Some life that's happened since last I blogged:
I know this has become a barren wasteland of a blog. I have so many pictures and stories, but life is so full right now; there is seldom time to publish our adventures...many of mine seem to be survival quests! Ah, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. On June 1st I start my third year of medical school, which will begin my more purely clinical years of training....yes, years. Still far to go, but we are making it, and growing on the journey.

We do manage to find the time to carve out moments in our hectic schedule, and we've shared time and made memories with many loved ones that will not be forgotten.

Before my spring break, I made it over to Ohio with the kids to spend some time with my grandparents. We had some dinner with my dad's parents. The kids shared their music, Madeline on the violin and Timothy the piano. They played outside in Grandma's playhouse. Then when Grandma and Grandpa dashed off to root on the girls' basket ball team ;), we made our way over to my great grandma's house. The kids did puzzles and made some magnetic creations. Their favorite game by far, however, required only a ping pong ball, a cleared table, and a 98 year old great-great grandma with a strong set of lungs! They put the ball in the middle of the table and then tried to blow it off the other side without letting it fall off their own side. It was too fun! As much fun as this was for everyone, I think Grandma was even more delighted to hear how far the kids have come with their music lessons.

I was also able to shadow my papaw's oncologist while we were there. I would certainly love to be able to go my whole life without being able to write a sentence with the words "my papaw's oncologist" in it. My papaw does have an oncologist though, and in all circumstances, God is good. So I will rejoice in the fact that I have been blessed with a wonderful papaw, and I will report, with gratitude, that I am thrilled with the medical home that the Lord has provided for him. They have a family doctor whom they trust, and he has referred them to a wonderful oncologist. I had the honor of spending some time with her in her practice, and I found her to be an encouragement and an inspiration. In this time when there is so much conflict and frustration in the field of medicine, it is refreshing to see someone practice it so well. To see patients and doctors really connecting and enjoying that relationship in the face of tough circumstances. I needed to see that right now.


So...about spring break. It was exhausting in a completely wonderful way! I made a facebook album of pictures, and you can click the link and see the album, even if you don't have facebook. Here are a few of our pictures:


Here is a link to more: Disney Album


Worn out, but very happy and blessed, shannon