Here We Are...

One week from tomorrow Marcus will submit his first round of applications to Medical Schools. I can hardly believe we are FINALLY at this point.

It was exactly 2 years ago that Marcus decided he was going to follow his heart and pursue his dream of becoming a doctor. It was an overwhelming thought in the begining. There was so much he needed to do to prepare, and we really had no idea how or when he was going to do it all. We made one plan after another.. taking the whole thing a step at a time. Our original timeline planned for Marcus to apply for the first time in 2011, one year from now. But here we are in 2010, all ready to go, and we couldn't be more thrilled!

We have recieved an unbelievable amount of encouragement and support. We have been immensly blessed all along our way, although we haven't always recognized the blessings as they came. Marcus has stumbled upon opportunities we didn't even know existed and I have watched as he has changed and grown.. as his confidence, passion, and dedication has increased.

Of course there has been plenty of discouragement and temptation to give up and pursue other careers that seemed a little more easily attainable (not to mention less expensive). And I'll admit, we have given a lot of those options serious consideration along the way. But in the end, everytime, Medical School remained the ultimate dream and we have grown stronger and stronger in our commitment to obtain admission.

And now... here we are!

We realize we may still be here a year from now.. applying again because the first year of applications didn't prove to be successful. But that's ok. It's just nice to enter a new phase.. make it to a new step.. get a little closer to the goal.

Good luck Marcus! And congratulations on making it this far!

New Photo's

I figured it was about time for new photo's of the boys. My awesome cousin Katie who took our pictures last year lives in Utah, a bit too far away to hurry on over and take them for us, so I gave it a try myself. With boys this cute I was able to get a few good ones, despite my poor photography skills. Enjoy!

A Belated Anniversary Report

Ok, I'm obviously playing a little bit of catch-up here, between the post about our crazy Texas winter and now one about our 5th anniversary, which we celebrated back in February. Bear with me!

Each year Marcus and I have gone away without the kids for a weekend to celebrate our anniversary. This year was a bit different, though, with his super-packed schedule and our poor-student status. As pathetic as it may sound, we celebrated this year when Marcus got home from work on Saturday by taking our kids to the Cheesecake Factory (ok, going to the cheesecake factory is never pathetic, it's divine :). As simple as it was, we had a lot of fun.

Connor was in total awe at the cases full of dessert. Let me tell you, that kid LOVES him some cake, and you would have thought he had died and gone to heaven when he saw it all for the first time. Here's a few messy pictures from the evening:







So, our 5th anniversary ended up being a good one. I don't think either one of us would have imagined our life would be what it is five years into our marriage, but we really wouldn't have it any other way. We have been blessed with two wonderful little boys, a great home, and employment that allows Marcus to help provide for our needs and have the time to do what he needs to do to be able to pursue his dream of applying to Medical Schools. Hopefully next year, though, we can resume the tradition of getting away without the kids!

Back Seat Singer

Seriously, why don't I ever think to take my flip camera with me in the car to get Connor on video singing at the top of his lungs whenever a song comes on the radio that he likes. Because I am not looking at him he thinks that I cannot hear him. This morning's favorite was "Hey Soul Sister"... I nearly died smiling.

Daddy's Boy

Connor is definitely his Daddy's boy..

Today he asked me to draw a picture of a dog for him, so I did. When it was finished he looked at it and said, "You did pretty good mom, but you forgot some things." He stepped out of the room for a few minutes and then came back in to show me the modifications he had made. He said, "Now the dog has a heart, and lungs for his breathing system, and the blood that goes all throughout his body to keep him healthy and strong."

Marcus would be so proud.

Our Texas Winter

This last year went on record as being the second coldest winter in Texas state history with the second greatest amount of snowfall (less than a half inch away from the record). I wish I could say that I loved it... but let's be honest, one of the perks of living in Texas is supposed to be playing at the playground and walking in the sunshine in January. Instead we were cooped up inside an apartment that has an electric furnace (ie, NOT energy efficient) and paying a fourth of our wages to the electric company.

Despite my lack of adoration for the winter, Connor LOVED it. James... not so much. Thank goodness for snowday's that kept Marcus home from work a few times so somebody besides myself could take the boys out to experience it all. Connor could have stayed out from the sign of the first snowflake to the melting of the last. He especially liked making snowballs to throw at his daddy. I think he enjoyed getting them thrown at him just as much.





I will admit, it was nice to have snow on Christmas Eve and Christmas day. In fact I enjoyed it during December. But come January and February, I was definitely wishing for sunshine!

Last Day In Utah

Well, it's obvious I am not doing well with my 30 days of blogging challenge... It's been especially hard for me to do while I've been on vacation. I have taken a lot of pictures, though. I just need to get them uploaded onto my computer. I think that will be easier to do when I get home to my CAMERA CORD and MEMORY CARD READER. Yep, I'm the idiot who forgot to bring either of those things with.

BUT

Like the title said, today is our last day in Utah :( This week went by WAY too fast. We have had a good time visitng with family friends, and could easily spend another week visiting more family and friends. There are so many people we wish we could have seen, but haven't been able to. Every time we come I think to myself, "our next visit needs to be a lot longer". It's just so hard for Marcus to ever take more than a week off of his crazy busy schedule. Oh well.

This afternoon we have Grandma Olson's Easter party with all my aunts, uncles, and cousins on my Mom's side of the family. I'm excited to see everyone, but not thrilled to be leaving right after it's over. It's been a good trip, though, and I'm so thankful we were able to come.

With this being our first full day of vacation in Utah, you might think I would have all sorts of fun things to write about. I do not, though, because the wonderful thing about today is that we just spent it not doing much more than relaxing around the house and enjoying one anothers company. It has been heaven.

Tomorrow we are heading up to run a few errands and visit more people we love! My goal for tomorrow is to take some good pictures and get them posted on here.

Stay tuned!

We've Arrived

After about 14 hours in the car today, my boys and I made it to my families house in Utah. It wasn't as bad as I thought it might be, but I'm glad we don't have to do it again for a week.

The little boy's are in bed and Marcus and I are ready to join them...

Packing for Utah

Tomorrow our little family is leaving to drive to Utah for a week. We are SO excited for a break from everyday life and to visit with our friends and family back home (yes, Utah still does feel like home to us).

Typically, when we drive, we stay overnight in Albuquerque, the half way point. But this time we're only going to be able to drive 5 hours on our first travel day, stay over night, and then have to drive 13 hours on the second... AAAH! I have a feeling day 2 will be long. Hopefully with a few good movies, snacks, and a little napping, the boys will survive.

Wish us luck! We just might need it!