Together Weekend

What a beautiful weekend in the pacific northwest! We not only took advantage of the gorgeous sunshine, but also of the surprising amount of free time we BOTH had/could make (don't get me wrong, there were tons of other things we could have & maybe should have gotten done this weekend). I can't express enough how fabulous it was to spend intentional time together. Unlike housework- it's something you can't "just do another time." We are learning to be intentional about our time together & really take advantage of free moments or entire free days!

Weekend together happenings:

 

1. Sleeping in until noon. No joke. I never do that! It was glorious!

2. Long walk in the sunshine along the river & bird watching! Proud of us Dad?

3. We did our taxes... finally! 

4. Homemade dinner & cuddling/tv night

5. Church

6. Picnic (we brought our own snacks & grabbed some grub from Sonic on the way) at Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm

7. Tulips! 

 

 

 

{http://www.woodenshoe.com/}

 Sick of looking at tulips yet? Wait until tomorrow's post and then you'll really be sick of them! But really, check out tomorrow's post for some of my favorite pics of not only tulips but other fun finds from the farm as well! Sorry for all of the photos of us- I may have gone a bit overboard.

Hope you all had a great weekend!

PS- Are we the only people who struggle to get photos together anywhere we go? We have to strategically choose someone to ask to take a photo of us together. Sometimes we get lucky and some kind person offers out of the blue. I try to return the favor whenever possible. We got lucky with TWO whole pictures together this weekend. Woo hoo! 

Swords & Suspenders

Awkward & Bummer

•  Andrew had a presentation this week. He wore suspenders & a polka-dot tie. Then he informed me that he may have also worn a cowboy hat... Then I found swords near his backpack. I hope it ended there. Since when did swords, suspenders, & cowboy hats coincide with med school? I did appreciate the sword lesson he gave me though.
• Lady in white pants biking to work... in the pouring rain = black bike seat stain imprinted up her behind. Classy.
•  Not seeing Andrew for 2 days because of our opposite schedules. Missing our usual 30 minute dinner overlap before work. Thankful for sticky note love messages left on pillows & text updates.
• Mixing up my left and right with a patient at work. Duh Jenna,  Anatomy 101... Embarrassing.
• Getting the oil changed after working a 12 hr night shift and a morning meeting. The guys were cracking up at me. I couldn't correctly turn on my lights- that's what the auto setting is for! "Open the hood? Umm... hold on, let me find the switch..."  The list goes on... Hello ditz city. 
• Dreaming that my hubby birthed our 1st baby. Weirdest dream to date. Except, I cried because I was so proud of him. Unfortunately our baby was very small (SGA for my nurse friends). Andrew was very upset and disappointed in himself- then he told me I didn't feed him enough (which is probably true). He also thought it was weird to be bleeding so much. Welcome to womanhood honey. Anyways- we had a mini-Andrew clone; squirmy and all. So strange... No, we're not pregnant. I promise!
• Dear yappy neighbor dog, please stop barking in the middle of the day. I know the rest of the world is awake, but I'm desperately trying to sleep for work. Yappy yap yap. Ughh...

Branching Out

 I'm slowly branching out with my vegetable choices. Last week: Kale. This week: Radishes.

Aren't they cute? Seriously- radishes remind me of a clown nose or rudolf's nose. They look so happy! 

You MUST try this kale recipe from Mrs Molly over at Urban Nester. Andrew and I made it last week and threw in some asparagus & tomatoes. It is to die for! I raved about it at work all night and couldn't wait for leftovers.

I already ate some radishes in my salad but want to try a bit more with these pretty little red balls. So- I'll try a simple radish mashed potatoes.  

Do you have any great radish recipes?

Jenna's Corner & Easter

 

 This little nook in our new apartment was calling my name. So- I made it into my little corner. Laptop station, camera station, bills, schedules, morning devotion & breakfast corner... it's simply perfect and just what I need! I love starting my days here or pulling up recipes (as the kitchen is directly to the left- so I can look back and forth).

Blue chair refurnishing post here

Blue mirror refinishing post here

 

Andrew and I after church. My parents were able to join us for an Easter lunch. So nice to have them less than an hour away. 

 These beautiful vintage napkins are from Andrew's Grandma. Aren't they gorgeous? They match our dishes perfectly.

 The cousins all got together for an easter egg hunt. The girls team lost (everything is more fun with some guy/girl competition) and we some how managed to loose 10+ eggs after they were hidden...
 I think this was my first Easter egg hunt since I was a very little girl. Never too old?

Med School & Hubby Update

As some have been asking, here is a medical school/Hubby update!

This handsome dude has 1 more course/quarter until summer! Nearly 1 year down... many years to go. He's precepting in the children's emergency department and occasionally in the adult emergency department. Between classes, studying, precepting, & volunteering at various functions (Medical clinics, high schools, etc.), he keeps very busy! He is still playing indoor soccer with a med-school-friend team and enjoys doing so. 

Andrew still says he wouldn't have it any other way. He's working very hard and I couldn't be more proud of him. He still makes it a priority to spend time together and plans his time to where we can see each other as much as possible with opposite schedules. Simply put, it amazes me how considerate and kind he is in the midst of being stressed and so busy. 

We were able to reflect a little bit this weekend on where we are at in our lives and our dreams for the future. Ultimately, we both feel so blessed beyond measure and have no one except our heavenly father to thank and give glory to. We want to use our medical knowledge/experience in the future to outreach and help others and are so grateful to be on the same page and partner together in our dreams for this potential.  Only God knows what this will look like- but I believe that God is preparing our hearts now for what he has in store. 

We are thankful to friends and family for prayers and support- it means so much to us!

Yes, Yes they smiled

I was humbly reminded that it is Good Friday in the wee early hours of this morning. I walked into one of my patient's rooms to find them knelt in prayer. They may not have spoken more than a word or two of english, but I am thankful for their devotion and example. "Good Friday" I said. "Yes, Yes..." they smiled and responded. 

What a somber, yet triumphant day.

Christ conquered sin. Through his death on the cross, we can choose life. 

No clearer words declare this than Jesus': "It is finished." John 21:20

But, the story doesn't end there...

PS- As I'm "gearing down" to fall asleep in order to work again tonight, Andrew is "pumping himself up" by beat-boxing and singing... very impressively I might add. What better way to get ready for an exam? I wish you all could hear this...

Meet Betty

Meet Betty! The new addition to my craft corner. This Saturday, Andrew's side of the family all got together to venture through Grandma & Grandpa's things (they recently moved). This was the ultimate garage sale! So much fun and SO many great finds. I have lots more to show but will do so as they are used/come up. I'm grateful for this addition and am excited to fiddle with it and change it to my measurements. Ultimately, I'm excited to try to get back to sewing (once our new place is all settled and set up of course). Andrew keeps saying that I'm going to wake up and think someone is intruding in our room (my craft corner is in our new larger bedroom and the dress form is very close to my side of the bed). We'll see...

PS- Did anyone see that TLC show about the man who collects store manikins and has an entire apartment filled with them. They each have names. I decided to name mine Betty after Andrew's Grandma. I'm sure she is pleased to meet you!

Bride to Be: Anna

 

 

The bride!

 

 

Anna is getting married! I loved celebrating this bride to be this weekend and can't wait until her special day in June. I was Anna's RA in college (I know I'm not supposed to have favs, but we got along well and became great friends). I'm so excited for her to get married and loved attending her shower. That chocolate cheesecake was to-die-for-delicious!

Moved & Singing Praises

  
We're all moved! And... drum roll please....

..........

We have much more space and this balcony! Which means we have sunlight.... which means I'm a much happier person already! Can I get an "Amen" to that! Seriously, even though it's been raining all weekend and the clouds are grey, there is natural light throughout our apartment and I'm simply in love. We both are (in love with each other of course- but also our new apartment)! This is seriously an answer to prayer. Did I mention it's only $5 more than our other place!? Not sure if that was divine intervention or what, but we couldn't be more thrilled and are hoping to stay here for the next 3 years. That's something to continue praying for...  But for now we are full of praise, joy, and thanksgiving! God's provision and mercies have simply amazed me. Praise Him for the blessings he has bestowed; praise Him for meeting our basic needs and giving us more than we ever deserve; praise Him for offering the opportunity for us to delight in His creation and beauty from our home. God is good. I am full of praise.

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises.  Psalm 57:7

 I'll share more from our move later in the week. Our secret weapon and most useful moving tool along with some goofy photos are coming soon...