LITTLE FOREVER...

Sometimes I really miss our extended family being able to experience the funny little phases our children go through, so I had an epiphany and decided I would start to share them on our blog. The first of these comes from our little Sam. He has always been proud of his name "Sam." From the time he could talk no one could tell him he was cute because he wasn't cute he was "Just Sam," nor could you tell him he was smart, funny, hungry, etc. This sense of pride in his name tells me that his father was truly inspired when he walked into the house after school one day and announced his name would be Samuel. I being only 4 months along thought this was ridiculous and tried to change his mind various times but to no avail I gave birth to a Sam.

It is now in Mom's opinion time for Sam to become "Big-Boy Sam" and go to the bathroom on the potty. Sam just smiles, pats me on the shoulder and says "I like being the baby." I thought he would probably grow out of that phase but his stubborness to stay little has grown. With the new addition to Summer and Brent's family Sam has been kissing little Grace a lot. The comment was made that one day they would probably get married but Sam informed us that he was not going to ever get married because "I am Samuel J. Elliott forever." Cute scenario, yes, but the plot does thicken.

A few nights ago we were eating dinner and having what is now becoming a nightly discussion with Nicholas about eating his dinner so he can grow big like his dad. Sam is a great eater and loves everything mom cooks but this night he put down his fork and tried to leave the table after only taking a few bites. When told to come back and finish eating he replied that he was done, "If I eat too much I'll grow and I want to stay little forever." I know I really have nothing to worry about, his eating habits are typically normal and he will continue to grow whether he wants to or not and we all know that whether or not he gets married or becomes a Dad he will always be Samuel J. Elliott. I just know that he is blessed even at this young age with a very determined mind and spirit.

Test #3...

Test #3 - 96%
Cumulative Average - 97%

Well after many technical difficulties and a few tears I finally turned in my Genitourinary Test. My instructor says I am doing great and she is impressed with my work but I just know I can do better. I've been missing some things in the dictations that I'm just not hearing. I'm hoping that, thanks to some very generous donations, my new equipment will help to resolve that problem and raise my average.

EASTER 2008...

IT'S A GIRL...

Some of our best friends, Summer and Brent, just welcomed a new little girl into their home today. They have been working through the adoption process for a while and we are so excited to see them become parents. It all happened very quickly. A phone call Sunday evening that a baby had been born and needed a family, and within 48 hours we had pulled together all of the necessities (well hopefully all) a newborn might need. Let me tell you it sounds like a lot of stress but I had a blast and I am so happy I can barely contain myself.

Her name is Grace Michelle Wood and she was born on May 30 weighing 7 lbs. 5 oz. She is absolutely beautiful and such a sweet blessing. Brent is a beaming dad and Summer has all the nurturing and love in her heart Grace could possibly need. Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Student with a Scalpel...

My husband has spent the last month doing a general surgery rotation. I'm not sure what he does between the hours of 5AM and 8PM but I do know that no matter how tired he is when he walks through our door he is beaming. A few days ago he walked in almost bursting with excitement. The residents had had an early morning meeting which left the students alone with the attendings. Kai scrubbed in for a particularly long case, which he had seen the day before, and took the first assistant position across from the surgeon. The doctor walked in drew a line with a black marker handed the scalpel to Kai and told him to get started. Kai was amazed and shocked. Did he realize he had just handed a scalpel to a medical student? Kai didn't say anything. He had watched the surgery closely the day before and knew exactly what to do. He handled the surgery beautifully and the other medical student in the room was silently cheering to himself. After surgery the doctor approached Kai and asked him what year he was in school? When Kai replied he was only a 3rd year, the surgeon said, "You did very well for only a 3rd year." I thought Kai might burst by the time he got home to relay the story and I have to admit I was equally excited for him. This kind of opportunity rarely happens for a student, and for Kai it was a dream come true.

MAKING THE GRADE...

Transcription Test 2: 95%
Cumulative Average: 97%

Not quite what I was hoping for but I will definitely take it. To ensure a transcription job from home I need to have a cumulative average of 98%. I'm not worried yet though, I still have a lot to learn and a lot of tests to complete.

WHEN BUDGETS ARE FUN...

Because Kai is in medical school we get our living money in 6 month increments which means a lot of forethought. For the past 2 1/2 years I have overseen all of the accounts, juggled the finances, and somehow squeaked by every year, until now. Realizing my plight I went to my husband for a few ideas but he got a lot more involved then I had expected. By January he had a complete budget set up and told me to write a check to pay off some of our debt I had been sitting on. I was greatly concerned but he showed me the budget and I thought it did seem reasonable. However, I have found it a lot easier to stay within budget when I knew at the end of the month I was going to be held accountable to my husband (in February one little ice cream trip with my kids caused me a great deal of guilt).

On Friday I took Summer to Great Lakes Crossing an indoor outlet mall just 30 min. away with an awesome play area, stores for every budget, and some interesting things for the kids to see. I tried to stay away from the stores but when my eyes fell on a 2.99 and under sale at Children's Place my budget-oriented mind went crazy. I just had to go in. This is when I just love living within a budget. The thrill of buying my kids 2 gigantic bags of clothes for $40 including tax was almost more than I could handle. What was even more fun was the look on my darling husband's face when he walked in the door and saw the bags from a somewhat pricey store called Children's Place. When I started to show him the coat, 2 jackets, 4 pants, and umpteen shirts his face just kept falling. "You went over budget?" I thought he was going to cry. "No, no I didn't, there's even enough left over to make sure the Kid's Budget lasts the rest of the month!" I loved every minute of it.