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

Orange Beach Alabama

Spring break was a much needed detox from the last 3 rotations. We feel very blessed to have a 2 year old and a 1 month old that are good travelers. Honey slept most of the way and Trace was easily bribed by fun dip and milo and otis... a low moment for us, but 6 hours of driving is too long to hang onto all of your dignity. 

When we arrived at our condo it hadn't been cleaned yet... so... long story short, instead of just getting one night free, they through in another free night and 50 bucks... without us asking for any compensation! We scored! 

The second we hit the sand Trace dropped on all fours and played in the powdery, white gulf sand. Trace was born to live on the beach.  When he wasn't throwing sand at us or chasing birds he was in the water with dada... that ended quickly when a sting ray swam right by dada's foot and he showed what a wus he was. We spent some time at the beach almost every day despite it being overcast. 

While in the condo we looked for alligators on the back porch (thankfully didn't see any), watched the voice and chopped, and ate. We only ate out twice, but one of those times was life changing. Lamberts, the only home of throwed rolls, is officially our favorite restaurant. Any place that greets you with large spoonfuls of fried okra and fried potatoes, is high on our list. 

It wouldn't have been a school break if we hadn't of done family pictures. Shayna showed just how talented she is... the pictures turned out great despite using a dresser to prop the camera up on. 

The trip was perfect!

Us 4

Grama & KK

The weather was so nice the week grandma and KK came to visit... so nice that trace went fishing naked one day. Thank goodness we live off the beaten path. Grandma cooked lots of comfort food, washed lots of dishes, and held lots of Honey. KK became Trace's latest girlfriend... or actually more of a slave to him. Trace roped her into catching bugs, playing in his redneck water park, and chasing the ducks... all day long... for the whole week. What a babe. She deserved her epic 4 hour Benadryl induced nap. In the tradition of Grammy Ronda, Grandma Barb slept on cushions on the floor. What delicately rugged women we have for moms/grandmas. They could have made it across the plains, and in style. Although only 2 weeks old, we blessed Honey at church. We are so grateful that we had family there during that time that reminds us of who's we are. Dinner at Catfish Country was, as always, epic. Lots of catfish and other southern fried caloric goodness. The tornado warnings we had later that night turned out to be one little gust that we would have missed had we not been waiting for the "big storm". I know I'll eat my words when we're blown away in our trailer, but it is beginning to seem like tornado warnings are more of an exciting social topic and less of a threat... or so I hope! Grandma and KK left too soon! Its strange to think that the next time we see them will be in November when we move home. Thank goodness the days are flying by because we miss our families so much!