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.

Viva Las Vegas

Our long weekend to Vegas was filled with a lot of fun and excitement. Derek & his classmate were awarded a $1,000.00 cash prize for winning the student research contest they entered at the conference, and even more from the organization for even attending the conference. Derek learned a lot of new information, and while he was at the conference, I spent time reading by the pool and exploring the beautiful shops of the Wynn hotel.

{a} Waiting and watching the famous Bellagio fountains, while hearing sermons about Jesus by street performers.

{b} Inside the Bellagio gardens, which were decorated for Fall and made me so happy. The other thing that made me happy, the amazing gelato shop right next door.

{c} Derek rubbing the giant Buddha belly in the Planet Hollywood. I guess it was good luck since we won lots of $$$! [or Derek is just incredibly smart and had it in the bag the whole time :0]

{d} Visiting the Hoover Dam on the way home. We took the big bridge on the way over and decided it would be fun to stop. This is us on the AZ side of it- gotta represent!

{e} At the fashion district right across from the Wynn. Speaking of fashion, yes, my stripped sweater might be my new favorite thing... also the only "jacket" I brought. And, yes, I found a way to get cold while we were there. :)

{f} Derek at the dam. He had way to much fun making up jokes the whole time we were there. Like walking in and demanding "The DAM tour!" Or wanting to see the "...whole DAM thing!"

All & all, our trip was super fun and nice to just have a little get-a-way weekend. We are looking to heading back in March with another research presentation.

twenty-three

I spent my birthday working, which wasn't ideal, but totally fine. The weekend before, Derek spoiled me with a mini-shopping spree, a nice dinner, and frozen yogurt. I woke up the day of my breakfast and blew out my birthday pancake, and enjoyed a yummy breakfast with Derek. The most fun was coming home from work to a home-made card {which was hilarious and sweet at the same time}, bouquet of flowers, and dinner waiting. Thank you all who made my day so special- calls, texts, visits, cards, or even simple Facebook posts. I have a feeling it's going to be a great year.

And yes, Halloween decor is already up at our house. I've even been wearing sweaters in the early morning and evening because it's in the 70's/80's. Oh, happy day!