Yay!!

I know most of you probably saw on Facebook, but for all you random folks out there - -

I passed my National Boards!!

One step closer to being a dentist!  Just 4 more months of school and my regional board (which is my patient-based board) stand in my way.  Yikes that's a lot.

11 Things That Changed My Life in 2011

1. Soma Vanishing Back Full Coverage Bra

{I had 3 people tell me I looked thinner the week after I bought it- no more back fat!}

2. Harry Potter: The Deathly Hallows Parts 1 & 2

{Jordan and I are obsessed with HP and the last 2 movies did not disappoint!  They were amazing and we've already watched each of them at least 5 times.} 

3. Foster The People: Torches

{This is my new favorite band!  'Pumped up Kicks' is their only song on the radio, but they have so many other good ones.  I listen to this constantly at school and home.} 

4. My friends!!

{They probably should have been 1st on the list!  We've had such an amazing year getting to know each other!} 

5. Big Sexy Hair: Root Pump Plus

{I used to not like putting any product in my hair, but now I always use this if I'm actually styling it (vs. my daily ponytail) because it gives me lots of volume without making it look oily.}

6.  My Group Practice at school

{I absolutely loved my GPG last year, but this year it is even better with our senior faculty.  He treats us with respect and teaches us so many things we wouldn't learn otherwise.  He also happens to be hilariously sarcastic so we get along fantastically.}

7.  San Antonio Public Library

{After spending lots of money at Half Price Books, I finally discovered the library and saved loads of mulah.  I like to re-read a lot of books, so I bought the ones I liked, and didn't have to waste my money on the ones I didn't.  I used my Christmas money to buy a Nook, and now I can get free books on that as well.}

8. Zinc Bistro and Wine Bar

{Jordan and I went there several years ago for a dental school event, but it wasn't until this year that we went for the food.  Jordan had heard about their Zinc burger and wanted it for his birthday.  It turned out to be a delicious burger and we've been back a couple times since October.} 

9.  Becker Vineyards

{I really like the wine from Becker Vineyards, which is located in Fredericksburg.  I love that it is local and you can find it in most grocery stores.}

10. Modern Family

{Jordan and I used to be 'The Office' people, but it has declined the last few seasons.  Everyone kept telling us we needed to watch 'Modern Family' and it took us forever to start.  Now we can't get enough!}

11. Smashbox Bronzer

{It is really hard to find bronzer that doesn't make you look orange, but I found some I like (at least I don't think it makes me look orange).} 

Christmas, Anniversary, New Years!!

WARNING: this post is super long and probably boring.. sorry.

After my boards were over, the rest of my Christmas break was amazing!  We had a great time with my parents while they were here, and were thankful they were willing to drive 10 hours out of their way to bring me home!  They are the best!!

 Christmas day was spent with the in-laws, and it was perfect!  Lots of good food, watching kids open toys I'm jealous of, and getting great presents as well.  What's not to love?

 One of the gifts from my mom were these stockings.  We don't have a fireplace or mantle, so tacked to the wall had to suffice.  They match perfectly with our living room decor- I love the animal print! 

 I tried my hand at decorating cookies for the first time and realized it was a lot harder than I thought.  There were a lot of "oops" cookies to eat, though, so that was nice. 

Jordan and I decided to go really light on the presents this year, but he never plays by the rules.  I really wanted this camera bag for Ireland because it will hold all of my lenses.  It's also super cute and looks like a purse.  He did good!  I got him a motorized tie rack... in my defense- he did ask for it, and I wanted him to have a nice one.  It even has a light on it!  ...I'm pretty sure I turned 80 yrs old when I bought it... 

Something else exciting was our 4 year anniversary!  I still can't believe how lucky I got with the hubs.  He really is my best friend and we laugh all the time.  We're a perfect balance for each other.  I'm a Type A know-it-all with an opinion on everything, and he's laid back and goes with the flow.  He got the Elam worry-wart gene, and it takes a lot to stress me out (if you think I'm stressed, you should talk to some of my classmates!).  I definitely wouldn't be where I am without him because he has kept me sane these last 4 years of school.  I can't wait to see what God has in store for us!

One of my good friends in dental school got married on New Years Eve in Lubbock, so we made a weekend of it.  We left a day early and spent the night with some of our very best friends, Traci and James.  It was so much fun to see their family- their girls are a hoot!  I also can't believe her little baby is not so little anymore!  (She's the one who had a baby freshman year of dental school-her 2nd- and her 3rd baby 6 days before walking the stage for dental school... she's my hero).  I meant to get pictures with all of them, but we never got the chance.  They really have become family after all our years together and I miss them terribly!  While we were there, we visited her office (amazing) and went back to Hardin-Simmons to walk around.  Jordan put this sticker on his dorm room our sophomore year, and we couldn't believe it was still there! 

 

And just in case you wanted proof we graduated, here are our names off the wall of graduates.

And if we ever have a hard time thinking of babies names, and want to pay homage to dentistry, we have to look no further than HSU's first graduating class for ideas!!

From Abilene we drove to Lubbock for our friend's wedding.  Here are 4 of my most favorite people in the whole world.  We keep each other going in school by having lunch therapy sessions every day and wine-therapy every other week.  I feel so blessed to have found such amazing friends!!  I'm just so sad we will all be moving to different places when we graduate.  We may all be sitting around our kitchen tables Skyping and drinking our wine come July... who knows!

This is the beautiful bride, Kendall.  Her dress was fabulous- Vera Wang!  The wedding was absolutely beautiful and we had so much fun at the reception.  It was the perfect New Years Eve! 

                          

Overall, one of my favorite Christmas breaks... and it's a good thing because it's my last one.  Oh my goodness that's scary!