My favoritest students ever!

Yesterday I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to meet up with some of the best kids in the world. The McKnights lived in St. Maarten, and I was lucky enough to get to help with their homeschooling for a little while. Anyway, they happened to be in Dallas, so Cody and I drove up and met them all for lunch at The Grande Lux Cafe. It was an awesome restaurant and the company was even better. I'm so impressed with how well they are doing in school and how much they have grown since I saw them last. 

This is a picture of Michelle and I (and McKenzi's helpful hands). She's an awesome mom and teacher. Thanks, Michelle, for the chance to get to see you all again. I miss you!

Good friends are hard to find

This is just a short post to let my friend, Robin, know how much I love her! We were roommates in college, and I love the fact that I'm back in Texas where I can go see her whenever I want. In fact, she has let me escape to her house twice since I've been back in the states for some much needed R & R, and a little therapeutic shopping too! She bought my favorite foods, and took me to my favorite stores. 

So the lesson here is, when you find a great friend hang on to them with all you have! I'm very grateful to have friends like Robin in my life who make everything just a little easier. Thanks girl!

He loves me....

That's the only explanation I have for why Cody would agree to get me a new shiny car. He loves me! Yesterday, we went down to the dealership looking at cars and trucks. He kinda wanted a truck, and I kinda wanted a car. After looking at our options, we both agreed on a 2009 Pontiac G8 GT. I'm pretty surprised that I got financed for it, but I'm super happy I did. It's pretty much fully loaded, and SO SO SO much nicer than the Nissan Sentra we had on the island. Here's a few pictures though they really don't do it justice. The second one is after we got the windows tinted.

Can I Move to California.....?

Please, please, pretty please!!!! 

So, I've been blog-stalking again... One of my closest friends, Jill, is really good about keeping up with her blog (unlike someone you may know). After looking through her pictures with her two adorable daughters, I'm realizing how VERY much I miss them. So this is my ploy to nudge Cody in that direction. :)

Very sly, I know! Anyway, keep your fingers crossed for us that everything goes well, that Cody passes his Step 1 of the USMLE, and that I get to hang out with Jilly-Bean by the end of the summer. *big cheesy grin*

5th Semester Bash!

This weekend Cody and I went to a terrific party. It was the 5th Semester Party hosted by Cody's class. It was held at the Sonesta Great Bay Hotel in Philipsburg. This is basically an opportunity for everyone to get dressed up, have dinner, a few drinks, and lots of dancing. The girls and the guys all looked amazing. Here's a few of my favorite pictures from the evening...

Ashley and I looking GORGEOUS!

The girlfriends... Megan, Hanna, Me, and Stephanie

Cody, Rachel, Geneva, and Chuck

One of my newest friends, Amanda, and I

The classic shoe picture - left to right - Steph, Geneva, Me

The Laundry Fiasco...

Okay, so some of you have heard my stories about how I do the laundry, but now I have proof. For those of you who didn't believe my crazy island setup, here's how it works. First, I have to run the connection hose through my kitchen window. Then I walk outside and hook it up to the waterhose, making sure it doesn't leak. 

Of course this means that the washing machine has be set up close to our kitchen window. Therefore, we have it just inside the front door. (Definitely not my first choice, but what can you do?) In the picture below, the blinds are covering the front door, but you get the idea. 

Okay, so once I have everything all hooked up through the window, I have to make sure that the drain hose is in the sink and that there is a bottle of detergent weighing it down. If there is nothing to way it down, the pressure of the water flowing out pushes it out of the sink and we wind up with a flooded kitchen. Yes, it has happened more than once. Did you know they make squeegees with really long handles? We have one attached to a broom handle that comes in really handy when this happens.

After the laundry is all done washing (and with luck, no flooded kitchen), everything goes on the drying rack with a fan to help dry all our clothes. You guessed it... no dryer! Am I grateful to have the opportunity to live in the Caribbean? ABSOLUTELY! Am I going to be grateful for a washer and dryer when we get back to Texas? HECK YES! Have I made Cody promise to buy me the fanciest set on the market as soon as we can afford it? You can bet money on that. :)

Making a List and Checking It Twice!

Holy Smokes! How did it get to be 5th semester?? And where HAVE I BEEN?

Well, I can't believe it, but it's here... We are nearly to the end of 5th semester which means a lot of things. First, it means that Cody is studying like CRAZY. There are comprehensive exams, shelf exams, physical exams, behavioral exams. You name the exam, and I can tell you he's probably studying for it. Second, it means that we are getting ready to go home in just 5 short weeks. I know, I can't believe it either... seriously. We've bought the plane tickets, got our cats confirmation numbers for the flight, got their shots up-to-date, and now I'm getting rid of my stuff! That's where the list comes in. I'm packing up what we don't need, and I'm getting rid of it. Good golly it's a lot of work. 

So where the heck have I been for two months?? 

WELL, I wish you could see my calendar that I use to keep up with my school assignments. It is almost as jam-packed as Cody's is. Most of you know this, but I'm taking 9 semester hours of course work for my master's degree this semester. I know it's crazy, but I'm gonna be finished this summer! *Crosses fingers* But for now, I have papers coming out the wood-work with no end in sight. *sigh* This week it's two papers, a formal outline, and a midterm. Wish me luck....

Rachel

who is sick of research papers