History

I think you can tell a lot about a person by looking at their internet search history.  It's a peek into their mind.. a little glimpse of what they've been thinking about, and what's been going on in their life.  If you were the NSA, you would already know what I have been up to lately... but since most of you reading this aren't (hi, NSA!), here's a little idea of what you would see if you pulled up my internet search history (listed in no particular order):

"I think I swallowed a fish bone"

"Cost of living in Houston"

"Cost of living in Dallas"

"Little Mermaid coloring pages"

"Book club ideas"

"Good Old War - After the Party lyrics" (catchy song, by the way.  listen to it on Spotify)

"letting an 8-month-old cry it out"

"intense low back pain?"

"super moon"

"MSK fellowship salaries"

"could a fish bone perforate my intestines?"

"cost of living in Charlottesville"

"physical therapists gainesville"

"where to live in Nashville"

"cost of physics review course for radiology residents" ($700 in case you are wondering! jeepers.)

"suit sales Florida"

"business casual"

"barbie coloring pages"

"herniated disc in lower back"

"MCG current name?"

"is facebook down?"

"living in Scottsdale"

"Honda Odyssey leather 2011 black"

"common core"

"feet feel tingly - pinched nerve in lower back"

"chicken cordon bleu recipes"

"can a fish bone scratch my esophagus"

"car rental - drop off at different location"

"Wake Forest MSK program"

"Disney World half marathon"

"Hello Kitty coloring pages"

"cost of applying to radiology fellowships"

"why does my digital clock run fast??"

"Familysearch.org"

"CMT awards"

"best states to practice medicine"

"tropical storm Andrea"

"Bloomingdales wedding registry"

"diapers best value?"

"West Palm Beach - Ritz Carlton map"

"cheap hotels near Ritz Carlton West Palm Beach"

"Southern Living chicken enchiladas recipe"

"Publix weekly ad"

And, a little background info on a few items:

-I swallowed a fish bone and it was painful and I was paranoid that it would kill me.

-The girls love coloring book pages that I print out for free online

-I injured my lower back very badly.  This happened about 8 weeks ago.  I started physical therapy a week ago and that has helped tremendously but it's still very discouraging. I was working out 5-6 days a week plus walking about 10 miles a week before it happened, but I haven't been able to go walking or work out since then so that's been tough.  I'm hoping it will get to 100% sooner or later.

-As you can see, Garrett's applying to fellowships and I'm trying to do a little research on the different places he is considering!  I'm also wondering how much all this is going to cost us....

-Garrett has a radiology conference coming up in West Palm Beach, and they are supposed to stay at the Ritz Carlton (paid for with his personal education fund), but it's all filled up.  So, looking for alternatives!

-Garrett's medical school (MCG) has changed its name twice since he graduated three years ago.  I needed to call the registrar's office about something for fellowship applications but I wasn't sure what the current name of the school was.  I guess they have nothing better to spend their money on?

-I am working on doing some family history.  The new Familysearch.org website is really neat, you should try it out.

-The kids and I are heading to PA this summer and I booked our flights out of the major airport that is a little distance away, since it's a lot cheaper than our city's small airport.  I don't really know what I was thinking, though, since there is no way that Garrett has time to drive us there!  His schedule will be crazy.  So, I'm going to have to do a one-way rental car.

-No, I'm not currently in the market for a 2011 black Honda Odyssey with leather interior, but it doesn't hurt to look around every so often. :)  After all, we will have to buy a different car when the next baby comes (not an announcement at all, just thinking ahead.  Our current car seats 5).  I always thought that baby #4 might happen before residency is over (two years from now) but maybe not, with all the healthcare policy changes that are happening here for us.

-I was seriously considering signing up for the Disney World half marathon next January, but then I injured my back so I'm glad I didn't sign up.  Would have been so fun!  A bunch of my friends are doing it though, so we're planning a girls' trip that weekend that will revolve around the race.

-I've been doing a little research on Common Core, but the articles I have been reading are very one-sided so it's hard to tell what is really true and what is being blown out of proportion.  I'm hoping to get a chance to really research it more, read both sides of the issue, and form my own conclusions.

What has the NSA learned about you lately?

Saying Goodbye

May and June are tough months for people in medical training.... we have to say goodbye to lots of friends!

This year, I said goodbye to two really good friends.

Allison lived just down the street from us, and Abbie is good friends with her oldest daughter who is the same age.  I will really miss Allison - she has been such a great friend!  She and her husband have been a big help to us, since her husband is also doing radiology.  They are moving to Seattle for a 1-year fellowship, but chances are very high I will see her again since they will likely return to the east coast for a "real job" in a year.  Also, her husband is doing the same sub-specialty that Garrett is doing (MSK), so hopefully in the future we can meet up at various conferences that our husbands attend.

 And, Leza.... Leza is awesome.  If you ever want to talk politics, talk to Leza! :)  Leza is one of the most generous people I know - she is always willing to lend a hand.  She's also hilarious!  We had a lot of fun together, and our oldest daughters are also friends.  Leza's husband has a "real job" in Phoenix (where they were both raised) so they are heading back "home" for good.  But, I will see her in January when she comes back for a "girls weekend" that we are planning in Orlando!

In total, we are losing about 15 families from the ward (some are pictured below), so it's a rough year!  The kids will really miss their friends and I know I will, too.  It's difficult to see people leave, but thankfully it's something that we know will happen so it's no big surprise.  For each move, everyone knows pretty much exactly how long they will be in a certain location, so it helps that no one is ever leaving out of the blue.  That makes it a bit easier.  Plus, now we've gotten to the point in our training where the majority of people who are leaving us are headed for real doctor jobs, so that's really exciting to hear about and see. 

And thankfully, we aren't just losing people.  Our ward will be gaining at least a dozen medical families that we know about, plus any other families that happen to move in throughout the summer that we don't know about (many people contact someone to ask where they should live, ask about the schools, etc.... but then there are always people who just show up, so that's fun too).  Most are medical residents, but we also get dental students and residents, law students, interns, and grad students. Three families are moving right into our neighborhood so that will be great for the kids.  We are excited to meet everyone and make new friends!

Last day of school

Abbie had her last day of school last week.  We brought her some flowers at the bus stop but she was too upset to appreciate them very much.  Her tears were a result of two things: she was sad that kindergarten was over, and scared about starting first grade in the fall.

Someone brought Popsicles to share as part of a little celebration for the start of summer.

Ellie, Isabella, Abbie, and Ellie

 A house near the bus stop had a whole display for the end of summer, so we had to get a picture!

On Abbie's last day of school, her class celebrated all the summer birthdays.  Later that afternoon, Abbie asked me if she could eat a piece of candy that she had gotten from someone who gave out goodie bags.  I told her no, and told her it was because she had already eaten a cupcake, and had juice, and had a Popsicle that day.  She said, "Actually, I had two cupcakes, ice cream, juice, and a Popsicle today."  Gotta love kindergarten, I guess!

We have a great summer ahead!  The girls and I will be gone for three weeks in July, traveling various places and seeing a lot of people.  Abbie is also signed up for an art class in June and we have lots of friends moving out and new people moving in that we look forward to meeting.  Excited for a fun and busy summer vacation!

Gulf Coast Fishing

Garrett went fishing on the Gulf Coast with some of his fellow residents last weekend.  It turned out to be a success - he brought home a big redfish for dinner!!

 The girls loved it:

....and so did I.

He also caught a big trout, but he gave it to his buddy who didn't catch anything to bring home (they all caught lots of sharks and catfish but.. yuck. They throw those back.).

It's been a while since we had a good red fish.  Thanks again, Garrett!

Gardening

We have another little square foot garden again this year.  It's similar to last year's.  Lettuce, tomatoes, basil, peppers, jalapenos (I think?), strawberries, and some watermelon and pumpkins this year.

Belated Mother's Day

I love being a mom.  It's a daily challenge, but one I wouldn't trade for anything.

 Garrett and the girls made muffins for breakfast:

And the girls gave me a great card:

Abbie drew me a lovely picture after church:

This is me with my mom in 1985, and Garrett with his mom in 1985.  Happy Mother's Day!

Smiley

.... I just don't think it gets much cuter than that!  We love our happy little girl.