30 Days of Thankful: Days 20-26

Day 20

I am thankful for my cousin Becky. Since I am the oldest sibling, it was fun having her close by to look up to.

Day 21

I am thankful for my health, and the ability to exercise. Sometimes I moan and groan about getting up early to go to the gym, but a lot of people aren't able to, so I am thankful I am.

Day 22

I am thankful that the worst Thanksgiving ever is behind us :) and for Libby Ferlic and her family for having us over for Thanksgiving dinner for the second year in a row.  Eric was on call Wednesday night-this morning (Monday). He kept thinking he was going to get to come home so I waited for him all day hoping to get to spend some of the day with him.  Instead I spent all day by myself.  Bummer...but at lest I got some Christmas shopping done.

Day 23

I am thankful for a roof over my head and that Eric and I both have stable jobs that allow us to put food on our table every night.

Day 24

I am thankful I was on call over the weekend and made some extra money to pay for my Christmas shopping :)

Day 25

I am thankful for books (on my kindle)...I love love love to read and wish I had more time to do it.

Day 26

I am thankful Eric was home long enough to allow us to put our Christmas tree and decorations up last night.. It's so much better doing things with him!

30 Days of Thankful: Days 15-19

Day 15: 

I am thankful for my job. Work is work, and is pretty rough sometimes, but my job is pretty awesome. Not only am I fortunate enough to have a stable job, but I get to hang out with some pretty fun people too. My co-workers ROCK and it is so much fun to be around them...and we definitely figure out how to fit in some social time here and there. :)  I get to take care of patients who are (for the most part) pretty appreciative, and hang out with fun people all day long. I've got it pretty good :)

Day 16: 

I am thankful for my mom and dad! They are pretty awesome parents! I was a huge brat when I was a teenager and I can't believe they still claim me :) I miss them a ton and I can't wait until we live in the same state again and we can hang out whenever we want! I can't wait to see them as grandparents to our (future) kids. The older I get, the more I appreciate them, and I hope they are around for so many more years!

Day 17

I am thankful for the super-nice attendings that Eric works for! The residents had their annual in-service exam on Saturday morning.  To celebrate, Dr. Andrews had us all over for dinner to celebrate the exam being over.  Maggiano's (an awesome Italian place in Scottsdale) catered and we had beer, margaritas, wine, 3 types of pasta, 2 types of salad, bread, cookies, carrot cake, and red velvet cake. Oh and there were some really amazing appetizers too! I've heard some pretty bad horror stories about some residents' attendings, so I am so thankful that Eric hasn't had to experience that.  His attendings recognize the residents' hard work and reward them for it. Residency is difficult enough without having to have awful attendings breathing down their necks all of the time. 

Day 18

I am thankful for Eric's co-residents and their significant others! I am pretty positive that no other residents care about each other more, stick up for each other more, hang out with each other more, or are as close to each other.  They have become some of my best friends too. Last night we had a Urology Family Dinner: Thanksgiving Style...we have a Urology Family Dinner most Sunday nights and we have a potluck type dinner and get to hang out together.  Last night we had a huge Thanksgiving feast! I am very thankful for this especially since it was probably my only traditional Thanksgiving meal since Eric is on call from Thursday- Monday morning :( 

Day 19

I am thankful for wine! :) It was a busy day at work, and nothing is better than unwinding with a nice glass of wine in front of the TV...it's the little things :)

30 Days of Thankful: Days 13 & 14

Day 13

I am thankful for my brother and sister! Siblings are so fun. I am also thankful for Dickson's wife, Jenna, and Sara's boyfriend Paul.  They bring so much joy to their lives and it is so fun all hanging out together! I can't wait for the day that we can all hang out with our little kiddos running around :) So fun! Love you guys!

Day 14

I am thankful I live in a place where it is warm all year round (for now). I definitely miss the cold weather, and the legitimate winters in Oklahoma. Call me crazy, but I LOVE when we get snowed/iced in. It's so fun not having to go anywhere or do anything because the whole city is shut down. You get to hang out with the family/ friends, be in sweat pants all day, and not do anything but bake cookies and watch movies. I know it stresses some people out but I think it's so fun (for a couple of days)! One of my favorite memories is from nursing school is when Tiffany and I were at her apartment studying for nursing school finals. An ice storm hit hard that evening but we didn't know if it would be bad enough that our finals would be canceled.  The power kept going off then coming back on, so we didn't have heat for the whole night, and we were studying by candlelight!  We went to bed with about 5 layers on, and still woke up in the middle of the night freezing! Our finals that day ended up being cancelled so Tiffany's dad picked us up and took us to her house where they had power.  We "studied" there (watched movies, drank yummy coffee) and had so much fun! Here are a couple picture from that ice storm...please excuse us...we were studying and had no reason to look cute :)

Love you Tiff!!!

All that said, I swam for a workout today, and I couldn't help but think how much fun it is that all year round it is warm enough to have a swim workout outside all year round (in a heated pool of course)! Love it.  I am excited to live where it is cooler again but you can't really beat the winters here in Phoenix.

Love love,

Mrs. Wise

30 Days of thankful: Day 12

Day 12

Today I am thankful I was able to fix the smoke detector without the huge fiasco it was last time the batteries went out. Click HERE to read about my experience fixing them last year. I woke up this morning, heard the beeping, and immediately has a huge deal of anxiety remembering last time! This time I made sure and turned the power off before I changed the battery so the circuit could re-set. Thank goodness it was a quick fix!

30 Days of Thankful: Days 10 & 11

Day 10

I am thankful Eric isn't on call this weekend.  He has been crazy busy studying for his in-service exam next weekend, but at lease he has been home...it is better having him home even if he is doing practice questions all day :)

Day 11

I am so thankful for our past, present, and future military and their families. Thank you for the countless sacrifices you make so the rest of us have our freedom.  Those families who have lost loved ones: you are in our hearts and prayers, and we can never re-pay you for what you have done for your country. We love you and are in our thoughts on this Veteran's Day. 

30 Days of Thankful: Day 9

Day 9

Today I am thankful for technology! Last night I got to FaceTime with some of my family! I got to talk to Mom, Dad, Sara, and Paul, and see the dogs of course! They are such cutie pies! It was so good to talk to them all and see their faces... and watch the dogs play :) I am so thankful that the technology we have today allows us to see and talk to each other when we are so far away.  I can't wait until January when I can really hang out with the fam.

30 Days of Thankful: Days 7 & 8

Day 7

I am thankful that I believe in God.  No matter who is president of our country, I have so much peace in knowing that He is King and He is in control! 

Day 8

I am thankful for the little bit of rain we are getting today! It was so nice to leave the gym after my workout and feel the cool rain on my face! If I wouldn't have gotten some crazy looks from people, I probably would have just stood out there and soaked it up a while longer. Now that we live in Phoenix, I swear I will never ever get sick of rain again! 

30 Days of Thankful: Day 6

DAY 6

Today I am thankful that I live in America and have the freedoms that we do here.  I am thankful that I was able to vote this morning.  Our voting location is literally a 30 second drive from our house. I was the 3rd person in line and was in and out in 12 minutes! Perfect.  Now get out there and vote if you haven't already :)

P.S. I think we are all probably thankful that all of the election commercials are over...they are so awful!
Have a great Tuesday!

Love,Mrs. Wise

30 Days of Thankful: Day 5

Day Five

Today I am so so thankful for coffee...I know, I know, lame. but it's MONDAY and the thought of relaxing with a nice cup of coffee got me through my workout this morning :)

Hope you all have a wonderful Monday!

30 Days of Thankful: Day Four

Day Four

I am thankful that I was able to do 10 pull-ups today!!! This has been my goal since I started doing them a few months ago.  When I first started, I think I could do 2 by myself.  Today was the first time I did 10! My old goal was 10, but I think my new goal will be 15.  Thanks to my hubs who helped me out so much when I could barely do any on my own! 

30 Days of Thankful: Day Three

Day 3

I am thankful for the weather right now!  The phoenix summers are SO HOT.  The heat isn't really the thing that makes it so intolerable, but how long it lasts.  What I loved about Oklahoma was that the weather always changed (I'm not saying those hot humid summers are pleasant by any means, but at least there would be thunderstorms to break it up most of the time). Here in Phoenix, it gets up to 100 consistently until about the end of October.  Our nights have finally cooled way off, and the day time highs are in the 80's. It is so nice to finally be able to go outside and enjoy it! Running, biking, swimming, and hiking outside are now starting to be a regular thing again.

I still miss the legitimate winter weather though, and I may be hoping for an ice storm when I go to Oklahoma to visit in January! :)

Love you all!

30 Days of Thankful: Days One and Two

The month of November has inspired me to start blogging again...no, REALLY! Everyone on Facebook posting about one thing they are thankful for on each day of November got me thinking about what I am thankful for.  So, for every day of November, I am going to post and write about one thing I am thankful for.  Day one and day two will be in this post. Some will be deep and some will be lighthearted...and they are in no particular order...just what ever I am thinking about at the time. Thanks for reading!

Day One

I am thankful for Eric. Sometimes I feel guilty that I have such a wonderful man as my husband.  I definitely don't deserve someone as good as he.  He is so kind. He works so hard and literally NEVER complains. He is passionate about his work and other people.  He loves The Lord, and he doesn't just say it; it SHOWS in how he acts every day and how he treats others.  He motivates me to be a better person, just by being him.  I wish every girl in the world could have someone that makes them as happy as Eric makes me, and treats me as well as he treats me.  Because I guarantee you there are people who deserve it more than I do. I thank God every day for letting me be his wife.  Eric, I am so thankful for you, and I really do love you more every day!

Day Two

I am thankful for my new knees! I know it has been a little over a year since I had knee surgery, but I am just now starting to get back in to running...finally! Growing up I was horrible at running (Mom- I still remember what you said I looked like when I ran, lol!!!) When I went to swim in college, we ran a lot and I was forced to get better. When I quit swimming, I had to pick another form of exercise and I just starting running...I would run 5 miles about 4 times a week (I realize this is not a lot for people who are good at running, but it was a lot for me). I loved it, and ending up running a half marathon and doing some triathlons...then my knees started hurting and kept getting worse. At their worst, I would be limping at the end of my shift at work.  I found out I had Hoffa's syndrome and had surgery to fix it! Now, I am finally able to run and be so much more active again, and I am so thankful for that! We did a 6.5 mile mud run last weekend and I am even thinking about doing the Tough Mudder in February (10-12 miles)! A huge thanks to Dr. Clarke for fixing my knees and getting me back to my old self :)

anniVEGASersary

On March 5th, Eric and I celebrated our second anniversary!!! We went to Las Vegas for 4 days and 3 nights, and it was AMAZING! Eric had never been to Vegas, and every time I went to Vegas before this, the trip looked like this: 

This time, the trip was MUCH more relaxing.  We stayed at the Wynn Resort and I highly recommend it! The first night, we went downtown to Fremont Street, and watched the LED light display on the screen that covers 6 blocks of downtown Las Vegas. It was really cool to see the older and more historic parts of the city.

On the second day, it was unexpectedly warm so we headed out to the pool and hung out there for most of the morning.  Then we walked down the strip and did some exploring in the different casinos and hotels.  The Wynn was definitely one of our favorites, but we also loved Mandalay Bay, the Palazzo, the Venetian, the Aria, and the Cosmopolitan.  That night we went out to dinner at an Italian place in the Monte Carlo, then walked around the rest of the strip that we didn't get to see that day.  Our favorite thing that night was going to this lounge at the very top on Mandalay Bay.  Mandalay bay is at the very south end of the strip, so from the lounge we had the BEST view of Las Vegas. It was awesome!! We also got to see the fountains at the Bellagio which was amazing!

On the third day(our actual anniversary), we spent our morning at the pool again and it was so nice and warm again! The pool was also heated so we even got a little swimming in.  I had the best bloody mary ever there. Then we walked to New York, New York, and rode on the roller coaster there. Eric got in trouble because he tried to bring the camera on the roller coaster! Then we ate at this amazing burger bar in Mandalay Bay. I was so excited because they had buffalo burgers (reminds me of Oklahoma)! Those were some pretty amazing burgers. Then we went back to the hotel and did gifts and cards.  Then we went to see The Phantom at the Venetian. It was such a great show and we both LOVED it! The effects were amazing. At one point, a huge chandelier dropped and we thought it was going to land on our heads! This is the last year they will be doing that show there, so we were so glad we go to see it.  Then we went to dinner at an Italian steakhouse in the Pallazo at Del Torro. one little suggestion: GO THERE!!! The service was amazing, and Eric and I both had the best filet we have ever eaten. Ever! Our waiter even gave us free dessert. I couldn't eat it since I gave up dessert for Lent, but Eric said it was fabulous and I believe him! The next day we packed and went to the pool for a little while before we checked out.  

It was so great to just spend uninterrupted time with each other! This year in residency has been so crazy tat we haven't gotten much quality time together.  I felt spoiled by getting so much time with him! It was a much needed and much loved trip.  We are still talking about how much fun we had. Who new Vegas could be so relaxing and romantic?! We will be going back for sure. Here are some pictures!

Our room at the Wynn

In front of our floor to ceiling windows

The Fremont Street light show

Forgive my grossness in this pic. I was still sick.

Eric with the showgirls!

Flower garden at the Wynn

Umbrellas at the Wynn

Fountain at the Wynn

Butterfly in the flower garden at the Pallazo

Habitat at the Flamingo

Love my husband!

The best frozen margarita we have had!

Ready for a fun night

These huge pink crystal chandeliers were everywhere in the Cosmopolitan!

Fountains at the Bellagio

In front of the fountains

At the top of Mandalay Bay

The amazing view!

After some relaxing pool time!

Eric being bar tender! 

It's our anniversary!

The picture on the roller coaster that got us in trouble! :)

Before Phantom

We have tickets!

After our amazing anniversary dinner!

The Wynn fountains again

:)

Happy 2nd Anniversary, Eric! I love you so much more than the day we were married 2 years ago, and I never thought that was possible.  I am so blessed to be your wife!

Love,
Mrs. Wise

I'm Back!

I have decided to make a conscious effort to start blogging again! I don't really know why I took such a long break from it.  I really enjoy writing, and I know one day I will love that I wrote (typed) everything down so we can remember how we felt at certain times of our lives. So, I think the perfect "back to blogging" post is going to be about our second anniversary! 

I simply cannot believe it has been two years since Eric and I married one another. That was still the best day of our lives and I love remembering it! I hope those memories never fade and we never forget the pure joy we felt all day.  It was a beautiful and intimate ceremony and an amazing celebration with all of our family and friends under one roof.  That will probably never happen again! Some of my favorite moments from our wedding were:

• Seeing Eric before the ceremony
• Getting ready with the best bridesmaids in the world
• Eric's dad's surprise  rehearsal dinner video speech
• My dad's rehearsal dinner speech
• Dickson's rehearsal dinner speech
• Hayden and Ryan steeling the show as ring bearer and flower girl
• Communion with Eric
• Mike's officiating
• Taking shots with Mom and Donna (shots, shots, shots, sh-sh-shots!)
• Sara's reception speech that made me cry
• Taking over the stage and dancing the night away with my bridesmaids and brother :)
• Sara catching the bouquet and Dad not liking it one bit :)
• Mom and Sara helping me get in my dress that I could barely sit down in :)
• Just being SO happy!

The day was seriously perfect. Here are a few of my favorite pictures (of course I love all 800 of them, but that is quite a lot of pictures to put on a blog):

Getting ready!

Our flower girl, Ryan

Not quite married yet!

My best friends!

Goof ball

Wedding party!

My fam

Guys praying before the ceremony...such a great group of guys Eric is friends with!

Love the look on his face when I'm walking down the aisle!

Just precious

Ceremony

Eric's family, with his dad there in spirit (still deployed in Egypt)

Right after the ceremony...love these candid shots!

My sister's maid of honor speech...so sweet!

Dancing with my new husband

So much fun!

Party time!

Sara caught the bouquet!

What a perfect day!! And a million thanks to Josh McCullock Photography for capturing every moment!

Love,

Mrs. Wise