Natural Resources

Sometimes you just have to make the most out of what you have on hand.

When smoke is filling your nose,

and you are stuck on the couch doing homework,

I suggest this filter system.

xoxo

Merry New Year and Happy Christmas

As a result of our crazy upside-down backwards life right now I am just now getting to our Christmas post. Let us start with a letter:

Sean and I have almost gone full swing on our first year of marriage. This time of year is always special but being able to celebrate the anniversary our marriage, this year being our first, is bringing along with it a new level of excitement.

This past year has been an exciting one for us. It started out with moving across the country to Columbus Ohio. My parents were kind enough to drive the moving truck holding all of our belongings here in January and helped to get us settled in our home. It was a cold harsh winter but we survived and came to realize why everyone who had been to Ohio told us we would love it. The green landscape and overwhelming amount of trees is breathtaking. 

Sean hit the ground running after we came here at the beginning of the year. He is in his last year of medical school at Des Moines University and has been working in a different specialty every month to help him decide which one is best suited for him. These rotations included four months of away rotations in which he spent a month in South Africa, Texas, Utah and Minnesota. While he was in South Africa he worked in a government hospital and had an experience unique to the country and him as a medical student. He was introduced to the culture and diseases known to South Africa as well as experienced the wildlife on weekend safaris. He has chosen Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and is currently in the process of interviewing at different residency programs across the country. This has been fun for both of us as it has enabled us to see many parts of the country that we never thought we would visit. He has been working and studying hard and is in gear to graduate in May!

I was blessed to find work at Riverside Methodist Hospital as a scheduling coordinator for a cardiology group after only a few weeks of living here. I have learned a lot about the heart and the tests and procedures done to help increase the quality of life. In the past year I have been experimenting more in the kitchen and my comfort level, as well as my skill has increased. It has been fun to try so many new recipes.  While Sean was away on his rotations I stayed in Columbus to keep my status at work. To help lessen the sting of being alone Sean got me a kitten we named Darby and I have increased my skills in making things for our home. Keeping my hands busy helped to keep my mind busy. The months with out him, although hard were doable. I’m glad to have the experience behind us and I am very proud to able to look back and say that we accomplished it together. I am registered to start back up with school in January and hope to finish up my degree in Health Promotions in the near future.

We were blessed to have had such a wonderful first year together and can’t wait too see what lies ahead in the many years to follow.

Merry Christmas and a happy year to come.

Love,

Sean and Makenna Anderson

I know that most who read our blog have already read this letter.  However, someday when I look back on this blog I think I will enjoy reading this letter, that is why I have included it.

Now, as I eat my Christmas Advent Calendar on this the 23nd day of January I would like to tell you a story.

‘Twas the night before Chirstmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with…

Wait a second!

Let’s get a few things straight-

No house…. No mouse

Just me, and my spouse!

That is how Christmas was spent this year. A trip to Utah was planned for early January, so at least for this year, it was just Sean and I. In our apartment. In Galloway, Ohio. We were spoiled this year and had a great day together. We made Christmas cookies, played a new wii game, had a delicious dinner with friends and did webcam with family in Utah to wrap up the day.  

This New Year brought a wedding!

Sean's little sister Emily got married to Brady Webb. We were able to fly in the day before the wedding, help with day before wedding preparations and be apart of a most beautiful day. The sealing ceremony was great, we attended a wonderful luncheon and then went to The Castle for a full house reception! I didn't have my camera so I didn't get any shots but Sean's sister Lichelle was kind enough to send us some that she took!

After the wedding we were able to spend some time with my family as well. We had a "Christmas in January" celebration. My mom left the tree up for us and all. 

This is one of the Christmas pictures we got taken this year. 

We had a great dinner with the whole Price family and then later that night played chubby bunny! 

Madi was our winner with 10 Large Marshmallows!

Time was short and only 4 days after arriving in Utah it was time to say good-bye again. 

*Side note: I will never understand why they are called good-byes. There is nothing good about them. Bad-byes would be better a fit*

Our journey back to Ohio took an unexpected turn when our flight, which was already an hour behind schedule and in the middle of a very exciting 45 minute session of "grounded plane sitting" was interrupted. A flight attendant announcing that the plane was over its weight limit was willing to give any two people each a $300 voucher if they would de-plane. That was a no brainer! We quickly volunteered and now have vouchers that will allow us to make another trip to Utah for FREE and let stay an extra day on our current trip. A win-win if you ask me.

Today we are feeling a little more put together. Interviews are over (Hallelujah!) It was a good experience and seeing so much of the country of was fun but it's nice to have them behind us. Now, we are one step closer to Match day and finding out where we will be living for the next four years. Our craziness has settled down a bit and we are just enjoying the time at hand. 

xoxo