Beach Getaway

  The Oregon coast was calling my name. For numerous reasons: to celebrate the completion of Andrew's 3rd year of med school, to squeeze in one more getaway with my honey before baby, and to return to the place we were exactly one year prior processing and grieving our miscarriage. So, to the coast, we went...

We stayed at The Coho in Lincoln City. Being our 3rd time there, I guess it has become a special place for us. Nothing grand, but perfect for us. 

Andrew spoiled me and booked the "sunset sweet," which included prime beach views, a balcony, fireplace, and an amazing jacuzzi tub. He knows how much I like baths. It was quite the treat and so very thoughtful of him to book a little something special. 

 The weather was windy, but amazing for our stay. We especially enjoyed the pool to ourselves in the evening. Baby girl had her first swim and it felt so wonderful to float. I'm wishing I got on the pregnancy pool gig earlier. Maybe next pregnancy...

Andrew had to study for some of the trip, but I enjoyed this time to myself to reflect, journal, & pray.

 After a filling lunch at Mo's, we weren't hungry for a real dinner. Instead, we settled for splitting a personal watermelon, peaches, & nectarines over a movie. Can you tell I'm in a fruit craze right now? We then stayed up far too late into the morning finishing the second season of Dexter. We are hooked!

I'm so thankful for our little getaways.

Around here

Our home is happy around here these days. It's a nice change from what seemed like a very long and dark summer. Perhaps it's happy because I woke up this morning with the craziest boost of energy for which I used to deep clean the house. Windows, floors, and all. Whew! I'm liking these 2nd trimester little bouts of energy. When it comes, I run with it!

 

Perhaps it's happy because we've had a few loved ones as visitors over the past month.

My sister and nephew stayed with us for a few days in early January. What a joy to have little Reid around. His smile is contagious. His little baby cheeks are irresistible. I wish you could see this child eat real food. He's quite the patient & polite little fella. He sits with his mouth wide open, ready. What a sweetie. We also learned that baby-proofing the house needs to happen asap. This little guy is quite the explorer and got into everything. Children truly are a gift. I love watching my sister delight in her son. And I love being Auntie.

 

 Perhaps it's happy because little bits of life surround us. From photos of favorite spots, to each of our baby ultrasounds on the fridge, to a few lively plants, to the above meaningful painting of "Rock Gabriel" from my Dad. The day Andrew and I told my family we were expecting our first baby, Dad and I took a daddy/daughter date, chased the light, and painted this view as the sun was setting. What a meaningful little gift this was to me. A day to be remembered, a moment frozen in time. Dad, thank you  for this beautiful piece that livens our home.

Perhaps it's happy because Andrew always seems to be happy. He even wakes up happy. Sweet, giddy, and happy. Every morning, it still catches me off guard. I can't help but start the day with a smile waking up next to him (a nice change from the past 2.5 years of working nights and not being on the same sleep/wake schedule). 

Andrew is currently in the middle of his Psych rotation. This means that he spends his work days on the inpatient psych unit. As you can certainly imagine, it's quite the interesting place. He continues to keep a positive attitude and amazes me with how he takes each rotation and tries to find every way that it can apply to his future as a family practice physician. Andrew is already planning his next (& last!!!) year's schedule. It's exciting to think that the light is in sight and that this med-school journey is nearing an end. This week's sermon addressed the idea that besides salvation, people are the best gift God could give us. I couldn't agree more and am thankful every day that God gave me Andrew. What a gift.

A weekend together & 3rd annual self timer photoshoot

I end up taking lots of photos of friends and family, but rarely get actual photos of the two of us. So, we packed our gear and handy tripod (kitchen stool) and headed to this spot I've had in mind since last April. This inactive railroad lies adjacent to the Willamette river and glows if the sunlight hits the tree tunnel just right. Truth be told, I much prefer to be the one behind the camera than in front of the lens. Andrew too, I think. Hence, why we have seemed to make this self-photoshoot thing an annual event. Though, I do believe we'd get much sharper and better photos if we just gave in and let someone else do the work. 

There is something to be said for taking turns setting the camera and running to the said spot in 10 seconds. Lots of laughter!

We both had this past weekend off and it was oh so nice. We didn't actually do much of anything. Went out to eat, ran errands together, I sewed while he watched football, helped him cut his hair, caught up on tv shows together, accompanied each other to church etc. It was a very normal weekend. Nothing special. Just normal and so nice to just be together. 

While dropping Andrew off this morning for the start of a new rotation (parking is difficult & costly at OHSU), he told me that the past few days, he's gotten used to being together.  He explained that he already missed me for this week and it hasn't even started yet. Our opposite schedules really get old fast. But, good news folks, I'll be moving to day shift in a few weeks! Hallelujah! I cannot even begin to imagine seeing Andrew every day/night of the week. That sounds sad, doesn't it? Seeing your own husband every day? Imagine that!

 

this summer was an appetizer

He walked in the door late last night and we embraced. I knew my time with him was short as he had a "shelf" exam (test at the end of each rotation) in the morning and needed a major cramming session. Furthermore, I was on-call at work (those darn mandatory over time shifts) and could get called away at any time. A solid ten minute hug turned into big crocodile tears of relief. Andrew is home, home. For reals, home. "Summer" is over. It certainly has not been an easy summer. Besides recovering from our miscarriage and grieving that loss, the mister and I were apart for 2 and a half months. He was first living in Stayton for his rural rotation and then in Salem for his OB/GYN rotation. Ten weeks of little visits here and there; 10 weeks of short phone convos or little texts just to semi keep in touch. Our opposite schedules didn't help either. He mostly worked 7am-7pm while I work the opposite. Thankfully, he was relatively close to Portland and we made little visits as much as possible, but time is precious and certainly limited.

This summer has been a strength-building time. Strength in getting through each day, strength in not being an emotional basket-case (at least about him being gone), strength in sometimes not letting him know just how hard it was to have him gone. Just how much the quiet house made me sad. Because, he's thriving. He's learning. He's doing the work he was called to do. As am I. I'm learning to support him in this career of his. This life of ours. I'm learning to be the best wife I can be.

In the shortest way to possibly describe it, this summer was an appetizer. A small tasting for what our future will continue to look like for many years to come. I can chose to enjoy this appetizer and make the most of it, or have it ruin the rest of the meal. Here I am, peeking through a crack in the wall at what a future deployment(s) or TDY (temporary duty assignment) time will look like. At what busy residency may look like. I know that on the other side of that wall is a vast field of beauty. Hills of knee-high grass, wild flowers, shady trees, a beautiful home of our very own and a family of youngsters. And, we will thrive together as one. We will continue serving, continue living with the same passion and love for each other. These hard times will make us stronger. The hard times will keep coming. The beautiful times too. 

I think the Lord gave me a little extra dose of strength to get through this time apart. He gave me those little bouts of energy to make it for short visits, a little extra emotional-self-control, a little extra braveness. He certainly knows what his children need. His grace is sufficient.

Welcome home babe. Let's have a great weekend together sans work/school! 

one rotation down

August brought the conclusion of Andrew's first rotation (or 'clerkship' as they call it) of his 3rd year in Med School. Woohoo! 1 down, many to go. Good news though, he still loves it and still is so passionate about family practice. For his "rural" rotation, Andrew spent 5 weeks in Stayton, Oregon. I enjoyed a few visits to see him and was enthralled with the gorgeous covered bridge just a few blocks away from the adorable bed and breakfast he was roomed at for his time there. Though Stayton is not the ruralist of towns, it's definitely rural compared to our beloved Portland. This experience certainly gave him a taste of what it would look like to live and work in a rural setting. He was also able to work on a project researching some of the social factors for low physician retention in rural settings- a real problem for the US and smaller, rural towns. More than once, he had the dilemma of trying to wash blood out of his white coat. #doctorproblems... All in all, he had a great time and very busy 5 weeks. Now, he's on to OB- a piece of my world. Can't wait to hear his stories and have him experience a bit of what I do each day. 

Since each of the students had the weekend "off" (I don't think they are ever truly off... Andrew still had many hours of work to do this weekend), a few of our friends were able to get together for a little BBQ at our place. Andrew is putting his new grill to good use! We enjoyed chicken and veggie skewers along with classic hot dogs and tasty sides. We also enjoyed the shenanigans that 4 year olds bring to the party. If I would have known little Sam and Kaylen were dressing up, I would have put on my own costume! Ok, maybe not. But, seriously, always a joy to have these giggly beings around. Thankful for sweet friends, their lovely wives, and funny kiddos! 

(We missed you, Christine!)

Here's to rotation #2!