EVMS Match Day 2014

Match Day Results

Match Day was a blast. The day was buzzing with excitement from the moment we woke up. We had so much fun dressing up. We got lots of looks from Ryan's fellow classmates. Some said they couldn't believe how old his kids are. I think most of them had no idea of the life he leads, especially since he looks so young for his age. It's always fun to see people's reaction when they find out he has a 16-year-old daughter. After all the skits and entertainment, we all opened our envelopes at 1:00 pm. I thought I was going to be sick, surprised at how nervous I was. We pretty much knew where we were going but all the anticipation made us a little crazy. I can't say that we were surprised when we opened the envelope, just relieved and very happy. Ryan knew from the very beginning of his interview in Temple, TX, that that was the program for him. He called me that day back in December asking me how I'd feel moving to Texas. I knew by the sound in his voice that he had pretty much made up his mind, and he hadn't even finished all his interviews yet. So, Temple it is! I was able to take 2 short trips out to Temple since he interviewed....looking at schools, housing, meeting many of the LDS residents and doctors who work there, and it always felt comfortable and somehow we just knew it would all come to fruition. We even signed a contract to build a house back in January, a leap of faith, but it felt right. We are looking forward to spending the next 5 years in Texas!

Our family got interviewed and Ryan made it on the news that night.

2013 Wrap Up

This year is going to be a big one for our family. Ryan is finished interviewing for residency. Things went very well. He flew here, there, and everywhere and was gone most of December. I had the privilege of flying out to Texas to surprise him while he was there interviewing (thanks D & A)...one of my highlights of 2013. We hadn't been alone just the two of us on a trip for about 4 years so it was a real treat. Ry graduates May 17th. The future looks bright. We are getting the house spruced up and ready to sell come March. We will find out where we are going for the next 5 years on March 21st, Match Day, a day we are anticipating very much. "Match Day" at EVMS is a big costume party and I have begun making all our costumes...it's a surprise. Should be great fun. Topic is "Headlines".

Here are a few photos from 2013, for posterity's sake :)

17th wedding anniversary

We had visitors for Thanksgiving, great fun.

Yes, that is a bouncy seat meant for a baby doll. Sunny is our baby.

In March I quit doing housecleaning
 and started doing some childcare in the home.

Cut my hair in September. I am a bob girl forever and always.

Met the Cake Boss

Christian asked Buddy to sign his arm. He is Christian's idol.

This girl got her driver's license in November. First outing with Pierce.

Christian at Emerald Isle, NC, with the Ankney's

Gretel started band this year.

Lunch dates with friends whom I will miss.

This is the knife Christian made with Blair and Grampy. He made the sheath with Pres. Brimhall.

Last Christmas in Virginia.

The schoolboy who is almost no longer a schoolboy.

U of U interview, visit with Dale's and Archie's.

Sun Bun Chun had a little fun out in the rain digging in the dirt.

Ward Christmas Party tables, for future reference if I ever am in charge again. December was a stressful month with all the primary stuff we had going on, a month I don't ever want to repeat.

Gwen took the SAT and is set on only applying to the BYU's.

Sunny

Last Monday Me, Ryan, and Gretel drove 5 hours down to Gold Hill, NC, to purchase and pick-up the latest addition to our family. Gretel has been wanting a puppy for a couple years now, but the timing was never right. Gretel (as well as myself) has been searching high and low online for quite some time now to find the perfect puppy for her upcoming 12th birthday. There was specific criteria this puppy needed to meet, such as it being a female, low price, hypoallergenic, non-shedding, small, and just the right cute face-nothing with a long nose Ü. Gretel knew exactly what she wanted, so once we came across these puppies in North Carolina, we knew we had to go for it, even if it was indeed 5 hours one way to get the little bugger. When we arrived, it only took Gretel maybe 2 seconds to know which puppy she wanted. It was a quick transaction and then we were on our way back home...5 more hours of driving. But let me tell you, it was well worth it. Gretel held her all the way home. She named her Sunny. Sunny is a Pekingese-Shih Tzu mix, aka Peki-Tzu, and boy does she have the cutest little face! She was 9 weeks old when we got her. We couldn't be happier with this new little puppy in our home. I never, ever thought I would have an indoor dog, but she is so much fun. Who needs to spend money on entertainment when we can just sit and watch her play all night? I do admit, though, that it is like having a baby in the house again. I get up at least twice with her to take her potty and let her nibble on some food...which has definitely made me more tired in the day (I don't have the heart to wake up Gretel). It has been a learning experience for all of us, but I have to say that Sunny has brought so much love into our home. Who would have thought? We all love her so much, I can see now why people consider their pets their children, as silly as it always used to seem to me. When I handed her over to the groomer the other day, I felt like I was handing my baby over and got a little worried and sad! Can you believe it? A few things I love about Sunny-the way she pounces on her toys (she can really get some air!), the way she breathes through her little pug nose, the way she likes to dig up mushrooms in the backyard (hopefully not poisonous!) and then makes me chase her to get it out of her mouth, and the way she let's me hold her in my arms and cuddle with her, like a baby. Gretel's friend calls her Sunny Day, so we decided her full name should be Sunny Day Adams, ha ha! The Sesame Street Theme Song can often be heard being sung around our house. She is our little ray of sunshine. She is her own little spirit and I am thankful for this little bundle of energy! Happy early birthday, Gretel!

10 weeks old

Ya, I would run from those scary clogs too!