Tuesday, December 9, 2008

A Kentucky Christmas























We found a small tree farm in Virginia that we were able to cut down our own Christmas tree. This was the first time I had ever done this before and I was super excited!
Our Tree went from that to this! It looks and smells amazing. I'm so happy we got a real Christmas tree this year. The experience was totally worth it.
Now this is how Kentuckians decorate, the picture doesn't do it justice. Our decorations are the top left window with our cute little tree all lit up. Our "interesting" neighbor has decided to buy a lifetime supply of inflatable decorations. You should have seen the Halloween decorations. It's only December 9, I feel there is more to come. The wreath on the front plays Christmas music, awww how cute, right? Well, it's not cute when you can hear the same Christmas tune playing over and over and over again at 1:00 in the morning. Kyle told me just to go to bed, but nope I went down and kindly asked my favorite neighbor to plllllllease turn off the sound. Awwww, much better. I fell right asleep.

We had a great Thanksgiving break and loved being able to spend time with family. Bailey did great on the long drive and we spent a couple of nights in Bethalto and a couple in Eureka. It was nice just to be around family and see them in person rather than just talking over the phone. We got back and Kyle's tests started up. He has one more week of school until Christmas break and 5 tests. He's been studying a lot lately and could use some prayers. I decided to do some Christmas shopping in Knoxville Saturday with my good friend Colleen since Kyle was busy with studying. We actually got to go to a Target and see real stores (so exciting), we finally decided to head back when they shut the lights off on us at 11:00. Kyle's December has included studying, studying, sleeping, eating, and more studying. I've been lucky enough to keep busy with book club, Grace Notes, basketball games, baking cookies, and Christmas decorating. We will both be glad when he will have a break from tests for a couple of weeks and we are excited to get the chance to spend time with family again.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Soon to be Dr. Toti



Kyle's White Coat Ceremony was the defining point of wow, we are really in med school. People may laugh when I say "we" are in med school, but it is something we are doing as husband and wife. Yes, Kyle has the hard part of studying and remembering all those muscles, bones, diseases, so on and so forth, but I am supporting him by always being there for him when he needs me. Kyle was the most handsome doctor there and I was so proud of him. The first picture he's standing by what they call a "sim patient", it's a robot patient that responds and everything. They will have the opportunity to work with the robot and hired patients the first and second year. He has already had the chance to meet with one hired patient and diagnosed her cough fabulously. He puts in a lot of hard work and a lot of studying, I mean A LOT of studying and it will one day pay off. I don't doubt that he will make a wonderful, caring, smart doctor. Keep Kyle in your prayers as he continues to learn more and more each day. His Dean at the school described it perfectly all the information you get out of med school is like trying to drink from a fire hose. There is just so much to learn in the 2 years he's actually in the classroom. Be aware that he will try out some of the "manipulation" that he has learned. Being a D.O. he has learned ways to manipulate the body. The first week was nice it was back rubs and enjoyable things and then he learned the other stuff. How to get rid of headaches, which doesn't work if you don't have a headached instead I wound up saying ouch, now my head hurts. He has learned how to get rid of cramps, get your blood flowing, and so many others. So be careful if he says come here let me try this out on you, just kidding. He's a great med student and will somebody be the best doctor.



We are absolutely loving life right now. We have made new friends, got a new addition to the Toti family, and made lots and lots of memories. We have a new passion for the outdoors with all the beauty that surrounds us. We have mountains, waterfalls, and not to mention interesting neighbors so we always have something to look at. We have gone on several hiking trips and the first picture is a 6 mile hike we did up to an overlook that looks out in Virginia, although it was a little wet from the rain before we had a wonderful time. We have found a church "family" and that's exactly what it is we are so glad that God has lead us to First Christian Church. We feel like we have a second family there, we have several people there that we feel very close to. The second picture is a picture at our Church's picnic where we went on hay rides, Kyle played some football, and had smores (I even baked a Texas cake for our dessert). We enjoyed a trunk or treat at our church for Halloween where we won best costume for the Toti Family Cardinals, even Bailey had a Cardinals outfit! After getting all settled in we fell in love with a puppy at the animal shelter and added to the family with a little terrier mix dog named Bailey. She's a great stress reliever for Kyle and a good running dog for myself. We are so happy to be making a home down here in Middlesboro, Kentucky and making the best of these 4 wonderful yet interesting years in med school. I was lucky enough to get a teaching job 3 days before school started at a small private middle school/high school that is on the same campus as Kyle's school. I teach part time as a 5th and 6th graders Language Arts and Social Studies teacher. I love my kids and the school I'm at, it is a very different atmosphere than Geggie but I'm enjoying it. I also have decided to help out the Athletic Director at the sporting events to help my lack of coaching down here. I have picked up a few hobbies I don't know that I would've had if we were back in Missouri. I have joined a singing group at church called Grace Notes that sings more modern christian songs with 3 other women in the church. I have joined a book club even though I've only read 1 out of the 3 books that they've read, I still go and enjoy the wine! I've started doing yoga with my good friend Colleen and I absolutely love it, it's a good workout and somewhat relaxing. I also walk/run with Colleen and we get to talk "teacher talk" since we are both teachers down here. Kyle has made some friends as well. He studies mostly with 2 other guys named Michael and Chuck. We are so glad that we are making new friendships but we do miss our friends and family back in Missouri. We are looking forward to spending time with family and friends Thanksgiving weekend.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Welcome to the Toti's Blog

We have officially gotten all settled in down here in Kentucky/Tennessee. We are busy enjoying life and would love to share our experiences with our family and friends and this is just one way we can do that.