s on to the hands-on part of learning that he’s been waiting for. Of course, he’ll still have instructors, tons of skills and information to master, and major annual exams to tackle but the goal of becoming a doctor will seem so much more real out in the field. He’s worked incredibly hard, and though some of the “worst” is yet to come, I know he’s exceeded the expectations he had for himself when he started medical school and I’m so proud of him.
· We participated in our FIRST yard sale. It was actually pretty awesome. I spent about a week trying to sort, organize, clean, research (yes, I actually researched how to have a successful yard sale), label, price and list all of the stuff we were trying to get rid of. I think I went a little overboard with it all (as if you didn’t get that already) but I think it really made the day go a little smoothly. We were only one of at least 40 people participating in a massive student yard sale at the med school. Apparently, this is a huge annual event for the town and hundreds of people come to find great deals, which are easy to find with so many students trying to lighten their load before moving. The event was supposed to go from 8-12 in the morning but we ended up arriving to set up stuff around 6:30 am. Good thing we did- most of our sales took place before 7! It was a long day what with the two kids (who did behave really well), hot summer weather, and so many people, but we came home with empty boxes and extra moola in our pockets.
· A few weeks ago we experienced our FIRST most directly-affecting tornado. Both Christopher and I have experienced our fair share of tornadoes while growing up in Texas and Oklahoma, but I don’t think either of us has ever experienced one that did so much damage so close to so many people we know. Little did I know that when I finally heard the last few seconds of the town’s tornado siren while getting the girls ready for bed that night, homes and businesses just two miles north of us we’re being blown away. The resilience of those victims is amazing and I wish we could have done more. Christopher helped with clearing debris and packing what was left of some of his fellow classmates’ belongings and had a firsthand look at the damage. If nothing else, I’m so grateful to live in a town that shows love for its neighbors and one another…the ENTIRE town gave food, clothing, supplies and helping hands to those in need, burning a bright light of hope in a time of tragedy.
· And last but certainly not least, one of the most important firsts around here: Alexis’s FIRST birthday! Time has flown with this one. I vividly remember everything that happened June 2nd, 2008…it really doesn’t seem that long ago. It was a very happy day. After taking time off from all the long walks we had been taking to get labor going after being dilated to a four for a few days, the day was kind of lazy and a little frustrating since I hadn’t felt even one small, real contraction. Aren’t most women in full-swing labor by the time they reach 4 cm?! Well, by that evening, we kind of gave up hope that we’d be heading to the hospital that day. But my water ended up breaking just before dinner, on the way to the hospital contractions started, and Alexis was born less than two hours later! Definitely a switch from my first experience with labor/delivery which was an ALL day/ALL night event. She was so tiny with dark hair, the perfect amount of chub and deep blue eyes. And here she is now with all the same beautiful traits, just a little bigger and a year older. A few of Alexis’s one-year accomplishments: She can go up and down the stairs by herself (with watchful supervision, of course, though she’s a sneaky one); she loves baby dolls, books, binkies and her elephant (her very first present from Grandma and Kira at the hospital); she can cruise and is SO close to walking but not quite there; she has the most serious and animated conversations with herself and toys (I don’t know how else to describe it, but it is hilarious to watch); she sleeps like an angel- all night, two naps; she can be the quietest and loudest person in the house; her vocabulary still consists of “mama”, “dada”, “sissy”, “baba”, "bah", but she’s starting to repeat things that we say and can understand even more than I realize; and she loves to play with her sister (when it’s safe to…Kira has her experimental days when she likes to see how much Alexis can tolerate). We love her laugh, her snuggles, her curiosity and her spirit. Happy birthday, Lexis!!!
Excuse the cardboard props...moving is not a first around here.
Next time on “Life in the Woods”-“ Boxes and Books: The Joys of Packing While Studying for Your Life.”
