Booneville... Our luxury resort

There's a reason they nicknamed it Boone-vegas; some parts of it even double as a day spa. We are very blessed to live in one of those "luxury" areas. The Stites (the land owners that were kind enough to let us squat on their acreage) opened their pool a few weeks ago. We go swimming every day! Katie (Trace and Honey's southern Mamaw) is always eager to hold Honey so sometimes it even feels like we have a poolside sitter. It comes with a price though... Poisonous snakes, horse flies, monster mosquitos... humid heat that creates an 'I just got out of the shower' feeling all day long... groundhog day themed potty training (every day feels like its the first)... 75 min drive to the clinic for 5 weeks... Tornado warnings... In reality we're spoiled living here. We have it so good that it makes being away from our families more bearable.

Some highlights from my ER rotation: I learned how to artfully discover who is seeking pain meds, and who really needs help. For many people, being out of xanex and lortab is an emergency. Beyond that I got to suture, staple, put in NG tubes, help with a code, I&D abscesses, and a few other little things. Now I'm in Ped's in Savannah TN (the catfish capitol of the world). Everyday I find out how we violate the pediatric code of compliance while listening to the nurse talk to the patients: "make sure to sleep that baby on its back", "Your child's up to date on their immunizations right?!" Never, ever sleep with your baby in the bed with you"...all stated with a condemning, over the glasses glare, until the patient responds the correct answer. It's already a good rotation and I'm given a lot of time with the patients. I am glad that there are people devoted to spending their career with other peoples children while juggling government regulations on how best to "secure" our youth's future; Something, I'm sure, that would have me returning to my mental health rotation as a patient.

Some things from Trace: When asked who is going to pray he'll say "the dada, the mama". His "no"'s have become "NO!!"'s, and can be confused with "nose". He almost knows all his colors and wakes up saying them. He has watched Mary Poppins so many times times that he imitates the kids expressions when their cough syrup comes out of the bottle different colors (he makes us role play with him by having us pour water into a small cup and then he lets out a high pitched noise... apparently he is being Jane Banks most of the time). He also has watched Cinderella a few times (I swear he is being raised mostly on Westerns), and likes to waltz around the trailer while holding our hands, during the ball scene. He also has a rough side thanks to John Wayne. We have duels almost daily (I always get my hand shot off and he kisses it better), and even fake fist fights (he's so considerate- when I lose and fall over he falls over also so I don't feel bad and then comes to help me up, saying "hand, hand")

An update on Honey: She is still in newborn clothes, but gaining weight like a champ. She smiles on demand and is so pleasant. She sleeps through the night often.

BLUE

BUBBLES

SWIMMING

PINK

LIGHTNING BUGS