Happy Halloween!

Love,

Waldo & Wanda Smith

{the boy looks thrilled, doesn't he?}

Student Doctor Derek

{Derek looking handsome in his scrubs. White coats are not that attractive..}

It has been a very exciting week so far at our house. Last Friday night, all 4th year Clerkship applications were due. For his fourth year of school, Derek has a CORE location, and then 4-5 months at hospitals around the country to clerk at. For those who don't know, our CORE is in Tuscon, and we will be moving down South in May! Derek applied right on time, and come Monday morning, was the one of the only people in his class to get calls for him to start visiting next September! So far, he has 3 months scheduled, and still waiting on a possible two others. He is so excited, and I am so proud! All his hard work the past 2.5 years has really paid off with his good grades, research projects, and volunteer experience. This morning he was up early to get to his first clinical rotation at the VA. I was able to snap a few photos of him, even if I he was embarrassed {he he!}

Seal Beach Love

My sweet, innocent, adorably cute & perfect hometown was struck with horror, sadness, and fear yesterday. Please keep the dear people of Seal Beach in your hearts & prayers the next few days. Pray especially for the families of the 8 individuals whose lives were taken from them. They were mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, wives, husbands, and many more things. In a place where I thought nothing would ever go wrong, the worst came upon us a cool day in October. Sending my love, hugs, kisses, and many thoughts and prayers to the people I know and love in Seal Beach. It will forever be one of my favorite places in the world.

Easy Fall Decor

[DIY bats, potion bottles/labels, leaf garland, potion books]

[A collection of skulls seated on Spanish moss, spooky bats, and eerie spider]

[$1.00 bottles filled with "potions" & labeled to match. Book covers and sign made from brown lunch sacks]

This year for Halloween, I took a very simple approach. I focused on having fun coming up with DIY ideas to make our home festive for my favorite time of year. Ceramic and real pumpkins in the colors of fall, large twigs in vases with tangles of Spanish moss, and fun little sayings around the house make us smile in every room. One of my favorite and most simple things has been hanging leaves from windows and even my shelves. Since we don't have fall foliage here in Arizona, I scored these last year for pennies. Strung on some twine with baby clothes pins makes for a simple and classy look that makes me envy those who live near the beautiful fall leaves.