January Snow with Mississippi Sun

What a fast few months it has been. So much has happened, so I know I am going to leave something out. Last semester was pretty easy as far as school went. We had clinicals the first half of the semester and then class the second half. I actually got to have a little bit of a social life. That has all changed. Steven and I got to go to Disney World with the Madison Central band right before thanksgiving. I had TOO much fun! I only made him stand in a few character lines. Every park was decorated to the nines like Christmas. Hollywood studios had lights dancing to music and Cinderella's castle was drizzled with ice lights. One couldn't help but smile. Thanksgiving was lovely and traditional (thank goodness) at my Grandmother's house and all football at my in-law's. We moved into a new apartment that week also. Much bigger, and livable for the next few years until we begin to grow our family. It is perfect, and has room for a kitchen table and chairs.

School left only one exam, which was good for a special couple, Ben and Meagan, who decided to get engaged the night before our spine exam. So happy for them and pray that their life and journey that lies ahead is very blessed beyond measure and everything they desired. They get married next November, and I am honored to be a part of their big day! 

Christmas was fun, but it seemed to fly by. I painted a LOT to pay for some lovely monetary issues that were unexpectedly thrown at us at the end of the semester.  We did the usual Christmas routine and enjoyed our time with family over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day not forgetting the main reason for celebration of course! 

We left the day after Christmas for the Smokies with the family, and spent a lovely 7 days in a cabin in the mountains watching football (which didn't really work out in Mississippi State's favor), shopping, watching snow fall, and SKIING!

The skiing wasn't much, and it definitely left me and Steven wanting more, but we had so much fun at Ober Gatlinburg skiing with my little brother. After a few spills, we finally got the hang of things and Steven was brave enough to test out a blue. After a major fall and collision with a ski lift post, he decided to stick to the green and tried an easier blue later in the afternoon. It left for many laughs and only a few bruises. The snow was fluffy and powdery, and we immediately started looking for ski resorts in Colorado and saving for our fun ski trip that is still two years away. 

When we got back, it was back in the swing of things almost immediately. I have a semester jam packed with neuroanatomy, spinal cord, lifespan, a huge research project, and wound care (which I got enough of in Vicksburg). It is very overwhelming, especially after last semester, but our class is always up for the challenge. I know we are all going to breeze through it. And after this semester, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Only one more year after this one. 

This semester has already had its perks, though. Just last Thursday, Mississippi woke up to a winter wonderland. The snow was melting as it was falling, and it was a wet snow but it was beautiful and the flakes floating were the biggest I had ever seen. I did have to go to class, but driving to school watching the beautiful snow fall wold put a smile on the biggest Scrooge's face. Old Canton road looked like a Christmas card, and my fun PT class decided to turn the SHRP building into a snow fort and attacked those walking up to the building to class. A snow ball fight did commence and it was so much fun to act like a kid again, especially after the mountain of notes and reading that had been fed to us in just a week and a half of school. The snow had melted by noon that day, and by that afternoon, it felt like spring with the sun shining and the blue sky, but the pictures don't lie. It was said that if it had been below freezing when the snow started to fall, that we would have gotten around 6-8 inches. Any snow in Mississippi, though, is a good snow. 

Clinic's Approaching

It is quite hard to believe that I only have about 3 more full semesters of classes left in school.  We just finished our last summer that will be full of classes and studying, and the fall approaches as well as arterial lines, chest tubes, and PEG tubes.  It should be an interesting 8 weeks at River Region in Vicksburg.  And by interesting I mean terrifying.  There are few things that scare me more than accidentally pulling out a line that is inside a patient. But that is neither here nor there.

The Olympics 2012 in London have been keeping the Ross residence occupied... at least for the first couple of days and then I lost Steven.  He is a little sick of me wanting to watch it.  But I just can't get over people like Michael Phelps or Gabby Douglas.  This is what they have worked for their entire life, and the gold is what they have wanted, and they got it. I admire perseverance and dedication, especially when it is given to those who deserve it.  I am still utterly heartbroken for Jordyn Weiber who missed the chance to compete for an All-Around Gymnast medal by 2 tenths of a point just because she was in the top three from the USA, not the top two.  But she pulled herself together and nailed her team gymnastics performances.  And sorry Aly, but I think she would have at least medaled in all-arounds.

The 2012 USA Women Olympic Gymnastics Team

Gabby Douglas after she won GOLD in all-arounds

Steven and I have a lot of exciting traveling ahead of us.  Aside from me traveling back and forth from Vicksburg everyday, we are headed to Indianapolis (my favorite city) to see the Troopers compete at the DCI World Championships.  Pretty excited about that.  Then, on Labor Day weekend, we are taking a romantic vacation to Navarre Beach, Florida where we have an amazing condo right on the beach and three blissful days with our feet in the sand.  THEN, even though this is in November and still in the works, I have a chance to go to The Happiest Place on Earth, Disney World, with the Madison Central Band. I am VERY excited about this because it will be decorated for Christmas. in the 4 times I have been to Disney, I have never been during Christmas time.  And as much as I love Disney and as much as I am obsessed with Christmas, keeping me from this trip would just be cruel. I have some major eye-batting and sweet talking to do. And finally, after Christmas, we will be accompanying the Pritchard family to Gatlinburg again.  Excited for a week filled with leisurely activities and shopping and no milkshakes from Johnny Rockets on New Years Eve.

As far as summer goes, I am already almost half way through it.  It consisted of about 11 days.  It is a sad thing.  But that makes my Christmas break all the more sweeter.  And clinic means that I have 8 long weeks of not studying.  I have a few projects, but NO studying.  Pretty excited about that.

As far as my summer semester went, I didn't have any freak-outs like I usually do about once a semester.   I aced all of my courses again and kicked some check off butt.  But all of my hard work should reflect in my upcoming experiences with patients.  We, as the DPT Class of 2014, also were the first class to be given White Coats and have a ceremony celebrating the momentous occasion.  It was quite and achievement for our class and we all looked so dapper.  As professionals in Mississippi, we definitely took and conquered a great step as future physical therapists.

Flaunting my White Coat

The Best PT friends a girl could ask for

Buddy the Elf faces

It was an honor to have now-retired Dr. Paula Stubbs dawn my white coat

Steven was gone again for another Troopers summer, but it went by fast.  He had an awesome time and made some great friends to add to the list of awesome Troopers comrades that he already had.  I am so proud of him and I am proud to be his wife.  He has impacted so many lives and inspired so many percussionists to be the best they can be.  He is pretty awesome.  I did good.

Aside from all of that, we are just taking it one day at a time.  We are looking forward to the upcoming vacations, school starting, football season(s) for Mississippi State, Southern Miss and Madison Central, and fun holidays.  We also have Sully's birthday coming up on the 13th of this month and Stevens of course on the 28th. Excited to see what God has in store for our lives this semester.  It has been an amazing adventure so far.

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