Birthday sneak peak

Caite has been wanting a messenger bag for school (instead of her backpack). I took her to the store a while back to get one and she didn't like anything she saw. However, when I was getting ear rings at a near by accessory store she saw a Vera Bradley bag. Yes, the girl has good taste. Fortunately so does my friend Liz. She studied a Vera Bradley bag on-line and was able to replicate it. She let me borrow her bag to study and make one for my Miss Fancy Pants. This is what she's getting for her birthday tomorrow. Stuffed with books and jewelry.

I think she will love it!

Another "What you will NEVER see"

The Chief Residents are in charge of Noon Conference once a week. Aaron and Christy got the great idea to wear ugly Holiday sweaters. So Christy went to the thrift store during lunch. She found a great one for her, but nothing in Men's department except Santa ties. She settled on a tie and an ugly sweater vest thing, a quick trip to Hobby Lobby for cheesy embellishments and done...an extra ugly Holiday Sweater. Paired with a Santa hat and Caites light-up-flashing-snowman necklace, you get a mighty nice ensemble...Just what Aaron has always wanted.

Favorites

I remember saying it last year and I will probably say it next year. I love getting up in the morning before the kids and turning on the Christmas Tree lights. It is silent and peaceful, filling the day with brightness and hope. It's one of my favorite little parts of Christmas.

While I was on the phone in the other room...

...Halle helped herself to the peanut butter again! This time I took a picture.

It's wasn't nearly as bad as the first time, but a mess none the less.

I think she has tested almost all of my cleaning abilities.

Miami Beach...Just the 2 of us!

Aaron had to present his research at an international conference in Miami Beach. The Hospital paid for all of Aaron's expenses, so all we had to do was use a free companion air fair for my flight and we had a free little getaway! It was SOOOOOOOO nice to get away! No meals to make. no kids to watch. no snacks to get. no messes to clean up. no diapers to change. no homework to help with. no noses to wipe. no house to clean. no projects to get done. no schedule to keep.

THIS is where we stayed. Super nice! The picture of the room was just like our room. complete with his and her bath robes.

We got there Weds. just in time to check out the resort, get settled and find a good place to eat. Aaron had to be at the conference all day on Thursday. I had the day completely to my self. And wouldn't you know, it rained. all. day. So I snuggled up in the our room and read a charming little book that a friend suggested. So peaceful and quiet. I didn't want it to end. By the time he was done, so was the rain, so we walked around Lincoln Street Mall and found some good food.

Friday was sunny and semi warm. Warm enough to hang out at the beach. Oh how we miss the beach from our West Indies days. The sound of the waves, the smell of the salt water, the soft warm sand. It was fabulous! We just sat there in our extra cush chairs and did nothing (but people watch)!

It was wonderful being together. Just the 2 of us. It doesn't happen very often. The last time we got away like this was when we came to Arkansas to buy our house 4 years ago.

Things learned and relearned:

I love my husband. Ok, that wasn't relearned, I've known it since our second date. I just had to say it again.

It's nice not to be needed for a few days.

Everyone needs a day all to themselves.

Loews Resorts are nice places to stay.

Sleeping in feels so good.

I like good food.

I'm not a Clark woman like in the book I read.

Miami Beach is expensive.

Miami Beach is not a place for families.

The beach makes me happy.

So thank you to my wonderful friends Kathie, Hillary, and Laura Beth who became second mothers to my kids. I knew they were in good hands and I didn't have to worry about anything. I know it was a huge sacrifice and extra work on their part.

The latest

Wednesday was Match Day for Pediatric Critical Care. Our plan this whole time has been to stay here in Arkansas since we are settled and love it, or go home to Utah and be close to family. Aaron applied and interviewed here, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Vanderbilt in Nashville, Primary Children's on Utah, and Cincinnati Children's Hospital. (actually he applied to several others, but we cancelled those interviews). The interviews all went well. And with every interview we would pray that we would know where we were supposed to go.

Aaron had a few interviews back to back and was gone for a week. So, I took time after the kids went to bed to jump on line and do my "homework" on Utah. I was looking at the housing market in Salt Lake and surrounding areas, schools, etc. Each night I would walk away feeling very uneasy and almost sick, not excited and happy how I thought I should be feeling. I was very discouraged with my feelings. This is what we wanted, this is what we have planned! However, that's not what the Spirit was telling me.

Aaron called after he interviewed in Cincinnati. All I remember was, "We need to talk about Cincinnati when I get home." I knew it. I knew the second he interviewed there that was where were were supposed to be. The program is fantastic, one of the top in the country. He met several LDS doctors while there, the Church is strong. The city is extremely family oriented. The schools are great. All equal answers to our prayers.

So with blind faith, we listed Cincinnati as our top choice and were happy to have it granted!

The Gardner Adventures in Medicine continues...taking us to our 4th state (but not until June). That makes 3 countries and 4 states. Lots of great adventures, wonderful friends along the way. Of course we will be very sad to leave. These 4 years have been wonderful, we have lived here longer than anywhere. We are attached to our house, our neighbors, our ward, and our friends. But we know it's time to move on. Good things are waiting for us in Cincinnati. So once again, we will faithfully follow God's not so gentle nudge, because we know He knows what's best for our family.

San Antonio Thanksgiving

Somewhere we got the idea of taking the kids to Sea World in San Antonio for Thanksgiving. The idea kept rolling and we extended an invite to Nana and Papa, who gladly accepted. Very nontraditional, but very fun.

Sea World 2010

We loved how it was all decorated for Christmas. All the shows were put to Christmas music. We walked around listening to and occasionally singing Christmas music.
Shamu was a big hit. Even as an adult I find it fascinating.

We watched Polar Express in 4D. Nothing to do with Sea World, but it was fun.

Uncle Max and the sea lions were among the favorites.

Halle and Papa. We had "buddy" on Halle, but she preferred to be carried.

The gang with Penny the Penguin

Feeding the Dolphins, another highlight for Isaac and Caite. The little kids didn't want to get that close.The Sharks! One of Hayden's favorites

Day 2: Thanksgiving Day

The Alamo

Riverwalk

Awesome place to walk around and see. We took a guided boat ride on the river and had a little history lesson. Very neat place! Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures, I was too busy keeping Halle from going overboard.

We had Thanksgiving Dinner at Marie Calendars...our first Thanksgiving at a restaurant. It tasted great and was nice not to have to cook and clean up. Once again no pictures.

Day 3: San Jose Mission (or something of the kind)

While we weren't looking Isaac scaled the wall and was sitting on the second story. He got in trouble. but was too proud of himself to care.

The Tower of the Americas. Very similar to the Space Needle in Seattle. The kids thought it was awesome being up so high. You could see everything...Texas is pretty flat.Ice cream break

Dinner on the Riverwalk at Zuni Grill. Waiting for the big Light Parade on the River. Very Cool. If you ever get a chance to do this, DO IT! You have to make reservations for a restaurant on the river. It's kind of pricey, but way worth it.

We had a great weekend. Very much worth the 10 hour drive. Thank you Papa and Nana for joining us. Memories were made!