Christmas came early this year...

Brian got the Navy scholarship!!

They are going to pay for 3.75 years (we paid for the first quarter - they might pay us back for that), all of his books & supplies, his health insurance, and we get a living stipend! It is such a huge weight off of our shoulders. Midwestern is one of the most expensive dental schools and we figured that if we took out a 15 year loan for all of the expenses, we would end up paying around $700,000 in the end. CRAZY. But, not anymore!!

Our commitment to the navy is that Brian will serve as a Navy dentist for four years following dental school and will be in the reserves for an additional 4 years (we are told it is very, very rare for dentists to get called back in). He will probably be working on a naval base serving the soldiers and their families, but will likely have a tour on a submarine at some point. Good news is that the majority of the bases are by the ocean, so we will get to live close to the beach! Hawaii... California... Italy...? Wouldn't that be nice...

He worked very hard to get this scholarship and I couldn't be prouder - Good job, babe! Never thought I'd be a military wife!

And some pictures that I never posted from Brian's graduation from BYU and his white coat ceremony at midwestern (happened in October) --->

BYU graduation and white coat ceremony at Midwestern (I was 38 wks pregnant)

Brian and some friends from school after the white coat ceremony

Update!

So much has been going on lately - it seems like summer is just flying by. Too fast. Much too fast. Good thing I'm going to have a summer that never ends as soon as we move to Arizona I guess :).

I don't think I ever even "announced" on here that we are officially going to Arizona for dental school. Brian will be attending Midwestern Dental School, Glendale and we are thrilled! We are also on the "alternate" list for the Navy HSPS scholarship. To make a complicated explanation short, that means that he will either A) receive a full 4 year scholarship starting in October (we would get back-paid for tuition) B) Receive a 3.5 year scholarship starting in January or C) receive a 3 year scholarship and we would be responsible for paying the first year's tuition.

Obviously we are hoping for alternative A! We are trying to get out of this dental school party with zero debt. I believe they will let us know next month which one we are getting. Cross your fingers (and toes) for us!

Many people ask me what I am going to be doing in Arizona while Brian learns how to inflict pain on people's mouths (kidding, kidding...). Well, with the Navy scholarship comes a lovely monthly living stipend that should be enough to cover our needs. Consequently, this momma isn't going to have to work for the first little while! I am relieved and grateful that I won't have to put our newborn baby girl in daycare. I do plan on going back to work in Arizona, but just not right away. So, I will get to stay home and kiss her chubby little cheeks all day long! I am worried about cabin fever, but more about that some other time.

My last day at the NICU is going to be July 16th. While the prospect of sleeping in past 5 makes me very happy, I am seriously sad about leaving my job. It is such a great job! I love who I work with, the patients I care for, feeling like I'm making a difference, and bringing home the bacon! I don't think I'll ever find a unit quite like the NICU where I work and I'll really miss the friends I've made :/. Luckily there are several NICUs in the Phoenix area, so I should be able to find a job out there with babies. Sorry, adults, but babies are where it's at!

We've had a few adventures this summer already with the latest one being a trip out east to visit Dan & Laura and go to Dan's graduation! We stayed in Princeton, NJ during the graduation shenanigans and then traveled up the coast through New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and into Massachusetts where we stayed for a few days in Cape Cod. We felt very spoiled. Brian, Dan, and I hit up New York City on the way back to Princeton - My first time in a big city like that. Definitely an experience worth having.

Pregnancy is still going great! Brian felt her move for the first time last night and I was glad to finally be able to share that with him - it's my favorite part! I imagine it will be less favorite once she gets bigger and starts kicking my ribs... but for now it's just so cute! She's around 11 inches long nowadays and growing like crazy! I must say, it is a little strange taking care of babies at work who are just a tiny bit bigger than her. We have our fair share of 24 weekers in there. Yikes!

Anyway, this is getting long and I'm going swimming - hopefully I can update more soon!

I love them!

the graduate!! so proud!

dental school #3

Heard from another dental school! Brian is on the alternate list for University of Iowa :). We'll find out where he is on that list sometime next week.

photo from here

and another dental school!!

Found out yesterday that Brian also got into Roseman Dental School here in Utah! We're still waiting to hear about Loma Linda (Southern California) and Iowa. Roseman could be a good fit - I could keep my job, we wouldn't have to move very far, etc etc. Arizona would be a good fit too though because it is close to Brian's family. They are both excellent schools. Choices choices... I'm just glad we have some! I remember back when we were thinking we were crazy for wanting to apply a year earlier than planned. It was a crazy year of cramming in too many classes in too little time, studying for the DAT without having taken all the classes, and doing the insane application process... but it is all going to be worth it! Yay!

photo from http://rosemanu.wordpress.com/category/college-of-dental-medicine/

guess who got into dental school...?

Brian! 

We got an unofficial official call this morning from Midwestern University in AZ and they told him they had an "offer" for him and that he could see it online on Monday (they aren't supposed to be officially accepting people until the 3rd). 

So exciting! It is his top pick (I think - he changes his mind a lot). I think it's a great school... it's just so dang hot out there close to Phoenix. I'd melt. We will probably find out about other schools on Monday! So proud of my geek ;). 

First day of pre-dental classes so long ago - he was pretty enthusiastic about those chemistry goggles (if you can't tell!)

BUCKET LIST & Question #15 - what type of animal would you be?

Well, I finally updated by bucket list and was so excited every time I got to bold one of my goals... ta-dah! Complete! Now, I wouldn't mind doing some of them again, that's for sure. Interested in what's on the list? Click here or on the tab up above :)

Now for Question 15 (half way done!). Don't know what I'm talking about? I'm doing a "30 questions to get to know yourself" project that has been very interesting - and enlightening to me! For the list and links to all my other answers, click here or the tab above.

Other news: Brian got 2 more interviews! Hallelujah! I'm sure you're dying to know where... so I'll tell you ;). Loma Linda in Southern California and Roseman University of Health Sciences in South Jordan Utah. Woot woot. 

Ok... time for the next question:

15. If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

I think it'd be something that flies and that doesn't have anything hunting it.  Why? Because flying sounds totally awesome and  I just don't think it sounds very fun to be a wild animal if you're always afraid something is going to eat you. Just sayin'. Brian was telling me about something called a golden eagle that even hunts wild wolves. Look up some of the videos on youtube - they are positively terrifying.

On a less frightening note, I also think it's be nice to be a dog like our dog, Zipper. Loved every second of her life, complimented on how cute and adorable she is at least 20x/day, treats, snuggle time, lots of naps, back massages, etc etc. She had it made.

A dragon would be pretty cool too. 

This isn't part of the question - but my dream pet is a miniature wooly mammoth. I know, I know, they don't exist. But just picture it. This cute little furry miniature elephant running around. Admit it - it's adorable! And, according to TIME magazine, they just might be cloning one in the near future. Next step after that - miniaturizing one. Yes, I know I'm crazy.

#14. Describe 5 strengths you have

I've started writing this post about 5 times but I can never seem to get enough "umph" to finish it. You see, I have a hard time talking about myself. Question #14 on my "Get to know yourself" project is: Describe 5 strengths you have.

Here goes nothin'!

#1. I know how to plan, make goals, and reach goals. I am motivated and I get the job done. this has been useful in our marriage because Brian is very go with the flow. With our powers combined we not only have a good time being spontaneous and dealing with what comes, but we are setting and making goals! Oh it feels so good to reach a goal!

#2. I see the good in others. I learned a while ago that it is better to give someone the benefit of the doubt then to get mad. One day I was driving and someone cut me off - caushing me to get irate and yell at them from inside my car. Not soon after, I accidentally cut someone else off and they just waved and smiled. For all I know the first offender had cut me of on accident and there I was stressing myself out and making a scene. Lame. Through that and other such experiences, I have developed a habit of making excuses for others' mistakes. "Wow, they must be on the way to the hospital to be speeding that fast." Or "Hey, maybe they're having some sort of family trouble and that's why she's so grumpy." Etc. etc. After miscarrying last month, I was not fun to be around for a while and I am so grateful for the kindess I received from people who didn't even know what was going on.

#3. I like adventures. I think this is a strength because it helps me be a better person. I like trying to things, going new places, and (most of the time) meeting new friends. I have my "comfort zone" days when I all want to do is stay home and be with Brian, but I try to be outgoing. For some reason this has been a little harder since getting married.

#4. I can lighten the mood. Sometimes people/situations are just way too serious. This is something Brian says he likes about me. I can say a little joke or make a clever comment to make a situation more comfortable. To be honest, it's usually to make me feel more comfortable because I hate awkard/stiff situations!

#5. I am always trying to improve. Sometimes it feels like an overwhelming project and that I am in way over my head. But, I like the motto, "Try to be a little better every day." That's what I'm doing and I hope it's working!

Well, enough about me...

What's new?!

Brian got an interview!! He is going to be interviewing at Midwestern University in AZ this December. Hallelujah!

My baby nephew is turning 1 this Sunday. Hard to believe he's getting so big! I miss that little sweet potato.

Tune in next time for: If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

For more of the 30 questions project, click here.

"So, how did the DAT go?"

Seems to be a common question nowadays. Well, after all the painful days of studying, waiting, and agonizing over the dreaded exam, Brian took it on Monday :). We were just so ready to have it be done. Part of me didn't even care if he did awful on it just as long as he quit studying and hung out with me.

Seriously. He studied ALL THE TIME.

Good thing hard work often pays off :)!

I am generally against bragging, but this is something to be proud of! He did better than we expected. Better than he had on all his practice exams. He got a 22 overall and a 23 overall in science! Not only that, but he got a 29 in organic chemistry. 29. According to the percentiles, that's better than 99% of people who take it. And.... he hasn't even taken the 2nd half of o-chem yet. He taught himself the reactions he needed to for the test. Oh, and special thanks to "Chad's videos." If you're taking the DAT, Brian highly recommends them for o-chem. For those of you who wonder "well, is that even good?", an 18-20 is recommended to have a competitive score. So, yay!

I won't go into detail about all the individual parts, but I am just so proud of him! Way to go Brian! He is such a smartie. So, applications are in, fees are paid (well, the ones we know about so far anyway), and now we just... wait. It will be so exciting to see where we end up :).

So, SO glad the DAT is over. May we never have to talk about it again.

#13. Describe 5 weaknesses you have

Howdy ho!

Well, I haven't written in a while because I haven't really had too much to write about! I've been working a lot, helping Brian study for the DAT (trying), and trying to get in shape again. Ever heard of "spidermans"? They are killer. If you want a good ab workout, talk to me..

We had a good time on the 4th of July with some friends. We had the biggest burgers I had ever seen at a barbeque and then we watched the fireworks from Rock Canyon Park. While we weren't able to see any really big fireworks because we were far away, we were able to see about 5 different fireworks shows because from where we were at we could see the whole valley. I love fireworks! I am, however, surprised that they even had them this year after a good part of Utah was on fire.

Brian will probably be taking the DAT next Friday. If you have some spare time to pray, please say one on his behalf! He has studied so, so hard. Unfortunately, he is at a big disadvantage because he isn't a biology major and consequently is trying to learn in a month what they learn in a few years. I am so proud of how hard he is working! I am glad the end is in sight and then we can party!

I realized the other day that I never finished up my "30 questions" series. So, on to number thirteen!

13. Describe 5 weaknesses you have.

1. Well, I have a weakness for Brian! Hehe... he makes me weak in the knees ;)

2. Sweets. Top three offenders: Ice cream, cookies, and brownies. I could pass on the chips any day of the week, but set a bowl of ice cream in front of me and my self control flies out the window. I'm trying to get better at that one.

3. Procrastination. I think I have gotten better at that one though.

4. I am sad to admit this, but I am not very great at good spiritual habits. I do really good for short spurts, but always go back to, well, not doing good.

5. Texting people back. If you are one of the people I have not texted back, you are not alone. I have a personal goal to get better at it!

For more of the questions, click here.