Busy, busy, busy....

*I wrote this about a week ago and never posted it... so I will post again very soon with lots of new and exciting updates!

These last few weeks have been crazy. Mitch started his rotations, I started my observations, we officially got rid of Mitch's car, got a different car, and began our house hunt. This month is already overwhelming enough with his clinical schedule, but adding house hunting, packing and trying to get everything worked out with his car it was been a nightmare. I am so ready for things to slow down.

     I'll start out with Mitch's rotations since they are probably most interesting. He gets up at 4:30 in the morning and is gone by a little after 5am. He was a nervous wreck his first day, but he loves it. He is finally getting to put into practice what he has been learning the past year. I could tell you story after story, but overall he is really liking it and they are letting him do it all on his own. There are 25 people in his class and the other clinical l site has at least 3-4 students there together, but he is the only one from his class at his hospital and at first he was really nervous about that but I think it is working out for him. He has two other 3rd years there with him, but thats it. He gets there early, gets changed, sets up his room, does his machine check-off, draws up his plan and gets the meds ready. Then he is off to pre-op. He does his pre-op assessment with the patient and then brings them back to surgery. He has officially intubated, administered drugs alone and woke them back up. He has had some interesting and difficult cases but even after this short amount of time he has learned so much. I imagine after 2 full years of this he will be a pro! Also, since this hospital is so small, they provide him with free breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks at all times. Most hospitals don't do that so he is getting spoiled. But I can't tell you how nice it is not having to worry about making his lunches everyday! Some days he gets off at 1 and some days it's 7, but he is really enjoying it and I can tell he is so much happier not being in the classroom all day everyday. I think it is a breath of fresh air after this summer semester. 

     I am not nearly as interesting, but I mentioned I am taking 2 online classes and they are going better, just constantly working on them. Since Mitch gets up so early for clinical, I usually have a hard time getting back to sleep, so I have just been getting up with him and getting in a good couple hours of work before I go to my observations. So for my classes I have to have 20 hours per class of observation hours, then I have to do this huge project I don't even want to talk about. But I am so thankful for the school I am at. I subbed there a lot this past year and everyone there is so nice. I feel so welcome and they treat me just like one of there teachers. I am going to miss it when we move.  But anyway when I found out I had to do these observation hours, I called the principal and she was so welcoming and told me to come do them whenever. She has been so nice to me ever since I started subbing there. So I am trying to get these hours done in the next two weeks or so since we have our move coming up. So I am going every day and actually really enjoying it. I am with the nicest kindergarten teacher and she lets me do a lot and not just sit back and watch. She knows I use to teach so she lets me help with lessons and work with the kids. I am going to miss it when I get my hours ha! It reminds me how much I LOVE kindergarten and I am so ready to teach again! And she is letting me sub for her when she can't be there, and of course I am loving that! 

     And now the car. So I don't think when I posted last we new much about it. But a long story short we have spend more hours on the phone with State Farm and been to the collision place more than we have bene home this week. Oh my, dealing with this stuff is crazy and I hope we never have to go through it again. So the car was totaled from the wreck, yes I know just what we needed during Mitch's first week of rotations. His stress level was already through the roof and that made me extra stressed out. The car actually wasn't damaged that bad.. I mean it wasn't just a scrape or anything, but it was because they were going to have to replace both passenger doors and his car is so old, the cost to fix it was almost as much as the car was worth.... so they totaled it. We are both just happy we are done dealing with it all and he now has a safe reliable car to get him to and from clinicals. 

     And then the house hunt... which isn't going well. We have been looking online for the past two weeks and picked out some to see. I went to Memphis yesterday while Mitch was in class and met with our relator. I had a friend go with me and it was so nice having someone else there to help. House hunting is always so much more stressful when you are in it, but seems so fun when you are on the outside. We looked at several and only one was a maybe. So I am going back to look at some more next week. I hope we can get this narrowed down quick. It is just one more thing on our plate that I need taken care of.
We are enjoying these cool morning and evenings and I can't wait for fall!! We are getting those random cool days and being able to curl up in my sweatshirts makes me so happy! Have a great week!! 

St. Louis, House Hunting and Labor Day

Happy Labor Day! I always get my hopes for for September, but always seem to get let down. Every time September gets here, my mind automatically goes to fall everything, where in reality September is still summer! It is one of the -ber months and so therefore I always assume when September gets here its going to feel like fall. And then reality hits me and it's still in the 90's. But I do know by the end of the month it will be feeling more like fall. September also has those wonderful fall days then its back with the heat. Its like it can't make up its mind, it gets my hopes up and then crushes them. So thats my rant about September... I am doing my best to hold off on fall things, which is very hard for me. I am weird and want it to feel like fall before I start buying and getting my fall fix.
 On another note, we have been busy with getting things ready for our move, its slowly sneaking up on us, and oh yeah there's that thing called school that keeps getting in the way ha! Mitch has been so busy with not really "school work" but just lots of orientations and fun still like that. He starts Wednesday on his first day of rotations in the hospital and keep him in your prayers because he is very nervous. I know he will be great, but I can only imagine how terrifying it will be. Y'all he will be for real putting someone to sleep Wednesday... so thats weird, but I am so excited for him and can't wait to hear all about it! My classes are going okay, but I am finding out i'm not a fan of online classes and well taking classes in general. I guess I have just been out of the whole "school" routine for so long and its very hard to get back in it, especially when it is just for a few classes and not a degree or anything. But I am pushing through and taking it week by week. My classes are SO unorganized and I think thats really what I am not enjoying about them. But I keep reminding myself- I just have to pass and move on ha!
In other news, we went to St. Louis this weekend just for a quick trip, we love thats it so close, and like always, we had a great time. It was kind of last minute... well last minute for Mitch and I, we are planners and usually have these thing planned out. But last weekend we didn't have much to do, our town is so exciting and all, and kept talking about how these weekends we both have together are few and far between. Last weekend we sat and stared at each other for the first part of the weekend and realized we haven't had a weekend here in Jackson together in probably over 6 months. We had forgot what it was like to have a weekend together. So last weekend we went hiking at Natchez State Park and it was so wonderful! We hiked about 5.5 miles and although it was hot, we had a great time.

While we were hiking, Mitch kept talking about Labor Day weekend we both don't have anything so we should take a quick getaway trip. I told him to plan it and he chose St. Louis again. We love thats it so close and that we can go to a Cards game and there is always stuff to do there.

   Unfortunately we had a little mishap while we were there that put a damper on our trip. We had only been there a few hours and there is an outlet mall I love just outside of St. Louis and we were leaving it to go back downtown and got in an accident. Hands down the scariest moment of my life. We were going probably 70 and no warning or anything the car in front of us stopped, not slowed down, but came to a complete stop. We had no option, there was a barrier wall to our left, and a small opening to our right but a semi was coming up on us on that side. So we either ran into the back of the Escalade that was in front of us and probably went though it and the several cars that were in front of it and most likely still be laying in a hospital room, but we swerved right and tried to miss the semi (it was trying to move over a lane as well to help us out) but we still side swiped the semi. Sounds a lot worse than it was, being that we hit a semi on one of the busiest highways in St. Louis, but it really wasn't that bad. I still keep replaying it in my mind and can't figure out how we didn't get hurt or ruin the car. I mean there is a huge dent on the side of Mitch's car but to be out of town and it still run fine and nothing seem wrong, minus the scratches was a miracle. I keep asking myself how did we not get hit from behind, how did it not damage the car more with hitting a semi, how did we not get hurt at all, how did it not cause a bigger wreck on the highway and it really doesn't make sense. I am so thankful we had protection over us that day and I know it was a total God thing, because it just doesn't make sense how we are both okay. So after that we went and checked into our hotel. We were running a little behind to make the cardinals game so we ran up to our room, which by the way the lady at the Hilton could tell I had been upset and Mitch mentioned we had just been in a wreck that's why we were late and she upgraded our room for us. It wasn't a huge deal, but really meant so much to us. She was the nicest lady and definitely put a smile on our face after a hard afternoon. Our hotel was only a couple blocks from the stadium so we walked over and made it just in time.

Saturday morning we both slept so hard and didn't even leave the hotel until 11am. We usually like to get up and get going but we were so exhausted from everything we needed a break. We tried to get the wreck out of our minds and enjoy our trip but with people calling us nonstop asking about it, it was hard. But we did end up having a great day. Mitch knows I love brunch so he found a good brunch place and took me, it is called Rooster and if you are in St. Louis GO! One of the best places I've ever eaten at!

Then we just hung out downtown, went to Forest Park, the Zoo which was a blast, and of course Ted Drew's. Overall we had a great trip and I'm sure there will be many more St. Louis trips our future... just minus the accident!

I have a feeling this month is going to fly by. We have some houses lined up to look at next week and trying get our house packed up is always fun. We usually make a couple trips back home in October for OSU Homecoming, our annual Razorback game and the Tulsa run but his year I don't think we will make it back for anything. OSU homecoming is one of my favorite events all year, I have been going since before I can even remember and hate to miss it and we have been to at least one Razorback game every year since my freshman year of college, but with that being the month we are moving it makes it difficult.  I have been debating over the Tulsa run since last year and I think I am done with it. I hate it because it is one of my favorite races and I love training for it since it is during the fall, but it has gone so far downhill. The price has skyrocketed and what you get for your money has gone down. If you read my post about it last year, they ran out of water on the course, no goodie bags and no snacks along the course. I was talking with my friend Tayler who does it every year as well and she said the same thing. She is not doing it anymore for the exact same reasons. So as much as I hate that because I have been doing this race since high school, it's just not worth the money and trip in. Maybe when we move back I will rethink it, but for now no more Tulsa Run.  We do have a few things this fall we are looking forward to. We are making a trip with our Sunday school class to a big pumpkin patch, Mitch has his conference in Nashville and I love spending several days there, and my good friend Tayler is coming to stay with me. She has been wanting to come but she was in her last year of CRNA school and has been studying for boards like crazy...which she took them and passed Friday!! So now we are planning our girls weekend in Nashville! I can't wait!

Yesterday we spent all day looking and calling on houses. Why does house hunting always seem so fun until your in it?

Last night we had several people over to grill out for Labor day, which is always fun.

We had way too much food, but thats how we do it here in the south. Lots of food and great company. We spent all night outside playing corn hole and had lots of great conversation. Don't get me wrong we are ready to move home when this is all over, but Tennessee is definitely our home for now and I'd say we fit in pretty well. The rest of this week will be lots of "firsts" for us and will update on those soon. Other than school and house hunting we are watching the US open and just trying to stay cool. Friday a cool front comes through and oh my I am looking forward to temps in the 70's... I'd even take 80's! Have a great week!!

Still here!

Hello.. yes we are still here! This summer semester is finally OVER!! Mitch and I were both talking about how fast we thought this summer was going to go and we were wrong. We both felt like it was never-ending. BUT we are officially done and we made it through alive ha! I am so thankful that is behind us. He finished Aug 13 and we headed to Oklahoma for a week and then on to Arkansas for a few days. It never seems to be long enough... we have so many family and friends in Tulsa and I hate that we can't see them all. We literally had stuff to do all day everyday while we were there but it was so nice to be back. It's like a breath of fresh air and reminds us what we are working towards. If you can't tell we can't wait to move back to Oklahoma. We are liking our time in Tennessee and we are thankful for this adventure we get to take, but its just nice to know where we want to be when we are done and that we have lots waiting for us back home.

These last few week of Mitch studying for finals have been so overwhelming. I don't think either of us have ever needed a break so bad. I am very thankful because my parents came up for a week at the end of july/beginning of august and unfortunately Mitch had to study the whole time, but I was able to hang out with my parents and it was so nice. We spent a few days in Memphis and Nashville and it was just a good break. My parents aren't as familiar with Memphis so I took them all around and showed then where we want to live- we actually looked at a few houses. But Nashville, even though we go a lot, they know a lot better. Because of my brother, my parents have friends in Nashville that they like to visit and they are in the music industry so they get them into places most people can't go. They have been to The Bluebird for dinner and concerts (which is super had to get in), The Grand Ole Opry several times and even backstage to meet the performers. I may be a tad jealous they get to do all the "cool" things. But anyway, we had a great time with them and I love when they come up.

August 13th Mitch finished and we made the trip to Oklahoma. We had the best time, lots of pool time, haircuts, eating at our favorite places and catching up with friends/family. It was the best time. One of my favorite parts about being back home is visiting my school and sweet kiddos I had. I have been so blessed by several families that keep in touch, but one specifically I ALWAYS see and I love these girls like my own! Hadley the older one, I had in kindergarten and she still writes me about every month. I know I say it over and over, but I am so thankful I have found what I love to do and even though I can't teach right now, getting to come back and see these sweet faces makes it all better.

We are now back in Tennessee and Mitch has a crazy busy next 2 weeks. He is all over the state for orientation and his classes start for fall semester. He doesn't start clinical until September 8, but until then he is super busy. I start my classes today to keep my OK teaching license up to date and let me tell you I am nervous about these classes. I have never done online classes before and I am hoping it is as easy as everyone says it is. I am excited about the classes I am taking and love learning about education but until they get going I am a little stressed.

We are trying to get settled back in from our week and a half away then we will start the house hunting process. I am ready to find something and secure it so I don't have to worry about it anymore but I am so not looking forward to packing up the house again-- I may go crazy! That's about all we've been up to. I promise I will get better at updating.. I love to look back and see where we were a year ago and all the changes we've made. ALSO-- did I mention how excited I am about fall being just right around the corner?!?! I am trying to hold back until at least mid-september (when it actually starts to feel like fall) before I go crazy with my fall obsession. Lets see if I make it :)