fun times with the kiddos! it's been a bit since i've written, so let me try catch up. we're having some great weather in nashville, most days that is, and last weekend was "getting out in the yard" time. harrison hung out while we dug up weeds and dead stuff in our flower bed and benjo pulled out his mower to accompany dad while he was giving our backyard a much needed trim. these are the pics i've included for your perusal. and let me point you in the direction to check out harebear's sweet little legs... i want to eat them up! his fat little feet are even cuter, if that's possible.... i'll have to get a pic for you to decide :)




yesterday was mama's 34th birthday!!! it's not really that hard to believe i'm 34, when i think about everything i've experienced so far. but i'm very sure it's hard for my parents. as one of my mentors in residency told me, the days can be long but the years are always fast. good quote, huh? i have to say my birthday was fantastic. daddy really outdid himself this year. i slept in (sooo gooood), then went out sans boys to do a little shopping, which i always enjoy, but this time i actually shopped FOR ME! i can't seem to ever take the time to shop for myself these days, it's much more fun to buy for my kiddos, or i just don't have the energy/time/gusto. and since i still have not lost the baby weight, it's good to have some new clothes that actually fit my new shapely body :). i think whatever exercise i'm putting in is negated by cheeze-it and oreo intake (hmm... do we have any in the pantry right now?) but i feel good which is most important. we also went to the bluebird cafe, a nashville staple that i've wanted to visit since we moved here 2 years ago... we finally made it! folks, it was worth the wait. a quaint venue with about 12 tables, a bar, and a stage where the songwriters get up and work their magic. this experience is what i envisioned music would be like in nashville - it did not disappoint.

in other news, i have a few job opportunities on the horizon that i'm excited about. both through vanderbilt, both great positions doing interesting work that will build my foundation to move towards work in the public health sector. one would be working with residents in the resident clinic, which is stimulating and super fun, the other would be working with an incredible physician looking into adverse events after vaccines. i would be thrilled with either, second interviews in the next couple of weeks.

you know, it's like the new ultimate question for moms in the 21st century.... stay at home or work. as i've pretty much done both (i'm working some now, but really not enough that i wouldn't consider myself stay at home primarily these days), i now realize that it is such an incredible personal choice that every mom has to make for themselves, and let me tell you that it's a super struggle. i've realized that i'm tremendously grateful for this time with harrison being so little, watching him reach his milestones, all the snuggle time,... but maybe i'm just a better mom when i'm working? i tend to not take all the special moments for granted as much, it's so weird. anyway, i've prayed to have guidance and wisdom to make the best decision for my kids, myself, and my family, and i've always felt strongly about the principle "whatever is supposed to happen will", so we shall see. it's very kismet that both of these positions have opened up recently and would really be great opportunities for me, but i will never ever regret having the time that i've had and continue to have... i'm a grateful and fortunate woman. of course, my stomach does flips at the thought of being away as i write these words, but i really love having a career for myself ... and the struggle goes on.