So much fun!

So, we are adjusting to our new life. And we haven't looked back yet! We found a Hidden Valley Farm that we could pick blueberries from. We had a ball. I made pancakes and pastries with the blueberries. Jeanne didn't like the pancakes because they were "dirty." Hahaha the mind of a two year old!

We have found several places to fish. First was at Lake Maumelle. Since this lake is a drinking water source, we had to find a small cove to fish out of. Jeanne loved playing with her fishing pole. And her bait. We didn't have much luck this time. Shawn has gone trout fishing out of Greers Ferry and done well. This past weekend we found a nice swimming and fishing hole at Lake Sylvia. I caught a catfish. Shawn had a couple of bites, but the fish were sneaky enough to take the bait!

We have also found the zoo. It was pretty big and took several hours to get around it. They even had a great penguin exhibit! Jeanne really enjoyed seeing the animals and making animal sounds back at them. There are so many things still waiting for us to find!

I'm home!

So, we moved up June 4 and have been full speed ahead since! My mom and dad came up here with us to help with the transition and get little things done here. On the 4th, we hired movers to help us unload the U-haul. Unfortunately, it was pouring down rain when they got here, so we had to wait until the next morning. Between them, the security system and internet being installed, it was quite a busy day. Dad and Shawn tackled several little jobs the next couple of days and boxes slowly got unpacked. Mom and I did some shopping for curtains and pillows/decor. I can say I am feeling at home, and so comfortable here.

I started my job this week. There is a great group of people I am working with and love learning the new tasks. I think I will fit in, but time will tell. I will have to make my own niche I guess! Shawn starts orientation next week and is anxious to start his own job. Jeanne is adjusting to her new daycare. Everything is continuing to fall into place. I do miss my friends in Shreveport, but as I have learned, starting new chapters is a part of life. So now, I am just gonna sit back and enjoy the ride!!!

P.S. I'll post pics of the house once we get it a little more finished. And when I find my camera...

Realization brings sadness

My husband graduated Saturday from medical school. I am so proud of him, and of us. We worked hard these last four years together to keep a happy home and family while he was busy studying. We have worked hard to get through low times and enjoyed happy times. We have learned a lot from each other and have both grown up a lot in the last four years.

My mom, sister, grandmother, grandfather, and aunt came up for his graduation as well as his family. We all had a great time together knowing that Shawn, Jeanne and I are fixing to move. We ate after graduation and mom and my sister watched Jeanne that night while Shawn and I celebrated. The next day, mom and my sister were packing up and taking Jeanne with them for this week so Shawn and I could pack up the house. As they were fixing to leave, my sister gave me a big hug. That's when it hit: I don't know when the next time will be before I see her again. Being four hours away was hard enough, now we will be 8. 

I know, I know. Yes there are many families out there who are further apart than that, and they do just fine. You don't know my family. We survive and live off of the time we all spend together. My family makes up excuses to get together for a big lunch and be together. I am the first one in my dad's side of the family to be further than 30 minutes away from the rest of the family outside of college. As it is, for Christmas, my sister sat on my lap and told me that she wishes we could visit more. So, as happy as we are to move, I am saddended that I am not just a town away from everyone, and could just go visit at the drop of the hat. 

These pictures make me happy. The first is from 2001, when I was a senior in band and my sister was in the 8th grade, and just starting the high school band. The second is from 2005, when she was a junior going to prom. The third is from 2006, when she was going to her senior prom. The fourth is from 2007, my 5th high school reunion. The last is from 2009, my wedding day. She was my made of honor. :-)

Anxious

So we are counting down until we move!! We move on June 4th, 15 days from now!!! Shawn and I are getting so excited about the new house and new start. We are NOT excited about the actual move. It is one thing moving a few streets or even towns over. Moving almost 4 hours, and to a new start is not so fun.

Shawn has been doing a great job of going through the house and purging/packing over the last two weeks. I did a bit of the same yesterday. Our kitchen is getting filled with boxes, but there is still so much left. This upcoming weekend is Shawn's graduation, then the next week he and I will get the rest of the packing done.

As much as I dread the actual packing, move, and unpacking, I look forward to the new house and getting to decorate MY house! It won't all be done at once. We will have weekends down the road to get little things done.

I have been preparing for my new job as well by reading SOP's and quality manuals to get ahead of the game. As I read the manuals, I go through books and internet searches to better understand the background and reasons for the tests I will be performing. I am looking forward to getting to know my new coworkers and getting in the swing of things at the lab.

15 days and counting!!

disinterest of Food

So lately, Jeanne has had a disinterst in food. At 18 months, her pediatrician was worried because Jeanne had gone from the 25th %ile to the 10th %ile to the 5th %ile in a few months. She was gaining weight, but not at a fast rate. I tried to explain that I was also that small at that age, and Jeanne didn't sit for long. She was always on the move: running, hopping, skipping, dancing, etc. Still, the pediatrician wanted us to add Pediasure to her diet to make sure she was getting more calories in her diet. (It is weird to use the term "diet" in association with a toddler.)

So we gave her a pediasure every day for a few weeks. I checked her weight and it had gone up, so I backed off the pediasure. I want to make sure she was eating food and not just depending on the pediasure. She did well for a while, eating everything we fixed. Then right before she hit 2, she starting getting picky. I wasn't too concerned about her not eating all the time. I figured she would eat when she got hungry. And she did!

Well, Shawn took her for her two year old appointment. She was back up to the 10th %ile. I was thrilled. Obviously, she was eating more. The doctor (not her normal pediatrician) said that it was good, but we needed to continue to give her more fatty foods. He actually told my husband that we need to giver her ice cream and add more butter to her vegetables. :-/ I am all for getting her to eat more, but I would rather do it the right way instead of adding fats and sugars to her diet. Plus I don't want to get to the point of her trying to refuse dinner just to eat ice cream. Or my husband giving her ice cream when she refuses dinner, and she get in that habit.

I hate the little feeling inside of "Am I doing the right thing?" when it comes to this. I know it is a feeling that will be with me forever. I feel like I am. She is happy, energetic, and is gaining weight. Why should I offer sweets just to get her to eat? And who is this growth chart based off of anyway???

Crunch time

It's funny how in a month, all the things I have been worried about have fallen into place. I do believe that God took care of us, and I am so grateful! He wanted us in Little Rock, and has opened each door that we needed. Here is a summary of what I mean:
March 17- Match Day- We found out we were moving to Little Rock, and Shawn starts orientation June 19
March 31- Found a house in Little Rock that we are interested in
April 2- The sellers agreed to our proposal for the house
April 4- I have a job interview with at a place which is my dream)
April 13- House inspection goes perfect! And I found out not only did I get the job, but they are willing to let me wait and start June 11, a week after we move up!
April 19- Found a great daycare for Jeanne, and they have an opening!

Isn't it amazing how He works! So we have a house, I have a job, Jeanne has a daycare! Now I am working on the little things (house insurance, security system, finding new physicians, etc). I am going to be sad when I move from Shreveport and leave friends. But this is an exciting new adventure, a new chapter in our lives.

Match Day

On Friday March 16 was Match Day for all 4th year medical students across the U.S. We (my husband, myself, my mother-in-law, brother-in-law, my mom and her friend) all nervously got dressed that morning preparing for the day. Jeanne just ran around all morning, abliss to the fact that our future was fixing to be carved in stone.

We had a brunch to go to that morning at 9:30. After standing in line for 30 minutes, we were finally able to enjoy a catered brunch of shrimp and grits. It was awesome! Then we all walked to the atrium where the ceremony was to be held.

The process is that the first student is picked at random. Said student walks up, says his/her name, their matched profession, and then they open the envelope and read the school they are going to. Then that student reaches in a bag and pulls out the envelope for the next student. So while we are all pilled in the atrium waiting, Jeanne is thrilled about everyone clapping. She thinks she did something wonderful, and I tell her such. :-)

At 11:35, it was my husband's turn:

 

So you can see we are headed to Little Rock!! Now we are trying to decide if we should buy a house or rent, what are good school districts, and I am filling resumes with every company I can think of!