it's hard, but better together

(Taken at Gray's Lake in Des Moines, 11/29/2013)

Before I moved to Iowa with Spencer, those in Salt Lake who knew me, advised me to be cautious and warned me of the difficulty taking on medical school, for someone married or like me, would be by stating matter-of-factly: it will be nothing but difficult and lonely for you these next few years.  I'd like to say to that, you were right as much as you were wrong about what to expect during these medical school years.  Yes, medical school is difficult on people.  Students hands down, have it rough.  I applaud you for seeking out your passion as future physicians.  Significant other's of students, I understand you.

Being married to a med student is not really what they tell you it will be like.  No matter how much they warn you, there is nothing that can really prepare you for it.  Sure, it's rough and you may feel like a bachelorette on some nights, if you don't have children - if you do, I'm sure you are feeling like a single parent many days out of the week.  And, yeah, I hate Iowa for the most part; no cafe rio, no mountains, far away from both of our families and, sometimes, all I can think about is the money that we don't have to purchase a plane ticket to fly back home.

However, being with a med student like mine, is also really wonderful.  It's probably different for everyone, I know, but I also know I got lucky with my med student because he is really wonderful.  We are truly lucky to have each other; well, he says that, while I roll my eyes, because, like I would ever be able to hold a cellular biological conversation or help him study immunology or even understand anything to do with OMM.

I know that this part of life is hard but I am lucky because, he knows it is hard for not just him but me too and, he still simply loves me. He has six exams in the next three weeks with half being cumulative and he still makes me dinner and asks about my day.  True love I tell you.  I sure do love this man of mine.  He makes each day wonderful.  Even if I don't see him all day and he has to sneak into bed late, late at night because he was studying, he pulls me in tight for a quick hug to say goodnight.  And I melt for that kind of thing.

So, this year, for Thanksgiving I am especially grateful for Spencer the med student and that I actually got two entire non-study days to be with him.  I am also thankful for learning opportunities, Iowa is a big one.  I am thankful for the love of family and for friends who made this holiday enjoyable.  

    

(Taken in our home, 11/27/2013)

it's been long enough, right...

...or, at least, that is what my little sister has been telling me for a few weeks now. apparently, she lives my life vicariously through my blog - Kimmie this is all for you dear! 

we did it.  we moved to iowa - our biggest adventure yet - and it's been well, rough - that doesn't give an accurate description but to sum up in one word - rough - will have to do.  

i always thought moving was hard but i figured because i'd done it many times before that for some reason this would be a breeze... but, i've been humbled in a what was i thinking, kind of way.  moving will always be hard.  

iowa is a different place - not in a bad way - just a different way.  very flat.  very humid. very much not utah.  although,  spence and i have made some great friends here.  i will have to blog about them soon... because did i mention they are great! any who, these are a few pictures of the white coat ceremony.  congrats on getting us to this part of our lives honey! 

mmmhum, he's the sexiest med school student a girl could ask for. 

in other news: i got a job working for wells fargo downtown in des moines and i'm really thankful for this particular job opportunity. i thought about not working - still do - but even being at home all day has proven to be a difficult task.  so, i will be feeling more confident when i get back into the office routine at a desk job starting in a few weeks.

i will try to blog more often now that i live so freaking far away from home and i am real bad at calling family. much love, hugs, and kisses xoxo

wisdom wednesday

sorry for this but I'm just trying to catch up...

As May was coming to a close we experienced a lot of joy and a lot of sorrow.  My Grandpa passed away suddenly after returning from South Africa.  He was the sweetest.  He very much loved to travel and I even got to go with him to Paris.  Talk about a wonderful person for taking me, my cousin and aunt to a magical place.  He did what he loved and taught me to not let anything stand in the way of doing what I want to be doing.     

 

I will miss you Grandpa, thank you for the wonderful memories.  I love you. 

I know this was in my last post, but yes...We found a home in Iowa.  Close to the school and about a two minute car ride to downtown.  ^^As seen here^^  it's so, so, so flat and you can't exactly see it but most of the roads in the city are one ways :) small town living, am I right?

We couldn't be more excited to finally get to the next phase of schooling and find out more fun things to do while living in Iowa.  We are moving in less than a month and I have so much work to do packing up all of our things.  I just still can't believe it.  But it's true, I'm moving to IOWA... 

This was a taco place we tried while staying in Iowa... it was interesting to say the least.  Iowa will be a big growing experience for me, as I plan on becoming a real cook.  

  

^^ This is a terrible story, truly.  It's even worse than the lighting in this photo.  Anyhow, I'm not shy about sharing it because it gave both our families a good laugh.  I got Spencer tickets for his graduation present to see his very favorite comedian.  But, I neglected to purchase the tickets in time to get good enough seats.  So, before I made the purchase, I thought about anything and everything else I could get him- when it hit me- I could still get front row seats, all I would need to accomplish such a task was to either find an extra $500 laying around to buy tickets off someone who thought about buying the tickets on time OR find a wheelchair.  I know right, I'm a horrible person for taking advantage of the handicap seating, but to see Spencer's face light up when he opened up his surprise gift was totally worth it to me.  So, I also purchased a wheelchair and we got there early to take this photo.  We had such a fun time, laughing and being out on a real date night - even if I was in the wheelchair and got lots of stares the entire night and called out by the comedian.  If anything it was great for me to experience being in the chair as it was such a paradigm shift for me.  I also plan on donating the chair - too bad we didn't get it signed.

Oiy, the month of June has been so busy.  I had my last day of work and of course it was a mixed emotion feeling.  I was so happy to be moving on but sad to leave some of my very best friends.  We are going to stay in touch! Right guys?  Of course we will!! I'm so excited for them (as many have also found new jobs and will be moving on) but I really want to just wish each of them only the best and I hope to see them around the holidays when we come home to visit!

My family went on our annual beach vacation trip to kick off the summer.  Spencer and I love Capistrano Beach in California.  It may be rocky, but sleeping in a house on the beach, waking up to the sound of the waves, seeing wild dolphins in the water each day, and walks on a secluded beach -- count me in always!!

I'm a real wimp in breezy weather but I love seeing the boats and yachts at Dana Point.

I had to post this because I can finally fit my hair into a small pony tail.

Something about this trip - people were photo bombing all of my photos -- mostly Kimmie-- but Spence joined in on the fun.

Oh, I turned 25.  Oh boy, the big 2 - 5.  Hopefully this year I can squeeze in some fun things.  I'll look into that.

Spencer made another one of his ah-mazing cheesecakes.  This one was per my request and he nailed it.  I asked for a cherry-chocolate cheesecake.  I'm telling you it was like fudge in cheesecake form.  It had the cherry flavor and everything!  The Young's loved it.  I loved it! Thank you baby, it was the perfect cake!

Humidity, it really does things for my hair... or not.

The train on the beach.  It will occasionally wake you up in the middle of the night, but I have so many funny memories here.  This train seriously flies down the tracks and you must be careful not to stop on the tracks like many of my family members have done accidentally.

^^Pic, in which the wind blows my very short hair...  exciting, I know. 

Spence loves skipping his rocks.  His best score was four skips.

We spent time sifting through piles of rocks for clam shells, seashells, and crab legs.  It was fun and relaxing which was a perfect way to start the month.  Because it only got busier from the moment we left Cali to drive back home.  

While we were out on our trip my parent's home was being ripped apart, literally.  The ceiling was redone as well as the floors.  When we got back in town it wasn't all done.  

So we were recruited to assist in sanding and these are not flattering photos.  But with all our help we got it done in time for a memorial for my Grandpa on Friday and then a showing on Saturday (my crazy parents are also trying to sell this humongous home).  It was beautiful once Spence and I put it all back together.  I wish I would have taken a picture of the house finally done because it looked great for the few hours it was clean and all ten kids were out of the house.   

Our Sister Mary finished her service as a LDS missionary serving in the Rochester, NY Mission.  Welcome home darling we love you and are so happy you are back!  

I have a few more things to catch up on but I think I'll save it for another post.  Thanks for reading! 

Apartment hunting

Here are a few photos from our quick trip to Iowa over the weekend.  We found an apartment close to the med school.  I am excited to decorate a new place and post some photos of our home once we get there! 

running tunes - shorter mix tape... because i'm not a fan of running for very long

Preparing to run in a 5K took a few upbeat tunes -- also don't judge me for the music video content ;) 

1. Icona Pop, I Love It 

2. Selena Gomez, Come and Get It

3. Justin Timberlake, Mirrors

4. Macklemore & Rayn Lewis, Can't Hold Us

5. Taylor Swift, 22

6. Fall Out Boy, Light 'em Up

7. Imagine Dragons, Radioactive

8. Foster the People, Houdini 

to every mother

Remember to tell your mother today how much you love her and how you appreciate all that she has done for you.

I love you mom!  You are the rock of our family.  Thank you for making my entire life wonderful; you've laughed with me and cried with me through every moment.  I hope that some day I can be at least half the mother you are to my own children.  Your example has been of paramount importance to me for my entire life.  Thank you for being you.

Stephanie (Spencer's mom)
I love you Steph!  You are so beautiful, smart, and a wonderful example to Spencer and I.  Your prefect mothering is mirrored in Spencer's actions everyday.  Thank you for being the mother of the man of my dreams.  I couldn't ask for a better mother-in-law.  You are so amazingly organized and calm, it is my hope that your genes are passed down to our future kiddos.

Lisseth (Spencer's step-mom)
I love you Lisseth!  You make everyone feel so special and important, me especially.  You listen and care; I cannot think of a more maternal instinct than what you have shown me.  You feed us, worry about us, and help us whenever we are struggling.  You bring so much value to our lives that I really can't imagine where we would be without you, thank you for being gracious always.  

Happy mothers day to all the beautiful women and mothers in the universe.

Lately

Finally I'm able to get some of my iphone photos on the old blog. I was going through my phone and I realized that most of the photos I had wanted to post were back in January and February so they didn't make it up.  I'm excited for summer to come and I'm loving spring this year with all the blossoms and petals coming off the trees.  Spencer and I have been going on a lot more walks around the neighborhood.  We are trying to get ready for the 5k I'm running on Saturday with my sisters.

Also, I wanted to briefly mention that I heard on the radio if you post food pictures it obviously means you have an eating disorder... which I guess I have?  (Promise, I really don't) I just love BBQ day at the Church Office Building and I want to remember it after I leave this summer.  Those potato wedges are so delicious.  All time favorite food!! So yummy!