Oklahoma and Arkansas

Our trip was so wonderful. We had these two weeks off and we contemplated going for a mini vacay but to be honest there was no place I'd rather be than back home! There was a big group of Mitch's classmates that we're going to Florida but we had just gotten back last month and it was so good to see family. 

We got into tulsa late Thursday night. Of course traffic on I-40 was awful, like usual, and we we added about an hour and a half onto our trip. And when it's already a long trip that hour plus is not fun. But we made in by about 9:30 and stay up way too late visiting with my parents. 

Friday my mom and I went and ran some errands and then spent the day out at Mayfest. It is a huge festival downtown Tulsa with lots of art and crafts and food. We usually go every year but this year we had to go because my brother was playing with Alaska and Madi. They are both from Jenks and were on The Voice- team Blake. They have recently moved to Nashville but come back to tulsa a lot and when they do Evan is their fiddle player. They also have a new cd out and Evan is the fiddle player on the cd! So cool! I could go on and on bout how nice these girls are but Evan is having a blast hanging out with when and attending all the "cool" music parties with them ha! While at Mayest, we were able to catch up with some of our good friends. Katie and Tommy came out and after Evan played we hung out the rest of the night with them. I love getting to see everyone while we are home.

Saturday we didn't have much planned. We ran to some stores around Tulsa and just relaxed at home. But that night we went on a date to FLEMINGS! I love Flemings, it is a really nice steakhouse in Utica Square and it's my parents favorite place to eat. Its crazy expensive so we don't go often, but last year my grandma got us a gift card and we were so busy last year we never got the chance to use it. So this turned out to be the perfect time. We celebrated being done with "almost" a year in Tennessee. It was the perfect night and we definitely enjoyed ourselves! 

Sunday we went to church and then we both had crazy busy plans all day. Mitch went to golf with Peter and Scott and I went to one of the little girls in my class birthday party. I still can't believe I had her in Kindergarten and now she is finishing up 2nd grade!! I love that there are several kids from my class that I still keep in touch with and get to visit while I'm back home. After her party, I met my parents and we went to look at some houses for them. They are trying to decide if they are going to move or not. They weren't really planning on it, but very unexpectedly they have had some very strong interest in their house. So for now they are just taking their time and seeing what happens. Then we went out my grandparents new house and celebrated my grandpa birthday. 

Monday I spent all morning with one of my best friends, Tayler. She had the day off and so went had breakfast and spent all day at Utica. It was so nice to spend time with her, not only because she is one of my best friends, but she is finished up the same school that Mitch is in and having her to talk to over this past year is so nice. She graduates in July and actually while I was with her she got the job offer she was waiting for. So that was exciting. Its so funny to hear her perspective on things now that she is finishing up and has a job waiting for her. Although her program was a masters (2 years) and she did it all in Tulsa, it is nice to be able to spend time with someone who gets what were going though. I know we have so much support through family and friends, but unless you have went though this program you really have no idea whats involved and how stressful it really is. Especially Mitch, who hides his stress from most people very well. So needless to say, having her has been such a blessing. When no one "gets it" I can call her and like I said I know lots of friends and family have been through moving and grad school, but everyones situation is different and especially CRNA school.Our situation is so different from the average person attending school or moving away for a job. I always tell Mitch if we were just here for a few years and he was just in school it wouldn't be bad, but starting in a couple months we could be moving around every 2 months and he will be pretty much living at the hospitals on top of all his classes. So that will be interesting. We are just so ready to get back to Tulsa! 

Monday evening we went with my good friend Natalie to the Warren Theater and saw Pitch Perfect 2. I honestly wasn't expecting much. I thought the 1st one was extremely cheesy, but I was super surprised! it was hilarious and we loved it!! 

Tuesday was the day of getting things done. We had hair appts, had to get the oil changed, and I got to have lunch with one of the teachers I worked with and a mom of one of the kids I am close to. It is so nice to be able to pick right back up with them. Then later I went and had ice cream with another little girl I had in class. I am so thankful for parents who let me stay involved, even though I am states away. That night my mom and I made dinner and Mitch went out to dinner with one of his good fiends from sunday school. 

Wednesday turned out to be a bit of a surprise for me. Mitch surprised me and had a massage booked for not only me but my mom too!! He said he was very thankful for the hard work and sacrifices over the past semester. I am seriously married to the best man. So my mom and I went out for a spa day and shopping. It was perfect and we ended our last night in Tulsa with an outdoor fire, hot tub and Pei Wei takeout for dinner. 

Thursday through Sunday we for fortunate to be able to go spend some time in Arkansas. We did a lot of hiking, walking the dogs and we able to spend some much needed time with Will and Michelle. Mitch's grandma was in town so that was nice as well. She lives in Memphis, so you would think we would see her more, but I don't think they realize how busy Mitch is, and me working, that we honestly have no extra time and if we do we don't really want to drive an hour. Usually when he has down time, its not for long and he wants to relax. So we unfortunately don't get to Memphis a lot, but we try when we can. 

We have been watching the process of the pyramid finally being turned into something useful, Bass Pro, so we had to stop and check it out on our way back to TN. If you are in Memphis or passing through it's def worth your time to check it out. So neat! 

Now we are back in Tennessee and starting the second week of Mitch's time off. He is so thankful he is back and has nothing to do. Anytime we have a break we always spend it back home, which we love, but that means we have never have any downtime while here in TN. So it was Mitch's idea to only spend one week of his two week time back home. So since we've been back we went and found a new hiking trail, Cypress Grove. It was fun to get out but definitely not our favorite ha. I only work 2 short days so I al able to spend this time off with him as well. And then tomorrow we take off for St. Louis until Sunday night. This trip was ALL Mitch's idea and he was dying to do something fun before he starts summer. So he planed it all and honestly I don't know much, but I am getting really excited and can't wait to leave!