Adios Hattiesburg!

We move in less than 48 hours! It's unbelievable how fast the past 3 years have flown by, but it's time to move on. We can't really express how excited and ready we are for the next big step, however, there are things that we will deeply miss here in the 'burg.


Oh, by the way, these are in no particular order.



Parkway Heights United Methodist Church.

Ok, so maybe the statement above is a little, tiny, itsy-bitsy lie because the church is by far what we will miss the most. This is the first church I have felt "at home" at since moving away and leaving the church I grew up in. It is such a welcoming place and is dedicated to serving and helping Hattiesburg. Ben and I joined this church together one week before we said "I do" and it has been one of the most important decisions we have made as a married couple. Our young couples sunday school class taught us so much about being a couple who puts God first. We made so many dear friends in class and in church that we will also dearly miss. And I can't forget Eddie Rester, our beloved Ole Miss graduated preacher. Someone in Birmingham has some big shoes to fill. Eddie always keeps my attention and that is saying A LOT with my five year old attention span and the messages are filled with so much meaning that stays with me when I leave on Sundays. No worries PHUMC, we'll be back for a visit



School of Nursing.

When I haven't been in classes or in clinic, I have spent the past 3 years at the nursing school working as a graduate assisstant. Through the glass door of room 214 is where you would find me. I have loved working here and I couldn't have asked for better coworkers. They are the sweetest bunch on this campus. They are so hard-working and they love their students. I am going to miss their sweet faces and quirky ways. I have had 3 other mamas watching over me here in Hattiesburg and I will definitely miss them. I have learned a lot here and I will always cherish my time here. I am so grateful that they gave this Ole Miss girl a chance :)



The Little Yellow House.

This would be our house. It's small and old and full of character and I adore it. If only we could pack it up in the Uhaul and take it with us. It has been the perfect little place for us, even with its cold drafty floors and skinny little bathroom. I'll probably miss the back porch the most. We spent many spring and summer nights out there getting devoured by mosquitos but we loved every minute of it. I hope the new owner enjoys it as much as we have. She has gotten herself a little gem.



Of course, I am going to miss the girls in my program and the faculty too. I'll miss hanging out at the pool on summer afternoons and trivia at LaFiesta. Now, I'm a big girl and must move on to a big girl world.



See y'all in Birmingham!

Just a quickie..

Just wanted to share my yummy contribution to dinner tonight, artichoke bread. My friend, Carrie mentioned this to me and then I found it on a a wonderful recipe blog. I haven't tried it yet but how can you go wrong with bread, cheese, and artichoke hearts?

Artichoke Bread

1/4 c. butter
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 (14 oz) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
4 oz. Monterey Jack cheese (shredded)
1 c. grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 c. sour cream
2 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded
1 loaf French bread
salt & pepper to taste or Tony's

Preheat oven to 350.

Melt the butter and add garlic. Cook the garlic until it is fragrant. Add the artichoke, Monterey jack cheese, parmesan cheese, and sour cream. Stir to blend. Remove from heat and cool.

Slice bread lengthwise and scoop out some of the center. Crumble the pieces of bread and add to the mixture. Spoon the mixture onto the bread and sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Place each half of the bread on a baking sheet and cover lightly with foil. Bake for 25 minutes and then remove the foil and then bake for another 5-8 minutes until the cheese is melted. Cut into slices and serve warm.

Y'all enjoy!!

4 days and counting...

Happy belated Mother's Day to all the moms out there! I fully intended to write a post about my sweet mother but instead I spent the weekend with her, doing what I consider chores but these chores (home improvement projects) are what makes Jan, well Jan. It was an adventure getting home, I had a tire blow out in the middle of MS that left me stranded on I-55 for two hours. After checking Facebook 8 zillion times, praying that an 18-wheeler didn't take out my little Lincoln or that the tattoo-covered repairman didn't bash my head in with his giant mallet tool, and $324 dollars later, I was back jamming to the Ipod with the cruise set. Lessons learned: An AAA membership is a wise investment and I shouldn't judge someone by their appearance. Bob, as his nametag said, pretty much rescued me and made my trip home possible...not to mention his courage for squatting beside the car with other vehicles zooming past. Anyways, what's a journey home without some excitment right?

With 3 amazing mothers

Only 4 more days left in the 'burg and I don't think the reality has quite set in. It probably won't until Saturday when the Uhaul is all loaded up and we're saying goodbye. So, in honor of our last week here, we are spending it with all of our friends and eating (our favorite thing to do) at our favorite local places. Last night, we ate at Crescent City Grill with a few of my fellow classmates. It was a fun, fun time and mudbugs are in season so hello Louisiana party in my mouth!

Tonight, one of our favorite couples are having us over for dinner. We met Robert and Amanda when our young couples bible study group formed last summer. They are absolutely adorable and super hospitable. I looking forward to tonight, Robert is the grill master and the conversation is endless. I wish Amanda would start a blog...she is a hoot and would be oh so entertaining to read (theres my subtle hint, Amanda). We will surely miss these two, but I'm not too sad, they are always up for a roadtrip and good times.

Tomorrow, we are having a date night. We are planning to dine at Walnut Circle Grill. This is the sorta place you go for a celebration and tomorrow we are gonna celebrate the next chapter in our life. Also, late tomorrow night Ben's parents will be arriving to help us pack and tie any loose ends before we move. I've said it before and I'll say it again, we are both blessed with best families in the world. Having them around will be super helpful!

Happy Monday Y'all!

White Coat

The past week and a half has been crazy busy and fun, needless to say no time for blogging. A lot has happened since my last post.

White Coat Ceremony. I had a fabulous weekend spent with people I love. Friday night we had a bbq at our house featuring hamburgers, hot dogs, chocolate pound cake and tater salad. The ceremony was held Saturday on the campus of USM. It was fun to meet everyone's families and the presentation was serious but down to earth. Our faculty did a great job putting the event together. We went to a Louisiana-style joint downtown, Brownstone's for dinner and my Mom surprised me with a yummy ice cream cake. My sweet family gave me several happies, and my parents gave me a Pandora charm bracelet. It was a total surprise and my Mom picked out really sweet charms to adorn it. I feel so blessed to have such a loving and supportive family that helped me get this far in school.

Ashley, Me, and Carrie waiting for start of the ceremony

Heather, Kinsley, and me!


Mr. & Mrs.

Birmingham Bound!

White-Coated



Taking the Audiology Oath

Class of 2011




With my "White Coat Barbie" ice cream cake..YUM YUM!!

House. Almost. Sold. 9 days after putting our house on the market, we had 2 offers! After several counters, one was accepted. We are just waiting on the termite inspection to finalize the deal. Cross your fingers and toes and say a prayer that everything goes as planned.

Home Sweet Birmingham. We traveled next door to Alabama this weekend to spend the weekend with some of our good friends, Patrick and Megan, and to find a place to move too in 2 weeks. After checking out a couple of places out and becoming extremely frustrated, we decided to check out where Patrick & Megan live. Umm why didn't we think of this before? It was perfect. It's in a great location, has a fabulous floorplan, and doesn't discriminate against our two 4-legged children. We spent the rest of the weekend with Pat & Meg browsing the shops in Homewood, savoring a mint julep for the Derby and watching Ole Miss sweep State. Can't wait to be neighbors with those two!

Beach trip in 2007 with Patrick & Megan

We only have 11 days left in Hattiesburg. It is exciting and bittersweet all at the same time. I am looking forward to living in Birmingham with everything it has to offer and the beauty of the hills. I'm also looking forward to starting my externship in a wonderful clinic where I will see many interesting cases. However, I am a little sad to leave the little house that I have lived the longest since I moved out of my parents for college. It is where Ben and I have spent the first year and a half of our marriage. This has been my first "adult" home and I am sad to leave it. I never thought the time would fly by this fast. Enough of the saddness, I am grateful and happy for the time spent here and the memories made.

Happy Monday Y'all!!!