Today marks the first of August!! To some, this means a new month of opportunities. To some, this means the new school year is just on the horizon (or just started if you’re TN schools 😳). And for us, this means the start of a new rotation for Joel. Nights are done and now on to Vascular (idk what that entails haha).
By the strength of God, we made it through that first month!!! We definitely had our challenging days, but both Joel and I looked back and said it wasn’t as bad as we thought. I feel like we can both say that now as we are not in the thick of it, but as I’m trying to be an encouragement to others going through this same process or will be in the future, It. Is. Doable. There were challenging days—there were tears this month & I joke that JoJo cried the least. However, there were celebrations. Many celebrations & blessings!! So much so that I made a list of accomplishments made by each of us this month:
Joel
- Installing a shower door
- Letting Claire take over pizza making
- Prescribing medicine
- First time in OR & performing surgery as a doctor (!!!! Like I am so dang proud of this)
- Being at the house all by himself for a week/weekend (lol as a SAHM, those days will be far and few for him)
- Fixing a treadmill
- Finishing his first rotation of residency
JoJo
- Playing at his first play place! Thanks Chick-Fil-A! He loved the climbing!!
- Seeing fireworks! Though they were on the scream, he was still amazed and said “wow!!!” multiple times.
- Actually jumping and catching air!! Prior to this he would jump & just squat. Joel got him to get a few inches of air through modeling.
- Eating popcorn! Though controversial, we were careful & he loved it!
- Itsy Bitsy Spider hand motions! Step aside Wherls on the Bus, there’s a new sheriff in town. JoJo just randomly danced to this song one day!
- Experiencing feels like temperatures of 100+. This winter baby literally THROWS UP at any heat inconvenience to his body. We are proud of him for being in this sudden change of temperature!! His new strong love of water has definitely helped!!
- Carwashing! JoJo drove through his first car wash (thanks Aunt Lindsey!!) and washed his own wheels! Anything to keep this kid engaged lol
- Being in a different state than both mom and dad. This was a hard one for Mama & Dada! After a last minute decision to not take him on the 7 hour car ride to IL, JoJo stayed back in KY with my in-laws, while I was traveling the Midwest and Joel was in TN. It was too long away though!!!!
- Getting a pair of cowboy boots! This boy is now caught up in the country!!!
Before I say mine, I wanted to express how residency has definitely grown Joel, but also me. I have realized that I have been dependent on him to try new things, to be my security and comfort. Now that’s not bad, but I know that that feeling should come from God! So I know over the course of this residency I’ll be growing in confidence in myself to do all the things!!! Though I would rather Joel be a part of some of these, I am proud of myself for accomplishing these tasks. So they may be little to you, these were big deals to me!
Me
- Out to eat without Joel! JoJo and I took a trip to Chick-Fil-A with a friend!! Normally this would make me anxious, but we were fine!!
- Solo exploring trips! JoJo and I have explored walking paths, new stores, and new areas.
- Installing curtain rods and curtains!! I’m not as precise as Joel but I got the job done!!!
- Making tomato pie! I guess this is a Southern Comfort Food?! Or if it’s not, it sounds like one!!
- Taking garbage out! LOL if you know you know the #struggle to take out the trash in the kitchen to the bin and the bin to the end of the driveway.
- Being the bug killer! I have you know I’ve killed multiple ants AND A CENTIPEDE. I also got a beetle away from JoJo.
- Driving a golf cart!
- Soul driver for a vacation trip! I drove 26 hours traveling to different states on our vacation trip last week 🥵🥵 Usually I am the passenger princess but not this time haha.
- Been away from JoJo for more than four days!! True facts!! This was probably the hardest and not something I want to do again. It was too long! 🥲 The reuniting at the end of the trip was the absolute best.
We all grew a lot this past month and I can’t wait to see what is in store for August. So, if you’re a first year resident’s wife or eventually about to start this journey, I highly encourage you to celebrate the small and big accomplishments. Take it all day by day! Some days will be hard, but it just takes 20 seconds of insane courage & a deeper hope. Some days will be great! Don’t let the bad days override the good ones.
I just saw something online that said “Remember, sometimes when you pray for flowers, you’re going to get rain”. Joel and I prayed so hard for this little life we are living now. I told him that some days, it’s the rainy season, but the sun & flowers are showing up. God is faithful to His promises!
Happy August 1st Friends!!
XOXO,
Mrs. DeCLAIREing Happiness
mrsdeclaireinghappiness.com 