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November with the Neeleys

Well, it turns out that I'm a terrible blogger. Oh well. Who's surprised? Not me. The goal is to have at least one good entry a month and build from there. It's better to set realistic goals than those that are absolutely unachievable.

This last month has been fabulous. Steven continues to study hard every day and he is doing very well. His anatomy course is coming to a close and he has his lab final and lecture final this Friday and the following Monday. Since the last time I blogged, he has already completed an entire genetics course and embryology. And by an entire course, I mean at least 300 pages of text book reading for each, with midterms and finals. Along with all of that, he also started Physiology two weeks ago. This will be his first graded class (the others before this were pass/fail) so he is studying extra hard to get good grades! If school doesn't seem overbearing enough, Steven also goes on splits with the missionaries once a week, is involved in two intramural football teams and another intramural basketball team, goes above and beyond his home teaching duties by seeking out and reactivating the less active members and still makes time for me everyday and on the weekends. I am so blessed to have a husband who works so hard!

My life is a little less exciting. The three classes I'm taking this semester are coming to a close and I'm finishing up on a couple final projects. The twins I nanny for just turned 3 and being with them are my two favorite days of the week! They are such a delight to be around and we always do fun things together. My other job at the call center continues to be dull, but the people I work with are friendly and fun to be around so it's really not that bad. In between my two jobs and school I still find that I still have a lot of free time and I get pretty bored (I guess I should be blogging more) so I also got a gym membership. Of course, the gym isn't just another thing to do in my everyday life. I've been feeling really lazy since I'm no longer cheering and dancing so I had to get involved in something that would make me feel healthy. I am enjoying it. And as much as I might hate the way I feel during the workout, I love the way I feel afterwards. Besides my normal daily routine, my life involves the occasional get together with the other first year med wives who are all from BYU. In fact, this thursday were getting together to make Christmas ornaments while our hubbies study for their anatomy exams.

Here's a couple of pictures from some fun recent events:

Introducing Benjamin David Delorey. Our little nephew was born on Friday, November 26th.

He has the sweetest little face! Congratulations to Stefanie, Ed, Jack and Will!

This picture was taken just after Steven's white coat ceremony. He looks so official! I am so excited for him and everything coming his way in the next decade (literally!).

Disney World is best for everyone!

A couple of weeks ago I had the best opportunity to go to Disney World in Orlando Florida with my in-laws! I can honestly say that it was one of the best trips I have ever been on. I have been so blessed to have in-laws that I get along so well with. My mother-in-law Becky, my sisters-in-law Stefanie and Kristina, and Grandma Preece are some of the most fun and energetic women any could know! They were a blast to be around. I loved being able to spend one on one time with each of them and I feel like Stef and Kina are the sisters I never had growing up.

As you might notice, the only little men in these pictures are my two sweet little nephews and the third nephew that is on his way this month! The last couple of years Steven's family has had a tradition of organizing a girls trip just for them. Since Ed, Stef's husband, is in his 4th year of medical school, the two little guys get to come along with all of the girls; and I'm pretty sure they didn't mind one bit! The second picture features sweet little Will who is eagerly taking a huge chomp of pure sugar. All of us laughed while Kina held that cupcake because how wide Jack and Will would open their mouths before plopping it on top the frosting. It was the cutest thing! While I was there I was able to go to all four parks that Disney World has to offer: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios (MGM). I have been to Disney Land many times growing up but it was so fun to go to Epcot and Animal Kingdom because they were so much different than anything that is offered at Disney Land. For those of you that don't know, Magic Kingdom is a lot like Disney Land and MGM is similar to California Adventures (except, in my opinion, both are better). I would definitely recommend visiting Disney World, even if you have been to Disney Land many times.

Meanwhile, Steven was busy studying at home...:(. As bad as I felt leaving him behind (which was true, but also, I was very excited, haha!) I probably left the best week possible during his first year. All of the 1st year med students have a week in October that they like to call "blacktober". Really what it means is 3 major test in one week-yuck! Not to my surprise, he did EXCELLENT on his exams. He passed his biochem course (first semester is pass/fail) and got a 91% and a 93% on his two anatomy exams! I am so proud of his hard work. He is doing such a great job. I guess it proves that this Disney World trip ended up being best for everyone!

-The Neeley Crew of Two

P.S. I should, hopefully, get another blog up this weekend :)

Texas: Our new home

After a whirlwind experience of dating, engagement, the perfect wedding day and a summer across the country, Steven and I are now nestled into our homey apartment in Irving, Texas. We just love it here! Steven is an official med student and spends a great deal of time at school studying, going to class and anatomy labs, and studying some more. He usually comes home between 8-9 pm, eats dinner, and goes straight to the couch so I can run through some more anatomy flash cards with him. His dedication is truly amazing! I sure can't do what he does everyday. Because Steven is never home, I've made it a priority to keep myself busy everyday as well. I am currently going to school at the University of North Texas and I'm working on getting my BS in Elementary Education. Along with school, I'm also working two jobs. I nanny for 2 1/2 year old twins in Fort Worth and I also work in a call center doing customer satisfaction surveys for car dealerships. With all of this going on, Steven and I have come to LOVE our weekends! We are both really good at managing our time so that we can spend some quality time on Saturday and Sunday. Life is busy, but we are thriving and happy!

With school came a new toy that Steven just loves. His student ID not only offers him sweet deals at the student center and gets him into the library, but it also activates these awesome locked doors to become UNLOCKED. He just has to simply wave the card in front of the monitor, the little red light becomes green and BOOM-unlocked door. He loves it because it makes him feel like a Jedi Knight. Well, to be honest, I was feeling a little jealous that I didn't have such a cool card to take around with me. But to my surprise, I was given one when I was offered a job at the call center! It turns out that all of the doors are locked with the same security system and I also get to be like a Jedi. SWEET!

Speaking of Jedi Knights, Steven has decided that that's what he wants to be for Halloween. I, of course, am going as Padame' Amadala and we have the best costumes. My costume is not quite finished yet, but I have taken the liberty to post Steven in his Jedi outfit.

We love you all, and wish all the blessings the Lord has to offer you. Until next time!

The Neeley Crew of Two.