Mt. Magazine

This past weekend Dane and I took a weekend trip to Mt. Magazine! I had asked Dane if he might be interested in going somewhere for our Anniversary and this was our first free weekend. We wanted to go somewhere we had never been before. My aunt had taken my sister and my Gran to Mt. Magazine and they told me it was very nice so I suggested it to Dane. Mt. Magazine is just an hour from Russellville, so it was perfect! We left Friday after work around 3:30 and headed to The Lodge. Well.. first we stopped and ate at Whattaburger. Dane's students always tell him that Butcher Boy Burgers in Russellville is actually better, but I absolutely love Whattaburger and I cannot imagine how Butcher Boy could be better. Really. I can't.

We made it to the Lodge around 6 and we were VERY impressed. It is a state park but this is not quite we were expecting. The Lodge is magnificent and sits on the edge of the mountain. We got a room with a balcony too. More than that though the Lodge has beautiful details and is exceptionally well maintained. There is also an indoor pool and hot tub.

Saturday we got up and ate a good breakfast at the restaurant and then headed out for some hiking. We ended up doing 2 hikes that totaled almost 5 miles. We reached the highest point in Arkansas! The hikes were easy-moderate and it was very nice to out in the 65 degree temperature (in January!). We were very thankful. We both spent some time reading when we stopped to rest. I read a book called Reluctant Pilgrim. After we hiked we ended up finishing our books on the balcony and watching the sunset. I also had a delicious cup of coffee. We had dinner in the dining room and then we came back to the room to find that one of my favorite movies was on tv. Bourne Identity!! Love that movie.



Sunday we woke up late and headed back around 11:00. We stopped to eat at Cracker Barrel and I had the Country Boy Breakfast! Yum.

I am so thankful for our time away together. I am thankful for time to reflect and read. I am thankful to experience creation and new places in the world (including places in Arkansas).

I am thankful for my husband.

Welcome to the world Ava Lauryn.

Susan and Chris welcomed their precious baby girl Ava Lauryn into the world on Monday at 11:18 am and she was 6lbs 11oz.

Dane and I simply could not WAIT to see her. When we left work/clinic in Russellville I remembered to say, "Oh did you even ask if we could come?" and he said "yes and Chris said that we could!" I practically forgot to even ask I was so excited!! Mallory texted me and asked if we were going and if we wanted to all go together, so we did.

We got to the hospital around 6:30ish. Chris answered the door and he was just smiling from ear to ear. Dane gave him they traditional man hug and said "Dude.. you're a father!" It was sweet. Susan was just sitting up in bed watching Ava. A few of Susan's friends were there and we were all just staring at beautiful Ava.

What can I say? She literally took my breathe away! Beautiful, perfect, tiny, precious... there are not enough words to describe it. And she was so. good. She did not cry at all and she just occasionally made precious expressions. Mallory and I were amazed at her tiny details. Her tiny fingers, toes, ears, chin, dimples (like her momma), nose, armpits it was truly like seeing a miracle before our very eyes. And her skin was so. soft...

Susan and Chris were great with her. They just loved her and she seemed like she had always been their baby.

Ava Lauryn we love you and we are praying for you as you grow every day. We are blessed to know and love your parents. They are precious people and you will never know a day without love.

For every thing there is a season.

Last Sunday I went to the Bridal Fair with Haley and her sister, mother, grandmother, and future sister-in-law. We had so.much.fun. I have always wanted to go to the Arkansas Bridal Fair but I couldn't go the year I got married and I haven't had an excuse to go until this year! It's basically an expo with booths from vendors like photographers, cake bakery's, DJ's, etc. They had lots of cake samples that were A-Mazing! There was also a fashion show at the end with bridal gowns and tuxedos. Super fun. And a little overwhelming. We talked to several awesome photographers. I wish I had the talent that several of the people we met had. Haley ended booking a photographer Eli Murray. He is awesome. We were impressed.

Last Sunday was actually a very big day for us. Dane announced at our church that he may be attending seminary in the fall. This is something that has been on his heart for a long time. He wants to pursue full-time ministry and needs a formal education to that. We are praying and looking for the place for us. Dane has already received one scholarship and we are very thankful for that. Last Sunday in church we sang Great is Thy Faithfulness and the words "All I have needed Your hand hath provided, Great is thy faithfulness Lord unto me" seemed so very real. Some of the old hymns can really break me down sometimes. I know that His love is always more than enough. Leaving our home, our families, and our first church will very difficult. We are very blessed with more than enough people who love us and teach us about family and faithfulness. More on that as the time approaches. I am trying to live in this season while we are in it and wait to celebrate new seasons when the time is right.

Speaking of God's love for us, I am very excited about meeting a sweet baby girl Ava Lauryn early next week. Susan is going to be induced on Sunday night and we are looking for a January 24th baby. I have been praying for my sweet friend all day and I know she is going to be glowing when she sees that tiny little face.

I am also praying for my dear Gran. She is looking at possible surgery sometime around March. It might be major surgery. She is a very strong woman but I am praying for her recovery already. If you are reading this, please pause for a moment to say a prayer for her as well.

First week back.

Well this was my first week (or should I say four days) back in clinic. I have really enjoyed my new setting. It is inpatient rehabilitation. Most of the patients are there after a fracture and surgical repair, stroke, or other debilitating life event. My CI is very sweet and high energy. It is a great environment to learn in. All of the therapists, nurses, social workers, and the medical director are very friendly. Like all inpatient rehab sites, the care is collaborative. The patients are required to be treated 3 hours a day for PT and OT. This can be very challenging for some patients. Particularly people who sedentary before their hospital stay. I think it is going to go quickly. The only tough part is that I have to get up at 5:30 am every day. Dane and I are both the opposite of morning people. Chris warned me when we got married to look at in the morning because Dane is not a sweetheart. ...Fortunately I'm not either. We are doing our best! ha. One thing about my CI is that she treats two pediatric patients after hours so I am going to get to treat some kids too!

This week Dane started playing Conway city-league basketball. He had two games this week. This is great for us because the league is at Don Owens Sports Center, a free center with basketball courts and a running track. So I met my goal of working out. I spent the first visit this week walking and talking to my classmate and friend whose husband was also playing in a game and the second visit running and walking. I am hoping to keep this up during this rotation. Dane and I are very thankful to get in some physical activity. Dane's second game was fun because they went into overtime after the other team was fouled while shooting a 3 pointer and the guy made all 3 of his free throws. Dane's team ended up winning in the 2 minute overtime though.

My parents are in town tonight so we are going to eat dinner with them in Conway! Hooray. I do love good company and good food. :)

Tomorrow I am going to the Arkansas Bridal Fair in Little Rock with Haley!! I am so excited. I have never been the Bridal Fair but I have always wanted to go.

Snow Day

Today was supposed to be my first day of my third clinical rotation. However, last night the snow just kept coming down and my clinical instructor told me to go ahead and wait until Tuesday to come in for my first day. So, Tuesday it is! I am really looking forward to being in the clinic.

Dane is also out of school so we have just been home all day catching up on papers and housework. It is always nice to be home together though!

Last night we had dinner with two couples and two kiddos from church who we love dearly. We had this awesome meal from a can cooker. I had never heard of a can cooker. Apparently it's on the hunting channel.

I am trying to figure out how I can possibly work out while I am at this clinical rotation. I really do not want to join a fitness center when I will be back in Conway in March... but I desperately need the energy boost!! I also have to start reviewing for my board exams. ouch. We have two huge books to help us review so that should give me plenty to study.

It snowed in Nashville and my sister sent me this precious picture of her dog Ross watching the snow! He is wearing the blue bandana that Dane and I got him for Christmas. He is such a good boy! Beth says that he thinks that he is protecting her like a watchdog. :)

Congratulations Haley and Chris

Last weekend our good friends Haley and Chris got engaged!! Horray for them!!

Haley and Chris met while we were in college and they started dating our senior year of college (Chris's first year of law school) when we lived in Torreyson Apartments.

Haley is one of my best friends in the world and I could not be more happy for her! They have dated for 3 years while they were in law school. Chris graduated last year and Haley will graduate in May. They are getting married this fall and then they are moving to El Dorado for Haley's job as a law clerk. I think they will really enjoy their first year together in a new town!

We celebrated their engagement on Tuesday night (before the Sugar Bowl) with a little cookie cake! Haley and I (and my sister) love cookie cake! I recently discovered that Kroger will decorate them for free during decorating hours (10am-5pm). We always bought icing and decorated them ourselves during college, which made for less than perfect designs. ;)


Haley and Chris I am very happy for both of you and I look forward to this season of engagement in your life.

Love,
Jill

Our 3rd Anniversary

Today is our 3rd Anniversary! I couldn't help but update the blog in celebration of my husband. We loved our wedding day and we love celebrating anniversaries too!

Last night we celebrated by eating dinner at Mike's Place! It was delicious. Tonight we are watching the Sugar Bowl with some dear friends. Go Hogs!! WPS!!!

Dane I just wanted to say thank you for being such an amazing husband. Thank you for sharing your life with me. I love our life together. I love the dreams we have and the simple things we do together. Thank you also for all of the laundry you do, meals you cook, trash you take out, etc. You work so hard every day and then you work hard at home and at life. But more than that, thank you for supporting me 100% every day. Thank you for laughing with me and challenging me as an individual. You make me stronger. It is an honor to be your wife. The last three years have been a blessing. I look forward to 70 more. :)