Happy Ramblings

Happy Halloween!  Last Friday was the ward trunk or treat and I must say, even though no other adults really dressed up, I couldn't wait for our costumes :) And we're carving a pumpkin tonight and I can't wait.  But I really want to start by thanking Heather for her past couple blog posts.  I'm so glad for such amazing friends in my life who help me stay happy.  Reading her post was the culmination of some realizations I've had this week.  So heads up, this post is full of ramblings.

Yesterday I went visiting teaching, and I'm ashamed to admit this, but it was probably the first time I was truly excited to go.  Before it felt like such an obligation - I always enjoyed it once I got myself to go, but I think Provo wards are just...different.  Here, and I would assume anywhere besides Provo where the ward turns over in 6 months, it just feels a little more real.  And I was excited to have a reason to leave the house ;)

Anyway, we went and I couldn't wait to meet more sisters in this ward (I even made cookies to share.  Seriously, I was excited).  As we went around visiting and talking with sisters, I kept realizing just how blessed I am.  With the free time I've had lately and feeling a little cooped up, I've realized I have a tendency to fall into a self-pity mode.  Pathetic, I know.  But there's no better remedy than visiting someone who puts my little worries into perspective.

For example, I sometimes (ok, maybe more than sometimes) think woe is me for having to live with in-laws, but while we were talking with sisters, I realized, and it was even vocalized by my companion, how lucky my children are to have Gail and Ernest as grandparents.  I felt like kicking myself for ever feeling bad about "having to live with the in-laws."  Yes, it's difficult sometimes, but only because I'm a tad bit independent and suffer from slight social anxiety.  But goodness gracious, how lucky I am that I have such loving in-laws who are more than accommodating and so happy to have us here, not to mention the financial relief they've given Jeff and I by living here before we head upside down into debt for med school next year.  Then, of course, I thought of my own parents and how excited and lucky I am to have my mom come visit me in a week (Wha-whooo!) and that my mom is in a position to be able to fly across the country to visit (thanks dad).

And aren't birthdays just the best?! I got a card and gift from my Grandma Dalton and the sweetest phone call yesterday from my Grandma and Grandpa Mower.  Before I even hung up the phone I was in tears.  It's truly amazing how much love and appreciation one can feel for family when they move across the country :)

The weather even had a birthday present for me!  I'm totally jealous of the snow storm that hit Utah last week, and until this week it has still been sweaty hot in Florida.  But these past couple days, I think because of Hurricane Sandy, it has been exceptionally cold, and I love it.  There's nothing better than placing chilly hands on my face to warm them up.  I even had hot chocolate for breakfast yesterday! I put socks on for the first time Monday, and as I dressed in fall clothes (well, my idea of fall clothes) with a sweater, scarf, and my favorite boots, everything all of a sudden felt normal again.  Totally weird, but I love being chilly.

I think part of why I miss the cold is because I'm realizing that Jeff and I's first little chapter together has come and gone.  I so cherish those Christmas mornings waking up in our tiny apartment, feeling like we were the only two in Provo, and just enjoying the still of winter.  We would sit on our little couch with only our Christmas tree lit, open gifts, and then enjoy the quiet of the valley as we drove to my parents so early on Christmas morning.  And maybe that's why I was so emotional when I talked to my grandparents who are reaching the end of their own chapters.  Sometimes it's hard to move on to other adventures when the one before was so wonderful.

Another reason I'm so emotional might have to do with being 30 weeks pregnant ;)  Can't wait to hold that little pot of gold.

Temple Trials

A funny thing happened this weekend.  Well, it wasn't so funny when it happened, but isn't that usually how things go?

When Jeff and I got married, we decided we would try to attend the temple often.  For us, even in these first few years, "often" hasn't always meant the same thing.  I feel I/we could have done a better job of getting ourselves to the temple more frequently, especially because we were so close to so many.  However, while I wished we had gone more - I think that's a sentiment many Latter-day Saints feel - and looking back I think we did ok.  Kind of ironic that now with plenty of time to visit the temple, and the nearest temple is almost 3 hours away.

I guess it's time to get to that funny story.

So Jeff and I had decided a couple weeks ago we would visit the Orlando Temple on Saturday.  We had it all planned out and were even going to spend the rest of the day looking around at houses and apartments since we'll be moving down there next summer.  We would even be able to sleep in a little and still make the trip worth it.

Well - we woke up a little later than we had planned, but we weren't too worried about it.  I mean, we had all morning to get to Orlando.  We had hoped to leave around 9am, but it was about 9:45-10 o'clock before we were ready to walk out the door.  Jeff was finishing up some cereal and I went back to our bedroom to grab my purse so we could leave.  I decided I would hurry and make the bed before leaving, but as I started to grab the sheets, I noticed Russell on the bed, and next to Russell was a GIANT pool of kitty pee.

Yup - our litter trained cat, for whatever reason, decided to relieve himself on top of our comforter instead of his potty.

Like I said, wasn't funny then, but kinda funny now.

So despite having washed our comforter only a week earlier, Jeff and I had to strip everything off the bed, head to the laundromat, and use those enormous commercial washers that eat up quarters to clean our bedding.  As we were headed to the laundromat in our Sunday best, Jeff asked when the temple closed, and remembering I wasn't in Utah, got online and realized the temple closed at 3:30.

Yikes.

It was already after 10, and by the time we finished getting everything washed and dried, it would be closer to noon before we left.  We'd maybe make it to the temple in time for the last session...and then it would be almost too late to do much else before having to drive another 3 hours home.  Ugh.  Rescheduling our temple excursion to next weekend was looking more and more reasonable.

In frustration I asked Jeff, "Why did this happen THIS morning?  Of all mornings?"  And Jeff responded without hesitation, "Well, cause we planned to go to the temple."  He then shared about how on his mission the worst days would be when they would have a baptism planned.  He said one morning - the morning of a baptism - he and his companion woke up and the ENTIRE city didn't have water.  (That's Paraguay for ya).  Jeff said he and his companion had to bribe the fire station to fill up the font with nasty green fire truck water.  He said they had this huge fire truck hose snaked through the church into the font filling it up.

My cat pee didn't seem quite as bad after that story.  And unfortunately for Satan/karma/the universe/bad luck, or whatever else you want to call it, when I realize something is trying to hold me up, I simply become all the more driven to get it done.  We were able to get our bedding clean, make it to the temple, and even had plenty of time to look around Lake Nona in Orlando at apartments and housing.  And it was definitely worth it.  The peace and encouragement the temple leaves me with makes everything worth it.

But lesson learned, Mr. Russell doesn't get to jump up on the bed anymore.  Sorry kitty.

(For more info on temples, missions, and the LDS faith, check out lds.org.  Picture of Orlando Temple from here)

2 months

Exactly two months ago I said goodbye to Utah and got on a plane to Florida.

Things I miss:

• The Fall Season.  People - it's still almost 90 degrees most days.  The evenings are cooling off, but I still get sweaty wearing jeans and a t-shirt.  And I never realized how I used the seasons to measure time; I mean, it's already a week into October, but it's still really hot outside...weird.  Not to mention all the trees and vegetation are still green and show no signs of changing anytime soon.
• Mountains.  Not just because they're beautiful, but because it's hard to get disoriented when those giant peaks help me find East.  And because they offer instant outdoor fun like hiking and biking.  
• The absence of frogs.  And lizards.  And lovebugs.  And mosquitoes.
• Dance.  Even though I wasn't on a company or anything when I moved, I miss teaching and being able to take a class here and there whenever I felt like it.  Just not the same in Union County (believe me, I've looked).   
• Family.  They just get me, you know?

Things I love:

• Southern people.  I love hearing "yes, ma'am," or "no, ma'am," and all the other funny Southern idioms.  People here are just more respectful.  I also love the sass that comes with the South too.  Definitely learning how to interact with people in a more genuine way.  
• Southern food. If you are a vegetarian, don't move to Florida - at least not North Florida (and let's just say I'm glad I'm pregnant and if I gain a few extra pounds I can blame it on that).
• Russell.  I knew I loved cats, but I'd forgotten just how much I really do love cats, hahaha.  AND Russell is learning to use the toilet.  The litter kwitter is not a scam after all :) 
• Family.  I'm so grateful I have the chance to spend so much time with Jeff's close and extended family (even though his extended family feels more like brothers and sisters).  It's so fun to get to know them and start to build real relationships.  

Yup.  Definitely a new chapter for me and Jeff.  Life has a crazy way of flipping itself on its head. Even though I have been here two months, between being pregnant, moving in with the in-laws, not going to school or working, and adjusting to small town Florida, there's still a long way for me to go before I feel like I'm at home.  But life is good, Jeff has a job, I have a kitty, and we'll soon have a baby, what more could I ask for :)

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the last couple months.

On the shuttle bus to the Gator game a couple weeks ago.

Found this enlightening message on said bus.

Awkward pregnant picture (are there any other kind?)
Notice the lady laughing at me in the background.
Mission accomplished.  

Until I have a baby you're gonna have to get used to kitty pictures :)
Russell is often found sleeping like this

About how I feel when taking pregnant pictures.
I think I was 23 weeks in this one.

Russell

In my experience it seems like most people hate cats, particularly boys.  Knowing there was a huge chance the person I wanted to marry wasn't going to be a cat person, I had decided it wasn't going to be a big deal.  So when I found out Jeff was a cat person too, I hardly couldn't believe it.  There was plenty other things we didn't see eye to eye on, but it was like someone had thrown us a bone (or some catnip) and let us both love kitties together :)

Unfortunately, the place we lived for the past three years didn't allow pets, and we both totally understood why.  Personally, if I were a landlord I wouldn't allow people to have pets either.  But we no longer live in Provo, and Jeff's mom mentioned if we wanted to get a kitty she wouldn't mind at all - almost like she was encouraging us to get one.

So Saturday morning we woke up and drove to Gainesville to the Alachua County Animal Services to get ourselves a kitty.  Most pounds are depressing places and I was anxious I might cry the whole time, but when we walked in we were both super impressed with how the cats were kept.  Most had lots of playing space with toys and other kitties to play with.  We were encouraged to take the cats out and play with them, too.  While we played with all the kitties, a certain orange tabby kept coming up to us wanting our attention.  It didn't take too long before we knew he was the one.  (Another plug for adopting an animal from a shelter - our kitty was already neutered and had been given all his shots.  Plus our little kitty had a respiratory infection and they got him healthy before they knew he was going to be adopted.)  We left the pound with Russell in a little box and headed to the pet store to buy food, litter, and of course, toys.  We ended up buying the "litter kwitter" so hopefully Russell is using the toilet in a few weeks.  I'll have to let you know if it was a scam or not ;)

Jeff picked out the name because Russell's eyes look like fall leaves that would 'rustle' in the wind.  And easier explanation is he's orange, like rust, haha.  But he is a sweetheart, loves to be pet and snuggled and will often rub his little nose under your chin.  He also follows us around and tries to walk between your legs.  Needless to say I'm in love and am so glad Russell is part of our little family now.  Hopefully he doens't get jealous when the baby comes! (and don't worry, I'm not touching the kitty litter and am well aware of the risk it poses for pregnant ladies)

I'll have to post later about some of Jeff's old cats.  There are some pretty good stories about Growler, Jeff's three legged cat :) Hopefully Russell can keep all his legs.

Half Way

Wednesday Jeff and I woke up to go to the doctor and as we left the house for our car we were greeted by quite the lovely sight.  Three live peacocks were strolling around the backyard to send us on our way.

I took it as a good omen.

No less than an hour later we called our family and let them know to expect a baby girl come January.

Yup - it's a girl!

Jeff and I had talked about how fun a girl would be.   But with only 2 girls out of 12 grandchildren on either side, we figured we were probably going to have a boy.  So we were pretty excited when the ultrasound tech told us it was definitely a girl.  I couldn't believe it.  Either could Jeff - he asked if she knew because there was no 5th limb, haha, but the tech pointed out little baby girl parts and that there was no guessing involved.

This morning when I went to get some breakfast I saw the peafowl in the backyard again.  I think they heard the news and wanted to congratulate us.  (For clarification - Jeff's neighbors down the road own some peacocks and they like to wander - they weren't wild or anything).  I caught a quick picture of one of them resting before they all took off.

After we left the doctor's, Jeff and I celebrated by buying a little sleeper for baby girl and my first pair of maternity jeans, haha.  Later that night Jeff felt baby girl move for the first time which was really fun.  Week 20 has been quite the week.  I can't believe I'm already half way.  There were a few things I didn't see coming with pregnancy though, like...

• Acne.
• A husband who is totally grossed out by everything pregnancy related - he was a little creeped out when he felt baby move, hahaha.
• Headaches and heartburn.
• How tired I would be - I've tried to get up and get going but can't pull myself out of bed.
• Nails growing really fast - great for me cause I am a nail biter and that allows me more chances to break the habit ;)
• Total disregard for jeans.
• Total disregard for food (at least during the beginning - and those of you who know me, that's quite the change).
• The CRAZY dreams.
• Peeing all the time - and I'm only half way there.

Can't wait for the next 20 :)

Transition Summer

Well folks, I'm not sure where to begin.  I'm 19 weeks pregnant, deferred medical school for this year, drove across the country to live in Florida, and cut off all my hair.

Haha, that last one was a joke - I still have my hair (but I did declare to Jeff last night that after the baby comes and I'm back to my normal size it's time for a change - I think I'm gonna chop it all off again).

But looking back, these past couple months have been some of the most exciting and unsure times of my life.  It was amazing that whatever Jeff and I planned seemed to change overnight. One morning we were in the bank trying to qualify for a home loan in Orlando while I went to school, and by that afternoon we had decided to defer med school for a year and move in with Jeff's parents till he found a job.  Even when starting this post - thinking everything was finally squared away - Jeff got a call from a nearby school in desperate need of a Spanish teacher and we changed our minds from living alone to moving in indefinitely with his parents. (Ya, Jeff got hired yesterday and their school starts on Monday...they were pretty desperate).

The original plan was to move to Orlando and I was going to start med school at UCF.  But when I called the school and asked about my options having a baby during the middle of the school year, (surprise!! I'm pregnant!) UCF just told me to defer a year and not worry about it.  They were super supportive and even reassured me by saying, "Don't even worry about starting school a year later.  At your age, a year is nothing."  I can't even begin to describe how grateful I am for UCF's support.  And in addition to not stressing about having a baby in school, I'll qualify for in state tuition when I start next August, which saves us a whole bunch of money and stress.

But since I got that acceptance call from UCF back in May, things have been up in the air ever since.  In the past 7 weeks I have slept in 14 different beds (including two waterbeds, two blow up mattresses, seven different hotel beds, two different beds at my parents, and a suspiciously small "queen" that Jeff and I shared).  Additionally, in those same 7 weeks, 28 days of them I spent away from Jeff.  Oh ya, and I'm almost 20 weeks pregnant.

Needless to say, while I wasn't planning on living with in-laws for the next year, I'm just glad I get to sleep in my own bed again with my pillow, sheets, and husband, and that Jeff has a secure job for this year.  Things have a funny way of working out.   Even though this past few months have been a little crazy, I wouldn't have it any other way.  I'm so excited for baby peacock to make his/her debut in January (we find out the sex next week!!) and to start school next year.  And let's be honest, I was definitely over Provo :)

Really, there's only one thing left to figure out - what the heck I'm going to do till baby gets here in January.  Any ideas?!

Why I went to Portland

Chris Peddecord.

He's the reason Jeff and I took a little vacation to Oregon last month.  Granted - there is a bunch of other stuff/news/developments in our lives that need a post - but these pictures recently came in and I just got a little too excited.  Chris is awesome.  I've been following him for a couple years on the web, and finally got up some courage to just ask if I could come visit him in Portland for a photo shoot.  I consider it my graduation present - which as a dance major seemed pretty appropriate.  Anywho, thank you Chris for being so amazing (his timing is impeccable - no rapid shot - these are one shot and he always got it the first time) and for being willing to work with me!!

Glad I finally have proof for posterity that I was once halfway legit.

If you want to see more of his amazingness - click here to go to his website

Good News:

I am going to be a doctor.


When I got the phone call from Mr. Larkin at UCF last week, my favorite thing he said to me went something like, "You can stop worrying about being an applicant and start becoming a physician." Pretty crazy.  I remember joking with other premed friends that when other people ask us what we do - we'd simply say "I'm a premed applicant,"  like that was the end-all; that's what we do.  Never getting in, just always applying.  I remember thinking that was so funny because it was so terrifying - med school acceptances often feel like such a crapshoot.

A friend of ours recently took the MCAT, and I remember the question being asked what I had been more nervous for, getting my MCAT score or waiting to get accepted.  Hands down the MCAT was worse.  I had almost complete control of my MCAT score.  I could study as much as I wanted and my score depending solely on my own performance.  It was up to me and that made me nervous.  Getting accepted to a school, though, felt like it was out of my hands.  I was confident in my application, but I didn't know if I was who they wanted.  I remember praying - not just to be accepted - but that the schools could see me for who I really was and have a clear understanding of me - of Katie Mower Peacock.  (Cause let's face it, if they really knew who I was they'd DEFINITELY take me, right? ;)  But after applying, I felt like whatever was supposed to happen, would, and that makes me even more grateful that I've been accepted.

I don't think it's really hit me yet.  It probably won't till Jeff and I make the 36 hour/2300 mile trip to Orlando sometime in August :)

World - get ready for Dr. Peacock.

University of Central Florida, College of Medicine - aka my new home for the next four years

post graduation - yes it does exist

Well, where to start?  I've only posted once in the past 5-6 months and don't have the best track record with this blog thing.  But better late than never, right?

This past semester did sorta whiz by.  Which is strange, cause at times I thought graduation would never get here.  But then with only a few days of class left I started feeling all nostalgic and couldn't believe my time at BYU was almost at an end.

I've been up on campus since graduation (shocker, I know) cause my mom is taking a class and it's fun to see her and get lunch.  But when I go to see mom I'm reminded of last spring and all the crazy emotions I felt when I was studying for the MCAT.  There was so much promise and excitement as I got ready to take on medical school applications and conquer the world.

And then I applied, and then I got rejected (a lot) and now I'm waiting.  Just like I waited for my MCAT score, interviews, and acceptances, which didn't come.  Not gonna lie, I think I might've been a little naive about the whole process, but it's hard to think after so much work and sacrifice rejection would be the norm.

But I shouldn't complain.  I'm actually on a wait list for UCF, an amazing school in Orlando, Florida.  I've been told I'm high enough on the list that - if this year is anything like past years - I'll be offered an acceptance sometime in June.  I think it's just the waiting that I'm over.

Either way, Jeff and I are headed for Florida.  With 7 medical schools in Florida as opposed to the stingy 1 in Utah, if I don't get accepted I can reapply as a Florida resident and increase my chances of getting in. But guess when those applications start?  Well, technically I could be filling them out now, but I can't officially apply till June.  Yup, in less than 4 weeks I can start the whole process over again and reapply.  Exciting, right? haha.

Life is good, though.  And I wouldn't change anything about the past 5 years.  I remember filling out a bunch of senior exit surveys and one of the questions asked was "Would you still choose dance as a major if you could redo your BYU education?"  At the time as I filled out the survey, I wasn't too sure, but as I sat on the stage of the HFAC at graduation surrounded by peers and faculty who personally knew me and who i considered friends, I realized I wouldn't change it for a second.

But this post is quite long.  I think I'll wrap it up and save the rest for another post, hopefully it doesn't take me months to post again :)

Can't leave without some pictures thought, right?!

 Graduation.  So great to finally have that diploma :)

Slick rock trail in Moab.  This is where Jeff got the mountain biking bug.  Thanks mom and dad for a fun spring break!

 Oh ya, I tried out for SYTYCD.  Quite the experience.  Didn't make it to Vegas but had a blast and still got to perform a solo.  When it airs keep an eye out for yours truly ;)

When I interviewed at UCF my sister was in Orlando with her in-laws (congrats Jake and Arianne!!) and I got to spend some time with these munchkins.  

Remember when I signed up for beginning cello?  Glad I did that.  Even if I can only play children folk songs, it was still awesome :)

Story of my life...

Yes, I haven't posted since December.

Yes, I start my homework at 10:40pm when it's due at 11pm (if I do it at all!)

Yes, I miss class I haven't been to in the last two weeks to take a test for a different class because it's the last available day, even though I had time to take it the day before.

Yes, I think I can do my makeup, brush my teeth, put on my clothes, eat breakfast, pack a lunch, change the laundry, and make the bed in the 5 minutes before I have to leave for school.

Yes, my senior project is tonight and i just barely finished getting my costume figured out yesterday.

Yes, tomorrow is the last day to order a cap and gown for graduation and I still haven't done it.

Yes, I am a procrastinator, and yes, thinking I might outgrow this characteristic seems a little far reaching, but a girls gotta hope!!

P.S. That senior project I mentioned? You should come :) It's gonna be awesome! byuarts.com