Troop-a-Loop Takes My Husband - Part V

It always seems to sneak up in me. I always know it is coming and I always hate enduring the "goodbye" dinners with the families and the "let's keep our mind off of it so you don't lose it" attitude. But nevertheless, the Troopers drum corps will be taking my husband for another 8 weeks out of my year on Sunday while I waste away studying at home. The only good thing that comes out of him leaving is that by the time he comes back, I will only have about 3 more weeks of my summer classes left. That and Sully gets to sleep in the bed with me for protection. I love my husband and his passion for what he does as a percussionist and a teacher, but the fact that it takes him away from me for so long kind of sucks. Last year, he left of the first day of my first year of PT school and all of my new friends that I made that first summer thought I had an imaginary husband. That I had made him up. Sigh. But alas, what must be done must be done. He hasn't even left yet and I am already ready for him to be home.

To further the sadness, my lazy three weeks of summer is almost over. I am ready to see everyone again but not with the study-filled strings attached. I haven't even come close to completing or even starting the majority of my projects I wanted to do. But it's not like I won't have time on my hands. Husband-less.... Remember?

I have enjoyed time by the pool, chilling with the family and relaxing though. Nicole's wedding played an exciting part to my vacation and I got to catch up with my sweet J. Dylan is HOME and will be until July when he starts his summer classes at State. Mom is a happy camper. We do have Fridays off this summer so I will hopefully be able to use that as relaxation as much as studying. Meg has already recruited me to help her get her room ready for her kindergarten class next year. Should be good bonding for us. It's been a while. Other than that the rest of my time will be spent waiting Steven to hurry up with the tour and come home! Here are some pictures from the recent events!!

Spring Fever Has Come and Gone

Where has the spring gone? Not only has it flown by, but as far as weather goes we has about 2 days of actual spring weather. What has happened?
1. I had my first emotional breakdown at school thanks to Felix Adah and his lovely quizzes. I let out my complete aggression on his class review taking several shots at him personally.
2. PFC Dylan Pritchard has endured, persevered and graduated from Army Infantry basic training and advanced infantry training as of April 20. He is learning how to jump out of airplanes as we speak and will be home in 3 short weeks.
3. Steven and I celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary! My wonderful husband took me to New Orleans to celebrate. We saw The Lion King the musical and I cried. It was awesome. He also let me shop and took me to et some awesome Cajun food! We had a blast and even got to enjoy some of the French Quarter Festival.
4. I turned 25. One quarter of a century. But I have the best friends, family and the sweetest husband who celebrated my birthday for over a week.
5. Steven has finished his first indoor percussion group with a bang. The kids' last performance felt awesome and I hope it felt great to the kids as well! I was a proud drum momma!
6. Brad Stubblefield is out of the hospital, has a driver's license and is back at church. The spirit of the Lord shines through him. I truly admire his courage and strength and will be running a 5k in his honor on Saturday.
7. My friendships with my classmates keep growing. I could not ask for a better group of friend to see me through the rest of school and be with me during my career.

A lot has happened and a lot more is to come. Nicole is getting married. Philip is getting married. We will finish our first year of PT school an no longer be the babies. Sara is getting married. Trips to Pascagoula with the girls. Steven touring with the Troopers 2012. And Dylan coming home. I can't wait! Now I need to stop procrastinating and study for finals! Stay strong, pray hard, and God bless!

Steven, Me, Dylan, and Meghan at the Infantry Museam in Fort Benning, Georgia.

Sweet Sara's bridal shower with the rest of the Delta Gammas/Bully's Belles

Visiting in Memphis with B3 for Nicole's Bachelorette party and J's Birthday!

Saying goodbye to Little Bro after visiting with him over spring break

With Meagan and Meredith for Nicole's Christmas shower

New Orleans Anniversary trip right before The Lion King

The PT1s on Preview Day for the newbies

All of the girls at a Valentine's party at Mary Paige's

Unbelievably Proud Big Sister

So my mom tells me that when I was told that she was going to have another baby and that I was going to be a big sister that I continuously asked her if the baby in her belly had a bow in its hair.  I wanted a little sister more than anything in the world.  Note my frustration and several attitude fits when my little brother, Dylan, was born.  They had to bribe me with Hello Kitty products to make me happy... and jewelry I might add.  To multiply my frustration, Dylan was not a silent sleeper, he stole all of the attention that I had had to myself for 5 whole years, he was video taped more than me (we didn't have a video camera before Dylan) and he was a biter.  Needless to say, Dylan and I had our differences, but I am blessed that the baby in my mom's belly had a Yankees cap on instead of a bow in his hair.  That would have been odd.

Dylan and I only fought whenever parents were around, and there were several times when we even got parents involves, ruined dinner dates for them, and caused the Pritchard version of World War 3, 4, 5, 6... well you get the picture.  Each of us had to have the last word.  I was bossy and a perfectionist and Dylan was a know it all and stubborn.  So naturally our personalities didn't always match.  There were many-an-hour sitting on our knees on the living room floor in front of one another staring at each other until one of us said "I'm sorry" or "I love you".  I am sure my parents got a kick out of that.  But there were good times as well.  The ones when we were bad are easier to remember... and more fun to tell.  Dylan and I finally started getting along on a regular basis when I went off to college.  However, I think that is because he got into enough trouble in those middle school and early high school years, that whenever I came home, he didn't want to test my parents any longer.  We have grown so close over the past 19 and 1/2 years and I have always been so proud of him.

However, I have reached a pride-peak.  Dylan sent me a letter yesterday from basic training in Fort Benning Georgia saying that he was chosen Squad Leader.  I always knew that once he finally found something that he WANTED to do and that he knew he was good at that he would go far.  And look who was right.  I am so glad that he has found the path God has chosen for him.  He is good at it, and was definitely born for it.  I love him so much, and I know that he will be able to keep the position of Squad Leader (apparently that is the hard part). Love you bro! So proud of you!

For PT Students Everywhere

It has been a long week of long labs, lectures that go over class time 20 minutes, and teachers yelling at us for being late.  This definitely brightened things up just a little bit.  It was posted in our Facebook group, but Chris decided to add a little UMMC class of 2014 to it. My PT class is better than yours...

...

This video is brilliant but I gotta be real, the Thomas test is cool but it ain't the best deal. The Ober test is better cuz I let my leg hang, but my TFL's tight so I said "oh dang". It's all good cuz you think you got good knees, but last time I checked you only had 30 degrees. Flexion, extension why do you care, your hamstrings so tight can't get your leg in the air. If your readin this you better not hate, you need to go to bed dolph said don't be late. 

Like I said, My PT class is better than yours. You should hear the poems we write during class and read at the breaks. Stay strong, pray hard, and God bless.

There is a Fountain Who is a King

What a whirlwind.  So much has happened in so little time.  I have lost track of my blog. Bound to happen eventually.  Lets see... My second semester of physical therapy school is over and done.  I am still holding that 4.0 and I am learning so much, but more importantly, I have made so many precious friends.  To go into further detail would require a novel, not a blog.  Finals were stressful... to the point where I almost got addicted to studying and had to re-evaluate my priorities in life.  But I prevailed and the 4 week Christmas came and went.  The break called for a lot of family, driving, food, and laughs.  We had an amazing Christmas and made some special memories.  And though December 26th is usually the most depressing day of the year (because Christmas is another 365 days away) we left for the beautiful Smokey Mountains and had an amazing week of vacation.

The family vacation ended just as quickly as it started.  We all relaxed, played Catch Phrase and conquered the world in Risk, went shopping (maybe a little too much... so sue me), watched bowl games, cheered on Drew Brees as he broke the NFL over all record for most passing yards in a season, and enjoyed an amazing view of the Smokey Mountains from our cabin.  Though we had a good shot of the fireworks in downtown Gatlinburg on New Year's Eve, Steven and I decided to experience downtown and ended up waiting 45 minutes for a Chocolate milkshake at Johnny Rockets diner.  Terrible.  In my frustrated rage we were able to walk back to our car parked a mile outside of town in record time. We drove home on a Sunday, had just enough time to unpack and then we started planning Dylan's going away dinner.

Dylan left for basic training in Ft. Benning, Georgia on Tuesday January 3rd.  The night before we had a big meal for him and invited his new girlfriend Meghan over to share the last few hours with Dylan before he left us for 5 months.  We dropped him of at the Marriot in downtown Jackson on Tuesday afternoon and surprisingly enough I only saw a few tears from Mom.  Apparently she saved them all for Tuesday night... Wednesday... oh AND Thursday.  Apparently he had over a week of what is called "reception" before he actually began the yelling 24/7 and the "Yes Drill Sergeant"s.  We got a phone call this past weekend and he gave us  his love.  I am very proud of him. As Americans, we should be grateful for all of our troops, but the troops now hold an even bigger place in my heart since Little Brother is learning to defend me and my rights.  He was born to do this, and I know God is leading him down an amazing path.

This week began the first week of my third semester of PT school.  In May, I will offically be done with my first year!  It has been a long week.  We have learned a lot already, but life doesn't slow down even if classes have started back.

Today during goniometry lab, I received a phone call from Steven informing me that a good friend from our Sunday School class suffered severe injuries from a motorcycle accident this morning (the first sunny and picturesque morning in over a week).  He was taken to UMC where it was discovered that he had completely broken his T4 vertebrae and was paralyzed from the chest down.  I know that God has a plan and that He is going to bring about good from this, but tragedy is tragedy and this was just terrible news.  Luckily he is alive and stable in the SICU, but he is in a lot of pain.  God's plan may not always be the one we want of the one we choose, but it always works out in the end no matter how detrimental the circumstances may be.  I just pray that God will place a hand on him, his wife and their families.

This past Sunday, Brother Phil spoke about Jesus washing his disciples feet.  He spoke of how humbling that experience is for anyone, and for the Lord to offer surely struck the disciples as odd.  Since He is the Son of Man, they refused at first, but explains to his disciples after washing their dirty feet why he did so:

"Do you understand what I was doing? You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord' and you are right because it is true.  And since I, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feel, you ought to wash other's feet.  I have given you an example to follow.  Do as I have done to you.  How true it is that a servant is not greater than the master.  Nor are the messengers more important than the one who sends them.  You know these things - now do them! That is the path of blessing"  John 13:12-17

Jesus showed unconditional love to his disciples -- his followers.  However, in order to show others unconditional love, the disciples needed a demonstration as to what that was.  It is our duty to show this love to everyone we come in contact with.  We aren't to pass judgement or look the other way, we are to love unconditionally no matter HOW DIRTY THE FEET.  This sermon definitely reflected on my pride and my tendency to hold my head above others because of their "dirty feet".  How humbling to be told that I am certainly not greater than the Lord my God, and yet he washed the dirt off of undeserving feet.  And since he did, so should I.  We ended the sermon with a song called "Who Can Satisfy" that always gets my tear ducts flowing.  The chorus goes:

"There is a Fountain, who is a King.  Victorious warrior and Lord of everything.  My Rock my Shelter, my very own.  Blessed Redeemer who stands upon the Throne."

I pray this song especially considering the events that have happened this week.  That that couple in our Sunday school class will feel God's unconditional and unfailing love and that he will be their rock and their shelter.  He is their victorious Warrior in this time.  And with Him, they can do all things.

Stay strong, pray hard, and God bless.

P.S. Here are some pictures from recent events. Enjoy!

Chicken Salad and SJP

Firstly, I would like to start this post with a tiny Happy Birthday (late) to my daddy.  I know that he wouldn't want me to get too mushy gushy (since he is getting enough of that every time my mom sees a man in an ARMY uniform).  So I will just say I wouldn't be where I am today without you.  You have pushed and pulled me every step of the way.  You have listened to my panic attacks, crying episodes, anger outbreaks (the bad) and my blonde moments, my silly jokes, and my nonstop giggles.  I cannot thank you enough for always being there for me.  I love you daddy.  You are such a blessing in my life.  I hope you had a great birthday and I wish you all the best.  

Now, our tests are FINALLY over and we get about a 2 day break before we either have to begin working on our documentation project, studying for our next systems exam, or practicing transfers and gait training for pass offs.  But what better way to celebrate our tiny break from the books with a little girl bonding time with Chicken Salad, girl bonding, and Sarah Jessica Parker.

SJP never fails on chick flicks, and this one was no exception.  The only downside to any of her movies is the fact that I always rethink my wardrobe and crave shopping (online or regular) because of her fabulous wardrobes.  But regardless, I think we all had a great time.  I am so glad that so many came out to eat and attended the movie.  I hope they all enjoyed the company, the food, and the movie just as much as I did.  And I am so excited for our next get together (pumpkin carving =)) 

The first round of tests have gone very well.  I have been studying non stop, but luckily, Steven has been just as busy so hopefully I haven't tainted the name of "wife" for him quite yet.  I do still make dinner... when he is actually at home (and when he doesn't insist on doing so himself).  I am so glad that it is finally football season and that fall weather is on its way (it should already be here... thank you Mississippi).  It always puts me in the best mood to be able to wear my sweaters, coats, and boots.  And like Christina and I have already established, the best part about October means Halloween which means Thanksgiving which means CHRISTMAS!

PT school isn't all study study study.  We still have our fun and I am having the best time.  We have all gotten to know each other quite well, and despite the differences in football team preferences I know that we had developed some life long friendships and memories.  God could not have planned this out more perfectly for me, for Steven and for our families.  

Speaking of families, BABY ELLIOT is HERE!!!! He is 4 weeks old today and is just the sweetest little boy in the world.  The fact that he is here has made mom's baby fever even hotter, but she can hold elliot until it is my turn.  Christy and Jeremy have such a beautiful family.  It makes me pretty excited to start my own... in a few years. 

Dylan has officially joined the ARMY ROTC and the national guard.  He will be shipping out for basic in January in Fort Benning, Georgia.  I can tell he is super stoked.  I am so proud of him and excited to see what his future holds.  He has so much potential to accomplish some stellar things.  He is already a hero, and we, as Americans, are lucky to have him fighting for us.  He is smart, dedicated, and true to his word.  He will be in the guard until he graduates college, and then he wants to go into Army special forces (I think that is the plan still).  Next summer, after basic, he will be learning how to jump out of perfectly good airplanes and land without breaking something.  That is a feat for him in itself considering the fact that he used to hate bun-jee jump harnesses and he should have ridden the go-carts.  Once again, I am very proud of you, little brother.  Can not wait to see what God has planned for your life.  It is going to be amazing and I pray that you recognize and thank Him every day for all of the blessings he has given you.  

Steven and work are going well.  The first band competition for the 2011 MCHS marching band is this weekend at the Vanderbilt Invitational in Nashville, TN.  I am rooting for those drummer boys.  I hope they get recognized for all of their hard work and dedication.  They are a completely different group from last year.  I am proud, and I know Steven is proud and honored to be working with a group of kids that WANT to learn and are EAGER to be better musicians.  And Steven lives to teach others to be better musicians.  They are making his job fun! Good luck to the drumline and the rest of the band this weekend! I can't wait to see y'all next Saturday at Pearl.

As far as life in general, things are going pretty well.  The apartment is a mess, we have hardly any room, and there is still no place for me to put my Christmas tree, but I couldn't be happier.  I am awestruck by God's grace and blessings everyday.  I only hope that I am letting him shine through me in all that I do and that I am giving Him the glory he deserves.  That's about it.  Stay Strong, Pray Hard, and God Bless

 lross

Moses Supposes His Toeses are Roses

It has been a Friday night without Madison Central football for me, and the Rosses don't have cable.  So I have been watching some of my favorite movies since Steven left me alone for the evening.  I was inspired to write in my blog after watching Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor tap dance to Moses Supposes over and over again.

In case anyone hasn't seen the masterpiece, I have found and posted the video.  Your life will be changed.  How someone can move their feet that fast and produce a decent rhythmical sound is beyond me.  Simply amazing...

I was telling my mom tonight how much I miss it.  An open room with wooden floors and nothing but good music in the background that I could express through dance.  Some of my favorite college moments were in the studios in the Sanderson center just dancing for the heck of it.  I wish there was a place like that here that I could just bring my own music and take over the room.  Thinking about how long it has been since I have done this just makes me sad.  And especially how long it has been since I have worn a pair of tap shoes.  After watching Gene Kelly and wishing he were still alive so that he could make more classics like Singing in the Rain, I have the strong urge to go the the racquet ball courts at our apartment complex and go for it.

It also make me miss teaching it.  The two years I spend at Art Camp teaching dance were some good times.  Those kids, both girls and boys, still hold a warm place in my heart.  I even taught a dance to Moses Supposes, and it was by far one of my favorites.  I hope those kids think of me and their first exposure to such a classic whenever they see that movie, if they ever do.

So that is all of my whining about my missing my passion.  I will find a way to get back onto the dance floor, and I will keep you posted.

"A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance."  Ecclesiastes 3:4

Stay strong, pray hard and God bless