Girls Escape to ARUBA!!!

For my big sister’s (aka best friend) 30th birthday, she wanted to take 4 of her girlfriends to Aruba!! Needless to say, 5 of us girls from TN, KY, & SC met up at the Charlotte airport to fly 4 anxious hours to Aruba. While I DREADED flying (especially in a jet) to Charlotte, I was so relieved to finally be around my girlfriends for a little better comfort over the next 4 hours. We all left bright and early Thursday morning on February 25 and went from 25 degrees to 86 degrees many hours later!!!

While in route, we met a group of sisters who were traveling to Aruba to celebrate one of the girl’s 50th birthday; and the couple next to me was from Lexington, KY escaping for a weekend away from home stress while their kids were staying with grandparents. So you can imagine how many excited and happy people were aboard our flight!

Once we landed and stepped outside the Aruba airport, we tossed our winter coats, took off a layer or 2 (jackets, shirts) - I was about to strip off my shirt but my tan-less body wouldn’t allow me to show any skin just yet. Humidity was high but we were 5 happy girls about to have a HAPPY time soon to discover why Aruba is called “One Happy Island!”

The 1st night was spent wandering around at dusk, eating, giggling, and catching up. We just couldn’t wait for the sun to rise in the morning and thought twice about just staying awake to watch the sunrise.

Our 1st day was absolutely breath-taking - white sandy beach, aqua-blue water, and bright colors. The sun was so HOT, intense, but so relaxing!! I started my morning (before breakfast) spraying on Sport 30 sunscreen for I didn’t want to spend our short trip in pain.

Not only was the scenery a beautiful image sketched by God, but us 5 spiritual, Christian girls, sisters in Christ, dug deep conversations and got to know each other very well! Not a day went by where we didn’t talk about our Friend Jesus. We talked about our many blessings, challenges in life, values, beliefs, and even our families! We discovered all our parents are still married and how much God has provided for us and even brought us together! We prayed over every meal, including Leroux praying in Italian and our waiter joining us on our last night. There was no competition like 25 girls fighting over the Bachelor! We respected our differences and opened up to learn more about each other. This trip…was what we ALL needed and we plan on many more in the future, even with our daughters.

Our last day was on a Sunday. Since we normally go to church on this day, we decided to bring our own church together on the pier with Komis leading Romans 12. It was beautiful and humbling!!

Some Arubian Highlights (shown in some pictures above):
1. Dana & Leroux competing on who had the worst bathing suit growing up (both had very strict rules). Well, Leroux said she couldn’t top Dana’s – she had to wear a bathing suit with a skirt made by her mom. Leroux just had to wear a tank top over hers.
2. Watching the sunset.
3. Dana & Leroux attracting attention with their photography sessions (visit Leroux’s photography website here).
4. Accidentally crashing a corporate beach party our 1st night walking the beach & Dana steals name tag :) It was hard to not jump in and dance!!!

5. Lana getting so burnt…she had pitting edema + 2 (we had 2 nurses on board)!!
6. Celebrating Lana’s 30th – decorating her room while she was in the shower, rolling out the red carpet (literally, people were staring), and rolling up to the South Beach Lounge in a new black Cadillac to dance and party the night away for Lana!!
7. Going around the table at dinner and listing 30 wonderful things about Lana, the things we admire about her, and stories.
8. The waiter joining us in prayer our last night.
9. A little girl wanting to meet Miss 30 – the beauty queen!
10. Sharing the poolside with Iguanas!!
11. Beach volleyball.
12. The awesome, refreshing drinks – including the “Lana Special”
13. Meeting friendly people from all over – and a woman who said, “You can make more money in 5 minutes getting married than you can make yourself over a lifetime!”
14. Komis leading church on the pier.

15. Talking about our Friend Jesus!

The early morning BANG!!

Andrew's big day started off with an early morning bang!! I made sure the world knew my hubby turned 30!!!!!!!!!!!! Most people know that I get adrenaline off being sneaky or running around like crazy just trying to pull off surprises! I LOVED every minute of getting up at 6a to start decorating the apartment while he was snoozing, throw some personalized ballons in his car, paint his car, taking my lunch break to squeeze in picking up some YUMMY homemade cupcakes at a local family owned bakery, decorating the residents' room at the hospital and the school, and leaving some treats behind!

I already felt bad for traveling to Nashville for an interview for school and therefore, we had to drive on his birthday weekend. However, it all paid off...not only did I cook a flank steak for him a couple nights beforehand, he also celebrated in Nashville with my Uncle and Aunt, and celebrated at home with my family :) It turned out to be a great weekend to turn 30!!! He definitely deserves the BEST!!

I nearly didn't make this surprise, I walked by the cafeteria in the hospital and saw a group of blue scrubs hanging at a table and looked over to see that Andrew looked directly at me! I hid behind a wall for a second before I proceeded past the other half of the cafeteria window. Thought about just bringing in the cupcakes then but just "tip toed by the window" and kept walking. Luckily, he didn't see me and I broke into the clinic with the help of some staff :) Whew!!

They actually make personalized confetti...he got lots of it!!

Mom made him a special treat...chocolate chip pie - YUM!!

Manic Monday

Sunday’s sermon at Hope Church was about 4 Crossroads: choosing to walk alone, or journey with others; choosing to pretend or to be real; choosing the shortcut or the long road; and choosing comfort or change. Relationships are the place we find the challenge, encouragement, and comfort we need. Something Andrew and I have endured together these past several months. Dr. Morris referred to many verses that spoke directly to Andrew and I. Talked about being humble and patient (Ephesians 4:2), talked about using steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another (Proverbs 27:17). We’ve really had to be strong for one another during this time and some days we simply don’t talk about our future, some days we get frustrated, and some days are exhausting.

As I was sitting there during the last part of the message, I felt God speaking to me but said, "if this is You talking to me...I need reassurance, because me talking to myself doesn't really confirm anything." I was feeling more peace about our future (even though, a decision is still not made). I felt like wherever we go, we WILL make a difference and God puts us there for that reason – to share with others! Andrew has been calm throughout this whole new life-changing, decision-making time and we’ve both been back and forth on where to go and where God wants us. It’s so hard to follow Him and put aside what WE want and just wait for His call.

Today, Andrew walks out to go to school at 7:30a and halts after he opened the door…”are you serious?!” he yells out. Then a guy shoveling said, “yeah, no one saw this one coming.” While I still had about 15-30 more min of beauty sleep, he rushes and leans over me, “Honey, come look at your car, someone broke in your car!” He had a smile on his face so I halfway didn’t believe him…I finally stumbled out of bed and took the easy route and just looked out the window, snow was EVERYWHERE at least 3-4 in high! “What?!” I was upset, because I had been studying hard for an upcoming exam on Wednesday, and now…it’s just going to get pushed back! Needless to say, I crashed for some more sleep until he comes running in saying, “let’s go out and play” at 7:45a!! I’m usually adventurous, but this time…I need the sleep! However, he came back into the apartment with a bowl full of snow and started making snow cream!! I did manage to get up and have a YUMMY snow cream breakfast!!

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As morning went on, I went out to take pictures, hubby sarcastically yelled at me for having the door open…just for a minute!! Of course, I wasn’t happy since I didn’t complain the other night when he had the door open for at least 5 minutes to empty our vacuum cleaner!! Needless to say, I got right back to studying in a bad mood.

At 12:45p, right before heading out for work (unfortunately, hospitals don’t get off snow days), I checked the mail. I spotted a letter from Washington University, I took a very deep breath, and carelessly tore it open! The 1st sentence told me they were pleased to offer my admissions to the Occupational Therapy program at Washington University School of Medicine!!!! I almost didn’t read on until I saw they were also offering me a Merit Scholarship!!! Oh my, oh my…I ran in and yelled, “ANDREW, ANDREW!!! Listen to this…” I couldn’t even read it…I was shaking, my heart was pounding! I literally felt like I won the Super Bowl or a Grammy and already have a list a Thank You’s :) Andrew teared up, gave me the biggest hug, and expressed how proud he was of me all while I was saying, “I’m gonna throw up” or asked, “is this a trick?!” As many people know, I’m not so romantic at times like this, for this was a repeat for him (I reacted the same way when he proposed to me).

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I seriously did not know how to react! I called mom at home, on her cell, at work...no answer. Called daddy...left a voice message. Called MeeMaw...so thrilled she answered so I can tell her the news! So far, it's sinking in little, by little. I arrived a little late to work and my nervous system couldn’t handle much. In fact, I was so nauseous, sweating, feeling faint and just stared at my computer even after a couple hours. My hands were still shaking and my heart was still racing! I gradually told a few other people, but not many, because I just didn’t believe what I read! And now, I’m officially okay to say it, “I just got accepted into Wash U’s OT program and yeah…I’m NERVOUS!!”

Saturday night, my in-laws tricked me and Andrew played along!!! They threw me a surprise birthday party!! I LOVE them!!! Chris & Andrea definitely know how to be sneaky (because I am very hard to surprise)!

Andrew pulled off another surprise and showed up at work with beautiful flowers! Yes, mom, he got them at Kroger and put them together himself, including putting them in a vase we had at home! Although, I don't care much for flowers, this day...he couldn't have done better! It came with a card thanking me for all my hard work, support for him during this time, and just because :)

We were literally "iced in"!! So, we made the most of it...Andrew made an Ice Man, we went to the Movie & a Pizza place, "window shopped" at our island's hometown grocery, and ice skated in the street in our sneakers!!

Andrew being the good neighbor...putting down salt before the ice got worse :)

1 year 'til the Big 3-0!!

The best time to ask me how old I am, is on my birthdays. Otherwise, I seriously do not know my age and pretty much lost count after my early 20s. In fact, I told the race officials during my triathlon in August I was a couple years younger when they asked my age to write on my leg - oops but I corrected it!! I always feel like I'm 25! Sometimes I wonder...how long will I feel 25?

Going to class from 9a-12p work from 1-9p, is not the ideal way to spend a birthday. However, having AWESOME family, friends, & husband...makes it the BEST birthday! I was overwhelmed with all my Facebook messages, the phone calls, text messages, packages, and cards and truly feel blessed :) Hubby made sure my night ended with a bang!

Birthday Highlights

1. My birthday celebration started on Tuesday night, Jan. 26 with a surprise, spontaneous dinner date to Texas de Brazil - where we devoured into 8 different types of steaks/meat, mashed potatoes, & Key Lime Pie! The last time (& 1st time) we ate here, was our very 1st Valentines as husband & wife.

2. After returning from dinner, Andrew couldn't wait to give me my gift! He tends to give my gifts early (I'm talking sometimes days or weeks early!). I didn't ask for this, but he did some thorough research on this facial cleaning product from Sephora. This was a gift from Mom & Dad and Andrew :) It's VERY nice!!

2. Andrew does not mess around when it comes to my birthday (even if it's just us). He blows up balloons, makes dinner, bakes a cake, and sings Happy Birthday!!

Strawberry Scrumptious - my FAVORITE!

3. My husband is a great chef...I'm a great baker :) He made homemade Turkey Meatballs with spinach spaghetti...my favorite type of spaghetti!!

4. I saved all my cards and packages that I got throughout the week - great cards from my big sis, Lana, & MeeMaw/PeePaw! Mom's gifts doesn't have to be extravagant...she's so creative and entertaining that I just look forward to what notes she puts into my gifts...1. Soap from Christmas, made by Aunt Jill; 2. Peach paper gift - common gift, different ingredient (goat lotion); 3. Lavendar gift - safe way to celebrate, relax and have a good time (champagne bottle candle - haha!!); 4. Rose gift - slightly used...but very good (I was worried but it was my favorite Bath & Body Works scented body spray); 5. Main gift is coming from Andrew (the facial cleanser electronic); 6. Card picked out especially for you! Signed by Mom, Dad, & Tilden.

5. During lunch break, I get a package from the Montoyas...a beautiful vase used to melt scented wax.

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6. All my Facebook messages, including one from my childhood playmate and best buddy, Brett: "Happy Birthday Tiffany!!! Doesn't seem like we should be getting this old. We still should be eating suckers in a sandbox somewhere!!" I nearly choked up as memories popped up...I miss my family friends so much!!

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7. My co-workers give me a cake and a few items including a St. Jude mug I've been wanting to purchase in our gift shop!!

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8. An email from Mom & my MeeMaw/PeePaw and a text from my lil sis and baby brother :)

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9. A phone call from my brother, Clayton & his girlfriend! Along with a duet from Andrew's parents and phone calls & messages from some of my close friends!!

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10. A text message from one of my besties with a picture of her new big, baby boy, Kix: "Kix says hi, & he can't wait to meet you!" Oh, I miss her so much!!

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These are just a few highlights that brightened my day, despite the full work/school day! This is why family, friends, and significant others...are the survival kit in life :) I am truly blessed!!

New Year, New Adventures

The year 2009 ended with a bang and the beginning of a new decade began with…well, it’s all in the highlights. December was another busy travel month with a couple Holidays to celebrate in 3 different states. The 2nd weekend was spent in St. Louis (the 4th state of the month), a city we never thought we return to visit for a potential place to live.

January is quickly passing by along with the months before our new life of adventures begin. However, lots to check off before we leave Memphis: Andrew’s 3 research projects, boards, graduation, office visits, deciding where to move, and planning a honeymoon. I’m just taking a couple classes this semester to wrap up before OT school but very much looking forward to the moment I’ve been longing for…a REAL honeymoon in Paradise :) Some girls dream about a wedding and I’ve been dreaming of getting lost in paradise for a week or so with my new hubby! In fact, I’ve been saving up since a little girl and been disciplined to save, save, save!

Here is what has been, what is now, and what is to come…

2009 Holiday Highlights
Before heading out to KY for the early Christmas, Andrew surprised me with my Christmas present. Fine dining with a 5-star chef: butterfly pork chops, homemade mashed potatoes, and corn! My favorite dinner combination! The best part, he served it all to me like I was in a restaurant! FYI, we do not exchange gifts at Christmas. Instead we give to charity, like adopt an Angel Tree kid or give a helping hand. Therefore, we exchange stockings which we did before we left :)

We had an early Christmas with my side of the family. PeePaw & MeeMaw needed to head down to the Sunshine State for Winter so my daddy drove them and their Coach on Dec. 20! Meanwhile, we celebrated like it was really Christmas (the weekend before Christmas)! I got to see my 2 besties, one being pregnant and nearly ready to see her little boy. I was also thrilled to see our family friends (our other parents and sibs).

Getting my gifts to look presentable!

The story behind the mustaches...mom usually gets a gag gift each Christmas and this one was related to looking like PeePaw.

Yes, more SpongeBob! Oh know! We got lots of great gifts including 20 more Alfani t-shirts for Andrew. Mom and Mallory didn't talk their gifts over after I said he needed more t-shirts - ha! And I finally finished off my China and Holiday stemware!!! Now, I just can't wait to host a big Holiday party!!

Mom and dad got a little surprise. Mallory had the greatest idea to send them off on a weekend getaway. Mom being frugal, I said we need to get a gift card so she can't take it back. Needless to say, we all pitched in to give them the best weekend ever with 2 nights at the only 5-star hotel in TN & KY - The Hermitage!!

A shot with the grandparents before escaping the cold and gray!

Christmas with the Dills in Alabama!

What I wasn't prepared for, was getting up at 5am to open gifts!!!! Yes, the Dill tradition is to get up early, early, before the kids peep at what Santa has brought! This was the 1st Christmas in 10 years all the Dill kids had been together at once...it was priceless!

Little Thomas in his reindeer outfit we got him for Christmas! I LOVE it!!

Mom sent us our stockings to open on Christmas day! So we could still have somewhat of a tradition carried over on Christmas.

The Dill grandkids! Just imagine how many shots we had to take to get it decent :)

The Dill kids

I had to shop for Andrew's stuffers while in AL. Thought he could use this in the clinic :) I took the GRE the day before we left, so I was glad I didn't procrastinate on the family gifts since I literally had no time to shop in Dec.

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New Years in Dallas

So the year ended with a bang hanging with the Montoyas and began with yet, some more Dill moments! It seems that the Montoyas are our lucky charms! Ashley surprised me with a pedicure and manicure spa treatment (my Christmas gift) and I LOVED every minute of it!! There's never a dull moment with the Dills!

Ashley and Jose took us to a swanky restaurant our 1st night in Dallas, at Javiers - a scrumptious Tex-Mex place!!!

New Years was spent at a fine restaurant, where the New Year began with a, "WHOA". Andrew found $630 in cash in the restroom on our way out to start off 2010! Nevertheless, we had to wait until morning to make sure it was real and called the restaurant to make sure no one reported it missing. Hubby, the good samaritan, said it's not our money. However, a waiter claimed that he lost his end of the night cash. We gladly returned and he served us a free meal! Andrew and I felt bad so we spilt dinner and Jose ended up paying for his and Ashley's. He was elated and couldn't believe there were people left like us in the world :)

Hubby's New Year's Kiss -- mmmwah!

We headed over to Ft. Worth to experience Stockyard Station and Billy Bob's Texas (the largest saloon in America!!). Where Ashley, Jose, and Andrew experienced their 1st rodeo show!

Once again, we LOVE the junk shops! Inside joke, we shopped at Blommingdale's in Dallas and I was drawn to the "earrings so large, they touch your shoulders". So Ashley and Andrew said these earrings weren't quite big enough - haha!

The 1st bull of the night...would not leave the arena for the next bull and his rider. Andrew, Jose, and Ashley were amazed and wide-eyed and asked me lots of questions! No, I don't ride bulls, I used to go to these shows with family and grandparents :)

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Office Visits

Andrew has made his last office visit in Nashville this past week! He is exhausted but so relieved, however, he has big decisions ahead. He has opportunities in the following cities: Charleston, SC; St. Louis, MO; Elizabethtown, KY; Louisville, KY; & Nashville, TN. We will be keeping everyone posted!!

Since Andrew's last office visit just ended in Nashville, I decided to prepare a care/goody package for him with a card attached for his 3 day trip. We have no idea where we will be, but I wanted him to know that regardless, I support him 100%. I admire my husband and just know that he will be the best pediatric dentist out there! His passion, skills, and patient management truly shows in his profession! We have faith that God will lead us. We want to do God's Will, not ours - which is very hard at times when making life-changing decisions!

New Year, new woman! Yes, it's black, it's bold, but I like it!! Note: haircolor does not always turn out to be the color you'd like. I've gone as dark as dark brown, however, not black. Even though Andrew loved my natural highlights, he got used to the bold and spicy look :) It's fun to play when it's not permenant!

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Here we were getting ready for one of our hot dates to Pei Wei - YUM! This where I had 2 fortune cookies back-to-back with the same fortune. Andrew says, "we need to buy a lottery ticket!" So we went to purchase our 1st lottery ticket together despite me taking 30 minutes to complete the form (it was confusing but we got help)! We got one number on the PowerBall! Not into gambling so that was a good fun $2 spent :) I said, "if we win...no need to even worry about where we live, we'll just move our families to Hawaii with us and retire!"