Slacker

Wow... I just read my cousin Anthony's blog, and they were getting pressure because they hadn't updated. Well, his last update is more current than our last update, so I believe we are long overdue.
Where to begin?!? I finished my first year of med school! School has been a roller coaster of emotions for our family. Luckily Samantha has a really cool head in it all and is more supportive than I could have ever imagined a spouse to be. Every time I felt like giving up or was on verge of cussing out teachers and tests, Sam encouraged me and kept me on level ground. So here is a shout out to her with being the most amazing person in my life. Getting through the first year is a great relief.
It wasn't all school during finals... well... almost. We went to a baseball game downtown on the Des Moines river with the elders quorum. The game was poor, but the company and food (nachos and Philly cheese steaks) were awesome! Also during all that, I hit up the father and son's campout. Boy's outnumbered the adults probably 3:1. For a few minutes, I felt relieved to have a girl on the way! I look forward to a boy someday in the future.
Now that school is out, I am doing stuff I have always wanted to do... like sit and watch a movie without feeling pressure to study. I also broke out my "boom boom stick" and shot some skeet outside town with my friend. I have also started playing more basketball and also... brace yourself.. running and tennis! After studying with limited physical activity for so long, my body feels like a 20 year old piece of taffy trying to stretch! I am getting loose though.
We are also developing our friendships with our neighbors. We have had a couple of BBQ's, went bowling, played Wii, and hanging out. We enjoy each others company and friendship. Sam and I were also able to go to the Winter Quarters temple the other day. What a great way to start the summer. There is such a peace in the temple, and it was a great way to strengthen our marriage.
So... here is a baby update for all y'all, cause that is probably the reason you want updates. Sam is doing great! She is a cute pregnant lady just like we all expected. She is doing great... except some swelling in her feet. She is still working full time and doing great with it. Sam had a baby shower put on by some really good friends in the ward. Pictures are attached in the slide show. She loved it! Smiles all over her face. We attended a pregnancy class which was basically labor and birth training. The class was good for both of us, and probably got us both excited and ready for the big day. just 26 days left! The little girl kicks mom relentlessly. Sometimes her foot sticks out so far you could grab it! She must be LONG cause she is everywhere in that cute round belly! We are excited for our families to be coming out this year to share the time with us. We had a surprise drop in from my cousin Anthony Quinn and his splendid wife Sharon! We hadn't seen them since the wedding! I think it was the first cousins we have seen since the wedding. Thanks for stopping in!
FLOODING UPDATE: So many people have been asking us about the flooding out here in Iowa. If you have seen it on the news, they do a great job of covering the details. I have always seen reports of flooding in the past, and my heart has always gone out to those people, but when you see it first hand... it is shocking. We have placed some pictures in the slide show of the flood plane just a few miles from our house. We have had some flooding of people in our ward and so I have been busy helping them out. Thank you to all for prayers and concerns in behalf of the people out here. Luckily we are having some dry weather, so prayers are being answered.
Last words: GO CELTICS! They have been my number two team behind the Jazz all year. I have always liked Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. I was never a fan of Paul Pierce, but watching the way he has matured in this past year, he is becoming one of my favorite players. Lastly... congrats to TIGER WOODS! What an amazing few days he had with golf. For a while there, I was really rooting for Rocco though. What a great person to have in the public eye.
We will keep you updated very closely over the upcoming weeks!