Postdates

There are so many things that have happened in my month-long hiatus from blogging.  I've had a serious writer's block and although I have so much to type about, I just couldn't get myself to sit and focus.  When we got home last night I finally felt like I had a post again.  And now I'm going to try and fill in a few of the last month's details.

1. Scott and I went to Jamaica.  It was beautiful.  The weather was perfect.  The water was crystal clear and the ideal temperature.  The sunsets were breathtaking.

Sounds perfect, right?  Many aspects were, however it got rather miserable.  The prostitutes (male and female) were relentless, the people would not accept "no" when presenting us with their objects that they were selling, eveeeeerybody needed us to buy their drugs, and food and hostels/hotels were not really cheap enough to make it worthwhile. The only time we enjoyed the beautiful beach without being pestered every five minutes was the day we payed to use a private beach.  We now see why the all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica are SO popular - they are beautiful without the annoyance.  The final straw was the fifth night we were there and Scott had to physically throw a prostitute out of our cabana who tried to break in after him.  We were frustrated and irritated and did a first - we left the country early.  

2.  We flew home to Wisconsin and surprised my whole family and spent Christmas there.  On the way, we got to spend a night in Chicago and see our nieces and nephew there before flying into MN.  It was all just so wonderful and the weather wasn't even that bad!  (Although we did have to go buy some warm clothes as all we had with us were outfits for the beach)

With my sister and nephew                                                                                     Grandma Knapp with us

Almost all of the grandkids on my mom's side were there and we were able to see both of my Grandmas!

3. We flew home to New Orleans and had two days to unpack and get some things organized before Scott's parents, his younger sister, Elena, and his Grandmother drove into town!  I'm glad his Grandma was able to visit (her first time to make it down here) and it was so great to have them all here.

4. Our good friends, Chris and Anne, got married on December 31st.  Anne and Scott went to the same high school and were close friends throughout medical school.  We were so excited when both of them matched here in New Orleans and living here wouldn't be half as great without having Anne here.  We're so happy she found Bruisie (they are in the same residency class - we knew this would either end horribly or perfectly when they started dating) and we are so thrilled for them!  It was a very large, absolutely beautiful wedding and it was like a giant reunion with many friends present that we haven't seen in years.

So, those are the big events from the last month.  We've had several other fun things happen as well but this post is already getting lengthy and my textbooks are calling, so I think I'll be done for now.  

Annnnd BREAK!

Well, I have successfully completed my first year of Graduate school!  I am almost half-way done with the program and that much closer to becoming a nurse-midwife!  It feels awesome!  But after year-round school for the last 12 months, I am pooped.  Have no fear though, I finally get my longest break since the start of school and have three FULL weeks off.  Sweet heaven!

Somehow last year when Scott requested his vacation time for this year, he was amazingly granted these last two weeks in December off.  Nobody else happened to request it (amazingly) and he won. We asked for the time, knowing this would be my longest break from school for the year, and thinking we would like to have a break together - never guessing that it would come at such a PERFECT and utterly needed time in our lives.  We have over 14 days off, in a row, together, for the first time in quite a while now.  As life has been less than a walk in the park for the last few months, we have decided to forgo all the things we usually adore about this season that just didn't seem as fun this year anymore.  We are simplifying and allowing ourselves to say "no" to all of the chaos we just really have no desire to deal with for this season.  Instead, we are focusing on each other, and our marriage, and our faith, overall.

We left the country this morning and are now in Montego Bay, Jamaica.  We'll probably be here for the next 10 days but have absolutely no plans other than focusing on being less sassy (in all the bad ways that get annoying) and just being together.  Also, there will be much time spent on the white sand, in the sun, enjoying a fair amount of Rum. And Red Stripe.

So, Merry Christmas a week early to all of you at home.  We send all of our love and hope that you too get a little time to focus on the people you love most, and things that are truly important to you.