We made it!

Wiggy and his Nana

Wiggy and Baby Bro Taylor

Wiggy and his Mom

All the Kids and Significant Others

Wow. We finally arrived home from Christmas #3 with Wiggy's family in Chicago. Although it was a wonderful trip on many levels, the traveling part was a nightmare. We arrived almost on time to my surprise after I watched news story after story about people sleeping in cots in the Chicago airport the night of the 23rd. We landed on Chrismas Eve just a little after scheduled and got our luggage no problem. We were scheduled to attend a Christmas party at Wiggy's Uncle's family's house; however, we had an unexpected detour when my Father in Law got quite turned around in the car and we ended up far from the party as it was winding down. We decided to find someplace to eat instead and ended up at a lovely Italian place after begging them to serve us. They even had grilled calimari, a favorite of mine and Wiggy. After the meal we settled in to the hotel before attending a lovely Christmas Mass with the family.

Christmas morning we slept in and then headed over to Wiggy's Aunt's house for a day full of meeting cousins, eating, and game playing. It was very nice to finally meet Wiggy's Nana, Aunt, and all of his cousins. We played Secret Santa along with lots of rounds of Catch Phrase and Apples to Apples.

On the 26th we finally were able to see Marley and Me. This has been my most anticipated movie in quite a long time and I must say I was holding myself back from sobbing the entire time. I have had dogs my entire life and read the book 3 times and the end just kills me. We then sampled Chicago pizza before venturing into the city for some bargain shopping and a car tour as the weather was kind of icky. That night we went back to the movie theater (it was in the same parking lot as our hotel) for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button". We all really enjoyed it, although it is quite long.

Saturday it was time to head out. Our flight wasn't until late afternoon so we got a chance to catch yet another movie after everyone else left. This time it was "Slumdog Millionaire", a surprisingly great film that had us both glued to the screen. Our airport experience was horrible as our flight was delayed about 3 hours and our connection cancelled. We found a room in Philadelphia for the night and then finally made it back to NC at about 7 pm on Sunday just in time to pick up our greatly missed Jasper.

Sticky Fingers

When Wiggy and I arrived home last night he discovered that someone had tried to break into our basement window while we were away and today we found out that our neighbor's house was broken into! I felt so violated when we found out... I guess it's one of those.. oh, that will never happen to me things. We have an air conditioner in the window that Wiggy has placed super locks on which fortunately were too much trouble for the would be intruder. I am so thankful that my hubby is so incredibly cautious. He has spent the entire day laboring downstairs while installing metal bars across the window to scare and create more work for anyone else that tries to get in. What a great hubby I have :)... take that thief!

Half Way There

Wiggy and I left last Thursday morning to visit my family in Maryland. We had a lovely time beginning on Thursday evening with dinner and a movie with my parents and grandparents complete with great conversation. Friday we headed to Morgantown to help my Mom finish her Christmas shopping along with an annual last minute frantic trip by my Daddy to purchase my Mom's gifts. Saturday evening we headed to Petersburg, WV to visit my Mom's Mom "Mimi" and my Aunt Sarah and Uncle Eric among other extended family. My Aunt Sarah hosted a "Weiner Dog Party" where our poor baby Jasper was tormented by 6 miniature datsunds. He was really happy to leave after being cornered one too many times! Sunday morning we went to my home church (something I always love) and then had a wonderful long nap, a lovely dinner and exchanged gifts. Yesterday morning we packed up and headed back to Winston before we head out for Chicago tomorrow!

Whirlwind

It doesn't quite seem possible that the Christmas season has arrived. Wiggy and I will head out of town on Thursday morning headed toward Pittsburgh for a residency interview before visiting my fam in MD and then heading back to NC only to fly out the next morning to Chicago. We then return for 4 days then go down to the ATL for a wedding. wheew.

I must say that my favorite part of the holiday season is providing Christmas for those who would not otherwise have presents on Christmas morning. We were able to help out several families this year through various charities and church which was a huge blessing to us. Most memorably we bought a bike for a little boy. Wiggy and I both stared inquisitively at the racks of bikes as none of them look quite like the bikes we rode as children. They are lower and the frames are thicker now. With the help of a nice salesman we were able to pick out a fab bike for the little boy and then Wiggy proceeded to try to ride the bike all the way through the store to the very far away register. It didn't quite work, but he gets an A for effort.

I am so happy that we'll still get to see my entire family this year even though we're not going to be home for Christmas day. I get to attend my Aunt Sarah's Dog Party for the first time, sounds like a blast and I can't wait :)

As Christmas day sneaks toward us I become a little more filled with the joy of this incredible season. May we all stay focused on what this day really represents and give praise for the birth of our lord and savior who lay in a manger! Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving and Med School Prom #4

My boys in my old room at my parents house. Aren't they just irresistable :)

Thanksgiving! My Mom did an excellent job of starting the Christmas decorating early this year! Good job Mom! The tables were beautiful and so festive. It's the Holiday season, who cares which one?

Wiggy and I attended our final Medical School Christmas Ball "aka Prom" last weekend. I totally look forward to this event every year because we don't have many opportunities to get dressed up and go dancing anymore! We usually have a get together before hand but everyone is running around interviewing this year so no one could come :(

The Holidays are here! We're so busy this year preparing to "globetrot" from NC to Pittsburgh for Wiggy's interview then to MD to visit my family then back to NC only to get up the next morning to fly to Chicago to visit Wiggy's family. We return for a quick breather before we go to Atlanta for the weekend for a friend's wedding!!! AHHHH... we need a vacation when it's all over with. I find it a bit unsettling that this time of year should be about the peace that we celebrate with the birth of our savior and that we continue to make this time of year busier and busier. I pray that at least the true spirit of Christmas lives through the hustle and bustle and touches each of us.

Thanksgiving

The day of Thanksgiving is upon us! Where did Summer go? I often feel that in uncertain times like those we're presently experiencing- being thankful for the many blessings that we DO have and that DO NOT depend on outside forces is even that much more important. I am so blessed to have my wonderful family and husband to ride this wild ride of life by my side.

The last several months have been quite trying for my family as my Aunt and Uncle recently separated and have 2 young boys that are struggling through this as well. That said, I am so thankful that my Uncle and the boys have an incredible support system within the family.

The shining ray of light in these times is that we concentrate on the things that really matter rather than the "stuff" that we have or want or think we need. So this Thanksgiving I want to hold tightly to loved ones, both family and friends, and celebrate family and friendship.

One of my favorite quotes is "If you want to hear God laugh tell him your plans", my isn't it true!

Finally We Have a Blog

So, it's taken us a while to get started on this blogging thing, but I can no longer resist. Some background? This May Wiggy will graduate from Medical School and will begin living the life of an intern!!! Oh, the challenges and victories that lie ahead! Emily is keeping busy with managing the recruiting firm and teaching lots of classes. Racing has been put on hold for a while due to multiple foot issues.... I am learning patience.. I think. We have also become quite involved with our church and a new organization called The House of Service that provides support to single mothers and their children. It's been a wonderful experience thus far. Additionally, we have been taking a course called Alpha that has really renewed our faith in the Lord... I strongly recommend it to everyone!!!