Shameless Plug

So, it's been quite some time since I last blogged. In my defense, we've been busy. Will and I have both started new jobs here in Jackson. I am associating with a dentist in the Brandon area and Will just started his new job with Bancorp South. It is nice to be living in the same town, not 200 miles apart like we had anticipated. God is good! We are looking at closing on our house here on Friday (fingers crossed). We are not looking forward to the actual "moving" part of moving. Let me know if you want to help us with this. Is there such a thing as "packers" who can just box your whole house up for you and unpack them for you at your next house? I may have to look into this.

That being said, I love my job. I could not have asked for a better dentist or staff to work with. I have even seen some familiar patients in my chair! The local newspaper came to the office the other day and wrote a whole story about me "coming home" to practice. I have attached the article, but it is a little hard to read. I have also attached my business card, because, you know...everyone needs a 6 month checkup! =) (Hey, Will came in and watched SportsCenter for an hour in the chair...how bad can it be?)

Bless Her Heart

Some of you may know that the children (Char and Mav) have been staying at my parents for the past couple of months since our house has been on the market. Mimi (my mom) called me this morning and explained that Char had "a little injury." She had been limping on her right foot all day yesterday and my mom's friend (who is also Char's doctor) came to the house last night and suggested that they x-ray it. Long story short, there is no fracture, but it looks like a sprain with inflammation. The doctor brought Char back to my mom in this sweet little pink cast (she said it matched Char's personality). She has to wear it until Monday. Thankfully I was already in the car on my way to Jackson when she called, and Char has been on my lap since I got here this afternoon. She has not completely adjusted to her cast yet, but she's getting there. Hopefully it's nothing that a little rest and TLC can't fix!

Anniversary at the Alluvian

Last weekend Will and I celebrated our anniversary at the Alluvian in Greenwood. I have heard nothing but great things about this place and a friend of ours, MSKS, used to work there, so we decided to see what all the fuss was about. We had dinner reservations at the "delta casual" Giardina's and made it just in time for happy hour at the lobby bar. Unbelievable hotel, really. I highly recommend the place, and its spa. Though we didn't stay long enough on Saturday to visit the shops around the hotel (we had an engagement party in Jackson), I look forward to going back soon. Perhaps I could disguise the next trip as an educational venture, since the Viking cooking school is right across the street! (Those of you who know me are agreeing with this as I have yet to acquire any cooking abilities).

Atlantis

Our Christmas gift from Will's parents this past year was a trip to Paradise Island, Bahamas and a stay at the Atlantis. We had been four years ago as a "graduation from MSU" trip and had been dying to go back ever since. (Maybe I should go back to school for another four years so we can take another trip!) We went during my spring break this time, and since I'm such a slacker blogger I haven't gotten around to posting pictures!

This place is amazing. They have added HUGE water slides (Will's favorite), new restaurants, pools, and lots of new shopping since the last time we were there. On our last trip we found a wonderful little dive of a restaurant downtown called "The Poop Deck." If you are ever in Nassau, you should go to this restaurant for the (hands-down) best seafood you'll ever eat. We loved it so much four years ago we ate there twice. We went back on this trip thinking surely the food couldn't be as good as we remembered it. It was.

The weather was beautiful the entire trip and minus a slight bout with seasickness while snorkeling, we had a great trip. We played blackjack one night next to Toby Keith (Will threatened to pretend he didn't know me if I took pictures). I found myself wondering if Nassau needed a dentist, because Will and I could certainly live there. Between the fishing (for him), the shopping, the beach (for me), and the gorgeous scenery, we didn't want to leave.

Looks Like We Made It....

On May 30th, Will and I along with with our close family and friends celebrated what has been four years in the making. I graduated from dental school (finally). I must admit that it is the most difficult thing that I've ever done. While VERY excited to be finished, I find myself already missing the friends that I made here. Knowing that they are now only a phone call or email away, I must say that it is going to be strange not seeing them every day, running to grab a quick lunch, or calling one of them at 3am because I know they too are cramming for the exam the next day.

That being said, my (non-dental) family and friends pulled me through these past four years, and I humbly admit that I thank God for them every day. Were it not for their encouraging "you can do this...you will get through it" pep talks, their "hey, lets go do something so you can get your nose out of that book" outings, and their constant prayers, dental school would have ended for me sometime during the first year. (Class 8-5 is not really my thing.)

Will and I are looking forward to where God takes us next. I don't want to post about our plans until everything is finalized, but I can tell you that we are relocating to the Jackson area. We are extremely excited (and a little anxious) about this new chapter in our lives...please keep us in your prayers.

2 years and counting....

Two years ago today, I married my best friend. I can honestly say that he is the most understanding, thoughtful, and supportive person that I know. Happy Anniversary, Will. I love you a little more every day.

And Now for the FIRST POST of 2008...

Five Fun Facts:

Leah, this is for you. :)
What i was doing five years ago:
In April 2003 I was living in the Phi Mu house at MSU with Rachel McDonald. At this point, I was probably studying for finals. =(

Five things on my to do list today:
1. Get paperwork started to graduate. I assure you it is more diffucult to get OUT of dental school than it is to get into it. Last week, our class was given a list of signatures we must obtain in order to get a diploma. Apparently it makes no difference that we have survived four years of tests, practicals, patients, board exams, etc. If you don't have these six pages of signatures, you're not getting a diploma. So, I'm running around campus all day to get signatures from authorities in fun places like parking services, campus police, the library, and every department in the dental school. If I start today, I estimate that it will only take me 2-3 weeks to complete. DDS, here I come.

2. Call patients scheduled for tomorrow and remind them of appointment (for the third time.)

3. Go to the gym. (**note: the first attempt at this task was made at 5am this morning, at which point I politely told Will he could go by himself, and be quiet on his way out. Morning person I am not.)

4. Dust and mop (no one ever told me how much fun it is to have a house on the market. Will has been told to tread lightly on the carpet and use the bathrooms at nearby gas stations.)... (okay, that's exaggerating, but he has been threatened within an inch of his life if he doesn't pick up after himself.)

5. Water the flowers. There could be a reason that every plant we have only lasts a week.

Five snacks I love: 1. Cereal 2. Pretzels 3. Granola Bars 4. Leah's Pasta =) 5. Cheese and crackers

Five things I would do if i was a billionaire:
1. Pay off dental school loans.
2. Donate to charity and church
3. Travel. And not worry about how much it costs.
4. Hire a maid.
5. Hide it somewhere. Taxes will kill you.

Five bad habits:
1.Twirling my hair
2. Screening (especially lately. If you are calling from an unknown number, I will not answer. Every dental supply company and insurance salesman within a 300 mile radius suddenly has my cell phone number.)
3. Picking at my food (if you have ever seen me eat pizza, you understand).
4. Changing the radio station every 30 seconds. (I'm afraid that I'm going to miss a good song on another station, but I usually end up catching the ends of every song. This drives Will insane.)
5. Not blogging. Case in point: this is the first post of 2008.

Five places i have lived:
1. Brandon, MS
2. Starkville, MS (Phi Mu house)
3. Starkville, MS (Glenn Hollow apartments)
4. Memphis, TN (Mud Island)
5. Walls, MS

Five jobs I have had:
1. One of my best friends, Jana, and I, got a job cleaning her dad's office on the weekends so we could get our hardship licences at 15.
2. Cavalier Shoppe of Jackson
3. Teller at Community Bank in Brandon, MS (if you know me and my love of numbers, you are no doubt laughing right now.)
4. HarborTan in Memphis-at what other job are you encouraged to bring your yorkie into work?
5. Professional Student. Don't laugh. I really could make a career out of this =)

Five people to fill this out:
1. Caroline Gilbert, 2. Harper Jones 3. Amanda Vick 4. Jessica Ferguson, 5. oh gosh, I can't think of anyone else. Does anyone even read this thing anymore?