Oh blog world...how I have missed thee

We are back and making a Kwanza commitment to be better at updating our blog after taking some time off for our Obamabration. As you can see, I have decided to grow my hair out and Amber seems to think I am getting handsomer by the day! Winter has gotten off to a great start here in the Valley. We have been bunkered down with the rest of Phoenix as our temps have plunged into the single digits (that is 60 degrees here) with wind chills of around 55 degrees. Don't feel sorry for us though; we have space heaters, heating blankets, and a big strong man to keep everybody happy and toasty (Jon).

Amber is toiling away in a pediatric rotation. She has managed to bring home a number of colds, but not the flu yet. I have encouraged her to bring her work home but thus far, she does not feel I have earned the opportunity to assist in her homework; though I have been in charge of Vitamin C caplets, foot massages, and cooking and cleaning detail. While the practice that she is at has not been as fast paced as her previous two rotations, she is learning how to navigate three and four year olds through a health exam. While they have confessed to virtually every malady under the sun, our favorite is the little boy with dinosaur unicorns in his tummy that were making him go potty too much. My little wife sure is good with the kiddies though.

We spent Thanksgiving down in Tucson. That is such a fun town if you ever have the chance to visit. We stayed in the northeaster portion, tucked against the mountains. It rained virtually the entire weekend but we still were able to get out for some hiking and wandering. Also, Tucson is home to Mount Lemon, which is a really fascinating place. While the lower reaches were in the 70s, at the top we found ourselves in the midst of a snow storm and watched the ski lifts take their first load of the season up. The geography of Arizona is a lot of fun and there is lots to see in them thar hills!

Christmas is going to be great. We feel rather acclimated to the winter frost thanks to our experience with climate change in the Valley and are making the trek over to Oklahoma. First stop, however, is a brief stay up in Las Vegas to take in the neon Christmas; after all, this is technically my Christmas so I decided we are going to spend some time in Vegas. We leave for Oklahoma on Monday and will be there for over a week for a good old fashioned Christmas with the Foys and Aunt Kathy who is coming to town from Utah. The whole crew will not be around this time as it is Brittney's turn so she, Sterling, and Kade will be in Utah, the Glasgows are venturing on their own holiday in Omaha, and Elder Foy is out recruiting in Oregon.

Oh, and Amber is growing her hair out. It is long and strong. See for yourself (I think that she is just jealous of my beautiful locks).

This time of year is a lot of fun as long as we take our time to enjoy it; otherwise, it can sure go by fast!

Come by and visit us and find out what you are missing down here in Arizona.

Where is Fall?

We decided to take off this weekend in search of some Fall color. Living in the valley of the sun is great, but I really love the fall and we get nothing of the sort here. It is really hard to tell what season it is in the rest of the U.S. based on our weather. I didn't have any Friday afternoon surgeries and no mothers in labor i.e. a very rare Friday indeed. We headed up to Payson which is northeast of Mesa. It was fun to watch the temperature drop 30 degrees as we drove 1 hour away. But when the sun went down we were freezing. We built a fire to stay warm, but it wasn't doing much so we went to bed early. We have some good sleeping bags, although my didn't do much for my ice cold feet. It got down to 20 degrees that night.

The next morning we went to the lake and hiked around, set up my lawn chair and got caught up on my medical journals and cooking magazines. We continued hiking around this never ending lake before we decided to turn back because it just kept going. Turns out our search for fall was somewhat futile because Payson is full of evergreens! I found one tree near our campsite and saw some as we were driving. We got to see a change of color that being green as compared to our desert landscape, but I am still in search of some good fall color. I was spoiled last year because I got to go to Philadelphia and Boston for 5 days of fall. Oh well maybe next weekend.

Race for the Cure

Two weeks ago Jon and I ran in the Susan G. Komen 5k Race for the Cure. Several of my classmates got together and we decorated shirts and ran together. This for me made it official that I was over my ankle break in June as I trained and ran in this race. We had a great time and helped raise money for a good cause.

My grandma is 50 year survivor of breast cancer and has lived with the damage it did ever since. She not only lost one breast, but she also lost the use of her right arm. Being the medically minded person I am I have never found the direct cause of her arm being paralyzed. It developed over a two year period after the surgery and radiation treatments she received. My grandma lost her mother to breast cancer when she was 15 y/o. She still gets teary when talking about going to Salt Lake City for treatments. Her children were 6, 9, and 12 and she just wanted to live long enough to raise them. She is a survivor and learned how to write with her left hand and to do everything with one hand. She taught piano lessons well into her 80's. I can remember watching her slice vegetables and open jars in her own creative fashion. She was the best rolls and cinnamon roll maker I know. My grandma has also been a widow almost as long as I have been alive. As kids we stayed in Panguitch for almost a month every summer, both my parents are from there and grew up on the same block. I loved staying at my grandma's house because we spent the mornings outside gardening and I got to sleep in her bed with her and stay up past the news and watch Mash. Grandma lived independently until she was 90, but now due to some bad falls, one of which she broke her good arm, and being almost blind to macular degeneration, she lives with each of her 3 children for a part of the year. She has always been my hero and continues to amaze me. I know she as lived such a long life to be able to teach her children, grandchildren and those who have the privilege to know her faith in God and how to endure to the end.

Two years and counting

Tuesday Jon and I celebrated our two year anniversary. It is crazy how time flies, yet I look back and so much has changed since we got married. Choosing to marry Jon in the temple is the best decision I've ever made. I have never been very good at expressing how great he is to me and for how well he puts up with me through the ups and downs of life. He always makes me feel beautiful, smart and important. He is ultra supportive of my educational efforts and other goals. I could not have picked a better friend to spend life and eternity with. He constantly amazes me with his creativity, spirituality, smarts, and sociability. Needless to say I am in love with Jon.

Unfortunately Jon had to catch a flight to Omaha Tuesday night, however he came with me to work that morning and he worked via some downtown hotel buildings. We ended up being able to spend alot of time together via the commute, lunch, and dinner. We got to explore some of downtown while we looked for a place to eat dinner. All in all it was a great anniversary. Friday after I pick Jon up from the airport we are going for a little get away in Scottsdale for the weekend, so the celebration isn't over yet.

Jon writes me sweet poems, and this time he wrote it on the bathroom mirror, it was fun to wake up to, I almost missed it before I got in the shower. He is so sweet.

Movin' on Up

So I have already finished my first rotation. It is really hard to believe that my 6 weeks in Surgery have come and gone. I had a really great time working with Cardiothoracic Surgeons, so I saw alot of heart and lung surgeries. Needless to say I am constantly amazed by the human body and its ability to function and heal as well as the advancement of medicine in aiding the human body. While I was limited by hospital regulations on performing technical skills in surgery, I got to scrub in and put my hands in and touch everything(beating hearts, lungs, intestines, etc.) While I enjoyed surgery, it is not for me the hours are horrible, everything is late, and standing for 5-6 hours with all the sterile dress is hard.
Now I am in Women's Health in downtown Phoenix, so I get the inner city population as well as a long commute to work. But I am learning tons, prenatal visits, annuals, illness, and surgeries. The first day I got to scrub in to two C-sections, it was a big day for me. I have a tough teacher, she definitely gives me the look that makes me want to run for my books and study up so I give the right answer next time. She pushes me and everyday lets me progress a little further on my own. Can't really ask for more, but an occasional atta girl would be nice.
Jon is staying busy with work, he has been on a traveling streak for a bit. It's nice for him to get out there and meet with people. His parents also came for a visit. We enjoyed having them, they spoil us way to much. I'll have to post pics of the stuff we scored at Ikea . We're glad they visit us despite our guest room by night, living room by day accomodations. Jon's basketball league started up again, so far they have won when Jon is in town and lost when he's gone. I say that is a pretty good indication he should stop traveling so much, so he could help his team out :) Well I just wanted to let everyone know that we are alive and kicking, sorry for the lack of pictures.

Lake Tahoe

We just went to Lake Tahoe for the 4th Labor Day in a row. In fact Tahoe was our second date(3 day camping trip), which probably explains why we love going so much. It reminds us of all our firsts, holding hands, kiss, etc. Anyways, we do pretty much the same thing every year and meet up with whatever friends are willing to make the trip. It is not the easiest place to get to, however once there the trip is so simple and fun. Jon's Aunt Karen and Uncle Mike live 45 minutes away and they bring their RV up and cook for us. So while it is tent camping we have all the amenities of home, good cooking, card games, a bath house with showers, etc. This year my two college buddies from the freshman dorms came. Carissa and her husband Chris came, they have been married about as long as Jon and I. Also Alfreda came with her boyfriend Paul. So it was fun to have some of my favorite girls together with our guys. I am a little short on pictures right now, Chris had an awesome camera, so I left the picture taking up to him. Anyways here is the run through of pics from one of our favorite spots Emerald Bay. Anyways the invite is open for year 5, next Labor Day mark your calendars and come join us.

2005 Dating

2006 Engaged

2007 Married2008...still married

Carissa and ChrisAlfreda and Paul

One year down

Well I have finished the half of PA school. Technically it is more than half, but school is going to be totally different from here on out. I finished my finals this past week and now have a 2 week break. When I return I start clinicals, the first being Cardiothoracic Surgery. Instead of being in classes everyday all day and preparing for tests, I'll being working with a Doctor or PA and seeing patients and being tested continuously. I am scared and very excited to get out there. It will also be different not spending everyday with my 70 other classmates, friends or foes. No I like them all very much and will miss seeing them regularly. Now I am on my way to Oklahoma for a few days to meet my new nephew Kade. I am excited to see my family. The following are pictures from our pinning ceremony.

This is my biggest fan and best study buddy. I love Jon so much and he has helped me tons in school this past year. From spending the evenings in the library with me to being my patient when practicing exam skills. Not to mention cheering me up when I was down and helping me to keep pushing on when times were tough. He has been there for the highs and lows, even broken arms and legs. I am so grateful he is my eternal companion.

Jamie and I have sat together all year. We had many laughs and bored stares during class. We seem to pick up where the other has left off as far as paying attention, so between the two of us we have kept it together.

This Kelly my neighbor, car pool buddy, study partner, and Grey's Anatomy compadre. I have spent lots of good times with Kelly. And when I couldn't take studying anymore on my own, I'd head over Kelly's and study some more. We car pooled almost all year, and when I broke my leg she did all the driving, I can't imagine what the past year would have been like without her. It will be fun sharing all our new experiences this next year in clinicals.

The news we have all been waiting for. . . . .

Well at least Jon and I have been waiting for---my rotation assignments. This next year I will be doing 8, 6 week rotations with a doctor or PA in different areas of medicine. I start the 3rd week of August. I am scared and nervous, but I can't stand being in a classroom any longer. So now for the list.

1. Cardiothoracic Surgery (talk about scary)
2. OB/GYN (this is a real OB clinic, so I'll get to see births, etc.)
3. Pediatrics
4. Family Medicine I
5. Internal Medicine
6. Elective
7. Emergency Medicine
8. Family Medicine II in Yuma (I guess I need to learn Spanish, cause I am going to the border)

I have some really good rotations and I really lucked out because they are just assigned by a computer program. Getting surgery first isn't necessarily lucky, but I am excited for the experience. I'll get to see a real heart beating in someone's chest. As for being scared it is really of the OR nurses, I hear they can be brutal, but sterility is key and they protect their turf. For the elective I get to choose anything I want, problem is I don't know what I want yet. So it is good that I have some time before that comes up. As for Yuma, we all have to go to an out of town rotation, the school arranges the housing however it is just for me, not Jon. It will be interesting living with some roomates for a few weeks, mostly from my class I believe. Hopefully it is busy and I'll come home on the weekends.

I am so excited to start seeing the things I have been learning this past year. It will be so nice to be done with tests and 3 hours classes. However, it has been awhile since I have had a full workday schedule and had to commute. Some of the locations are quite a drive across the valley especially w/the horrible traffic here. I'll miss Jon and having lunch with him often, coming home early, and studying at home while he works. But this is what I have been looking forward to for along time, some real action.

Not much new has happened since my last post a broken leg limits the activities and leaves me very tired. I gave up the crutches on Friday night, more like I refused to use them any longer. I enjoy my new freedom very much even if it involves walking in a boot.

I wanted to post these pictures from a month ago. A sister in our ward asked if she could take some pictures of us for the new ward newsletter she had been asked to start. She wanted it to be of us doing some activity we enjoyed. One suggestion was mountain biking, but considering that my arm was still broken and in a cast when she asked, I decided against that. (There is no cast in the pictures because I got it off the day before.) Instead we chose roller blading because that was what we did on our first date in Provo Canyon. Anyways, Dani was a fun photographer and took some great pictures.

Not again

So I had a little mishap in my soccer game and Tuesday. I play on a team with PA class plus a few others in a Co-ed Mesa Park and Rec League. This is our third season in this league and while we play really hard we usually don't win unless someone forfeits or we tie. This was my first game this season, because I was out of town for the other two during our break. Anyways I was going for a great steal from a guy who was taking to long to take a shot on goal. I came from behind and kicked the ball to my teammate just in time for him to nail my ankle with all the force he could kick with. I immediately went down writhing in pain. My team is full of former athletic trainers who got me to the sidelines and got my foot elevated and some ice on it. I wasn't in too much pain that night, although I made Jon carry me to the car and to our apartment because I couldn't walk on it. We thought it was a bad ankle sprain. So Jon took me to school the next morning and we tracked down some crutches from some classmates. My foot all the time getting bigger and bigger. So I went to the doctor and she sent me to the neighboring hospital for some X-rays. We got the report back the next morning and can you believe that guy kicked me so hard on the inside of my ankle that it broke the bone on the outside of my ankle. It was totally an accident, he had no idea I was coming, but still I am stuck in a boot for 6 weeks on crutches. Well so much for the soccer season, I am done. I'll have to say a broken leg/foot is much worse than a broken arm/hand. I am so helpless and such a klutz, I keep bumping into things. But I am getting good on the crutches. I have decided to quit my extracurricular activities and take-up knitting for the rest of 2008, cause I cannot stand to break another bone, I might loose my mind. Anyways enjoy the pics of my ever enlarging foot.

So for those who are interested I have a Weber Type A Transverse Fracture of the distal fibula/lateral malleolus, it is a little more proximal than a typical avulsion fracture, but nondisplaced(no surgery, thank goodness). Essentially I broke the bone that sticks out on the outside of your ankle.

Back at it

I started back to school this week. So last weekend Jon and I decided to make the most of our last bit of freedom together before I start another quarter at school. He got back from North Carolina on Friday night. So Saturday we went to the Temple, which we don't do often enough here in AZ. Then we geared up for my first bike ride since I broke my arm. My (great) Uncle Rich always said if you get bucked off a horse, the best thing to do is get right back on it and ride. So it has been a few months and we headed back out to the same trail. I wore my roller blading wrist guards this time, just in case I fell I wouldn't break the same bone again. Anyways we headed out with Jon in the lead this time. I was slow going and felt like I was going to bite it at anytime on the loose gravel. So I got spooked and turned around after a quarter mile at the most. Jon loaded up the bikes although I am sure he was disappointed I think he also understood my apprehension. But before we headed in I had him take a picture just to prove that I did get back out there. That night we went to Joe's Farm Grill one of our favorite little restaurants, all the food is organic and you can eat outside on picnic tables. Though a month late we cashed in on the Birthday discount, 10 bucks off is an awesome deal. The strawberry shake is my favorite part, although the massive burger I got was also delicious(this coming from a somewhat deprived wife of a vegetarian) So happy late birthday to me!

Alex is a missionary!

My brother left on Memorial Day for the MTC (Missionary Training Center) in Provo, Utah. He will be serving in the Eugene, Oregon mission for the next two years. I am sad that I won't be able to spend time with him for awhile, but at the same time I am so excited for him and what lies ahead. He will be an awesome missionary.

It has been a while since I have had missionary out to write. I really don't like writing letters, however I got my first letter from Alex yesterday and it really made my day. He already sounds like a missionary and he had only been gone for a week. But it is a true witness what the Lord can do with a willing servant.

Here is everybody together for Alex's farewell, it will be two years before we all get back together again for another family picture. So enjoy :)

Where is the World is Carmen San Diego

We didn't really go anywhere, we're still in Mesa, but we may have dropped off the face of the blogspot planet for oh 6 months or so. And after not doing something for so long it makes it harder to get back to it. But after many hints and 2 weeks off of school we thought it was time to get back into it. Up to this point Jon has written all the posts and I quite enjoyed it, but I guess it is now my responsibility. He actually turned the reigns over to me a few months ago. I had high aspirations to update on my break at the end of February, but I quite conveniently broke my right arm mountain biking the first day of my break, thus delaying the process. To catch up on the past 6 months I thought I'd do the highlights that I actually took pictures of.

We rang in the New Year with the Spencers in Tempe.


We tried out snow shoeing in American Fork Canyon, notice my broken hand/arm with the sock on it :)

My sister, Crystal, and I had had enough snow, so we are on our way back down. My brother, Alex, and Jon's mission buddy Joe also joined us on our snow shoeing adventure.


This is my first cast, luckily my second one was waterproof, a big improvement.


This is Jon in Havasupai, I was suppose to go, but with a broken arm and pending midterms my brother Eric came in from Arkansas to join him. It is a beautiful place I was so jealous, we'll be going back, let us know if you want to join us.