Christmas in November

Anyone who knows me knows I'm a sucker for a deal.

Well I found one.

A few weeks ago, Wal-mart had a pre-Black Friday sales event. They had awesome deals on TVs and other electronics. Richard and I had already bought a TV after moving to school with Richard's birthday funds, and I love that TV. But it emitted this low frequency whine that drove Richard crazy. And this TV was bigger, a better brand, and cheaper by $60...that results in a deal!! I had to go!!

So at 4:30 am on Saturday moring, I found myself in the car with Richard driving to Wal-mart to claim a spot in Wal-mart's electronics section. We decided to start the line right infront of the blu-ray display and got to watch GI Joe to pass the time! Woohoo! I saved a dollar on Redbox! Another deal!

The line started to build. I always love making friends in Black Friday lines. Everybody is so excited...as long as you don't want the same item.

The time passed, and as we were the first people in line, we had no fears of not getting what we came for. What I hadn't quite accepted though was the fact that we had come for more than the TV.

In addition to the great TV deal, I had told Richard about a fantastic deal on an X-box 360: pay $200 for the X-box and get a $100 Wal-mart gift card to take home with your purchase! Wow! What a steal. Richard saw his opportunity.

As we sat in the line, Richard commented over and over about what an amazing deal that was and what huge savings were being offered. He worked it! And what can I say, he never asks for anything! Plus, the savings from the TV covered more than half of the resulting costs.

Suckered.

So we left with TV, X-box, and gift card in tow. I stowed the X-box for Christmas, but suddenly and strangely different X-box games, parts, and pieces began arriving to my door. Hmmm...apparently Santa uses Amazon these days. And the X-box started showing up, not in my closet cleverly hidden, but in my living room, begging to be used "before the 30-day warranty expires" just to make sure it's ok.

Uh oh. Suckerd by more than a deal.

So I begged Richard to wait until Christmas. The best part of Christmas is giving the gift!
Not gonna happen.
Ugh. Well atleast until after Thanksgiving.
Nope...warranty expires (he's drooling onto packaging at this point).
Atleast give me a week!!!
OK.

So, in order to get my Christmas gift giving in for this year (cause this is his Christmas) and so my husband felt like he had a Christmas this year, I spent the week plotting and Sunday morning Richard woke up to the Three2U Christmas CD blasting and this...



It was so much fun. And he was actually surprised. Not, of course, by the presents, but by the morning. And it was wonderful. And I felt glad that he got a gift he wanted...even if he ordered half of it himself. Richard is so wonderful and works so hard. He deserves a distraction from histology, physiology, and cadavers.

So Merry Christmas, Honey. Only true love would EVER convince me to buy an X-box.

*Note the feigned look of shock and surprise. I love it!

Halloween Fun

Nicole (bless her) wanted to see my Halloween decor. So here you go...

A familiar set up. :) (click here)

Sorry for posting two REALLY similar pictures...I just couldn't decide.

We also are bringing in the spooky season by eating Boo-berry cereal for breakfast.

In other news, Richard took his FIRST MEDICAL SCHOOL FINAL today!! That's one class down, a bazillion to go. He thinks he did well. He is so smart...so smart it's almost...SPOOKY!

(See how brought it all together there!)

Lunch Dates

I hate that lunch breaks are required at work. I wish I could just work straight through and leave an hour early. I'm 25 minutes away from home and so, with the exception of when Logan and Ayden come to see me (yay!) I just spend an hour biding my time, waiting for lunch to be over. But I'm not paid for it, and it's healthy to take a break...I can do 8 hours straight, but 9--without breaks--is wearing.

So, a couple weeks ago I decided to make my lunch hour more productive. I found a picnic bench under some oak trees back behind my office building. It's quiet and secluded, which is nice for reading. I read, study, and talk to some of you fine people on the phone.

But I also enjoy the view. And I thought you might, too (I've already dragged Logan and Richard out to enjoy my little park).

I think I live in the Galapagos Islands. :) This guy's about 2.5 feet head to tail and sits on a trunk just to my right while I read.

Fall Has Arrived!

At least for a while.

We have a cold front coming through and it is so lovely.

Yesterday evening and today after church I threw open the windows and doors and let the cool fresh air sweep through the house.

Now I'm sitting here enjoying the aroma of my new fall-inspired cinnamon and clove air freshener. It smells delicious, and has almost overcome the lingering smells of supper--pot roast and apple crisp!

Our Halloween decor is out (thanks to Logan's inspiring display) and Richard has already started nibbling on the candy we "bought for trick-or-treaters." As if I thought that would last the week. I bought a spare and hid it in the house...but I can't tell you where because Richard sometimes reads the blog. :)

All in all, it's been a pretty perfect day.

And this is how we end our days now...studying in our sleep.

I hope you are enjoying Fall too.

Ode to Richard

I think it's so funny. Richard and I were so excited to move to Ft. Lauderdale and start this new adventure. Richard jumped into medical school head first and I've been working my fanny off at work. We both knew that these would be busy years and that we'd have to adjust our expectations to survive this demanding time. We joked about the med school prep books that advised med student's spouses 'the next four years will be horrible, but not as bad as the residency years, so buck up.' Great.

And, even though we laughed, I really did prepare myself to say goodbye to my husband for a while.

But, there was no need. I must have forgotten *momentarily* just how amazing Richard is. In fact, I think I'm more winded at the end of the day than he is. In reality he's adjusting better than I am even though he's the one that has all the pressure of medical school on his shoulders!

Just this last week he had me falling in love with him all over again...after running out the door late one morning, I came home to a perfectly made bed. And after a tiring week, my husband nearly brought me to tears by washing almost a weeks worth of dishes!!

Meanwhile, he's absolutely ace-ing medical school. He works so hard and is already at the top of his class. Yet he's still able to make me feel loved and included. He makes me feel so appreciated. He doesn't hold medical school over my head or play the studying card to get out of stuff.

Point is, I love my husband. He's wonderful. And I've been feeling overwhelmed this week by my appreciation for this good man.

So, here is my ode to Richard--The love of my life. Thanks for everything.

CONFESSION

Richard really likes cereal and I try to be supportive. I am also a supporter of malt-o-meal though, and this has caused some tension in our marriage. Lately, however, I find myself buying more and more brand-name cereal for my beloved. Is it because I am a good wife? Is it my way of showing love, respect, and admiration for my husband? Am I attempting to assuage any contention that has been festering?

Nope.

Turns out if I collect 5 of these babies I get a free DVD! Sure they're B list movies. I'm aware I can buy them at Wal-mart for $4.99. But it feels so good to get something for "free!"

...oh, and to make my husband happy at the same time.

Sigh.

Don't cry over spilled milk

A couple weeks ago Richard and I bought some milk from Target after sharing a nice dinner out. The next day at work I received a text from Richard: "why is there no milk in the fridge?"

Oops.

I ran out to the car and threw open the trunk. Ummm...might be salvage-able...still kinda cool to the touch...kinda. I took a gallon in each hand to lug the milk inside to refrigerate it until I went home. That's when I noticed how much stronger my right arm was than my left! Oh wait, nope...that's a half empty gallon of 1% in my hand. Great.

Well, I sorta kinda half way cleaned up the milk (much of it had been absorbed by the conveniently placed roll of paper towels). At least I thought I did until the next morning. Ewww! I was gagging all the way to work where I discovered the milk had gushed down into the spare tire well and curdled. Yum. So I sopped up the nastiness, cleaned the trunk four times, and finished off the bottle of Febreeze. Now I drive down the freeway with all the windows down and my super-strong baby "powder bomb" air freshener whipping in the breeze.

But you know what they say, don't cry over spilled milk!

Guess What My Hubby Just Got Me?

As part of our FHE tonight Richard and I bought season passes to the (somewhat) local performing arts center. We have seats to 5 touring Broadway shows!! I'm so excited! I think we'll ditch one of the shows and get extra tickets to Wicked!

BYU vs FSU 9/18

Big football game today for both teams. Just in case you're in our boat and don't have VS., here's a couple links to some online streams that should work for today's game. They aren't great quality and they don't work 100 percent of the time, but it's better than no game at all if that's your only other option.

So, the only question is, are you pulling for FSU or BYU? click the link below that describes you--

FSU fans click here

BYU fans click here

Busy

Thankfully it is all good news keeping us busy!

Richard now has three weeks of medical school under his belt. He's busy learning osteopathic manipulations, studying ginormous lecture packets, and DISS-ecting cadavers (who knew I'd been saying it incorrectly all these years) in anatomy.

Note--I never thought I'd actually use the word cadaver in a post. Hmmmm.

He's met some great people and even found a handful of fellow volleyball worshipers!

It has been wonderful to be here with Logan and Patrick. Such a comfort to have friends and advisers right down the street! It's crazy to think that we ended up here with them as Patrick finishes up school and Richard starts. It's a definite blessing in my life!

August 9th we attended Richard's white coat ceremony. I feel like we officially joined the club or something. We are a part of something amazing that bonds you to anyone who has been through something like it before. It's a wonderful, overwhelming, exciting adventure. Mom, dad, Logan, Patrick, and Ayden came to support us.

During the ceremony, one of the speakers said to remember that "the seeds you plant may be for shade trees you never sit beneath, but they benefit many others who come behind you." I think that paints a beautiful, realistic description of life.

Here's the video of Richard putting on his white coat and being pinned. Notice his perfectly lengthened sleeves!!




In other news I HAVE A JOB!

Hooray! I work for Keiser University in the Office of the Chancellor in Ft. Lauderdale. I'm really enjoying it so far. The office is full of fun personalities, and I really like my boss and my team.

I was very pleased to start so quickly after moving here. With Richard so busy, it is important I fill my time and feel like I'm contributing. So...YAY!

Last news...

Richard hit a milestone. We had a good laugh over it (observe below)! Can't wait until after medical school!


So life is coming together. Still living amongst a few boxes, but we're happy and thrilled to be getting started.