Dental School

Many friends and family have been asking about the status of Jimmy going to dental school--so I thought I'd post on here once and for all. First though--I have some thoughts:

Applying to dental school is an accomplishment in itself. To even apply, you must have at least a 3.5 GPA (in those difficult classes like micro bio, bio chem, anatomy, organic chem, and more yucky classes), over 100 hours experience shadowing multiple dentists for free, 5 volunteer experiences, multiple jobs during college, be a member and in leadership positions in different clubs, 10 extra curricular activities, scored well on the Dental Admission Test, have 3 letters of rec, a 1 page essay, fill out a 50 page application along with supplemental applications from each school, fork out thousands of dollars, travel the country interviewing at your own expense--and oh--you have to do all this WHILE you're still in school.

So for those who think we've been MIA since February--now you know why. It's been the most stressful experience of my life, and I'm not even the one applying (although I did help with ehhhem--most of the above). It's also been the most rewarding, testimony building, and progressive experience.

You all know how it is after you've given everything for something you want so bad, and then you start seeing results. Yeah, that's how it is.

So far we've heard back from 3 dental schools--all of which are in our top 5. University of Pacific-UOP (in San Francisco), NYU, and UNLV.

The earliest we can even find out if we've been accepted to any of the dental schools is December, but we probably won't decide until March 2011.

Oh and most importantly, I'm happy to report that after all the stress this year has brought, we are still happily married.

Thanks to all those who have prayed and supported us. We love you and we'll keep you posted.

Dog Obsessed

Dog Obsessed. That's what I've become. Could it be some part of me yearning for a baby and I've simply appeased it by loving a dog like a human? Maybe. Ok--probably yes. Growing up, we never had a dog. In fact, my mom and I counted that we've owned about 30 cats (we won't tell you what happened to them all). But I married a man loves dogs, grew up with dogs, and begged me for 2 years to buy a dog. So, I had some rules.

It had to be small. It couldn't shed. It couldn't smell. It couldn't bark a lot.

Which is why our Silky-Yorkie is perfect. She's 6 lbs full grown, doesn't bark, has been so easy to train to do tricks, is submissive (but a little head strong), and perfect. Plus--there is nothing like coming home and having her act like you just saved the world. Now I understand why dogs are man's best friend.

This is what Roxy would look like if we had a convertible!

Here is me and Roxy at the gas station. She is actually sitting in her "car seat" (told you I'm obsessed). We hook that onto the front seat and she can sit in it and stick her head out the window.

Roxy at the beach. HA! She looks like an old grandpa when it's windy.

She didn't like the water

Us at natural bridges. We love taking her with us on all our adventures.

This is cooper. He outweighs her by about 5 pounds but she's about 3 times as fast as him so it makes up for it. He lives in our apartment complex too. If I say, "Let's go get Cooper" I can let her off the leash and she takes me directly to his front door 3 buildings away.

If you were like me--and didn't understand why people loved their dogs so much--you should try it.

Part of the Job

So as part of my job, I routinely do interviews on network affiliates here in Sacramento on major scams, general advice to the public, launch investigation results, or answer brief questions from local media. I haven't posted any on here yet so thought I'd show you one (from Univision--can you pick up on that Dominican accent?). Thanks Allison for going into your archives and finding this one from Friday. Thanks Jimmy for the cute scarf you gave me for my bday last week. And thanks mom for the cute shirt. Good thing I looked nice on Friday ;0) I come on at about 30 seconds.

Dominoe Table

As most of you know, Jimmy and I both served our missions in the Dominican Republic. One of the major extracurricular activities--I might even go as far to call it a sport-- is playing dominoes.

Yes--there is actually a way to play dominoes other than just stacking them up and then knocking them down.

No it's not Mexican Train--nor is it the kind where you play your dominoes and then count the dots to get individual points. It's played on a team, 4 players at a time, and believe it or not, requires concentration, strategy, being able to count to 6, and a lot of swearing in Spanish.

"Veinte cinco--cincuenta--capi cua--no voy--'ta tranka'o'--conchole"

This is the real thing that we passed by on every corner. I'm not joking when I say EVERY CORNER. Usualy there were 15 people swarming around the table and lots of beer. I love how they are all covering their dominoes. I saw a machete fight once over this game. They take it very, VERY seriously!
We use to play with some people in our ward every Friday night (girls vs. boys) until both of our marriages practically ended in divorce. Ok, joking--kinda. We're all pretty competitive.

Oh and did I mention that my sweetie made it for me? They cost over $250 to get one shipped from Puerto Rico so my lovey made me one (and Uncle Kevin may have taught us a few things...ok--he can pretty much design these things for a living!). So--if anyone knows how to play some dominoes--our place--Friday night.

Take It Easy

Since we've gotten married, Jimmy has throw his back out 3 times...all wakeboarding (well one was due to moving someone from our ward). SO, after hundreds of dollars in chiropractic bills--I told Jimmy to "take it easy" when we went out on the river with some friends a few weekends ago. This is "takin' it easy" for Jimmy (no flips).

It was a good day (other than the fact that the boat broke down and we had to get towed back in before I could get a chance).

Family Pictures

I don't remember ever posting these pictures that Daniel took at Lake Tahoe. Here is the whole family (minus 1--we need to photoshop Emily in these).

The brothers

Candid shot of mom and dad, me and Jimmy
Tyer is a STUD

The missionary man--Trav

Bet he misses that hair

Zach-attack

He's so photogenic

"Peace"

The Whole Family

At the cabin

Backyard

Sure makes me wish they all lived closer...

Capitola

Last weekend we got to wake up early and do this all day (Katie-left, Jimmy-right)

...we also went to natural bridges and the tide pools...
...and of course lived off of Pizza My Heart. Thanks Aunt Pam and Uncle Kevin!