Valentine's Day

For Valentine's day this year we made plans all the way back in the first week of January to drive down to St. George for the weekend and go camping in Snow Canyon. By the time it finally came around, we were SO READY to get out of town. 

On Friday when I was at work Bryce called me to tell me that he needed me to get something out of the trunk of the car so it wouldn't melt...turns out it was a 2lb bag of my favorite chocolate that he had forgotten in the trunk! I was smitten. 

After that I took a midterm and the next morning we woke up and packed. Which actually sounds easier than it was. Because I don't know how to camp. Especially in Utah as opposed to Washington. I tried to back so many winter clothes and so many times Bryce stopped me to ask why the heck was I packing rubber bands, or clorox wipes, or shampoo when we were going for one night. 

Let's be honest, I was kind of a barbie but I've changed my ways. I am not a girl who camps! It was probably the funnest trip of my life. 

We got down there and went straight to the DI. Because we love wandering around DI. We found this really cool book from the 1960s of all the memorable images in TIME magazine from the last 30 years. And we just sat at a table and looked through the whole thing. Then we bought Bryce a golf shirt because that's something he's starting to pick up golfing. 

Then we went to a nursery in town because Bryce had promised to buy me a house plant for Valentines day! We picked out the perfect little succulent garden and took him home to stay with us. I say him, because soon after Bryce named him Bobby and now every time I come home I find Bobby in a different part of the house because Bryce is sure to make sure he is getting adequate sunlight. Very important. 

 Our campsite was perfect. We had bought a rack of ribs at Costco and made rolls and veggies over the fire before sitting by the fire and watching the stars. I think we went to bed at 8 but it felt so good! Sharing a tent with your husband is so fun, we just sat in our sleeping bags and giggled, talked about things that didn't involve school or work or anything remotely stressful, and it was so good).

 For breakfast we made eggs and bacon and hashbrowns, at muffins and oranges and hot chocolate. 

 I was in charge of picking out the hiking trails. We picked one called three ponds where it was supposed to go into the riverbed of a slot canyon and end up looking a this huge arch (supposedly). So we get to the end of the hike and it's really cool canyon running parallel to the canyon we had been camping in. The group in front of us was traveling south through the canyon, and they looked like the knew where they were going so we followed them.

 Well it turns out there wasn't actually a trail. But we climbed through the canyon for hours and hours. It was so fun to be totally alone and just talk as we walked through the canyon and tried to figure out where we were going or how to get out. Eventually though, I did start to get a little worried. We had been hiking for more than 3 hours on a hike that was supposed to take only about an hour. We also were starting to run out of food and water...

There were all sorts of cool red rocks along the way, and since we weren't following an actual trail, we had to scale a lot of walls like this and had a lot of trial and error trying to find the right way to go. 

Eventually we found a group of girls and asked them where this canyon led to, and luckily it did have a way out! This picture is from when the canyon finally opened up and we found our way out! It looks like it's not very far, but from this point we still had to hike about four miles. It took us back to the entry to the park and we hiked through sand dunes to get back. We were so hungry afterwards that we went to Chuckarama! I don't think I have ever craved Chuckarama in my life but we ate until we felt so so sick.

It was honestly one of the best trips of my life. It was just so good to get out of the stress of the day and spend time outside and be able to just talk about anything all day. Camping was perfect for us, I'm so excited to go again (bet you never saw that coming out of my mouth before huh?).

Afterwards, our feet were so so tired. In total we hiked and climbed about 9 miles when we had really only planned on 3. Our Chacos were perfect for the hike though, we didn't even get blisters really and didn't have any pain at all. They are my favorite shoes and I'm excited to move to Arizona where I can wear them almost every day!

8 Month Updates

Things have been pretty crazy down here. We went into our 7th month of marriage with a lot on our to-do list and a lot of changes. I started a new job working at Timpanogos Regional Hospital in the Same Day Surgery Department. I organize all of the patient records and charts and then register them when they come through. It was a really steep learning curve to start off, and I was really stressed trying to do it right when I was so used to being so good at my old job. 

Bryce is still working at the hospital in the Emergency Department. They have been training scribes in Ogden this month so he was pulling 12 hour shifts everyday of every weekend. Together were working over 60 hours a week, and we're both still full time students, so we we've been going full speed for a few weeks now. Also we have been sharing a car and driving back and forth from work in Orem. 

To start off there were a lot of growing pains. We are in an organic chemistry class from 6-9pm at night twice a week. I do have to say that we have the most fun as lab partners, I've never enjoyed labs so much! And I hate labs! We do lots of things like make banana oil and isolate compounds from cinnamon. Writing it all down makes us sound fancier and smarter than we are, lets be honest. 

While we have been having some crazy weeks lately, I am grateful for the time we have together practicing for Midwestern in a few months. The first week with our crazy schedule, we left the house at 7:30 in the morning and didn't get home until 10:30 at night. We walked home together and both just felt like crying. But by the second week we didn't feel that way until Thursday! So it's been improving! 

The biggest thing I've learned the last few weeks is just to let go. The first week I was getting cramps in my jaw and my back from clenching them all day at work! I've had to accept that our house is going to be messy sometimes and dinner might not always be made. 

This is our laundry lately.

 And this is our kitchen, with literally every dish we own dirty (which is why all our cabinets are empty)

 To be honest we are both just so so tired of school.

 But we have still been managing to have some fun. The best moments of the day are when we're together again, having pillow talk and giggling about everything that happened during the day.

Whenever we do get a spare minute we spend our time going to the dollar theatre or splitting dinner before class. Bryce has been absolutely amazing. During the weeks I'm usually working and when I get home Bryce has dinner ready and all our errands ran. He takes the time to dance with me in the kitchen and listen to me even when all I have to say is how tired I am. I don't know how he does it but my workaholic husband (in a good way) can just go forever.

We wake up and remind each other everyday that everything we are doing now is an investment for our future, which makes it easier. I just think about our future little family and the kind of woman I'm going to be for working like this now instead of later.

 In other inconsequential news, I chopped my hair off about a month ago. It was something I had been thinking about for months, and let's be honest, once Taylor chopped her hair it was even more reason. I don't really love it but I guess it is nice to have a change. Still counting the days until it grows back. 

Before.

 After.

 Other things we've been up to: cleaning our house every once in a while, we made an epic trip down to St. George for Valentines day (more on that later), and planning our move to Arizona. We went to a Chinese New Year party last week and ate so many potstickers I swear I was sick for days. 

Anyways, I have a lot more blogging to catch up on. But there is our current status. Marriage just gets better with every day. I truly got the best one!

Today (and Yesterday's) Happy

How "So Luke and Loralai...." is a common phrase coming out of Bryce's mouth. 

Homemade cookies made by Bryce when I feel sick.

Coming home to my husband working out to Taylor Swift and sweeping our kitchen floor while I sit on the couch sick.

Cold gingerale waiting for me in our fridge when I got home because Bryce put it there and I feel sick.

Also, that this week is finally over. 

And no, I'm not pregnant, just sick.

Currently loving

She had looked for his coming as warriors come, 

With the clash of arms and the bugle's call; 

But he came instead with a stealthy tread, 

Which she did not hear at all.

She had thought how his armor would blaze in the sun, 

As he rode like a prince to claim his bride; 

In the sweet dim light of the falling night 

She found him at her side.

She had dreamed how the gaze of his strange, bold eye 

Would wake her heart to a sudden glow: 

She found in his face the familiar grace 

Of a friend she used to know.

She had dreamed how his coming would stir her soul, 

As the ocean is stirred by the wild storm's strife: 

He brought her the balm of a heavenly calm, 

And a peace which crowned her life.

- Ella Wheeler Wilcox, 1917 

Also loving that we were up until the wee hours of the night last night discussing.....chemistry. That's true love right there. 

Gratitude

Reason's why I seriously feel like Heavenly Father's favorite child as of lately:

The friends, family, aunts, uncles, and cousins who worked so hard to make our wedding day perfect. I was washing the dishes last night, and I almost cried just thinking about it. I had never felt so loved in my life than I did on that day. (We're still writing thank you notes, but don't worry, they're coming!)

My husband who goes out of his way to make sure I'm able to work out every day by offering to clean, cook, or organize, who would rather clean a messy house than let me miss my run for the day. (It really is the best to leave my messy house knowing he'll be so happy I took care of myself instead of stayed home to clean)

A warm house, hot water, fresh foods, a comfy bed, a washer and dryer, healthy bodies.

Brussels sprouts (my only regret in life is I didn't find them sooner).

The opportunity to practice self control, because let's be honest I'm addicted to Facebook. It's probably my worst habit but I've been getting better. Kinda. I'm still working on it, any recommendations would help. I don't know how it's even possible to get rid of it because everything is connected to Facebook!

My microbiome; they do so much for you and they never get recognized for all their hard work. Biology really is the coolest thing ever. Somehow I ended up with the perfect major for me without even trying. 

The list involving things my husband does is just too long so I won't bore you but some of the most notable are wearing a suit and tie that matches my outfit to church because he knows it makes me happy, mid afternoon cuddles, late-night pillow talk, and offering to watch Gilmore girls "if you REALLY want to". And moving our furniture around multiple times just for it to end up back where it was originally. Or following me around the Target Christmas section for an hour.  

And the list goes on and on. I feel so so blessed and happy, so grateful to a loving Heavenly Father. 

Dr. & Dr. Kruman

It is official! We have BOTH been accepted to Midwestern University of Health Sciences and will be moving to Glendale, AZ this summer! We are both so excited and relieved! Knowing we were both able to get in at the same school is such a stress relief . Having worked in the Pre-Med office for the last two years, whenever married couples came in saying they were both applying, I thought they were crazy. I never knew I was going to be one of them!

We can't wait to keep creating a life we love together in Arizona!

 Bryce will be attending the Arizona School of Podiatric Medicine, where he will complete 4 years of school and then a surgical residency to become a foot and ankle surgeon with a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree (DPM). It will basically be medical school, all of his classes will be with the medical students as will his residency, but luckily he will become a surgeon a lot faster than most medical students (He will be done with school in 7 years)!

I will be attending the Arizona College of Optometry where I will be completing 4 years of school as well to earn my Optometric Doctor degree (OD). I'm still undecided if I will end up doing a residency, but I have a long time to figure that out. I would love to do something with vision rehabilitation therapy. All of my classes will be integrated with the dental students for the first two years and then the last two years will be in clinic. 

I get asked a lot if I'm going to school to get the degree or if I'm planning on working. Let's just think about that question for a moment and realize it is absolutely absurd; why would anyone put themselves through pursuing a medical education without planning on actually using it? Part of me wants to go around asking people that same question to see how they respond. But instead I will now step off my soap box and save that discussion for another time...

We are so so excited about Midwestern University! When we sought out to apply for schools, knowing we both wanted to become doctors, it quickly became a little bit overwhelming to look at logistically. The cost alone was a little scary. But then the thought of both of us having to be accepted in the same place made it even a little more tricky; there are only 9 Podiatry schools and 22 Optometry schools, which narrowed our options to THREE cities which would actually be reasonable (i.e. were within 45 minutes of each other, both schools were competitive, and costs were low). 

There were times when we would lay in bed thinking about the gravity of it all and wonder, "Is this really what we want to do?" "Is there anything else I might want to do more?" but eventually we came to realize, this is the work we feel called to do and so we moved forward with faith it would work out. 

We applied everywhere we could, just in case, but we knew we wanted to end up in either California, Arizona, or Philadelphia. Once we started to hear back from schools, it was a little bit scarier. We each had interviews at all of the schools we wanted, but they usually will accept students within a week of interviewing and then expect $1000 dollar deposit within about a month, so then we had to worry not only about getting in, but also about getting in at the same time!

Eventually, it came to the point where we realized Arizona was the only place that even felt right. Other options might have worked out okay, but none of them had everything we wanted like Midwestern. I interviewed back in September and was accepted two days later. Bryce interviewed exactly a month later, and just two weeks ago we found out he was in too! We didn't even have to interview anywhere else or pay for any other secondary applications, which was a huge blessing. 

When I think back over the last 4 years, all the sleepless nights, tears shed over failed tests hard classes, stresses over scholarships and applications, I'm filled with so much gratitude for everyone that has helped I see all the miracles that have come into my life and all the times where things just worked out when they might have seemed impossible. These tender mercies and mighty miracles show me just how important it is that we go and become a force for good in the world around us. The fact that we even met as the President and Vice President of a club for Pre-Health students alone shows me how much we need to do this. 

Our first picture together, at the opening social for the BYU Allied Health Club.

 We are so grateful to our Heavenly Father for helping us to work things out perfectly for us, better than we could have ever planned it ourselves (which is saying a lot, because everyone know how much we LOVE planning). And of course, all of our friends and family and advisors who were helpful and patient with us throughout the whole process (like when we were up until 3am on family vacation working on applications for 8 hours straight which is what is happening in the photo below

Spending 8 hours writing up your life's work on a laptop can really fry your brain

There are a million other reasons why we're so happy with midwestern but what is comes down to is Midwestern really is the perfect place for us and we are so excited to be spending the next 4 years growing together there.

When we first started working towards this goal last spring, we would get really overwhelmed and stressed sometimes about everything working out, and it was frustrating that we didn't have any couples who had done it that we could talk to. So if you know any couples/individuals trying to do the same thing who need encouragement, send them our way! We would love to help. We haven't gotten very far just yet, but we know this journey is going to turn into the adventure of a life time! 

And here's a collage of bloopers from our front door photoshoot to end the post. Happy Sunday!

Girl Power.

 This might sound a little bit conflicting but I believe more in "girl power" since I've met Bryce than I ever did before. I think theoretically I believed in girl power, and I probably talked about it just as much. But I wasn't necessarily applying my beliefs or living them either.

Before I met Bryce, I was planning my life around a career with a whole long list of backup plans "just in case" I couldn't get my graduate degree. As if someone was going to decide I couldn't get it, or it wasn't worth the money for a stay at home mom to also be a doctor. A year ago, I went on dates and wasn't confident enough in my "girl power" to tell a guy I just wasn't interested without feeling like I needed to supply another explanation. Last September, I didn't think "No." could go without an explanation. A year ago all my feelings about who I was and what I deserved were just good thoughts, but only some of it equated action.

I was thinking like a powerful woman, but I wasn't living like one. I had all these ideas about what I wanted or how I should be treated, and I definitely would have told you about them if you asked, but I wasn't living up to those beliefs.

Enter in Fall semester 2013, which I like to think of as the start of the hugest year of my life. Bryce didn't just tell me how he thought of me, he showed me.

I learned that women's issues really are everyone's issues when Bryce signed up to run a 5K with me to speak out against victims of sexual abuse.

I learned that my ability to say "No" really meant something when Bryce held my hand for the first time and I told him I wasn't sure how I felt about it, so he never did it again (until I initiated of course).

I realized I had the power to act when I initiated our first kiss.

I felt like someone who was worth respecting when he referred to me as "his president" to our friends (I was the president of the club on campus where we met).

I understood I wasn't the only one who thought of us as equals when he said he "loves that we're the same height because it reminds me how equal we are".

I felt empowered when someone told me "you might not get to go to grad school" as if I was hoping to be some special exception, but Bryce said the time and the debt and efforts he made was worth it to him as if I was the rule; "Of course you'll go to medical school!". And he has never questioned me since, asked if that's what I really want, or checked to make sure I've thought and prayed about it. Because he knows of course I have. 

Bryce reminds me everyday what "girl power" really is when he comes home and tells me he loves to brag about his wife getting into optometry school. When he switches the laundry, does the grocery shopping so I can study, and when he jokingly tells me "don't you dare do the dishes, they're mine!". When I'm in the middle of cooking dinner and he tells me to get out the door and go for a run, because he'll finish up and he can tell I need a break. He's taught me to say what I need and not be afraid to ask for it. He's taught me to stop saying "Sorry for asking" and start saying "Thanks for helping me!". I'm not just his little wife, and I like that. 

I guess that makes me a feminist, and while three years ago I would have turned away from the thought, now you can say I'm embracing it. I'm not just thinking the part, I'm acting on it too.

Ultimately I realized that the perfect man wasn't perfect because he brought me flowers every day and did everything I said, but because he saw me as the powerful woman I wanted so desperately to be even when I didn't know how to get there. Bryce pushes me everyday to be the strong woman that I choose to be, to break the mold, and be a better person.   I'm excited for when we have daughters, to teach them together that they can do an be anything they want. To tell them that I met their Dad while I was pursuing my dreams and he was pursing his. For Bryce and I to show them together what it means to work together and be equal. We're not going to just tell them they are pwoerful, we are going to show them. And for them to see their Dad embrace every aspect of their girl power (even if that means rocking out to Taylor Swift in the car and going to dance team competitions like my Dad did for me).