Well...it's official! Dr. Russ finished his last day of medical school today! He has been on Surgery ICU this month, and his rotation ended this afternoon. Doesn't he just look more medical already? Haha! Seriously, I am so proud of Russ! We have a big weekend planned with the white coat ceremony tomorrow night and graduation Friday morning. Russ's parents are coming down tonight, and the Mansels and my family are coming in tomorrow afternoon! It'll be so exciting! I know Russ is relieved that it's FINALLY over...well, actually....it's just beginning! But, for now, we'll just enjoy the end of this chapter.

Just look at him now!

She Can Do It All

Guilty. I am guilty of being a huge fan of Dancing with the Stars! This is one show that my grandmother and I can talk about for days! Ha! I actually vote! This year grabbed my attention for two reason: Melissa from the Bachelor (you know, the one that he chose and then dumped for the other girl on national tv!) and Shawn Johnson (the face of the Olympics!). So you can imagine my excitement to see that they were BOTH in the final tonight! To be honest, I was pulling for Shawn the entire time. One, because she is so young and cute! Two, because she seems to be a seriously sweet and genuine person. It was unpredictable coming into the finals for sure! However, after Shawn's freestyle routine...I was hooked. Watch and see.

Early in the season, we watched Shawn Johnson turn from a sharp, accurate Olympic gymnast to a graceful, elegant dancer. One of my favorite ballroom dances was from Week 5.

So, tonight...Shawn Johnson took home the famous mirror ball trophy, beating Gilles (from Sex and the City - great dancer, but I wasn't a big fan of his message!) by less than 1 percent! Yay for the "short one," as she was so often referred to.

She can do it all!

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

Okay, so I'm trying out a new blog carnival - Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays! Please take note that I am, as mentioned previously, NO singer. Nor am I a cook! So, if I post a recipe...know that it is super-good and EASY! To prove my point, I just had to stop blogging to answer the door for the PIZZA MAN!! No cooking tonight! Ha!

Since summertime is just a few days away, I decided to post my favorite and most popular summer dessert from last summer. The Johnson kids and my family loved it! Of course, I did too!

Fruit Pizza

1 pkg. refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1/2 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
1/2 small carton Cool Whip
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup strawberry, sliced
1 cup peaches, sliced (I actually never used peaches in mine.)
1 kiwi fruit, sliced
1 cup bananas, sliced
1/4 cup bluberries (I didn't use these much either.)
3/4 cup orange juice or lemon juice

Spread cookie dough out in a cookie sheet til the whole pan is covered to the edges. Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes or until slightly brown. Let cool completely. Cream together cream cheese and powdered sugar. Stir in Cool Whip. Spread onto cooled cookie. You may use any combination of the fruit mentioned. Fresh fruit is the best. After slicing your fruit, dip it in the juice to keep it from turning brown too quickly. Decorate the top of your pizza with fruit. Slice into pieces and serve. Keep in fridge unless serving.

Yummy! I think I need to make one of these soon!

Enjoy!

Now tell me. What tempts YOUR tummy?

Not Me! Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

First of all, I want to assure you that I DID NOT post embarrassing video footage of my follies from seven years ago! I would never have such a "brain fart" and allow you to see that! That is just too mortifying!

And Russ DID NOT take this picture of the groom at his bachelor party this weekend while wearing the same tuxedo shirt in a soft powder blue! At least, I'm gonna pretend he didn't!

Russ and I DID NOT try to cure our sweet, precious baby's barking, jumping, begging, scratching at the door, etc. with a remote control shock collar! Could you imagine any parent pushing a button to intentionally shock their child!? I mean, really! Someone should call DHS for that! And, if we did do that - which we didn't - it most certainly does not work like a charm. I'm really NOT wondering if I would lose my job by trying it out of a few of my students. Ha! Seriously, I'm was kidding about that last part!

After three years of living in our home, I DID NOT just now turn our "junk/storage/office room" into another guest bedroom. Why would I do that when we only have another year left? And, I certainly DID NOT find my bedding and pillows at Target, or my nightstand/trunk and lamp at Walmart, and my wall decor at Kirklands. Do you really think I'm that frugal? No way! And, of course, it DOES NOT look fantastic! Before the makeover, you could definitely open the door and walk right in without tripping on boxes, paper, shopping bags, etc. I'm much more organized than to allow a room to be anything less than perfect!

I try to run four days a week. Now, remember these are walk/runs. But, last week I absolutely DID NOT cut my run 2 minutes short, saying to myself, "Well, I'm sure I made up for that walking around my classroom during testing." I would never make excuses like that! And, if I did do that, testing from 9:00 to 12:30 does not make up for 2 minutes of running....right? Hmmmm. Even if that was just for the math test alone!

Last but certainly NOT least...My husband positively DOES NOT graduate from medical school on Friday!!!!! There is absolutely no way that he has already completed four years of medical school and matched in his residency of choice. He definitely does not start his preliminary medicine residency here in July, and he surely does not begin his radiology residency in Memphis next summer! Wow! No way could that happen so soon!

What have you NOT been doing lately?

Hometown Traditions

Russ went to a bachelor party this weekend in Biloxi, and since I don't know...nor do I want to know what went down there...I decided to take my happy tail to Corinth for the weekend. Why? To enjoy one of my favorite senior traditions - Follies! And it was GREAT!

Well...when you co me from a small town like we do, there are just some traditions that never die. Traditions. Everyone has traditions. Well, one may think that is the case. Let me tell you exactly what I'm referring to here. Becoming a senior at Corinth High School is and was a very exciting time! Because of traditions. For example, the entire class starts the senior year off with an entire night together. We all start with a dinner at one of the senior homes. We, then, all continue our night at additional parties throughout the night: skating parties, pool parties, dance parties, etc. Then, around 2 am, we ALL meet back again at the "Warrior Bridge" to spray paint the entire thing. Don't worry! We were supervised by police...and MANY parents trying to take advantage of every photo opportunity! Immediately after painting the bridge with our entire class of stinky, dirty, sleep-deprived classmates, we ALL head over to the senior breakfast at another senior home. Even more parents meet us there to see how the all-night party treated us! It is then, that seniors at CHS become infused with even more energy than they started with. Because, after breakfast, it is time to ride in to school! Nope. Not in cars. Not in a caravan. We all (the entire senior class) loads into the bed of some major truck/18-wheeler type thing and ride to school, escorted by police - passing the junior high, Shiloh Rd., and Harper Rd. before entering the school campus where the rest of the CHS student body, parents, friends, and family are waiting to watch us "ride in." It's quite the experience!

And, that's only for the first day of school! Throughout the senior year of Corinth High School you will find many traditions held by seniors. These traditions had a beginning, although I don't have a clue how long ago they started. Beauty Revue, Homecoming Sweethearts, senior parties, etc.

Then, it's time for the end. One of my personal favorite traditions of CHS is Follies. Follies is a performance of sorts that the senior class puts on for the community, friends, family, etc. It is held three nights and is sold out every night. To give you an idea of what I'm talking about, I'm letting you see one of my parts in Follies 2002! I cannot believe I am about to embarrass myself in such a way! But, I figure, if you've been reading my blog...I have already embarrassed myself plenty! Let me just make this disclaimer: I DO realize that I am NOT a singer! I DO realize that I seemed to be much "spunkier" and 20 pounds LIGHTER than I am now! So, please...try not to judge the performance. Oh...and you will notice that obviously my breathing was quite an issue back then too! I seem out of breath the whole time. It must have been walking down those stairs! Haha! Just understand the whole Follies concept. Ha!

Now, I realize that you are still recovering from that show! But, I have one more clip to help you understand the fun of the whole thing. This is from Dustin's follies (5 years later). Dustin and his friends worked this to perfection! It was a highlight of their follies. Note: There were MANY highlights of their follies! Dustin is the one in the front passenger seat. The one with the wild arms. So, I now present the McDonald's Drive-thru....

Any more questions? Hometown traditions. How could I not return for that!?

Cutie Patootie

Yes, well it is the end of a L-O-N-G year! Therefore, our occassional "cheese dip day" at a local Mexican restaurant has been changed to WEEKLY. A couple of weeks ago (I know, I know...I waited long enough to post it!) during "cheese dip," Mrs. Land brought us all the cutest surprise! Personalized aprons! Super cute! Of course we modeled them for a picture! What else would you expect?!

Me, Dantin, Juraszek (Remember....teachers call each other by their last names. Ha!)

Blaylock, White, Jierski, and Strum

She is actually going to begin selling them. She just decided to try them out on us first! Let me know if you think you'll want one...I'll get her the message. :) Thank you so much, Mrs. Land! You know exactly what tired, brain dead teachers need!

Cutie Patootie!!

Guess Who's Prego!!! (nope...not me!)

I recieved a phone call yesterday from my best friend from college....one that I forgot to return! Huge mistake!! She did not give up, however. Kelly called me as I was making supper tonight. I answered, "Hello." She said (as she ALWAYS has and ALWAYS will) "Hey Megan!" To which I ALWAYS respond, "Hey Kelly!" It's usually after those introductions that we begin to giggle at our habit. Then, of all things to say, she asks, "What's Farley doing?" Well, at the time he was eating all the dropped food that fell while I was cooking supper...so I told her as much. This is where it got exciting! "Well, I have the most random news of the day." I knew it. So, I said, "Hold on!" I gathered myself...almost went to sit down before she actually told me, but decided I could take this standing. Besides, jumping up and down would be much easier on my sore leg muscles if I was already up! Finally, she said it. "I'm pregnant!" Woo hoo!!!! I am so excited! After some screaming and laughing and, I must say, shock...we talked specifics! Her story is hilarious!!! Please visit her blog and read about the whole charade! I waited until she posted before making it public. I suppose I have the rightaway now!

Seriously, I am so happy for my sweet roomie!!! She and Aaron will be the best parents, and I cannot wait to see the personality of this little Rice! I love you both! Oh, and Kelly and I always promised that we'd "catch the baby" when we had kids. So, I'll be going to purchase a catcher's mit now! Ha!

Mother's Day

Mama with all her little Smithites

Happy Mother's Day to all you mommies out there! Mother's Day is typically a difficult day for me with the baby dedications and sweet tributes to moms during the church service. However, I feel like I'm getting much better at it! I have faith and trust God that one day it will be my time. With that said, we had a very enjoyable Mother's Day. Emotional? Yes. But, still a great day.

Mama asked several years ago that we PLEASE eat at home on Mother's Day and avoid the long lines at restaurants around town. So, that is what we do! Mama fixed a fantastic lunch! In fact, she fixed TWO fantastic meals. My dad has been begging her to fix some Cajun food sent from New Orleans by a church member. Since Russ was there, and he will eat anything that doesn't eat him first, this was Daddy's best chance to have the Cajun meal he had been asking for. However, my mom knows her girls all too well. No way was I nor Kristin about to eat seafood or chicken gumbo or that gross looking alligator sausage! So, she also fixed a roast with her yummy crock pot mac and cheese, rolls, and salad. There was also fruit/dip. Lee and his mom celebrated with us also, and she brought a delicious lemon pie. It was a feast! Too bad that the moms are the ones who slaved over the stove! Ha! I did fix lunch for everyone Saturday. Does that count as a Mother's Day "happy?" Ha!

And no special day is complete without pictures!!! I suppose Russ's camera has come in quite handy...even after I was opposed to it at the beginning. Russ, I was wrong. You were right! (Write that down! It RARELY happens!)

My mommy and me

It was my Mother's Day too! After all, Farley is treated like any human baby would be!

Daddy and his mom

We were so glad Pops was able to spend Mother's Day with Mama! It has been years since he has been able to travel to Corinth. With Nonnie in the hospital, he had the freedom to do that.

And, of course, Russ and I had to pose too!

Russ and I have been so blessed to have such wonderful, Christian mothers to teach us and guide us as we have grown...and are still growing! Thank you so much, Mama and Mom, for all your sacrifices. Thank you for showing us what kind of parent we want to be. We love you both very much!

Johnson Mother's Day at Catfish Hotel

Let me begin by saying the Johnson family is huge! Let me explain. Russ's dad is one of five brothers. Our part of that family alone is made up of sixteen people! So, you can imagine the crowd when all five brothers and their families come together. For Mother's Day, we decided to take Munu (Russ's grandmother) out to eat with the family at the Catfish Hotel. Unfortunately, Munu wasn't able to come. But, many of the Johnsons still got together to celebrate Mother's Day dinner.

Before leaving we presented Russ's parents with their Mother's and Father's Day gift. It was a new grill. A very nice grill if I do say so myself! Their old grill was a hand-me-down from Jimmy and Roan when they lived in Corinth. So, it was definitely time for an upgrade. I think they are very happy, and Jan cannot wait for us to all get back together so she can grill!

Russ's parents with the new grill

After the presentation of the grill, we were off to Catfish Hotel! We had a great time eating All You Can Eat Catfish...well, I actually got chicken tenders. I know, boring kid meal! We also enjoyed visiting with other Johnsons that we never get to see. It was a much needed "catch-up" dinner.

Olivia, Julie, and Clay

Leah and Grace being silly as usual!

John Mark and Stacee

Sam, Mary Kate, and Sherry

Russ and me

Roan, Sam, and Pop (Russ's dad)

Jenny and Jeff

Seth and Will

Jimmy and Russ's mom

Fred and Diane

After dinner the kids were dying to skip rocks in the water. So, we spent some time outside before leaving. And, of course, we got a family photo. Thank goodness for Prentiss and Bo, who were innocently trying to have their own Mother's Day dinner, when we called them over to take pictures. Thanks PK and Bo!

The Johnsons

For those critical observers, as Russ calls it, you may be thinking, "Isn't that the same outfit you were sporting in your previous post?" Well, the answer is YES! Yes, I did rewear this outfit without washing it. Why? Because I recently purchased the cutest flip flops from Russ's aunt, and my pink skirt went perfectly with them. So, I made sure to show them off!

Meme's Doodles Flip Flops! Super cute! I even bought my mom some buttons to match mine for the flip flops I gave her last year from Debbie. Very popular!

Overall, we had a great time celebrating Mother's Day with the Johnsons!

"The (real-life) Notebook"

The Notebook. Have you read it?  I have.  Have you seen it? I have seen the movie several times. In fact, I own it.  I have also watched the real life version of The Notebook as I watched my grandparents the last few months.

April has been a tough month for my family...particularly my mom. Nonnie, my mom's mama, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's for several years now. All of you who have dealt with this disease know how hard it is on the family members. It has been simple, funny things for the most part...forgetting where she put something, forgetting where she was going, etc. Things we all do anyway! We would all laugh, and she would just say "Well...I have the 'Big A'!" However, we noticed last summer at Panama City Beach, our annual vacation with the Coons, that her disease was far worse than I realized. This past year, it continually got worse. About two months ago, Nonnie started forgetting where she was and who Pops was. She would be in a panic with this "strange man" in her house. She needed to find her husband! She would forget to take medication for who knows how long. We did not realize the toll it was taking on my grandfather. He never complains! We have wanted to move them out of their neighborhood for years, but we also talked to them about getting a smaller apartment - perhaps in Corinth - so that we could take care of them. The conversation never went any further.

Last week, we moved Nonnie and Pops into a nice assisted living facility Alzheimer's unit. This was the best thing for them both. Pops is no longer alone trying to care for my grandmother. There are nurses right down the hall. Their meals and medication are taken care of. Although my grandmother was very upset with the idea, she stayed with Pops. The main issue that they deal with is the constant longing to "go home." Nonnie packed her bags daily, and begged to go home. After a week of residence, the nurses referred her to the geriatrics unit to regulate her medication in order to calm her down. This will be a wonderful thing once her medications are helping her to decrease her anxiety.

Clancy, Pops, me, and Aunt Patsy at Dessert Night

So, while Mama took Nonnie to the hospital to check her in, I stayed with Pops for Dessert Night! It was very entertaining to eat dessert with Alzheimer's patients and listen to "good old tunes" from 1365! Ha! The best part was watching a woman enter her room to get ready for bed. Close behind was a man, who I assumed was her husband. I notice that the name on the door was one of a lady - one lady. Then, I heard it. "Mr. So and So, this is not your room!" The nurse came running, took his arms, and led him to the correct room. It was all I could do to keep myself composed and back to listening to "Danny Boy." Thank goodness my cousin and aunt came as well. Russ also arrived a little late.

After giving the lady who, according to Pops, was in the wrong seat at our table...some fashion advice, we headed back to Nonnie and Pops's room to visit and watch Grey's Anatomy. We were all a little nervous because my grandparents have never spent a night apart!

Me and Pops visiting in his room

It was an emotional night. But, it was also a good night. As my mom misses her mom this Mother's Day, we also realize that she is getting better. She will come home a calmer, less anxious version of herself. Please keep Nonnie, Pops, and both my mom and uncle in your prayers this week as they try to do the best they can caring for aging parents.

I probably will not watch The Notebook again without breaking down. But I will continue to watch the beautiful love story that my grandparents have written and will continue to write. I can only hope and pray that my marriage, after 62 years, will be as strong and beautiful as Nonnie and Pops's.

Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking.

It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails.

I Corinthians 13:4-8