Long Overdue

It's been 8 months since our last post and I am vowing to friends and family to post a new update with pics at least every month. A lot has happened since our last post. We have moved twice and Paul has transferred med schools. We are now living in rural northeastern Ohio just 45 minutes south of Cleveland. We found a cute little house to rent and start our family in.

We celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary in August and welcomed our first little boy Hugh Maxwell Benson on September 4th at 9pm. He weighed in at 8lbs 8ounces and 21 inches long. Labor went fast and was fairly painless (thanks to the miracle of the epidural), and like I have heard almost everyone say, it was all worth it. We feel so blessed to have a healthy and well tempered baby and can't believe how much he has grown in just 5 weeks.

Being parents is even better than we imagined and we are already so proud of him over things like his excellent ability to pass gas and belch like a grown man and the sweet little farm like animal sounds he makes when he is half asleep.

Paul is back to being a full time student and I am calling myself a trophy wife and mother (lol). I am so glad that I don't have to go back to work b/c I could not imagine leaving little Hugh for more than an hour or two:) Fall is definitly here and the leaves are changing and there is a strong chill in the air. We are so happy to be in the same home for almost 3 years before our next move.

Happy New Year!

2009 started very differently for us this year. I had to take Paul to the ER at midnight on the 1st but not before having to pull over twice so he could puke. They found 5 kidney stones in his kidneys. Poor guy was in a lot of pain until the numerous pain med injections took effect. This makes two ER visits for Paul since we have been married. We are now laying low at home while Paul enjoys a consistent vicadin trip until he can hopefully pass all the stones on his own and soon. 

Besides taking care of my Paulie, I was so excited that we got our furnace fixed today! Now I don't have to keep my scarf and jacket on inside anymore..yeah. It was hard getting on the plane in AZ following our fun quick holiday trip to come back to the arctic, I mean Michigan.  I am still working with the same social service agency and teaching dance at night and the past few days off have been wonderful. 

I have decided not to make any New Years resolutions this year and then maybe I could actually follow through with the ones I "make" every year..lol. Paul has told himself he isn't going to drink one soda the entire year...any bids on how long he will last? 

Best wishes to everyone in the new year!  Go Utes !!!!!

Enough said.

October Fun

We can't believe it's already October! The signs of fall are all around us as the temps start to drop and the colors on all the trees are changing. We have been discovering more of the fun things to do in the tri-city area here in Michigan and are liking it more and more. Paul is enjoying the hospital here and I got a new social work job doing family counseling in Flint ...yes, Flint. I am still teaching dance in the evenings as well. We got a newly used 2003 Subaru Outback and love having a family wagon minus the family...lol! Paul's parents have been in town and we had a lot of fun with them spending time in Frankenmuth, Michigan that is a true German town through and through. We ate lunch at a restaurant where all the waiters were wearing Leederhosen and toured a family run cider mill. We hope everyone is enjoying the change of seasons as much as we are.

September in Michigan

Hello friends and family!

Just thought I would update everyone on what we have been up to in Michigan. Well, once Paul got to NC I drove the entire way to Michigan but not before we stopped for the night in Cincinnati and got to participate in a sweet Obama rally. It was so much fun until the fire alarm went off at midnight in our hotel where we were sleeping on the 21st floor. Holy never ending staircase...I have never ran down so many stairs in my life. Everything was fine though. 

As we drove up to our new place that we had never seen before it definitely felt like Christmas in September. We got inside and did the whole screaming and jumping around thing for a few minutes to take it all in. Going from 250 square feet in Dominica to a fully loaded 1,250 square feet with all the amenities of this blessed country was a little overwhelming but in a good way. Needless to say we love our new place and never want to leave it unless it is for something even better. 

I am teaching dance 4 nights a week and am waiting for my temporary social work license paperwork to get processed before I can start a social work job.  Paul started at the hospital today and has a big test tomorrow he is gearing up for. He says he finally feels like a real medical school student now that he can be in a real hospital and is really happy. We like our church ward and so far have not been approached about any callings. However, I have already been cornered into teaching Relief Society in two weeks but worse things could happen I guess. All of the members are so kind and a bunch of the guys are med students, residents, and fellow docs and have given Paul a lot of advice and support already. We are both so grateful for the instant family the church always provides wherever we go!

All is well at this home-front for now!

Livin' it up with my mooie

Hello everyone,

As some of you know I have been living with my mom in NC for the past 2 weeks while I wait for my Paul to come and meet me soon. I have been enjoying living in the USA again and have been over indulging myself in almost everything. My mom took me to a concert at the Biltmore Estate in NC the other night and we had a blast. I forgot how hard the beach boys can rock, even though they are in their 60's. Watching all the old people groovin' to the music was sweet! Other highlights have included, TCBY, shopping, movie theatres, central A/C, and a comfortable bed. I already really miss hanging out on the beach and swimming with the billions of fish oh and my husband of course. I am excited for him to get here so he can enjoy some parts of the lifestyle again.

I got a job teaching dance again in Michigan and so I have been taking some ballet classes to brush up on the lingo and stuff. The classes have been kicking my butt and I have a greater appreciation of the amazing talent I use to have and things I could make my body do.

More to come....

Update-kinda

Wow! we have not been very good about keeping this updated so here's an update.

We are still living in Dominica. Paul's still studying 24/7. Hmm... I guess too much hasn't really changed. I got to go to NC to see my entire family and had a blast for two weeks. My parents rented a huge barn that was converted into  a cool house in the true country of Western NC. The mountains were absolutely stunning and so green. Highlights from the trip included tubbing in the massive rivers, riding crazy rides at Ghost Town in the Sky amusement park, and of course catching fire flies at night with all my nieces and nephews. It was really hard for me to leave everyone to come back to this island but we only have 46 days left so I am TRYING to have a more positive attitude. I started my summer community reading program again yesterday and ESL classes starting again tonight so the time I am hoping will fly by. 

Paul found out he was accepted to complete his next semester in Michigan which was a very competitive hospital to land. Everyone is really proud of him and all his hard work is starting to pay off. I have been job and apt hunting in the area we are going and that is fun but often frustrating. 

A fun tidbit- when I went into town today I was walking outside and my skirt totally flew over my head turning a lot of other people's heads if you know what I mean. I was totally embarrassed and some guy yelled at me for wearing a short skirt(which actually almost covers my knees completely) on a windy island. 

We hope everyone is feelin' Irie!