White Coat Ceremony

Well, I've finally sat down and taken enough time to blog about Matthew's White Coat Ceremony! This is something A.T. Still has just recently started doing (I think?) and it was actually a pretty cool ceremony and everything! The day started out with everyone going to campus and the guests went to a "guest orientation" where we were told how to support our loved ones through medical school. We learned about the Student Advocate Association (SAA) and everything they offer. Let's just say, the SAA is like 90% of the reason why people who have spouses (or significant others) choose to attend KCOM for medical school. It was a fun morning for the girls, even though I already knew most of it. Then Matthew and I went back home and got dressed and ready for the white coat ceremony that afternoon.

The ceremony was actually at Truman State in their auditorium, and it was really nice! The students all went to a separate classroom while the guests found their seats in the auditorium. It was kind of nice not being in a huge group, so I only had to find one seat. Well, as luck would have it, I was sitting close to the aisle where the students came in and so I was able to get a good picture of him as he came in!

Doesn't he look so good?? Such a handsome man!

The ceremony itself was pretty cool. I didn't pay attention most of the time, but it was crazy to just get things started and come to the realization that this is really happening! For the past year, I have felt like this day would never come. We always said we were moving to Missouri and we always said that Matt is going to medical school, but it has finally started! So after a few people spoke, the students all took turns going on stage, saying their name and what school they graduated from. Then they brought their white coat to the dean and she put it on them and then they walked across the stage the rest of the way.

Matthew after receiving his white coat and shaking hands with the dean.

It was a pretty fun kick-off to the first year of medical school and it definitely made everything much more real. I am so proud of Matthew and all of his hard work that has gotten him to where he is today. After the ceremony, we just took pictures outside for awhile and then we went to the school for an ice cream social. I tell you what, this school is the greatest ever! They find a reason to have socials for EVERYTHING! It is the best. :)

Matthew and I after the white coat ceremony

Side note: Check out my shoes in the picture above! We went to JCPenney when we first got here and I found these cute heels! They are the tallest shoes I have ever owned in my life. They are seriously like 3-4" heels. I kind of love them, but usually only when I'm around Matt. Around anyone else, I just feel HUGE. :) Anyway, that's all with that.

(Almost) all of the Utah State boys who are 1st years at ATSU. There is one more who we couldn't find for the picture

A bunch of the friends we have already made so far.

Love this picture. Can't wait to take another in 4 years. :)

The above picture is of a lot of the med school wives I have met so far. I can't say enough about all of these girls. It has only been a few weeks of living here, but I can already tell I am going to have some of the best friends in the world out here. It is amazing how quickly we have all been able to become friends and relate to each other. We get along so well and I can't wait to go on this journey together! (This is just a picture of the first year wives, I have some incredible friends whose husbands are second years too. I'll post pictures of/with them ASAP.)

And here he is! Student Dr. Matthew Thomas Wright! :)

And so it has begun. 2 weeks of medical school under our belts. I know this year may be really, REALLY tough sometimes, but I also know it will make Matthew and I much closer in many ways. I will post another update about our actual life soon, but just know all is well here!

Until next time.

Missouri!!

I remember living in Utah before moving to Missouri and people asking where Matthew and I were moving. I would tell them we were moving to Missouri and I think at least 75% of them said this exact line: "Missouri!? Sounds more like misery to me..." Well, folks, Matthew and I have lived here for a week now and I think it's safe to say... I think we're going to like it here! So let's start from the beginning, shall we?

Last Monday, we loaded up the trailers. Notice how I said trailerS? Yeah... We had 2. My dad was kind enough to let us drive his truck out, so we towed the biggest trailer U-haul offered with his truck and then we towed a smaller trailer with our little gutless wonder. So we picked up the trailers and Matthew's dad came over and him and Matt worked their mattress and stuffed those trailers full! Seriously, I can't even explain it, I wish I could show you everything that was inside of that trailer! It was awesome!

First trailer loaded in that NASTY heat!

This little helper came over with her mommy and daddy right as we were finishing up! (Impeccable timing!) haha but seriously, people, look at that ADORABLE thing!!!! So cute it's unfair! I will miss her lots! And her mom and dad too. :)

Second trailer all loaded and ready to go!

 Tuesday morning we woke up bright and early and headed out! Matthew and his dad were in the truck and my mom and I were in my car. The first day we decided to stop in Denver and stay with Angie, Keith, and their kids. Well... the trip took A LOT longer than expected. Instead of taking 8 hours, I think it took like 11 or something like that. Once we got there, it was great. I got to play with Jackson and Layla and Angie made us some delicious dinner. I was glad we decided to make our overall trip just a little bit longer by stopping in Denver to spend the night there. It was fun to play with Jackson and Layla and catch up with Angie. (Thanks for letting us stay the night, Ang!)

The next morning we woke up bright and early once again and headed east to Missouri! We left at about 6 AM and drove all day through eastern Colorado (freaking ugly!), Kansas (not as bad as I thought) and then got to Missouri! It was fun to ride in the car for so long with my mom and chat the whole time, but I did get angry once during the trip because it was taking FOREVER! We didn't get into Kirksville until 10:30 PM. Seriously, it was such a long day! When we got in, we immediately started unloading everything. We had a neighbor across the street who came right over and offered to help us and then Matt had 2 friends from COT who came over to help. I was shocked that there were so many people willing to help us so late at night. It was definitely a good beginning to our stay here. We got everything unloaded and into the house and then unpacked just enough to set up our beds for the night.

The next day was the 4th of July. I had found a 5K being run that morning, and I REALLY wanted to participate. Since we got in so late, it took a little convincing for Matthew, but we ended up going and it was lots of fun. I was surprised with the turnout! Matthew took 2nd place overall (surprise, surprise) and I did... decent. Not great. Haha but it was lots of fun anyway!

Matthew and I at the 4th of July 5K

After the race, we watched a little parade at the square and then we drove around the town and the campus and everything so our parents could see.

ATSU! Matthew's new home for the next couple of years!

After driving around town for a little while, the rest of our day/week consisted of unpacking, organizing, and decorating, as well as about 5000 trips to Walmart for things we kept forgetting we threw away. It was so fun to see our little home come together and I was so grateful for all of the help we had in those early-on days. We couldn't have gotten as much done as fast as we did without all of that help. So here are some pictures of our new home! :)

Family room/TV area

The other side of that room (new entertainment center that now has a new TV in it)

Dining Area

Downstairs/Guest Bathroom

Kitchen

Guest Bedroom (This actually looks different now, but... you get the idea!)

Our bathroom upstairs

Other side of our bathroom

And our front entryway complete with the engagement picture we thought we lost... Haha

So I haven't taken pictures of our bedroom or our office yet, but I will eventually, Those rooms are basically set up, but I don't feel like I have really perfected them yet, so I haven't taken any pictures.. :) I will post them again when I get a chance.

Just so this isn't a marathon post like mine usually are, I will just conclude with some bullet points:

• We LOVE our ward and all of the people we have met so far. Everyone is so happy and friendly here and I have been so blessed with the people I have met so far.
• I'm still on the hunt for a job to keep me busy during the day while Matthew is at school. No luck so far, but thankfully I've been able to keep busy for the past little while.
• I think I have only made dinner a couple of times because we have been invited over by so many people to have dinner with them. 
• The humidity! Ok, I know it's just Missouri, but holy cow! I feel wet ALL. THE. TIME! Haha ok, not ALL the time, but it is very... different. 
• Matthew had his white coat ceremony on Saturday afternoon. I will do a separate post on that later. (Hopefully soon though!)
• First day of medical school TODAY! I don't really know what to expect for the next few months/couple of years, but I am excited that Matthew FINALLY gets to start chasing the dream he has worked so hard to achieve! He is beyond ready to tackle med school, and I am ready to love and support him through it. :) Wish us luck!
• By the way... Just to clear things up, Missouri is NOTHING like misery. At least Kirksville isn't. I actually am REALLY happy here. :)

Ok, so I think that's about it for now. Like I've said before, I am going to try to blog more frequently now that we live farther away from family. Let's hope I can do it!

Until next time.

Holy Crap!!!!

And so it begins! Today we are packing up everything and getting ready to head out to Missouri TOMORROW! I can't even believe it. It doesn't seem real at all and I can't even believe it's happening. I am definitely going to try MUCH harder to blog since we will be so far away, but I will have to neglect the good ol' blog until we get everything situated with the internet... I'll do my ode to Utah later. So long, Utah!