Left Behind

After 2 months of marriage, Daniel and I decided we were ready to have a family. I knew right away that we were going to have problems, but kept positive. In the mean time, everyone around us were having babies. It was really hard seeing everyone have the joy of parenthood that we so desperately wanted. But we kept positive, and kept trying. A few years later, those same people were on to baby number 2. That was really hard. It made us realize how much we were losing out on, and what we could've had.

Then all our infertile friends started their families too, and everything changes. It's hard for people to understand what it's like to be in our shoes, so we tend to pick friends who are also in our shoes. But all of them have moved on, and once again we are left behind. It's hard to keep those friendships, because they have something more important in their lives, and since I'm not a stay-at-home mom, I don't get to go on play dates or hang out and talk about our kids.

Over the past year, some of those same people who were having babies when we weren't, are now on number 3, and it hurts so bad. It's just another reminder of where we could be, and what our lives could be like. I mean, I'm grateful for all the time I have been able to spend with Daniel, and how much we have grown together. It's a good thing we get along so well, but if I could change things, i would want to be one of them. A stay-at-home mom with 3 children and piles of dirty laundry. Sometimes I just don't understand why!

1st Patient EVER!

Hey everyone, Daniel here. It's been a while since I've posted so here are a couple of tidbits for you. I finished my second year of optometry school in the beginning of May. I got a week off and now I'm back at it. This summer semester is the beginning of my third year and also the time I start to see patients. Last Friday I had my first patient! I can't believe how fast time has gone by and it's hard for me to believe that I am ready to look at a patient, understand what might be wrong and that I have the knowledge to help them, but for the most part I do.

My first patient was a great experience. She was a 63 year old nurse who has been coming to the Eye Center for a long time. She know that you get good quality exams, but that they take a little longer, since the students are doing them. That's probably why she wasn't frustrated that her exam took me 2 hours and 20 minutes to do! I'm sure I'll get faster. She was really nice and when my staff doctor came in to finalize things he asked her if she knew she was my first patient. She said she had no idea and told my staff doctor that I should get an A for the day, so I guess it couldn't have gone too badly.

This picture is of me standing in front of The Eye Center on my first day with patients. About 300 patients are scheduled there every day. I'll be seeing about 3 patients each time I am in clinic, which right now is only once a week. The next 2 semesters that will increase. Today I am going to do a "mobile" exam, where my lab group travels to a nursing home to give exams to patients in their rooms. I'm excited to see how it goes.

My Birthday and the Zoo

My birthday, was between semester break, so I took the day off work, and we went to the zoo. Unfortunately, there weren't many animals, and we had to walk around a lot just to find them. It was a little disappointing, but it was still fun.

Daniel is standing with Chief Seattle. Not sure what he is doing in Memphis.

We made home-made pizza for dinner, and Daniel made me a chocolate cake with raspberry cream cheese frosting.

It was a pretty awesome day, and I am so thankful to Daniel for making it special.

Memphis Flooding

The last time Memphis flooded like this was in 1937. We took a drive down to take a look, and it's just unbelievable. You look at it, and it's almost as if you are watching TV, because it's hard to believe that it's real.

We live 20 miles east of the Mississippi river, and so were not affected by the flood. I have a co-worker though who lives right there, and the water came within 10 yards of her apartment. I feel terrible for those who lost all there belongings in the flood. I don't know what I would do if that were me.

You're supposed to be able to walk to that.

6 years - oh my!

I can't believe it has already been 6 years. Time flies when you're having fun.

Daniel and I celebrated our anniversary by taking a couples cooking class at the Viking Cooking School. Each night they have a different theme, and we went on Southern Cooking night. It was so much fun.

We made southern fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, collared greens, skillet fried corn bread and banana pudding. My favorites would have to be the banana pudding, gravy and collared greens. It was heaven on a plate. The corn bread was my least favorite. It was really dry and had a weird taste. Overall, we had a blast. I have always wanted to do this, and I'm sure glad I did.

Nashville Country Music Half Marathon

I did it, and I'm still alive.

It was a lot harder than I expected. More hills than I trained for. I walked more than planned. Overall, I had a blast. Sure I thought it would never end, and cried a few times along the way, and couldn't walk when it was over, but I would do it again in a heart beat. It feels good to accomplish something that I worked hard for.