Traumatized

One more day on trauma rotation, then Matt is done. Forever. No more trauma rotations while a resident. It also means we have a mere 9 months left here in Greenville. To say the least all who are involved are traumatized while on this rotation. We look forward to returning to a normal life. As if that exists while in residency...

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At first it was just another birthday. Then, I started thinking about my upcoming thirty-sixth year...

~ 4 years away from 40

~ 2 years until my 20-year high school reunion

~ I will have a 5, 7 and 2 year-old

~ We will likely know where we will settle

~ Completion of residency

~ A move to San Diego & the start of Fellowship

 

Not just another birthday.

Back to School!

 A proud Kindergartener!

 Excited for 4K at Oakview Elementary!

 This picture is worth a thousand words...of what our school mornings look like.

 Matt escaped long enough to see the boys off on their first day. One amazing Daddy.

Blake looking very big in his desk. No shared table this year!

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Everyone had a great day on their first day of school this year! I did get a few dirty looks this morning after waking them up bright and early, and I needed an extra cup of coffee, but all went well. Dane enjoyed his new classroom and has an amazing teacher who is beyond organized and creative. I need to take some lessons from her! Blake was so excited to see familiar faces in his teachers and classmates in his special education classroom and seemed comfortable in the regular education classroom he will be integrated in for the day (with the exception of subjects that don't come as easy or need additional adaptations - that's where the spec ed room comes in). He is repeating Kindergartener which was our request and wish. Blair and I were a bit bored and unsure of what to do with ourselves, but soon enough she will start Mom's Morning Out two days a week where she will enjoy other children and fun activities. And I have many projects that have been shoved aside that I will be able to tackle! Here's to a great school year and our final one here in Greenville!

Building Tolerance

Matt's first rotation this 5th and final year of residency is trauma. Most of you know by now trauma is a nightmare for all involved. He has hit the half-way mark (6 weeks) and today was the first day that something insignificant made me have a breakdown. Dane's seatbelt wouldn't work after an exausting trip to Target with all 3 kids and I just had to have a good cry. Afterwards I felt much better and realized that during last year's trauma rotation this was happening by the 2nd DAY. Hooray for building tolerance to this lifestyle and here's hoping I can make it the other half of trauma without another breakdown...or maybe just one.

Kiawah Island

 One view from our balcony

 Another view from our balcony. Amazing!

 Our last evening on the island.

We enjoyed our trip aside the other GHS ortho residents and their wives!

Pictured here are us with the Kruse's and the Adams'.

The Watson's had made a trip to Charleston so we missed

having them in this picture!

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Matt and I were beyond blessed to be able to travel to Kiawah Island last weekend for him to attend a conference and me to enjoy some rest and relaxation on the beach! A HUGE thank you to my parents who traveled to stay with the kids, which was the only way this trip could happen. It meant the world to us to be able to get away alone! Matt's conference lasted until around noon each day, so we enjoyed time together lounging at the beach, pool and taking in all the beauty that The Sanctuary has to offer. We had fantastic food, great company with fellow residents and attendings and none of the daily demands that comes with parenting and being a resident. We made wonderful memories on Kiawah Island and hope to return someday soon!

A Glimpse of our Summer

Painting pottery with friends at The Glazing Pot

                                       

Celebrating Dane's friend, Dap, at a super fun pirate party

                                       

A rare moment during trauma rotation...family time at the zoo

                                       

                 Eating ice cream & popsicles after playing in the fountains with friends

Exploring Hollywild Animal Park with friends

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We are enjoying Summer so far, and with less than one month until the first day of school it's time to soak up the rest! Trying to stay cool has been key so we've made many trips to the fountains in downtown Greenville and to the pool in the neighborhood adjacent to ours. Having a pass to the zoo has been fantastic, and experiences we have had with friends and playgroups have brought lasting memories. We have also enjoyed visiting the library to participate in fun activities, check out books and play on the computers. Things we are looking forward to include a trip to the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC, a visit from Mimi & Papa, swimming lessons, and gathering school supplies! And I'm sure more trips to the Greenville zoo, fountains and various parks before school begins. Signing up for Fall soccer for both Blake and Dane is happening, so that glorious, COOLER time of year is on the horizon! We hope you are enjoying all the fun that Summer has to offer where you are! Stay cool!

Happy Birthday Blair Elise!

Our sweet baby girl is one year old today! Time, of course, has gone by so quickly, but we couldn't imagine our family without Blair. She is a happy, sweet, busy, inquisitive and (thank goodness!) flexible little girl. She is loved by her brothers and loves them back even more. Blair is my " go with the flow" baby who thus far has taken quickly to transitions...eating table food, drinking from a cup, enjoying cow's milk and hopefully by the end of this week drinking from a straw. And the fun and messy spoon feeding will begin soon, as well! She will start "school" this Fall a couple of days a week, so I am enjoying being full-time Mommy for a few more weeks which I was blessed to be able to do her first year of life. We love you Blair Elise and are excited to see all you have in store for us this next year!