To my Mr. B., Our vacation month is over. Sadness, I know, but the time we spent together was a blast! I couldn't have wished for a more exciting, more adventure-filled month traveling [a small portion of] the globe with you! Here's to many more fun-filled excursions in our future!
To (formerly) Standing-Ear Dog, Your name has officially changed to "Dingo Dog". Thanks for bringing lightheartedness to each and every moment on the house boat trip last week... may you always find joy in chasing (and eating) insects and splashing in extra-large puddles. :) You and the White Dog made the trip that much more wonderful!
To Mama Ne' and Pilot Papa, Thank you for planning the incredible house boat trip that we were able to enjoy as a family last week! We had a blast and can't wait for another round of Lake Dale Hollow...last time Jack Johnson, this time Matt Wertz, next time...?! Cudos to Weathergirl and Hurricane Hunk for all your weather forecasts!
To Clifford the Big Blue Edge ("Cliff" for short), The Focus has been replaced. I'm excited that I am now the proud owner of a reliable vehicle. Here's to many adventures ahead!
To Banker Boy, You're a homeowner. Doesn't matter if it is really a condo, 13 stories up off the ground, it is still a home. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU! :)
To my Handsome Hubby, Sometimes at night when you wake up cold, you pull the covers up from the end of the bed and tuck me in before you tuck yourself in. This makes me feel incredibly loved. I'm sorry that I am never awake to acknowledge your loving kindness...

[pictures to come soon...they are stuck on the camera for now]

To my Mr. B., We are regular world travelers now! Thanks for the adventure of this week. I'm so thankful that I could share it with you. 
To the Spanish-speaker at the Atlanta airport, We failed Exam 1 on day 1 of our travels. You asked "concourse T?" when you approached the tram we were on, to which I replied "C". Thinking I meant "sí", you promptly boarded the tram. I'm sorry for confusing you. Thank you Lord for giving me the courage to explain my mistake to her (in Spanish)!
To Costa Rica, Thanks for spoiling us...our own driver (kind of), our own private plane (although unintentional), incredible food, and amazingly kind people. We saw your resort side, and we saw the real Costa Rica. Pura Vida!
To the Daniel family, CR wouldn't have been the same without you. Thank you for the sweet time that you were able to share with us! Oh, and we loved going to your favorite Indian/Thai/Japanese/ Chinese restaurant in San Jose. Thanks Holton's for babysitting the precious little ones for our double date night. Can't wait to come visit you all in Cuzco! P.S. We made it safely back to the States!
To the White Dog (and Mama Ne and Pilot Papa), Thanks for taking care of Long Dog while we were away. I think he had so much fun!! He briefly greeted us at the door last night, but mostly wanted to keep an eye on what you were doing. I'm so glad that I know  I have left him in good "paws"!
To my travel companion, Phase II of vacation starts today! Thanks for an incredible Phase I. 

To my DOCTOR B., Congratulations! Job well done! You are officially gad-G-ate-ted (according to the oh-so-Southern women behind us at the ceremony). I'm so proud of what you have accomplished. I know the Lord has incredible plans for you ahead! Phase II of training starts July 1. Yeah for officially being a surgeon-in-the-making.

To Mama Ne' and Pilot Papa, Today when you left our house, you offered to take Long Dog with you so Handsome Hubby and I could take our time running errands and packing for the month of vacation ahead. After changing my mind after a too-quick "no", you left with my boy in the backseat...a grandpup just as excited as can be to be going to spend the weekend with you two and the White Dog. I know he'll have fun! I just hope he doesn't forget his mama...

To our incredible friends and family, Our doctor boy (well, man, really) has finished medical school! Thank you for your countless prayers, words of encouragement, calls of support, and many many well wishes over the last 4 years (and before)! We couldn't have made it without each one of you.

To my travel buddy, Flights look great for our travels ahead! Costa Rica, here we come. Can you say "first class"?

Thanks to all my blog readers who have been checking up on us! Because we will be traveling much over the next several weeks, I may be updating a little less frequently, but will when I can! Be looking for some exciting vaca pictures when we get back! :) In the mean time, enjoy some pictures from Handsome Hubby's graduation!

Me with Aaron's graduation cake...my idea, but absolutely incredible execution by Lori of LB Cakes. The funniest part: it's red velvet on the inside! :)

Aaron with his mama after the Hooding Ceremony

Mama Ne', Handsome Hubby, and Pilot Papa outside of our church after the Hooding Ceremony

Aaron with his grandparents

Aaron with his grandparents

Handsome Hubby and Banker Boy

Banker Boy, Mama Ne', Me, Aaron, and Pilot Papa

Aaron and his grandfather...I think they look so much a like

The whole clan at the Hooding Ceremony (minus Weathergirl and Hurricane Hunk...thanks for going home and letting out Miss Moneypenny and Long Dog!)

The almost-surgeon cutting into the "patient"

Aaron made a "PhT" degree for me ("Put him Through")

Aaron shaking hands with Dr. Azziz at graduation

Proud wife and sister-in-law. Thanks for coming to celebrate with us Weathergirl!

Dearest M-I-L and B-I-L!! I loved hanging out with you this week!

The two of us holding our newly received degrees...his is somewhat more official than mine. :)

The grill master. Thanks for cooking the awesome food!

To my Mr. B., Thank you for doing the grocery shopping for the week. Have I mentioned I love having a stay-at-home-hunny?! :) You even brought home a surprise: an orchid! I might spend more time killing it than keeping it alive, but I promise to try! Oh, and I will just overlook the manager's special sticker that I'm sure was mistakenly placed on this beautiful plant...
To my Mama Ne', On my way to work this morning, I couldn't think of anyone else I wanted to share my wonderful job news with (side note: I officially have a job effective July 1st!). Thank you for speaking your encouraging and supportive words even in the craziness of your busy morning today. The Lord has truly blessed me with such a wonderful mama. I can't wait to see you...day after tomorrow is Mama Day! Wahoooo!
To my work week, Today was my Thursday. So there. Happy vacation to me! Just one more day. I think I can, I think I can. 
To my remarkable Doctor husband, Thank you for letting me be your date tonight to the graduation cocktail social and dinner celebration. I had a lot of fun with you! Day 2 of festivities down, at least three more to go! 

To my helpful Mr. B., Thank you for your help this weekend. I may not be very verbal about it, but you are more helpful to me than you will ever know. I know chores aren't the most fun thing to do over a beautiful weekend, but now that they are finished (for the most part), we can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the rest of this celebratory week. You only graduate from medical school once!!
To the Market-By-the-River, You brighten my Saturday mornings. Thank you for your range of produce, flowers, bakery items, and handmade goods. So funny that people even recognized us, well Long Dog anyway, from last year's trips. We will be making a regular Saturday-morning habit out of you!
To the Baby Birds in the nest on the porch,  I noticed that my geranium was looking a little neglected lately, only to find that it has more company than I could have ever imagined! Thanks for making a home on my front porch. You are so cute, I will just have to overlook my degrading hanging plant.
To (brother) Banker Boy, I'm excited about all the guests coming for Handsome Hubby's graduation, but I am especially excited that you are coming the night before anyone else. Here's to picking whatever guest bed you want! I promise not to tell anyone if you pretend to be Goldilocks and try them all out... :)
To my traveling companion, T minus six days until we leave for Costa Rica! No one will believe that it took us 3.5 years to finally get to our honeymoon destination... P.S. I had fun bowling with you tonight.