Spring Break 2012, Parts 2 & 3

Stop #2: Little Rock

As always, it is so fun to visit with friends back in the homeland.  It was a quick trip, but we got to stop in and visit with several friends, and it was so good to catch up with each of them.

However, the main event during our stay was Match Day for my big brother! Patrick is a senior medical student, and March 16th was the big day.  It was so weird being back in this place, watching him on this day, and remembering all the things we were going through and feeling for ourselves just one year ago.  Somehow it seems like a lifetime ago.  But I am beyond thrilled to report that Patrick will be training as a general surgery resident at Baylor Hospital in Dallas!!! His top choice!! He and his fiance Grace are ecstatic! It was such a fun day filled with so much joy for both of our families!  I honestly don't remember the last time I cried tears of pure joy, but they were flowing freely that day.  It was wonderful! Patty, I love you so much and am so so proud of you!

Anxiously awaiting the news...

  

The big announcement!

LOVE this picture featured in the local paper! So much joy!

Happy family!

Proud little sister!!

Celebratory lunch with both families!

 Stop #3: NWA
After the match day celebration, we headed up to visit the Bells in NWA. We hadn't been since Christmas, so we were quite excited to spend some time with everyone up there.  And although the trip was quick, it was a great visit.  One of the main weekend events was family painting day on Saturday.  Lauren and Alex are having a baby girl this summer, so we all teamed up to help paint sweet Rooney Corrine's nursery pink! It was a fun thing for us all to do together, and then we had family dinner out at Table Mesa.  Great day!  Unfortunately I didn't take many pictures during our trip, but I do have one little shot worth showing...

Sweet baby Jane is getting so big!  She is such a cutie.  Brooks is growing like a weed, too, and he is so handsome, fun, and full of energy.  He is currently vacillating between growing up to be a "heart doctor or a ninja"... truly a tough decision.  We recently discovered that he really only wants to be a doctor because he is certain that all doctors drive ambulances as their personal vehicles.  (I will not be the one to burst his bubble on that one.) So Brooks occasionally has questions for Austin about his profession. The latest was "do doctors eat cheetos or burritos?" I mean, this is serious stuff when it comes to choosing your life's work.  Clearly, this kid is wise beyond his four years, and I love him to pieces.

That wraps up our nine days on the road for Spring Break 2012.  It was tough getting back to the grind, but we are rolling along again.  Speaking of rolling along, today was bike day at our school. It was so fun watching all of the kiddos rocking and rolling on their trikes and bikes! Love those sweet babies!