A BIG thank you!

I wanted to make this a separate post...We really owe our parents a big thank you! I don't know what we would have done without their love and support over the past four years, and really since we have been married!

To my sweet in laws...They have been such great parents and have raised such an awesome guy, who works so hard to achieve his highest potential! I love how close Jon is to his dad, and that he doesn't ever hesitate to call and ask for advice about anything! I also have to say thank you for the MANY weeks we would stay at their house during summer breaks! They always made sure we were comfortable and had our own space. The mad dash of packing would not have been possible with out Fran, and Jana there to throw the last stuff into boxes! And a HUGE thanks to Wally for driving with Jon! We love you so much!

To my parents...I have always loved how proud my parents are of Jon, and of course I enjoy their willingness to brag about my husband. My mom was such a huge help the week before moving. She pretty much handled everything! She took care of Emma and got us organized and packed! We could NOT have moved without her help. I love watching my sweet dad with our girls! I come from ONLY sisters...so it's fun to watch him be with Emma or Sophie, and get a glimpse of how he was with me. My parents were also great for sponsering MANY flights to California, when I was homesick, or just needed a little break from life. Thanks so much, lots of love!

He's a Doctor??!!!

Wow! I can't believe that the past week is already done and over! I should have posted this a little sooner, but life has been a little bit crazy! As you can see...it's official Jon is a DR. That is a little weird! I am so proud of him! It is quite an accomplishment to have the past four years done and behind us! I have to honestly admit that I didn't think it was such a big deal that he had gotten into Dental school, until during a speech one of the professor's said that there had been 2000 applicants for the 80 spots at Louisville! That is really cool! It was really neat to watch Jon get 'hooded' especially by his brother Brandon (who is a graduate from Louisville's dental school as well) It was a little strange to go from euphoria that it was really over, and then to total depression as we realized that we had to say goodbye to everyone! It is funny, I am sure I complained that dental school would never get over, and that Jon was never home, but now suddenly I seem to remember how fun it was, and the great friends we made along the way! Since we were so far from home those friends have become our family! I really don't know what I am going to do without them!

It was also a little crazy because we moved the next day! I flew to California with my parents the next afternoon, with Emma and Sophie. While Jon and his AWESOME dad Wally stayed behind to drive! I am so grateful that I didn't have to make that drive again! Especially with a new baby! I totally cried when we flew out of Kentucky (about 3 minutes into the flight you are in Indiana!) I turned to my Mom and said...that's it, we're out! I haven't been as sad as I thought I would be. I thought I would be crying this whole week! I definately do while I read emails, or blogs. But I think since We are at my mom's house it seems a little unreal! I am sure when we officially move to Henderson it will really hit!

Jon and his dad made it here last night! They really traveled fast! Now we are just getting somewhat settled here, and getting ready for Fran's (Jon's mom) retirement party! (Yeah Fran!) and for Ryan and Whit's wedding! We miss all of our great friends and look forward to planning trips to get together!

Our New House

Here's Our new home....JUST KIDDING! I wish! We spent the weekend at Lake Lure in North Carolina, as the last Hoorah with some other families from dental school! It was about a 6 hour drive from Louisville, I was a little worried about the drive, but both ways went pretty smooth. It was pretty rainy, but it was nice just to spend time chatting and saying over and over "I can't believe the guys are done" It was also nice to have extra hands to hold Sophie, I am pretty sure I won't be able to put her down again! The house was amazing! There were 5 families staying so we had 10 adults and and 10 kids, it was a little crazy but the kids had a blast! It was also great to watch the Kentucky Derby (or the best 2 minutes in sports!) with everybody! I am pretty sure that we will be big fans of watching the derby forever!







Before we headed out on Thursday, Emma had her big Derby program, I had to include a few pics from that! They sang the cutest songs and played fun little games! We are also so excited that my mom (Grammy) is coming tonight! Emma can't wait to show her baby sister off! And I can't wait for a little help packing! Thanks Mom!

Just pictures

My family is dying for more pics! The one of Emma feeding the bottle to Sophie was from the rush of getting ready for preschool, Sophie of course decided she was still hungry, and I was still in my pj's so I had Emma feed Sophie while I quick threw on some clothes!

He did it!

Jon passed boards!!! I am so proud of him! He thought that he wouldn't find out for 4-6 weeks so he had the results sent to his parents house. His dad called today to let Jon know that he had the envelope. I am sure for Wally it seemed a little like openning a mission call. I knew that Jon would pass, but it is so nice to have it official! If you need a new dentist you know who to call!!!

So blessed...

I wanted to post this on Thursday, but I am glad that I spent more time really thinking about it. And it seems somewhat appropriate to type this on Sunday while Jon and Emma are at church. I guess this will be my way of having a little religion today. So Thursday was quite the crazy day, Jon had to go to school to finish a patient, which meant that I had to take and pick Emma up from preschool, and the pediatrician wanted to see Sophie and check her very yellow skin. I was in the car the whole day (all right that is a little dramatic, it wasn't the whole day but it felt like it!) I somehow made it to Emma's preschool on time (she was the last one through the door!) and picked her back up on time! And Sophie's Dr. appointment went pretty good, she has to go back on Monday just to make sure she has started gaining weight, since I am nursing and she wants to eat every hour, my guess is that she is just fine!

I can tell this might be a lengthy post, sorry! This is sort of a journal post for me. So while I was driving in the car, I had my hormonal let down. I have found that the only way my body can get rid of all the EXTRA hormones is to cry them out! I remember with Emma feeling so discouraged with nursing, and so overwhelmed with her and her health, that crying just seemed to make it all better and more manageable. My experience on Thursday was so different. I was driving along fine one minute and in tears the next! But they were GOOD tears, I felt so happy, and so blessed. Every time I would get calmed down another blessing would come to mind and I would be in tears all over again. I am sure other drivers thought I had lost it! Anyway over the past few days since then with whatever struggles have come my way, in the back of my head I have been able to recall all my blessings and have the confidence and the sweet feeling of love and that I am not alone. Before I forget all the sweet blessings in my life I wanted to write them down...but I am the worst with journals...I don't even have one! So this is my journal so I can remember how AWESOME I felt on Thursday! In no particular order here we go...

I am blessed because:
1. Sophie could not be a better baby! She is healthy, and beautiful. She only wakes up once during the night (I know that won't last forever, but I am grateful for now!) She just seems to have a sweet countenance about her.
2. Patience!!! Nursing is just a struggle for me, the patience that seems to be coarsing through me is purely a miracle! Also Emma's patience with me has been incredible. She is so good about hearing "in a few minutes" and just waiting patiently or finding something else to do!
3. I can't say it enough but I really do feel great! I feel so LUCKY that my body recovers quickly from delivering a baby. I feel so good. My energy is back, and as Emma likes to tell everyone...I can bend over and pick stuff up again.
4. Of great friends and family! Whether it be by phone or in person, the attention has made me feel so loved! I can't thank everyone enough for the flowers, the visits, the phone calls, and the dinners.
5. Emma!!! She has been so good! Besides her patience, she adores Sophie and loves to help! She loves watching Sophie while I take a shower or fold the laundry. I love how responsible she wants to be, and is!
6. Jon! He has been such a great help. The house was so clean when I got home and he had done all the laundry (there was tons!) He has been so awesome with Emma, who usually prefers that I do everything. She has actually called me daddy a few times! He has taken her places and truly played with her outside and in her room. I love watching him with her, it is just so sweet! I love watching him with a new baby and the bond that is built between them. In my opinion there is nothing better than watching a father rock or hold and kiss a newborn.
7. I feel the spirit so much right now. I know that some of you aren't the same faith as I am, I don't want to make anyone feel uncomfortable, but I would feel horrible if I didn't point out the love that I feel from my Heavenly Father and how it is helping me to focus on the great things in my life, and to just enjoy what is happening and not stress out. I know that we will get through these next crazy weeks!

Some Pics

I know my family is dying to see her and they keep requesting pics...this is just easier than emailing them! Anyway I have lots to update on but I need some sleep too! Everything is going better than I expected...I will continue on that tomorrow!