My Husband the Student Doctor!!

So we are all setteled here in Colorado with almost everything unpacked. We are loving the area and the weather and pretty much everything else around us. Behind our building are a bunch of trails that you can go hiking on and they have wildlife around and it is beautiful. Also my favorite part was when I was walking the trail with Blake the other day and after fifteen minutes I ended up in front of Target. Could a girl ask for anything more?? I think not!!!

This past week Ryan has been going to orientation for school and has been learning more about what the next four years are going to be like. He starts school officially on Monday and has a quiz on the very first day with a case study also due. Now here is my question. CAN YOU SERIOUSLY HAVE HOMEWORK AND A TEST THE VERY FIRST DAY OF CLASS WHEN YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN THERE BEFORE???? Apparently you can!!!!



Today was a very exciting day for both of us. This morning was the White Coat Ceremony where they give all the students their white coats and they take an oath and officially become student doctors. They do this to show the students that they respect them as peers and to let the students feel that they are already making a difference which I definately agree that they are. This ceremony was pretty big and it was really awesome to see Ryan go up there and introduce himself as a student doctor. In the video it is really hard to hear him because I was in back but when he goes to the microphone he says, ''Hi, I am Student Doctor and Second Lieutenent in the Air Force, Ryan West from Hawthorne, NV." After he introduced himself the professors coated the students to show that they are their peers.

I thought it was pretty awesome.
As soon as Ryan went up to introduce himself I started bawling like a little baby. Just a little emotional these days. All I could think about is the next four years and how hard it would be but on the other hand what a wonderful experience it will be. I know that it will take getting used to but I know what a hard worker Ryan is and he is fully capable. Me on the other hand....I have already made a few friends that are in the same situation thatI am and I will be able to hang out with. I am excited to get involved in the community and to figure this place out.

I am so excited for this chapter in our lives and I know that our relationship will grow more and more throughout this process. It will be hard but I know that this is the right thing for us to be doing right now. I love my husband so much and am so grateful that he is following his dreams and wants to give his family the best life he can give us. He is so strong and is my best friend. He is such a wonderful father and I am so lucky to have him.

Family Reunion, Walking, and Starting a New Chapter in our lives!!

So I havn't been good lately at writing but I know that I need to right now. A few weeks ago we had Ryan's family come to Utah and spend a few days with us. We had his Mom, Dad, Nicole, Brandon, Jared, Lacey and Brynlee all here. We were sad that Matt and Angie were not able to come. Also David who is on his mission was not here but we are excited to see him in 4 months. This was my first time hosting a weekend with family even though technically it isn't really my house but it was a lot of fun. I cooked all the meals and I think they turned out okay. We also went shooting, played the Wii, watched movies, played volleyball, rode 4-wheelers, and best of all we floating a freezing cold canal (Thanks to my mom for watching the babies). I am so bad and didn't take any pictures but my dad did manage to get one of all of us after we floated the Logan Canal. The water was freezing when you first got in but after about 5 minutes you bum got numb and it was perfect after that unless you hit a rapid and got splashed. We took inner tubes and sticks which was a brilliant idea of my dad's and started down. The canal took about 45 minutes to get to the end and everyone wanted to do it again. It was so much fun to go down together as a family and see everyone spinning and running into the trees and walls. All in all, no one got hurt and I think it was the highlight of the trip.

Blake has finally started to walk at the ripe age of 17 months. We were a little worried for a while but he is just stubborn and wanted to do it in his own time. He still wants to crawl a lot because he can go a lot quicker but he is getting the hang of it and pretty soon will be running around. We are so proud of him and he is growing so quickly. We were pretty sad when he took his first steps about 8 hours after Ryan's family had left. Here are a few of his first steps...

We are beginning a new chapter of our lives tomorrow. At about 7 o'clock Ryan, myself and my dad are headed out in three seperate vehicles to drive to Colorado. My mom will be flying out with Blake on Saturday so we don't have to worry about him and the long car ride there. We are moving there and Ryan is starting med school on August 3. I am so proud of him. Also, Ryan was sworn in as a Second Lieutenent in the Air Force a few months ago and he will be getting a full scholorship from them. That means we save about 400,000 dollars over the next 4 years and we don't have to go into debt. This is a huge blessing.

We have truly been blessed these past few months with everything that has gone on in our lives and we couldn't have done it without our families. I want to thank our families for everything they have done for us. We wouldn't have made it without them and I am excited to start our lives again and build our family in Colorado, at least for the next four years.

To a Wonderful Mother On Her Birthday!!!

Today is my mom's birthday and I wanted to let her know how much I love and appreciate her. I know I don't tell her enough how much I love her and look up to her. My mom has always been there for me when I have needed her and I don't know where I would be without her. She is such a wonderful grandma to Blake and loves him so much.
My mom has such a great sense of humor and whenever I am down she can always cheer me up. Here are a few examples. I am terrified of people chasing me up stairs. I literally scream and can't run and fall in a ball in the middle of the stairs if someone starts chasing me up them. (Pathetic I know but I can't help it) My mother LOVES to chase me up stairs but I can't ever get mad at her. I just start screaming and then laughing as she starts chasing me and I fall to the floor. When I was in high school I came home one day in not such a great mood and the song Play that Funky Music (My mom's favorite song of all time) was blaring on the stereo speakers. When I found her in the Den and opened the door I couldn't help but start laughing hysterically as I watched her dancing around the room and singing this song at the top of her lungs. My mom will randomly show up in my room and jump on my bed just to come and talk with me and see how I am doing. She is so fun to be with and spend time with and I consider my mom one of my best friends.
My friends have often told me that they are jealous of how well my mom and I get along. Don't get me wrong, we have had our moments but don't we all. My mom is the most wonderful woman alive and I am proud to be her daughter and have her as my kids Grandma.
My mom is the most generous, loving, kind, compassionate woman I have ever known. She would do anything for her children and I have witnessed that these past 7 months as we have lived with my parents. I love her so much and hope she feels special on this wonderful day. Happy Birthday MOM!!! I LOVE YOU SOOOOO MUCH!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM

My wonderful mother is having a birthday today. I just wanted to let her know how much I love her. She has been a great mom throughout my entire life. Mom, Heather and I really appreciate all that you do for us and how much you love us. And Blake just loves his Grandma West. I hope you have a great day and know how much we all care about you.

Blakes First Fish!!

After leaving Hawthorne on Wednesday we went to visit Ryan's brother Jared and his wife Lacey and baby Brynlee. We had such a great time with them and love when we can spend time with them. On Thursday Ryan bought me my very own fishing pole and on Friday we went fishing. I caught 2 fish and the four of us together caught 11 fish total. We had so much fun and Blake was so good for us while we were there. Blake even caught his very first fish. Here are some pictures of our pictures from the trip.

Blake's First Fish

The Cutest baby girl ever!!!

My poor baby boy got a little sunburned.

Cousins

So happy

So adorable!!

When we got home on Saturday we went to the park with my family and had a great picnic. Blake loved the swings.

Hawthorne Trip!!

This past week we have been able to come to Hawthorne, NV to visit Ryan's family. On Tuesday night we drove in and surprised them. They had no idea we were coming and it was so fun to walk in and surprise them all. This past Saturday was Armed Forces Day which is a huge holiday here with parade and everything. On Wednesday night we were able to go and watch Brandons baseball game which was great fun. Then on Thursday night we went to Brandons school pagent. Friday we hung out and on Saturday we went to the parade which lasted over an hour. Then we went to the park the rest of the day and sat in the shade and ate snowcones while blake played in the grass. We have had such a great time here and are sad to be leaving on Wednesday. Here are some fun pictures of Blake this past week. Some are in the tub, at the park and some with his new suit on.

Happy Birthday Nicole!!

Today is my Sister-in-laws 17th birthday. Nicole is such an amazing girl and a wonderful daughter, sister and friend to everyone she knows. She is one of the toughest girls I know growing up with 5 brothers. She is such a great Aunt to Blake and he loves her so much.

I asked Ryan what his favorite memory of Nicole was and he said that when she was little he used to read her stories at night until she would fall asleep. He also said one of his favorite memories of Nicole is when he was teaching her how to drive a stick shift and she would peel out and not look behind her when she backed up. He also said he loves their late night talks and many other things, but they have to stay in the cave. My favorite memory of Nicole is when we get to play games together all night and talk.

Nicole is such a wonderful girl and I want her to know how grateful I am to be a part of her family and to have her as a sister in law. She is one of the most beautiful and sweetest girls that I know. I want to wish her a happy birthday along with Ryan and Blake. We hope you have a great day and eat lots of cake.

In other news, we had a great easter and had lots of fun with family. Blake got a new Easter suit for church which he looked so handsome in. I will post a better picture next time he wears it because he would not hold still for the one I got. Ryan and I both got a job with the Census so we are trying to work everyday and save a little extra money. I have to thank my mom for watching Blake for us everyday so we can work. Not much else is happening lately other than we are still in the process of applying with the Air Force for Med School. I will keep you all posted. Have a great night.

Happy Birthday Dad!!

Well, I don't do this very often, but I'm actually making a blog. Today is my daddy's b-day and I just want him know how special he is to all of us. He's a great father and husband and a loving grandfather. His heart just melts every time he holds one of his 3 grandchildren. He truly is an example to all of us. I want to be as good of husband and father as he has become. Well, I don't want to get too gushy, so I'll just say Happy Birthday dad. Hope you had a good one and many more good ones to come.

Family is Amazing!!!

These past few weeks Ryan and I have been able to see a lot of family. Two weekends ago my family threw a huge surprise party for my grandma's 80 birthday. She had no idea what was going on. To surprise her, all 4 of her children came, 15 of her 17 grandchildren came, and all 8 of her great-grandchildren came without her knowing anything. My parents and two Aunts took her out to dinner on her birthday and she thought that was her surprise. That next day everyone showed up before noon. Then we called my grandma and invited her over for lunch. When she came in the house everyone was waiting for her in the kitchen to surprise her. It was such a great day and so nice to see everyone. It has been a few years since we have all been together.

After the surprise we asked my grandma who just turned 80 what she wanted for her birthday and she said she wanted my dad to take her out for a ride on the four wheelers. SERIOUSLY!!! Coolest Grandma ever!!! She was a rockin' four wheeler babe. Here are the pictures of my Grandma riding the four wheeler. Happy Birthday Grandma!!!

This past weekend Ryan and I were able to go to our niece's baby blessing. Brynlee is such a sweet, amazing, beautiful baby girl. We were so happy we were able to go and share this experience with Ryan's side of the family. We were also able to see family members that we had not seen in a long time and I was able to meet a few more members of his extended family.

Unfortunately I was not able to get any pictures because I was to busy holding the baby but I will post some as soon as I can get some.

Family is such an amazing part of my life. They keep me heading in the right direction. I love my family so much and can't imagine my life without them. I have also married into such an amazing family. I love them with all of my heart and am so happy that they have accepted me into their family. I love being with family and am so sad when we have to leave. Family is such an important part of life and I am so glad that I have been able to start my family. I love my husband and my son so much. They are my rock and they make me want to be a better person. They support me and lift me up. My life is so much better because of them.