Attitude is Everything cont....

Well I was going to do this post Sunday after our crazy, unusual, interesting Saturday, but life has been so busy and hectic so it will be finished now. As mentioned in the previous post, I woke up Saturday morning with the thought "Attitude is everything." As you can see from my previous post, I thought it had to do with Bryce being in medical school and being gone so much. WRONG!!! By the end of the night I came to realize that the little thought I had, was warning me for my upcoming day.

It seemed like a normal Saturday with Bryce leaving super early to study and me finding things to do around the house. We still don't have any furniture in our living room, and a few days ago I found on KSL (love this site) a couch and love seat for $80. Too good to be true??? Anyway, when Bryce got home we decided that this deal was awesome and would go really fast so we drove to Murray to check it out. Here begins our very eventful and unexpected adventure. When we show up we discover that this amazing couch and love seat is actually a lazy boy reclining chair and an ottoman. Not exactly what we were hoping for. We told the boy that we were looking for a full sized couch and left. Then in the 5 minutes it took us to drive around the block we decided that it was a great deal and that we could use the chair instead of the love seat. So we turned around and bought it. Luckily, my cousin Marisa and her husband Jarom lived around the corner so we were able to borrow their truck to travel our little purchase home. We were going to meet them that night at the Bees game and so decided that it would be easier if we just changed vehicles for the next 2 hours. We were a block away from our house when we remembered that we left our house key on the key chain that was now in Marisa's hand. When we called our maintenance man we discovered that it would cost us $50 to be let into our apartment. Instead of paying we decided to wait 30 minutes for Marisa and Jarom to come by and in the mean time we would enjoy our new lazy boy. As you can see we had a little too much fun with the pictures.

While we were waiting, Marisa and Jarom were held up and didn't get to our house until 7. Since the game started at 6:35, we hurried over and made it just in time for the third inning. It was perfect because baseball games are kinda long sometimes anyway. Marisa must have a knack for picking the best seats in the entire stadium. We were right behind the home plate which was amazing!!! So we ended up losing, the fireworks were delayed and didn't get home until 11. When we arrived to have our dinner we discovered that the potatoes were burnt, the chicken was completely charred, and our jello was frozen.

Luckily I had that thought when I woke up and all Bryce and I could do was look at each other and laugh. I discovered that attitude really is everything. I could have been upset about all the little setbacks and unfortunate events that happened during the day, but it really was a great day spending time with my husband and cousins. I discovered that having a positive attitude really makes everything so much better!!!!

Attitude is Everything

Well the first week of medical school is done!!! Surprisingly, it wasn't as bad as everyone said it would be, granted it was only the first week. However, I am so grateful for this experience that we are going through. A very important lesson I have quickly learned is that "Attitude is everything!!!" "Whether we think we can, or we think we can't we are right." How true I realize this saying is. If I think that being alone so much is hard it is, but when I think about all the good Bryce is accomplishing and that it isn't that hard then it isn't.

I love having my husband in medical school. Yes, I know it is going to be hard, but I have learned some very valuable lessons already and I am sure there are more to come. I have also learned to cherish every moment, and make every minute together count. Last night was our date night, so we went to red box and rented a movie, but when we got home Bryce wanted to play cards, so we put the movie aside and enjoyed just being together. It was a wonderful night, that didn't cost anything but time!!!

Don't get me wrong, I miss my husband like crazy when he is gone, but I have also had to adjust my perspective. I have had to realize that I am not the only important thing in his life and instead of complaining to him about being gone all the time, I need to make his life easier by being excited and enjoying the time he is here.

I am so proud of my husband and all that he is doing and accomplishing! I am grateful for this growing and learning experience we are able to have together.

Bryce's Birthday Celebration

This year Bryce's birthday was pretty busy, but not exactly with birthday celebrations. Bryce started orientation for medical school last Monday, so on Thursday (his birthday) he spent most of the day (8-5:30) at school. I picked Bryce up at 5:30 and we headed to a Freshman BBQ. The BBQ was a lot of fun and I had the opportunity to meet a lot of Bryce's classmates and their spouses. Everyone was so nice and friendly. After dinner got started one of the directors asked if Bryce Carter could come to the front. The people at our table were worried that maybe Bryce had already gotten in trouble. Turns out, on of Bryce's classmates found out it was his birthday and ordered a huge cake. We still don't know who it was, but we can't believe how generous that person was. Anyway, the entire class (82 people plus their families) sang to Bryce. His face was beet red, but I really enjoyed the experience :)

After the BBQ we came back home and I had a few surprises of my own for Bryce. I had decorated the house with 14 reasons why I loved Bryce and then had a note taped to the door. The note read:

Reasons Why I Love You Scavenger Hunt

Birthday Boy,

There are a million reasons why I love you;

But time is short, so I will name just a few.

Look around this room and you will see;

14 reasons listed as clearly as can be.

The hidden reasons you must know;

So on this journey, you must go.

The first reason lies within a book;

So hurry, open it, you must take a look.

This book you must read faithfully;

Either by yourself, or with me.

This first clue lead Bryce to his scriptures where he found his first present (a candy bar with the first reason why I love him:

I love your strong testimony and love of the gospel.

His next clue was:

Good job, the scriptures were answer number one;

By the end of the journey you’ll be having so much fun.

It’s time for reason number two;

So quickly read this next clue.

Search high and low, but you may not find;

This clue for it isn’t one of a kind.

This thing switches off and on;

It is usually off when we are gone.

This led him to the light switch in his bathroom, a pack of mini reeses and the second reason:

I love how your personality lights up a room.

Clue number three:

Two reasons down, eight more to go;

This is supposed to be fun you know.

This next object is really hot;

And microbes, it will kill a lot.

So think real hard and use your wit;

Make sure to grab your oven mitt.

Here he found a box of jolly ranchers and the third reason:

I love your cooking and the way you are not afraid to help out in the kitchen.

Clue four:

Go to a place where you take a poo;

Brush your teeth and fix your doo.

Look at the thing where you may see double;

Hurry quick, or there may be trouble.

Hot Tamales and:

I love how handsome you are, and that I get to look at you forever.

Fifth clue:

This next clue deals with me and you;

Whenever you leave, I cry boo-hoo.

Step out the door, but don’t go too far;

This may be a place to hide the key to your car.

Gum and reason:

I love the way you kiss me.

6th:

We each have one, yours and mine;

But this next clue isn’t in your shrine.

When you get real cold, and are going outside,

You put these on, while you’re still inside.

New Black Church socks and:

I love the way our hands fit so perfectly together.

7th:

Now it’s time to have some pride;

For this is something you can’t hide.

From now on, this is your life;

So take a seat, and ignore your wife.

Black Licorice &:

I love how intelligent you are.

8:

You are doing really great;

Time to find clue number eight.

Now hurry quick, you need to zoom;

Into our cozy bedroom.

New Basketball shorts...

I love how you are the last person I want to see before I go to sleep, and the first person I want to wake up to.

9th:

Now that that clue is over and done;

Get off that bed and have more fun.

Go on a little walk.

And find that noisy tick tock.

Monopoly Deal and

I love how you always make time for me.

The Final Clue:

YEA, we made it to the end of your quest;

You did quite well, you gave it your best.

I love you Bryce, and I hope you see;

That time is just not long enough for me.

A new button-up shirt and

I love that I get to be with you for all eternity!!!

The next day was Bryce's White Coat Ceremony. After the ceremony we had a little birthday party for Bryce. We had BBQ pork sandwiches with chips, fruit and fruit dip, a vegetable tray, and some lemonade. The best part of the whole dinner was probably the birthday cake.

I found a picture online of a white coat cake and decided that that was the cake I wanted for Bryce's party. I emailed the picture to my mom and she had some amazing ideas how to make it work. I then told her that the reason I sent it to her was because I wanted her help with it :)

My mom is my lifesaver and my family came early to the ceremony so that my grandma and my mom could help me with dinner and with the cake! Here is our final product!!!!

After dinner it was time for the presents...

Here are the gifts that Bryce got once he had finished his scavenger hunt the night before.

Two button up shirts from my family

Some candy bars and new jeans from his parents

Money from my grandma, my aunts Kathy, Bonnie, Ginger and their families

An armband that holds your ipod while you run from my family and I

After presents it was time for the best part.... BIRTHDAY CAKE. I was a little nervous lighting the candles because I didn't want the fire alarm to go off and turn the sprinklers on in every apartment in our building.

Bryce (the windbag) was able to get all 24 candles out in the first blow. I couldn't believe that I had to put an entire pack of candles on his cake. Boy, is he getting old :)

Happy Birthday Bryce! I love you so much and can't wait to see what this next year has in store for us!!!

White Coat Ceremony

Well the day is finally here!!! Bryce is starting medical school. This is something that he has dreamed about since he was a little boy, and it is finally here. Last Friday we attended Bryce's White Coat ceremony with his mom and dad and my parents and grandma. We were all so proud of him and it was fun celebrating his accomplishments together!!!

"Keep your white coats open, and keep your heart as open as your coat is"
Bryce has always been such a loving and caring person. I know that he is not going to have a problem keeping his "heart open" to his patients.

"Let me say something to the friends and family of the class of 2015, it's been nice knowing you, see you in 4 years!"
This wasn't one of my favorite quotes, but it is good for me to realize that these next four years are going to be very demanding of Bryce's time, but I also want him to know that I stand behind him 100%, no matter what!!!

"The act of caring for someone and the act of giving care to someone are often not the same thing, but to be a good physician they should be."

Bryce Eagar Carter receiving his white coat.

The class of 2015 reciting the Hippocratic Oath:

"I solemnly pledge to consecrate my life to the service of humanity. I will practice medicine with conscience and dignity. The health and life of my patient will be my first consideration.

I will hold in confidence all that my patient confides in me. I will maintain the honor and the noble traditions of the medical profession. I will give respect and gratitude to my deserving teachers.

My colleagues will be as my family. I will not permit personal considerations to interfere with my duty to my patients. I will maintain the utmost respect for human life.

Even under threat, I will not use my knowledge contrary to the laws of humanity. These promises I make freely and upon my honor."

Class of 2015

The soon to be Doctor Carter. Doesn't he already look like a doctor?? Personally, I think he already looks like an amazing pediatrician, but that is just my opinion :)

My amazing husband. I am so proud of him. The ceremony was a little emotional for me. I have seen all the hard work and dedication that Bryce has put into his premed classes as well as his application and it is amazing to see all that work pay off. I couldn't help thinking while the speakers were speaking about all the lives that Bryce will touch and potentially save during his lifetime. He is an amazing man who loves to help others! I am so proud of him and I can't wait to begin this long, demanding, but extremely rewarding journey with him!

Amazing friends. Soon to be Dr. Bosshardt and Dr. Carter

Thanking the keynote speaker

One proud papa

Ecstatic Mama

These next few pictures are of Bryce's supporters. His parents, my parents (his second parents who consider Bryce to be their oldest son) and my grandma.

We love you Bryce and know that you will be an amazing doctor someday!!!

Quick Update

Well, we finally have internet (thanks to our amazing friends and neighbors Doug and Jamie), and so it is time for a quick update. Bryce and I love our new place!!! It is much bigger and roomier than our last apartment, so we had to buy a few more decorations to cover all the bare walls. Our ward is amazing!!!! We were a little nervous at first because we didn't know anyone, and we didn't see very many young married couples, but we couldn't have asked for a better ward. I feel like in the three weeks we have been here we already have met the sweetest, nicest people ever!! The ward is very loving and really looks out for one another.

A few days ago, our air conditioning broke. Well, our neighbor came by yesterday to bring us some homemade cinnamon rolls and when she found out we didn't have any air conditioning she came back 5 minutes later with a huge fan she said we could borrow until our air was fixed. Last night we were also able to hang out with a few of the new couples we have met recently, the Newmans and the Tobiases. From the minute we all got together, until the time we left the house we were laughing non-stop. The Tobiases told us about their "Cosco experience" where they ended up paying $400. They said they have enough toilet paper for years and if they use 2 napkins a day each they will have enough napkins to last them two years. Then the Newmans told about their "$90 air bill" and their "please do not respond to this letter" experience. Finally, Bryce and I told about our dating story and the bloody nose and broken foot incidences. We are truly blessed to have met such amazing friends and to live where we live now.

We are so grateful for the help that our family has given us with this move. My uncle, Tracey, let us borrow his big snowmobile trailer so that we won't have to spend a lot of money on a U-haul. The trailer was so big that we didn't have to stack any of our boxes on top of each other.

Bryce's parents, friend Gary, and brother and sister-in-law Dustin and Hillary all helped us load the trailer and then when we got to Salt Lake my dad and Bryce's friend Ryan helped us unload all the stuff. My mom and sister came a little bit later and stayed for two days to help us organize and make our house a home. We couldn't have done it without them and all the help we have received.

Bryce's boxes kept unloading themselves :)

My sister and I unpacking the kitchen

Where should we put these???

Finally all done and resting!!!

We have been truly blessed and watched over during this transition time. WE LOVE THE EXPERIENCES WE HAVE ALREADY HAD SINCE MOVING TO SALT LAKE AND WE CAN'T WAIT FOR MORE TO COME. We know that medical school is going to be hard, but we also know that with all the support we have been given, with the friends we have already made, and with the Lord's help we will be able to make it through and continue to have the strong and loving marriage that we have right now!!!