Missing those mountains

Lately as the weather is getting warmer here in RVA, I have found myself missing my mountains in Utah. Let me start by saying my home in Utah was at an elevation of 4756 feet, so while these east coast mountains are beautiful, they are about as tall as the elevation of my Utah home.

I have this craving to go to Southern Utah and hike all over the mountains, canyons and rocks there. I want to go to Brighton (base elevation 8,755 feet) and shred the mountain to pieces. I want to go camping at Aspen Grove and hike to Stewart Falls and Mountain Bike in Sundance ... 

I plan on getting my mountain fix in June when Chad and I are out there for baby bro's wedding. Until then these pictures will have to do. 

* sigh* take me back

To be completely honest

I'm a blogging slacker. I blame some of it on grad school which is giving me gray hair and sucking all the light out of my life. Thank goodness for this wonderful spring break week.

Chad and I went on a hot date to his cadaver lab Saturday night after class. Honestly, it was pretty awesome. I thought I would be grossed out, but as Chad kept telling me, "these are not people anymore." I kept that mantra on repeat as he showed me all of the parts he has dissected and guys ... I got to hold a real human heart in my hand. I'm in communications, that was truly, and honestly a once in a lifetime opportunity for me. It was thought-provoking and surreal, I honestly loved it. 

Then that handsome man of mine went all out and made Brazilian food for Sunday dinner. My heart was swooning. Feijoada, couve cozida, Guaraná and Mousse de maracujá. You guys ... this took me right back to Brazil and all the people I love who live there. Chad and I are really going to try our darndest to get back there after his Step 1 next March. 

Lastly, I would like to issue a public apology to my amazing, incredibly extraordinary husband. The last 4 weeks of grad school truly got the better of me. I apologize for being angry and cold. I apologize for not giving you the recognition you deserve for cleaning the house, doing the laundry, taking care of Hobbes and simply loving me when I know it was hard. You are my dream man and so much more than I deserve, I am the luckiest lady on this earth.

Only 60 days until I walk. 

A word to med school spouses ...

 

First view this ... because it is accurate 95% of the time. 

It is a well known fact that med school is no walk in the park, and the naivety of those who say it's 
"the good life" 
will drive med students and spouses mad. 

The typical med student day looks like this: 
wake at 6 am
school 8 am - 5 pm
study 5 pm - 2 am
repeat

Granted there are days when this is less or more depending on exam schedules. Recently, I have overheard med student spouses talking to first year spouses or future med school spouses about how Hellish the experience is. 

This makes me so mad. 

It might be that Chad does an excellent job of giving me the attention I need, but I think in reality being married to a med student simply is not that hard. I hate when spouses say, "I feel like a single mom," or "I haven't spoken to my husband in months," or "you will never EVER see your spouse." 

Just stop.

If I have learned anything it is that med school is what you make of it. If you want to do your spouse a "favor" by not talking to them for months so they can study, that is your choice. For Chad & I we choose to carve out time to talk with one another. We even cuddle, eat ice cream, and *gasp* watch How I Met Your Mother episodes.


Yes, there are times when it is harder to see each other, * boards anyone ? * *rotations ? *
Maybe I'm only a first year spouse, and things get harder ...
but my sweeping declaration for all future med student spouses out there, "Med school is an amazing, wonderful experience. You make it what you want, and you can in fact spend time with your spouse!"

I want to hear from YOU! Have a med student spouse? How do you find time to be with each other? How does having kids change the med school experience? (<--- really want to know about this one)

Mrs. Independent

Little known fact, I am, and I quote "fiercely independent." 

It's a joke around the house I tell Chad, "I do what I want!" Which most times is true. The only time I don't do what I want is when something is not in the best interest of our family (Chad, Hobbes and I). 

A few weeks ago Chad said something to me that had a profound effect on me and ate away at my soul.

"Hailey, you are fiercely independent, but that's not why you're here. You're here to be in a family."

Those words pierced me in a way that I will never forget them. Not in a negative way, just a way that will make me think about my real purpose and what my biggest priority should be ...

My weekend

 

Lovers Beach.

Hobbes.

My favorite boys.

Goat cheese.

Hobbes playing with Harry.

Merry Christmas.

Neptune/Poseidon.

Sandcastle.

Church swag.

It was a fantastic weekend. Words can't even describe how happy I am to have Harry home. He is all grown up and wise beyond his years. I'm going to miss him while he's away at school, but he's going to love taking this next step in his life.

As for Chad & I, we want to wish everybody the very Merriest Christmas!!! May your time with loved ones be well spent, and remember the reason we celebrate Christmas.

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/7637633/?claim=rzfx7sb697v">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Gratitude

10 things I love about the hubs.

(Yes there are more.)

1) He is so gosh darn patient with me. I can be the worst person to be around and Chad is ever so kind and patient with me. He patiently deals with my crazy moods and never gets upset, instead he tells me he loves me.

2) He is so witty and clever, but never uses that against me. Chad is quick as a whip, he always has something witty to say. But when we get into disagreements Chad never uses his wit or cleverness against me. Let's be honest, he could say something and I'd still be sitting there five minutes later trying to think of something more intelligible to say than, "ohhh ... well .... you're wrong!"

3) He is a wonderful priesthood holder. Chad is the best at being spiritual, seriously. He reads his scriptures on a daily basis, his prayers are always sincere even after a late night of studying, he fulfills his church callings despite being busy and he helps me fulfill my role and purpose in the church as well.

4) He is really good at being affectionate. You guys ... I am so, so, so bad at showing my affection. Chad is always hugging me, kissing me, cuddling with me. He is always saying he loves me, and how beautiful he thinks I am. For goodness sakes he even checks me out while I'm getting dressed and makes sure that I see him. Chad is an affectionate person.

5) He is really good at cooking and helping me cook. I can make a mean grilled cheese, but Chad can make five star creations without looking at a cookbook. He never complains about what I cook even if it tastes weird or isn't impressive, he always says, "this tastes great babe!" What a trooper.

6) He is a team player. Chad really, really wants our marriage to be about us as a team, and that's how it should be. I struggle with that because I am crazy independent. But Chad is always making sure that we make decisions together, and he lets me in like we are a team ... which we are.

7) He is down to earth. I can get extremely worked up over something someone said, or something I read and Chad is just so down to earth. He doesn't care about the opinions of sheep. He knows who he is, what he wants and he does not let anything get him down. 

8) He is actually really nice. Sometimes I think Chad tries to come off as the reserved maybe not so nice guy, but in reality he is the nicest guy I know. He is always talking to people, telling others how great they are, and validating strangers. Also, he is nice to me, I mean really REALLY nice, nicer than I deserve on some occasions.

9) His charm and charisma. Holy moly! This is what initially attracted me to Chad. He is so charming and charismatic that girls fall over themselves in the grocery store if he so much as offers a friendly, "hi" to them. And I get it, I fell for him, and I continue to because he is charming.

10) He is loyal. Chad is really loyal to his family and friends, which is what makes him such a wonderful friend, brother, son and husband. He will stick by those he loves to the end, come Hell or high water. You can count on him always being there when you need him the most.

One Year Anniversary pt. II

Chad and I decided to take a weekend trip to the Outer Banks to celebrate our one year anniversary. All I can say is AMAZING! The Outer Banks might be one of my new favorite places on earth. 

We stayed at a quaint bed and breakfast. Our room had a sun room and we could see outside to a dock that was on the property. We ate yummy food at Tortuga's Lie and walked on a pier that went 1,000 feet out into the water. 

We got to climb to the top of a lighthouse, and the view was spectacular. We went to the famous "Duck Donuts" and both ate three donuts each. Also, Chad bought me two pairs of gorgeous earrings that I am completely in love with.