The last week of July to the beginning of August we spent with friends and the Sheets family. Randy helped my little sister ride Grandpa Sheets horse Maggie and everyone enjoyed a giant water slip-n-slide. One evening we had an impromptu talent show and man is my family incredible. There were comedy acts, lots of singing and, playing instruments.
Grandma and Grandpa Sheets plus me
We had the opportunity to go to the Bountiful temple on my birthday. That was such a special chance3 because the last time we were there we were becoming an eternal family and about to begin the greatest adventure together. We also were able to attend the sealing of our dear friend Carlee and her wonderful husband in the Timpanogos temple.
The beautiful rose garden at their reception.
We had quite a few other adventures while we in Utah. We were able to go with my Aunt Dallas and her family to the Salt Lake Regional Wild Horse and Burro Center to pick up her mustang. She is competing a hundred day makeover competition. There are ten contestants, but they do not get to choose their horse. To make it fair the horse and contestant pairs are decided by a drawing. The horses are all 4 year old geldings. After the 100 days are up, they must put their horses through a list of tasks such as going over a bridge, starts, stops, etc. Then the horses are auctioned off and the money goes toward helping other mustangs.
We hiked up to the Timpanogos caves with my Aunt Dana, Uncle Doug and, three of my cousins. The hike up was on a paved path, however it was still quite strenuous. It was refreshing to do something different in Utah.
There was an aquarium in Sandy, Utah that we explored. We saw SHARK EGGS and a BIRD POOP FROG!!! The frog literally was the color of bird poop on dirt- crazy! I enjoyed watching the river otters splash and swim around.
Once we arrived back in Washington we had just under a week to get ready to move. I worked for 4 more days and Randy packed the bags. We drove down to Pullman with Mitch on August 8th and moved into our very own home! We spent the next few days moving in and trying to figure out where to put all our stuff. Luckily today I am happy to report that 85% of our stuff is in its permanent home. We did not have internet for the first week, but I needed to do things for school and Randy needed to continue to look for jobs so we went to McDonalds parking lot to use their internet. We have this nifty little converter that allows us to charge a computer in the truck. But thankfully we now have internet at home :D
Mitch thought it was too hot.
Early morning on August 13th my orientation started. That morning was spent in lectures talking about financial aid (a very depressing hour), the sexual harassment policy, attendance poly, safety, etc. Around 2:30 we loaded up onto two buses and went up to a camp called Ross Point for two days of team building exercises. The experience is called C.O.L.E (cougar orientation leadership experience). We had a lot of presentations on the importance of team work, being emotionally aware, becoming a servant-leader plus a lot of group problem solving. The best part of the whole thing is I left having some friends before the beginning of school.
Friday the 17th my parents, Chantel, Ashley, Grandma Kay, Grandpa Karl, and my in-laws Cindy and Bob came down for my White Coat Ceremony. This is basically like a graduation ceremony except it happens before school starts. I walked across the stage and was cloaked in a white doctors coat. This is to symbolize that we are now to be treated as doctors and we students should start acting like doctors. Before the ceremony, my family was able to take a tour of the amazing teaching hospital and anatomy lab and museum. Everyone had lunch at our house and my new friend Jessica came too. It was great to be able to seem my family again and to show them our home. I am hoping that they will come visit again soon.
I have finished my first week as a first year veterinarian student. It wasn't has difficult as I was anticipating, but I am sure that will change starting this week. I am taking 22 credit hours. I have small animal anatomy, cell physiolgoy, cell biology, principles of surgery, colic team, international vet med, Ag animal seminar, animal handling and restraint and, I think thats it. I have also signed up for a few clubs that do a lot of wet labs. Shannon is trying to get me a job working on the horse treadmill for the school. A lot of respiratory research with horses is done using this treadmill. Randy is also still looking for a job. We have truly been blessed; many people we have just met are keeping an eye out for jobs for Randy and more then willing to help out in any way they can.
Each day is a new challenge and we are loving it!
Here are a few photos of our new home!
What you see when you walk in the front door
Other side of the living room
Perfect for two!
Food!
Mitch's abode (yes he is spoiled and gets a room to himself)
Self-explanitory, but the shower curtain makes me happy
Awesome desk Randy put together for me
