Oklahoma Trip - May 2011

Last Thursday, our family headed to Oklahoma for some very special occasions. The trip took about 11 hours to get there. The boys did great, until we got about 30 minutes from my parents' house...and the screams started. The only thing that kept Desmond somewhat contained was me singing (and dancing) "This is Poppy's exit. This is Poppy's exit!" It was quite the site to behold!

We made if fun and finally made it. I enjoy road trips with my family, particularly Aaron. :-) We used to take road trips all the time when we were dating and it was so nice to be alone with him and have hours on end to talk and enjoy each other's company. This trip was no different (besides the boys screaming in the back seat from time to time). Aaron is my very best friend and I love to be with him. After being together almost 8 years, he still makes me laugh, makes me smile, and I enjoy his company.

On Friday, my brother graduated from medical school! He is officially Dr. Darin Gwartney! I refer to him as Dr. Brother, but I'm the only one who can call him that! I am so proud of him. He is so amazing! He has worked so hard (and Whitney and Levi have too) for this accomplishment. This road is not over yet, as he starts his residency at OSU Medical Center in July. Friday afternoon was a Christian Oath Ceremony that he had organized. It was wonderful to see several of the graduates come together to worship the Lord with their gifts. It was awesome to hear them read the oath that (paraphrased) "its not the power of medicine, but the power of the Great Physician that heals" and "doctors are only vessels used by God to heal the sick and broken." POWERFUL WORDS, especially for people entering the medical field!

 Here is my brother at the Christian Oath Ceremony.

Here is our fam at the Christian Oath Ceremony. It was so special to get to be there!

(Desmond was with my friend all day)

We went to lunch with 20+ family (from my sister-in-law's side too). Here is Uncle Aaron and Aunt Casey spoiling our sweet nephew with some ice cream. Hey, we are allowed to do that! (apparently, neither one of us thought he was opening his mouth wide enough!)

Friday evening was the graduation. Besides accepting Jesus as my Savior, marrying my best friend, and having my two baby boys, this was one of the most proud days of my life! When they called his name, it gave me chills and I screamed so loud! DR. DARIN GWARTNEY! WOW! It's official! All of that hard work. Another cool thing about the graduation is that he got to graduate with his sister-in-law, and their father-in-law got to participate in hooding them.

Here is Dr. Hollie Black, Dr. Kevin Black (doctor of pharmacy), and Dr. Darin Gwartney after the cermony. Looking good, folks!

We properly celebrated at Braum's immediately following the ceremony! ;-)

On Saturday, my parents threw a reception for Dr. Hollie and Dr. Darin at their house. We had fun decorating as you will see. My mom is so creative! I love it! See if you can pick up on some of the small details...they're the best. Here are some pics from the occasion:

 Confetti

Party favors (for the kiddos, of course)

Patient belongings bag included several things from Darin's elementary years.

The centerpiece (before food was added)

Card drop-off

Operation, anyone?

The spread...and incredible cake!

Lincoln wasn't into the party too much. He was being loved on by Mammaw Nel!

Same goes for Owen in Happy's arms!

And then Aunt Betsy arrived...

Dad dressed appropriately!

Mom and dad with their son, the good Doctor!

Levi, Desmond, and Ellie played together all afternoon!

Sunday, we enjoyed worshipping with my home church family and seeing lots of familiar faces. For some, it was their first time meeting Lincoln in "real life" as one lady put it (thanks to facebook!). Sunday afternoon was a baby shower for one of my best friends, Cassie. They are expecting their little boy, Ranger Lee Walker in July! WOO HOO! I was so glad I got to be at the shower! Here are some pictures from this event:

Coveralls - camo for hunting with daddy!

Friends reunited after 3 years!

The happy, expecting couple.

Love these ladies!

Desmond was partied out!

And so was Lincoln. Hey, she got some good practice! ;-)

Overall, we had a busy but great weekend. I'll post more pictures and tell more about the "little moments" of the trip in a later post. That's all for now! Thanks for reading...