Love Love LOVE for My New Job!!!

Like the title says, I absolutely LOVE my new job! After two days in orientation, I spent my first day in the clinic today. I am now the new social worker for the Senior Center in the Ambulatory Care Center at the Medical College of Georgia. There is SUCH a positive atmosphere just about anywhere you go. MCG Health has been a pioneer over the past couple decades instituting an innovative practice model that is focused on empowering patients and their families as part of the health care team.

In addition to this, I really have great co-workers and love all of the patients I have met so far. The nurse I work with has been wonderful in helping me get acclamated to the clinic. My doctor spent time today not just showing me how to do my job but actually teaching me. Everyone else in the office was wonderful as well. When I showed up this morning, I had a beautiful flower arrangement and card to welcome me there.

Later in the day, a vender even came by to talk to me! The nurse ran interferance and said that she could come back again in a month once I got settled in at the clinic. But, the vender did leave a fun flyer with a cute flip-flop lollipop!

A few weeks ago, a dreaded the thought of going to work. I felt like I was dragging through the days just waiting to leave. The last two days of orientation were fun, but I wouldn't have wanted to do that forever. However, today flew by, and I was soaking up every minute. I even stayed a little later after loosing track of time. Now, I can't wait to wake up and go back again tomorrow!

Thank you Babe for finding me this new job!

Scardy Dog

Yesterday a Publix we found Popits were already on sale for the summer. We had lots of fun for them last night and today. However, Blue did not have fun at all. Both times he wanted to go outside with us. And, both times he ended up diving for cover...

4 Day Weekend

Last weekend, I was able to take Friday off of work. By combining this with the Memorial Day holiday, I received a much needed, extended break from work. Devin and I made the most of all each day. With Devin having just finished his first year of medical school, it was nice to have so much time together.

On Friday, Devin, Blue, and I went on an 8 mile hike at Mistletoe State Park. It was such a beautiful day, but Blue got a little warm at some points. The trail ran along a stream or a river almost the whole way, and about an hour in, he decided to try walking in it to cool off. He seemed very happy just to get the cold water on his feet.

However, it didn't take long for him to find an area deep enough to cool his entire body off.

The trail and the park were absolutely beautiful. If anyone is looking for a great place to go hiking, backpacking, or camping, I would definitely reccommed the park. Most of it is really old forest. But, at one point it was very young, and the trail opened up. The whole time, the trail smelled amazing, but here at the young part, the pine trees were almost overwhelming. I loved it!

Later on, when we reached a wide entry into the main river, he spent ten minutes just swimming in circles. He seemed to be happiest when he was as wet as possible.

Devin and I wished we had thought to bring our bathing suits as we also were very warm.

Because we weren't able to get in the river there, we decided the next day to head down to the canal. We got a nice 5 mile round trip walk with a lot of time in the water in between. Blue loved being in the water with us. And, Devin taught me how to skip rocks!

On Sunday, we had a nice, lazy day at home. There was an amazing thunderstorm, too! On Moday, we celebrated the holiday with a barbeque. We invited friends over to help us enjoy ribs, steaks (filet mignon was hugely on sale!), baked beans, German potato salad, grilled corn on the cob, watermelon. limeade, and berry cheesecake tarts. It was an amazing feast that I forgot to capture on camera. Overall, I couldn't have asked for a better weekend!

A Happy Puppy...

Blue's favorite new part of the house is the rug that was left behind in the living room. We haven't replaced it with one of our own yet, but Blue doesn't know the difference. All he knows is that he now has a great place to chew on all his bones.

Of course, he got very confused when I lined them up for a picture, but he quickly got over it!

Floss

What happens when you but a home where the previous two owners were dentists? You get a mile of free floss delivered by UPS that can't be returned or forwarded. Here's to good teeth and never buying floss again!

Dog Days of Spring

Yes, I know that saying is the Dog Days of Summer, but I live in Georgia. Summer weather starts early, and I've been having to remind myself for weeks that it's still spring. I love it. While I am not a fan of the pollen or the two times it has snowed since moving here almost two years ago, I definitely am grateful I moved here.

A few great reasons to live in the South:

1. I can start wearing shorts in March.

2. I have a reason to own so many flipflops.

3. Local produce shows up much earlier in the year.

4. There are so many fun things to do with dogs!

I am loving exploring our new town with great friends. A couple weekends ago, Devin, Blue, and I went to the canal for a five mile walk/play date. Blue loved hanging out with Charlie (the Great Dane) and Jackson (the Boxer). Of course, Devin had fun talking med school with Justin, while Sheena, Ashley, and I had plenty of girl talk. Also, Blue learned how to swim, which was so fun to watch! I'm looking forward to a lot more fun over the rest of this nice long summer!

My adorable puppy showing off his new skills.

Yay for tired, happy puppies at the end of a long walk!

Anniversary

On December 17, 2008, Devin and I took our first trip to Helen, GA. At 4:47 that afternoon, Devin proposed to me, and of course I said yes! Moments before he proposed, we took this picture of ourselves...

On May 2, 2009 at 2:00pm, Devin and I were married in the Atlanta, GA temple. It was such an amazing, happy day. This is one of my favorite pictures from that day.

This past weekend, we went out of town to celebrate our one year anniversary. I knew we were going somewhere, but Devin kept it a secret until we hit the highway just where we were going. He planned a trip for us back through memory lane. This involved passing through Athens, where we stopped for dinner at one of our favorite restraunts, Cali-n-titos. Then, we went through Commerce, GA and spent some time at Funopolis where we had gone on one of our first dates. Then, we continued on to Helen, GA for a two nights. We shopped, ate, mini golfed, and enjoyed the break from our stressful lives. We also hiked through a misty rain back up to Anna Ruby Falls where we got engaged.

This past year has been such an amazing year. I had looked forward to being married to Devin, but I never really knew how much I would enjoy married life. I realize now that it is the little moments I love. It's the times when I roll over in my sleep and remember he is there or watching him make goofy faces and laugh with me. I love eating dinner together and praying together and dancing together and even paying bills together. Thank you, Babe, for this wonderful year!