We managed to take some time out from welcoming Jason home to celebrate our upcoming baby’s birth. My mom, Raquel, Alyson, and Robin were all willing to help put together a wonderful baby shower for me.

We had a good time looking through the baby book,

eating extra yummy food,

and opening super cute gifts.

My Grandma Joan sent me a special gift that required my mom’s help. As I opened all the objects, my mom had to sing the song that went along with them. I’ll have to learn the song too, so I can sing it for my little girl.

I wound up with lots of wonderful gifts for a very soon-to-be-spoiled little girl. I think she will be one of the best dressed little ladies around!

Raquel was kind enough to keep track of everything so I could properly thank everyone.

All in all, it was a wonderful Saturday afternoon and I can’t wait to put everything to good use!

Baby Stuff | 1 Comment »

June brought about an exciting event for our family. Jason returned home from his mission in Bogotá, Columbia and our family was once more reunited—but not without difficulty. Between school and work, my schedule this summer is incredibly busy. I managed to take Friday off work and ditch class Thursday night so that Scott and I arrived in Phoenix only an hour before Jason’s plane landed. We were all there to welcome him home.

Of course, my mom cried and there were hugs all around—except for Lisa Rowley, who just got an awkward handshake!

We all had a good laugh at Jason’s funny-looking Columbian shoes. We gained a new appreciation for Jason’s shoes after listening to some of his stories, though. Jason wore out a pair of shoes about every four or six months in the mission field—they certainly did a lot of walking!

We all had a good time chilling on the couch and watching Jason’s pictures as he told us about the past two years. We all found it necessary to go to bed straightaway, though, when Dad offered to bring out his old mission slides.

We did take an intermission from the pictures in order to enjoy Raquel’s Welcome Home cake. It sure was yummy.

And we all had a good time trying on our new Columbian shirts—except for myself. I’ll have to wait a few months before I have a hope of it fitting me.

The best part of the weekend, though, was spending time together as a family. Eating Barros (my favorite!) around our kitchen table proved to be a good time.

As did our barbeque with extended family and friends.

It was something of a whirlwind weekend (Scott and I headed back home immediately after Jason’s homecoming talk and didn’t arrive until 2:30 in the morning, so I could go back to work Monday morning), but it was great to have made the events and spend time with family.

Lonica Stuff, No Place Like Home | No Comments »

…that’s what Scott does.

Immediately after our return to Columbus from Costa Rica, I began my internship at the Columbus Dispatch. I now spend my days researching random people, places and trivia about Columbus—anyone care why Colo is important to the Columbus Zoo, or where her name came from? Scott claims that by the end of the summer I’ll be a walking encyclopedia on random trivia about Columbus, since I spend most of my days conducting research on random aspects of the city and writing summaries and reports for reporters to use in their research.

When I’m not digging through microfilm records of dispatch articles from 1960 or flipping through historical photos from 1941 of women having their legs decorated to look like they’re wearing stockings despite clothing rationing (you can check out a bit of my work here), I coordinate welcoming all the other intern reporters to the Dispatch. I’m responsible for making sure they all receive the research education they need. It’s a bit intimidating, considering I’m only just learning about the research capabilities of the Dispatch library.

I feel pretty competent, though, when I leave for lunch—wearing my badge that lets me through locked doors—head across the street and find a bench under a shady tree on the grounds of the State Capital. Throughout my lunch break, as I enjoy my peanut butter sandwich and a good book, I am serenaded by street musicians playing the saxophone, cars honking, and sirens passing. As I watch men in black suits and women in high heels pass by, I pretend to be the career women I most likely never will be. But, for now, I can certainly pretend and enjoy it!

My Dewey Decimal Degree | 1 Comment »

About a week after our return from Costa Rica, Dave had his graduation from med school. Everyone came into town to help celebrate. We had Paul, Robin, and Lisa stay at our house and Candace’s parents stayed at their place. It was a lot of fun to have everyone around and get to hang out together. There were lots of late nights of talking, making ice cream (don’t let Merlin and Scott get together with some cream and an ice cream freezer), and lots of packing and cleaning. It was an exhausting weekend, but definitely a good one.

I think it was a rather proud moment for everyone—especially Dave—when he got to walk across the stage and receive his doctor’s hood. Graduating from med school really is a huge accomplishment. I have to say that after having seen so many of our friends go through everything it takes to become a doctor that I have a new-found appreciation for the profession. All the studying, stressing, and nights on call really demand a lot from each of the students and their families.

It sure was a huge blessing to get to spend the past two years with Dave and Candace just down the street. We created a lot of memories together and it was such a relief to move to a new city and already have family willing and ready to accept you and be your friends. In fact, Dave and Candace really seem more like friends—people I would pick to hang out with on my own initiative—and the fact that they’re also family is just an added benefit. I know we’ll miss them as they leave town and head to San Antonio for residency.

We certainly were sad to see their Penske truck head down the street. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that before long we can follow them south to Texas!

Life in OH-IO, Lonica Stuff | 1 Comment »