moving along

January is coming to an end.  Wow!  I knew it was going to be busy, but how did we get to the end of the month already. 

dorm and barn

I had my big trip to Hyden, Kentucky for Clinical Bound.  8 nights away from the boys.  It was mostly what I imagined... busy learning, enjoying the company of other students, and missing Evan and Tony.  What I didn't expect was how the week really made this whole midwifery school adventure seem real.  I spent 18 months in front of my computer and books piling information into my brain.  Now, it has hit me... I am about to use everything I learned in the real world.  No more papers or hypothetical case studies, I am going out to provide care for moms and babies.  I left there with a rush of emotions... excited, scared, happy, sad (homesick), nervous, eager to start clinicals.  So I had the first day yesterday.  All went well!  Looking forward to the next 6 or so months of this journey. 

I think I've finally made up for the lost Evan hugs.  I've been sneaking them in whenever he lets me. 

finally some snow

Tony sure captured the moment here, as Evan ran to grab my hand and stand next to me to watch the snow plow come through.  Something so simple, but looking at this sweet picture reminds of the importance of these little moments and having this little guy around to see the world through his eyes. 

Funny how 4 days later it was 47 degrees and we made some sand/snow castles at the beach.  

christmas

Wow, the month of December just flew by.  It seems like we put the Christmas up, traveled to visit family, and then came home and took it down.  Here is how Evan experienced Christmas this year:

• He had a sing-along party at school, but he didn't sing.  Just sat up front with the rest of the kids.  He later told us that he doesn't like it when people look at him when he sings. 
• He has caught on to the idea of presents.  He usually gets excited to open them, and he sure had many to open this Christmas.  Tony and I didn't get him many (sled, book, and magnetic town board) because we knew everyone else provides him with more than he needs. 
• He liked to look at tree, but really loved playing with baby Jesus from the nativity set.  A couple times baby Jesus took a nap with him or laid just outside his crib but within reach.  He also really enjoyed playing with Grandma Bray's village and Grandpa Steeno's train. 
• We traveled to Muskegon for a few days before Christmas, and then went to WI over  Christmas.  We got to see all our family during the week!
• He feel asleep at church Christmas morning.  Too many very early mornings during that week for him.
• There was not much snow this year, only about an inch on the ground for Christmas.  So the day after he was outside riding his red and yellow car on a beautiful sunny day.
• His favorite activity to play with his little cousins Trevor and Ethan was hide and seek. 

What a special time to spend together with family.  We're moving on the new year, and back to our routines.  School, work, school, and family fun...  with some chase and tickle games whenever we can fit them in!