Father's day

My dad is the best! I was sad that I couldn't be with him and my family on his special day, and not just because they are all at the BEACH, but because I love him very much. He is so patient, loving, smart, and such a goof ball. 

We had a fun father's day weekend! We went to the Hogle Zoo with my sister-in-law Tangi and her cute kids. The tigers were my favorite!

To celebrate Chance's future fatherhood (don't worry Mom, this is a far away future). I made delicious chocolate chip banana bread, which we loved, and gave him one of his favorite snacks for his long study days ahead this summer. 

As you can see, he loved the bread.

A must make dinner

We had the most delicious meal last night! I made Southwest Pasta Salad and homemade tortillas to go with. Seriously, make this dinner sometime soon!

De-Fense

No, I am not talking about the Heat's terrible loss in the finals (of which we are very sad about), I am talking about the exquisite feeling of being done with my thesis defense! I passed my defense a month ago today, so it is about time I document this momentous event in my life.

Everything went really well, I gave my 20 minute presentation, then my committee questioned me for 40 minutes, then I left the room and they deliberated for 10 minutes and then I came back in and they said I passed with qualifications!  I fixed what I needed to the next week and turned in the final copy. What a relief!

My wonderful Mom came up for the occasion, and Megan and Chance were there at my defense as well. It was so comforting to see them all while I was presenting. We had a fun weekend together and I am just so grateful for all of the love and support I have been given from my family, Chance's family, and my Heavenly Father in receiving my MPH degree.

Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve

Chance and I have had an exciting weekend! I graduated (well, I officially walked) on Thursday and Friday and Chance rocked his finals and now has 3 weeks of vacation before his next semester. Graduation was wonderful, but I know it is always more exciting for the graduate than those in attendance! So I haven't officially graduated because I still need to defend my thesis. My defense is on May 13th and then I will be done! My mom is coming up and I can't wait to have this weight lifted from my shoulders. 

I am proud to say that I am now employed! I was hired at a non profit organization here in Provo last week and I am loving it so far. I am working with the uninsured population who need specialty medical care, which is very similar to what I wrote my thesis on! The people that I work with are great and another bonus is that my job is only a few blocks from our apartment.

We are very grateful for all that we have been given and we are excited for warm weather to visit us sometime soon.

The end of a wonderful chapter

(Last week we had our graduation banquet and about half of our MPH cohort was able to make it, so here is a picture!)

My master's program has been a wonderful and challenging chapter of my life and I have loved the experience. I can't believe it has been two years since I received the amazing news of being accepted into this competitive program. I have learned so much and grown in more ways then I could have imagined. 

The thing I am going to miss the most about my program is the wonderful friends I have made. Working through difficult projects together and traveling to different events as a group has created a bond between us that I love. They are all great and will do amazing things with their lives. I am so excited to graduate all together next week!

Sunshine all winter long

Sunshine during the winter? During the cold, the snow, and the wind? Yes! We have had sunshine all winter long by keeping our fridge stocked with Costco oranges. They are amazing and we eat them every day. My mom calls oranges sunshine in your mouth and we couldn't agree more. They fill your mouth with sunshine and then your throat and then your stomach and then the sunshine travels from your head to your toes leaving you smiling all over. A little extreme? You may think so, but they have kept us happy and healthy and so the theory holds true in our house.

Teach Me How to Jimmer

It is March Madness time in our house. Our brackets are filled out and now we are ready for the games to begin. We are excited for BYU's first game this Thursday! Go cougars!