happy wife

 

Remember that dreaded surgery rotation? Well, it's over and I'm a happy wife. It thankfully went quickly and turned out to be quite the blessing that Andrew was placed at a certain hospital. You can't complain too much when there's free food for every meal! Andrew basically worked 80 hour weeks and somehow managed to keep up a positive attitude and even gain a little weight (opposed to the normal weight loss that occurs in this rotation). I especially looked forward to him bringing me home extra luna bar snacks each day. He is now finishing up his 3rd year with a pediatrics rotation. I'm so very proud of his hard working self and the way he remains so loving and kind through and through. So thankful to be his wife!

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Here is a sneak peek of baby girl's mobile that I made many many weeks ago. It is one of my favorite parts of her room and oh so simple! Full post to come soon.

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!

 

Learning that this is our life

 We pass by each other at the entrance to the hospital. He's leaving. I'm coming.
His eyes light up and we embrace. "Perfect timing!" A sweet little surprise for the day.  
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He calls to say he's on his way home but won't make it in time before I leave for work. I say, 'let's meet in the middle for dinner at Chipotle!' Quickest dinner we ever did have, but the best company and a kiss to remember until we see each other again. 

Learning to appreciate the little things over here in the busy MS3 world. Learning that this is our life. Learning to make the most of it. Just thankful he's home, he's happy, and summer is behind us.
Med School- year 3, keep it coming....

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! 

my grill guy

Grill man, Andrew! For his birthday, I got him a grill and we had a family BBQ. The grill ended up being a lot larger than I thought compared to the online pics (thanks Mom & Dad for picking it up for me). I'm hoping this will last us many years and aid in building new memories with friends and family. I think he was surprised. I could tell he was excited when he called me at the grocery store and asked for specific ingredients for his very own burger mix. Precious. I'm hoping he can find the time to enjoy and learn more about grilling over the next few years as time permits. Me on the other hand will be the happy recipient of yummy grilled eats... can't wait!

 

 Little Isaac was the life of the party- as always. My dad enjoyed capturing these lovely photos of his smiley, happy self.

I certainly didn't want to forget Andrew's 25th birthday (that occurred a few weeks back) and our little get together that we had in his honor. Wish I got more pics of each of the guests and the rest of the party- but as hostess, taking photos was last on my mind. This will do! At the end of the day, I had a very happy husband- which, in turn brings me so much joy. He so sweetly came to bed that night and whispered how thankful he was and how nice it was to throw this very last minute party together with those he loves most. Even in my deep sleep, my heart was melting. Love you sweets! Let's make this 25th year a great one!

Here's to 2 years!

Today marks two years of marriage to my dearest Andrew. 

A blessed, joy-filled 2 years it has been.

We look forward to reading our 2 year Anniversary cards from our wedding reception. Plus, we'll not only be celebrating 2 years of marriage this coming weekend, but Andrew's Birthday as well! I'm so very thankful that Andrew's "rural" rotation is close enough for weekend visits.

I'll leave the rest of my mushy-gushy talk for him, but Happy Anniversary to us!  

---Here are a few fun photos from our happy wedding day--

(Taken by Chris Hunt) 

a last 'hoorah'

For the second time in a row, Andrew is missing out on a Portland summer- major bummer. Med school rotations call him elsewhere- but thankfully he's a lot closer than Alabama this year. Our last 'hoorah' weekend also happened to be the 9 year anniversary of when we started dating. So, celebration and time in the sun was indeed in order. The lovely Sauvie Island called our name. A cool, cloudy summer day turned into a cloudless, sunny, hot day. We picked lavender, berries, and some kale... and enjoyed the refreshing open air. Oh, the farms were both so beautiful. The day was actually quite perfect and a great way to mark the "end" of our short Portland summer together. 

I'm so thankful for an entire weekend together. We needed it. It's a difficult time for Andrew to be leaving, but I'm staying strong, and I'm so incredibly thankful that he's close enough for a visit every now and then. Now, go get em' babe- go learn from your doctor preceptor and patients. Keep humble, get rest, stay calm, and remember that this is the path the Lord has for you. I'm so blessed to see you turning into the man God has made you to be- the Doctor He is molding you to become. You have a heart of gold, a sharp mind, a soft and compassionate spirit. I love you so much and I'm so very proud and thankful to be your wife and support you through this.
Miss you already.