Wonderful Weekend!

What a wonderful weekend! We had a full house and I loved it! I mentioned last post that we had two VERY special visitors...my parents made their first trip to Staunton! They drove up Friday toting some tupperwares and boxes of the last odds and ends. They arrived during my lunch break, so we were able to meet at the Tastee Freez to grab some grub and then I headed back to work. I came home to find Dad slaving away with Clark and Bob working on the fence and that my mother had emptied and put away most of the stuff from the boxes! The fellas made excellent progress Friday and stopped working in time to have dinner at Mrs. Rowe's Restaurant and Bakery for some southern fare.

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Supper was great, but dessert was the best! I can vouch that their Peanut butter pie is a winner! 

The next morning we met at our favorite breakfast joint- Kathy's! 

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This is the place where it all started! It was here that we met the owners of Westwood for the first time! The folks at Kathy's tout the best breakfast in Staunton, and as of right now it is uncontested! After breakfast the guys finished up the fence. And it looks wonderful!!!

It's so perfect and Clark and I are so thankful for Dad and Bob's help in making it happen!





Mom and Dad headed home a little after lunch. I can't wait to have them visit again so we can show them around some more. We took a few hours to relax, introduced Bob to the wonder that is the Nutter Butter Tastee Freez, then went gallivanting around Augusta County. We landed back in downtown Staunton and had dinner at The Clocktower.

If it's not obvious by now, Clark and I LOVE to go out to eat. I would maybe consider us amateur foodies. So far the Staunton food scene has exceeding our expectations! We strolled down Beverly St. and passed The Split Banana. Apparently Bob's ice cream compartment is just like mine... never full... so before I knew it were were topping off the evening with delicious gelato.

On Sunday everyone had headed back to NC. However, I didn't have to spend the day alone! My friend and classmate, Katherine, is doing an internship at Virginia Tech which is only about 2 hours away from Staunton. Katherine had the weekend off so she rode up for the day! It was so great hanging out and catching up on all the exciting things that have happened since graduation. We went and drove around the countryside and then explored a little downtown. For dinner we pulled into Wright's Dairy Rite for some good old fashioned hamburgers and hot dogs.

It was so good! I was so happy to find a place where I could get a hot dog "Carolina style" with chili and slaw! Mmmm Mmmm! And as if I hadn't consumed enough calories this weekend, we split a Wright's Wheelie for dessert.

Somewhere under there is a donut! 

As you can see this weekend was jam packed- but I loved it! Getting to show folks around gives me a greater appreciation for the awesome things Staunton and the surrounding area has to offer. However, if this keeps up, I'm really going to have to work on my self control!

First Week of Work....Check!

Wow! It's hard to believe my first week in the real world has already passed! It was an awesome week that affirmed that I was in the right job in an awesome profession. God is so good!

Someone suggested that I take a "first day of work" picture. It was a great idea, but Clark was in NC Monday so I didn't get one in the morning. However, once I got home, I couldn't resist...

In general, I'm not a fan of selfies, but in the case I didn't have a choice :)

My day ended by standing out in the pouring down rain trying to jump off my dead vet truck! No, I didn't take it as a bad omen... but more as a "welcome to the profession." Veterinarians, especially large animal vets, are always put in inopportune situations and have to make the most with what they have. So I found the whole scenario rather appropriate. It took a couple days and a new battery, but the truck is now ready to hit the road!  One of the highlights of the first day was having one of the receptionist walk into the barn with these...

So beautiful! Picture definitely does not do them justice! 

Even though Clark couldn't be here for my first day of work, he still managed to make the day special and let me know he was proud of me and loved me. (I've mentioned that I'm blessed, right?) The rest of my week included working calves, seeing a horse with a puncture wound on its jaw, a mini foal, a couple dairy cows, a 2 day old pygmy goat kid, and dogs and cats during my small animal day Friday. My biggest regret is that I was unable to snap a pic of the sheep who came in wearing a visor, diaper, and shorts who was there for its "mani-pedi." When I wasn't seeing patients I was working on stocking the truck, figuring out the computer system, and overall learning the logistics of the practice. Two of the owners even took me out at different times during the week to meet some clients and show me around the area. I loved driving into the country down winding roads, surrounded by corn fields on each side, and farms peppering the Shenandoah landscape.  Just one of the many confirmations throughout the week that let me know I was where I was supposed to be. I've already learned a lot this week and know that each day will be a learning experience. I wish I was a little more confident, but I have amazing colleagues that are mentoring me and a great support staff that seem to be 3 steps ahead of me. I couldn't imagine being in a better place!

As great as the work week has been, I am glad that the weekend is here. Clark returned to VA last night with another trailer load and our great friend Bob the Builder. We are so lucky to have Bob here this weekend to help build the fence for the dogs. Not only is Bob in town, but some other special visitors (nameless for now ;)) have made their first trip to Staunton as well! I hope to get some time tomorrow to show them all the clinic and around the area. So happy and blessed- Life is Good! 

The House!

We've finally gotten enough boxes unpacked and put away that I can post some pictures of the house! We were very fortunate to be put in touch with another veterinarian in the area who was looking to lease her house that had been on the market for a while. We were immediately infatuated with this charming little home.

Living Room view from Kitchen/Dining Room

Living Room viewed from front door

Dining area- table and chairs coming later this week :)

Back entrance leading to laundry area/mud room 

Guest Bedroom- currently storing some of our decorations

Master Bedroom

 There are lots of features about this house that give it character, but my top three favorites are...

#3: Window in the bathroom. I love the way the light comes in and illuminates the 

pattern on the shower curtain.

#2: I love the humongous kitchen window and the framing around it. It's got a nice big sill that can ripen tomatoes and hold my trinkets.

#1: Up stairs- such a neat space! I think it would be neat to have a "room" like this as a child. For us, it will be used as an office/study/storage space, hopefully some crafting, and housing guests.

But I have to be completely honest- My real, absolute favorite feature sits outside...

Vet truck that Erin and I will be sharing! 

Other great perks to this house: within walking distance to Mexican, Italian, and the Tastee Freez. Plus I'm less than 3 miles from work! It's definitely more "in town" than what we're used to, but we think it will be great while we're figuring out the area. Obviously we've got some more work to do, but it will all come together. Later this week we will be putting up a fence in the back so that the dogs have a place to stay during the day. I'm looking forward to having our whole little "family" together again!

"First" Visitors!

Today we had our "first" visitors! I use the term "first" loosely because Clark's parents helped us move up on Wednesday (thanks Ray and Georgia!). My aunt, Linda, cousin, Erin, and her daughter, Lauren were passing through Staunton on their way home from Pennsylvania so we met them in town! On their trip up to PA, the ladies stopped at this neat place in Staunton called Sunspots Studios & Glassblowing.

I'm super bummed that this pic is sideways.
 I obviously can't figure out how to turn it.
It's even saved correctly on my computer! 

Here they had blown their own glass ornaments but had to leave them over the week so they could finish setting. That gave them a great excuse to stop back in town and see us! In the studio they had beautiful (and expensive) art on display! I'm so glad I learned more about Sunspot and that they actually let patrons blow glass. I mean, who doesn't want to do that at least once in their life! I can't wait to go back sometime and give it a try!


After getting their ornaments and looking around the studio, we went to lunch at Byers Street Bistro. This is the very first place Clark and I ate at in Staunton when we came for my interview.

Our food was excellent that first night and we knew that if things worked out for us to move to Stuanton, we might be regulars there! The bistro is located just across the street from Sunspots so it worked out great to go back. I had the Savannah burger-topped with a fried green tomato and homemade pimento cheese! It was delicious and everyone else seemed to enjoy their meal as well.

On the way into the restaurant we noticed a bunch of tents set up and realized that it was a farmers market.

 After eating we walked around briefly because most of the vendors were packing up for the day. From what we could see there was fresh cut flowers, produce, meat (including lamb), and baked goods for sale. I look forward to taking advantage of the fresh, local goods.

It was so great to have family visit today! It makes me even more excited to have additional family and friends come up so we can show them around Stuanton. It also makes me want to get out and explore the town even more so we know all the best places to take our guests. So what are you waiting for, come see us!

Y'all come back now, ya hear!

One is Silver and the Other is Gold

The past several months have brought a range of emotions that I've never experienced before. There was relief as the clock struck midnight on New Year's and it was finally 2013 and I could finally say I was graduating this year. There was excitement each time I was contacted by a practice that wanted to arrange an interview. There was disappointment when a practice I liked decided to go with someone else. There was joy as each week ticked on closer to graduation and embarrassment as I realized that day would come and pass with me still being unemployed. There was happiness in knowing I was finally done with school...forever; and sadness with the realization that my friends and classmates were literally scattering across the country. And after being home a couple of weeks and struggling with feeling useless there was finally, finally ELATION. I finally got a job!

Next week I start work as a mixed animal veterinarian at Westwood Animal Hospital in Staunton,Virginia. The practice is full of wonderful people and beautiful located in the middle of the Shenandoah Valley.

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Not only is this seemingly my dream job, but I already know that I have an awesome colleague since my friend and classmate Erin is joining the practice as well! 

But even after accepting a job offer, there has been a whole new flood of mixed emotions to deal with. Of course there's the elation I mentioned earlier. But there was sadness again thinking about leaving the friends, family, and life we built in China Grove. There was also a lot of guilt with taking Clark away from one of the best ag programs and FFAs in the state. (Disclaimer- Clark had nothing to do with that guilt, he has been on board 100% of the way!) In one word- bittersweet.

Ultimately though, I am feeling. BLESSED.  God has given me an awesome job, understanding family and friends who are encouraging me to pursue my dreams, and an amazing, supportive husband who has shown no resistance and made great sacrifices for this new journey to happen. The whole experience has been a real lesson in pride, humility, faith, and patience. I didn't doubt that God had a plan. I was just really, really ready to know what that plan was. There is a popular quote by Neal Maxwell that says, "Faith in God includes faith in His timing."  Yup, needed to hear that one everyday. And now the blessings keep coming. Job- check. House- check (and it's so cute! Pics to come later this week). We know that God has worked things out so far and we are confident that He's got a great job in Staunton for Clark as well. 

So while we will greatly miss the life we are leaving behind, we are really excited about the opportunities awaiting us in Virginia. Every time we visit we have a sense of "home" and we feel like we will adjust to life in Staunton easily. I can't help but thing of the rhyme we all learned as kids: 

Make New Friends

But Keep the Old

One is Silver 

And the Other is Gold

We cherish everyone and everything in North Carolina and we can't wait to share the new life we're creating! 

**The views expressed in this blog are strictly my own and not those of Westwood Animal Hospital or of any person or organization or affiliated with Westwood Animal Hospital. **

While You're Here, Doc...

It never fails that this phrase is used during the most interesting large animal veterinary calls. What likely started out as routine can quickly become career high-lighting moments with those four simple words. The best anecdotes from my veterinary professors and mentors always included the phrase.

"While you're here, Doc..."

I'm about to embark on a new, exciting adventure in life. And this blog is to share my experiences...while I'm here...on Earth... doing (hopefully) wonderful things in the field of veterinary medicine and (hopefully) even better ones in my personal life.

I'm a twenty-something mixed animal veterinarian who God has immensely blessed. On July, 10, 2010 I married my very own superman, Clark. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect, supportive partner to travel this road with. I know God made this man just for me.

I also have amazing parents. They taught me about Jesus, loving others, working hard, and agriculture. They built me a firm foundation, gave me wings to fly, and are always waiting with open arms when my journeys bring me home. I know I wouldn't be where I am today without these wonderful people.

 And then there's my seester. (Yes, seester). She's an amazing little lady who I love and appreciate more and more everyday. Seriously blessed to have this girl cheer-leading me through life.

And what's a veterinarian without a pet...or two..or four. We don't have children (yet) so for now I love on my four-legged fur-babies.

Photo Cred: Rebecca Helms

And this is just the start! If I told you about my phenomenal friends and extended family, we'd be here forever. I even inherited great in-laws and the cutest nieces and nephews on the planet! See...I told you...I am immensely blessed!