While we've been away from our garden

We were very ambitious with our gardening plans this spring. But, we didn't really think so much about the fact that we will be traveling so much. Non-the-less, our friends down the street have been watering as needed (luckily it has been raining quite a bit here) and our garden continues to grow.

Some flowers in our yard.

Tomatoes, basil, oregano, etc.

Snap peas, jalapenos, blackberries, strawberries.

Our "vertical garden." Squash, cucumber, zucchini.

Our young blueberry bushes starting to bear fruit.

A small, early harvest.

Not seen are several watermelon plants and bell peppers.

Family Update

Just wanted to give an update of where we are and where we are going.

For the last couple weeks we were all down at Fort Bragg. Rachel and the boys played with friends while I worked at the hospital. It was fun to see friends and remember what being in the Army is all about.

I had the best experiences thus far in medicine (not that this is saying so much since the first two years of school are mostly bookwork, so any change is welcome). I was able to deliver 7 babies (I assisted with many more, but these were the ones that I actually "caught" myself. Obviously the moms do all the work, I just make sure that things go right through the labor process, nuchal cords are reduced, tearing is minimized, repairs are made, baby is suctioned and healthy, etc). I also helped with more than a dozen C-sections, and tons of other procedures and exams. I have to admit that the chances of me becoming an OB/GYN have risen dramatically. I worked an 18 hour shift last Wednesday and at the end of it, was still really satisfied with the experience, even knowing that I would have to be back to work in 6 hours. There haven't been too many times where I have worked as hard/long and still been happy about what I was doing. A couple years back when we first met Dr. Parker who delivered both our children (he also helped me coordinate this rotation since he still works at Fort Bragg), I asked him why he chose obstetrics. He gave the most curious response for a doctor "I don't really like working with sick people." He may have been joking, but it is true that most OB patients are young, healthy and are excited about starting families and seeing their doctor. This is typically not true of most other fields of medicine. What a choice experience it was to be able to help them out and be part of those special moments.

Rachel and the boys flew out to Phoenix a week early to take swim lessons and spend some extra time with family. I will be joining them shortly. We will take a quick trip down to Tucson, then up to Kanab, Salt lake, back to Show low, AZ, and finally back to Phoenix before flying back home at the end of June. Then enjoy our home for a week or so and off to Toronto to visit my Aunt, take care of unfinished research, and perhaps saunter up to Montreal for a weekend while we are there.

Here are some pictures from our spare camera.

Spencer was actually much happier than he looks here for his 2nd B-day...it is just that our old camera takes about 30 seconds between pictures...so catching the smile is tough work.

Sprinkler time, only problem is they are nudists.

Strawberry picking with Grandma and Grandpa Moore. Note the red juice all around Spencer's mouth.

Reckless Abandon.

If only we had one of these in our home, it would help us keep the house clean.

Rachel's parents came out to visit us for a few days. We took them up to Mount Airy, NC (only 45 minutes from our house). This is the birthplace of Andy Griffith and the town itself inspired the Andy Griffith show.

We had a "home made" pizza party at our house with several other families for Family Home Evening one Monday night. Rather than spending 20$ on a 5 gallon water jug to make root beer, we used one of our water storage jugs. The only problem was getting the dry ice in there. This is our friend Richard, a graduate biophysics major turned med student, meticulously at work on the root beer in our kitchen lab.

I am cursed

Camera is broken since Garett dropped it and Preston hit it. Will be fixed in 2 to 3 weeks. Computer is broken because of something my dad did. My whole life he has blamed me for breaking things now look who really did break something. Anyways, computer is in shop and won't be ready for 3 to 5 weeks.

What does all this mean........ NO more pictures or post until I get them back. Prepare yourself because when I do get them back I will have a million posts (including Spencer 2 year birthday)

Thank goodness I always get extended warranties!

Lamb and the Lion shall lie down together

It is going to be a crazy summer for us. We will be here and there and everywhere. I've been planning that when Spencer turned 2, he and Preston will share a room. Well because of the crazy summer they will be forced to share a room most of the time so we have decided to move Spencer in a little early. It has been about 3 weeks now and they seem to be doing fine. Spencer still has to cry himself to sleep but He has been doing that since birth.

So we now have a guest room, prefect time for any visitors. Oh wait we are not going to be here. Sorry!

LA, LA, LAAAAAAAA

I remember reading blogs and talking to my friends and getting jealous whenever somebody would mention their child loved to sing and memorized all the primary/church songs. Preston never did that. He sings now and he know a ton of songs and will sing when you ask him to (except in front of everybody at church). However, if there is down time then he tells himself a story. 

Spencer however is the type of kid I was jealous of. He loves to sing! He know all of the primary songs (at least the ones that I know and sing to him). If he is playing by himself, then he is singing. He also makes his cars, stuff animals and markers sing. At night time when we are putting them to bed he picks out what song we are going to sing and always begs for one more (Preston begs for one more story- and they both always beg for more books). The only problem is that Spencer won't sing for you if you ask him- unless it is "Happy Birthday" which is his favorite song.

PS

Garett dropped the camera and then Preston hit it so it is in the shop. I have a spare but haven't gotten it out yet, sorry!

Happy Mother's Day to Me!!

I had a great Mother's day (if you don't count the complete and utter meltdown that Preston had which ended in him breaking our camera).

People may laugh but I don't care because I think that Mother's day is the greatest holiday besides St. Patrick's Day (so I should do more for my own mother but that is another subject).  About 4 years ago I was driving in the car with Garett, it was about a month or so before Mother's Day(the first one I would celebrate) and I told him in very plain English all that I expected and demanded for Mother's day. I didn't want there do be any mistakes or regrets or disappointments, so I just told him right out. And every one of my Mother's days have been perfect!!!!! 

And because boys are boys we are working on training the boys at a early age. Not only did they help with breakfast and dinner and helped pick out my presents but they also took corsages to some widows in the ward so they could wear them to church. They are studs! 

Sorry no pitures since camera is broken

'Thats Funny"

Lately my kids have been saying the funniest things and it just cracks me up. Of course I don't write it down and I forget. However, I do remember a few such as.......

-Preston went to a friends house and while he was there he learned how to play tag. When he came home he tried to play with his brother (who did not get it) but instead of saying "You're it" he says "Garett". I thought that was more cute then funny.

-When I put the boys to bed I usually review the day and tell them what we will be doing the next day. I was telling Preston that he and Spencer were going to go to a friends house and I was going to stay home so I could paint the kitchen. "Is daddy going to Luke's house?" "Nope just you and Spencer" then Preston quickly responded "but mommy we don't know how to drive how are we going to go to Luke's".

-Garett had the boys in his car and were taking them somewhere but first he had to pick up his friend Richard who he always gives a ride to school. During the winter he would kiss the boy goodbye and said he had to hurry cause Richard would be waiting outside and would freeze. Also during the winter I would tell the boys they couldn't go outside and play because they would turn into popsicles. So when Garett told Preston the other day that they were going to go pick up Richard, Preston said "hurry dad so he doesn't turn into a popsicle" (it was like 70 degrees) but before Garett could respond Spencer said "I'll eat him up".

-And lastly Spencer's response to just about everything is "Thats Funny". "Get your shoes on so we can go"...."That Funny".  "Be quiet so daddy can study"....."Thats Funny". Spencer you are Funny!!!

These are just a few things that they say that make me laugh. I will try to be better at writing down what they say.