December

We visited San Antonio in December to scope out neighborhoods and visit our sweet medical school friends, David and Autumn Gilly. David's in the UTSA anesthesiology residency program that Mark will start in July! They will work together for 3 years. Autumn is a nurse in the neonatal ICU. We can't wait to be their neighbors and share residency life with them!

Christmas at the Roop House- Cousin Will, Granddaddy,Cousin Hudson, Grandmommy, and Asher

Luke, Asher, Andrew, and Caroline on Christmas morning

Christmas Morning- Asher, Meredith, Brown Blankie, Aunt Katherine, Monkey, and Cousin Luke

Christmas Morning Kiss

Asher reading on Christmas Eve

Mark, Asher, Meredith

Christmas Eve

Sorry for the belated Xmas photos! I finally posted some after several requests. We spent Christmas in College Station with both families. We stayed at the Huffman House with all the other siblings and children. It was a busy but super-fun week.

First Haircut

Discussing styles. Mommy was a little nervous after seeing those long nails grasping greasy chicken wings behind the front desk.

Okay, maybe Mommy let it go a little too long.

Asher took it like a big boy and watched the cartoon on TV during the haircut.

So handsome! We made sure to preserve the curls!

What has Asher been up to lately?

• Reading books! He reads by himself and loves for others to read to him. We have to go through every book twice before bed!
• Speaking Swedish and a bit of Hebrew. It seriously sounds like it!
• Walking backwards, just for fun.
• Dancing to any sort of rhythm he might hear.
• Building impressive Lego structures.
• Giving kisses and melting my heart!
• Still refusing cow's milk and stressing out Mommy because of it.

One day I put Asher in a box and scooted him around the apt. Later I found him playing with his blocks sitting in this shoe box!

Plan G

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

We are thankful and relieved to finally know where we will be and what Mark will be doing when he grows up! The last 14 months have been full of unexpected events and a time of waiting. For 2 years, Mark planned for a career in ophthalmology. Then, he didn't get a residency position. Plan B was to reapply for a 5-year general surgery program, and perhaps repeat this intern year. In the last 6 weeks, God opened doors that we didn't even realize where there! We found out about limited advanced placement ("CA-1") positions in anesthesiology programs with the application process outside of the regular match system. Mark applied to UT Southwestern, UT San Antonio, and UTMB 10 days ago. He was immediately offered an interview in San Antonio for Tuesday. After the interview, they offered him the last of only 2 CA-1 spots! Mark called me, and we both felt like we shouldn't wait to hear from the other programs. He liked the program, his good friend from medical school is in the program, San Antonio is a fine place to live, and most importantly- we were ready to be done with waiting! So, Mark took the position, signed the agreement, and drove home to Dallas! Asher and I greeted Daddy wearing boots, cowboy hats, and a stick pony (thanks to the birthday theme!). We had Texas chili and twice baked potatoes on the table. We will miss Dallas but are excited to live in the Hill Country!

Mark will finish his surgery internship in Dallas in June, then he'll begin a 3-year residency in anesthesiology at UT Health Science Center in San Antonio on July 1st!

Mark never even considered anesthesiology in medical school. I think he will love it and make a wonderful anesthesiologist! He is especially excited that he gets to wear pajamas to work every day.

This last year has been tough, and I did question how these events would work together for our good. I had a different idea of what was good for us. I will make a list of the blessings:

• Asher- a perfect gift and a complete joy
• A home with our parents in College Station when we lost ours
• Time with our parents, especially for Asher, and an abundance of love, support, help, and encouragement
• An extra easy and fun 4th year of medical school
• A great surgery internship in Dallas
• A fabulous apartment in a fabulous part of Dallas
• Friends and family in Dallas to spend time with
• Knowing and raising my little boy- something that I could have given up
• An opportunity to trust our living God and see Him direct our paths
• A reminder to continue to believe Romans 8:28

Happy Autumn!

Asher at the Dallas Arboretum, enjoying all the sights and sounds.

We bought a membership, so we can visit all we want now!

Free-range Peanut, watch out for the mud!

Climbing on pumpkins and hay.

Mommy's attempt to get another good bench picture. Good photography is hard without an assistant.

Beautiful pumpkins and other such gourds! I think Autumn is my new favorite season! I've already celebrated this month by baking sweet potato scones, mini pumpkin ginger cupcakes, zucchini walnut bread, and spiced pumpkin bread. What's next???

Last night, we attended the Fall Festival at our church. Asher dressed up as a buckaroo. Yes, the same buckaroo from his 1st birthday party. We had to get our money's worth! I was so happy Mark was able to make it. We had a lot of fun, and saw lots of friends. It was really good to finally feel a sense of community. It made the Big D seem a little smaller and more familiar. We really hope to stay here for the rest of residency. What does God have next for us??? I am thankful to just be enjoying what He has given us for this year.

Bouncy fun!

Whoops!

Asher helped rescue ducks. Mommy got to pick and eat the prize- chocolate!

Daddy and his Buckaroo.

Mark enjoying his cotton candy.

Ode to Mine Weaning Breast

Please do not stare at my chest;

I'm a weaning mother, and I need my rest

From the suckling Peanut friend;

It's time for your sippins to come to an end.

Thrush, engorgement, mastitis times three-

Please know what I have endured for thee!

Yet how can I deny my precious babe

Of that which is his ultimate fav?

I'll give you a kippins of milk from a cow;

Please do not think I don't love you now!

A wee bro or wee sis you want, we know;

You must stop nursing, so it can grow.

Twelve months of milk and snuggles for you;

Though mommy is sad, she'd like to be through.

Please do not stare at my chest,

When I have weaned and have wee breasts.

Before my babe they were so nice,

But nursing is worth the sacrifice!

Happy 1st Birthday!

One Year Ago:

One last walk on Galveston Island, just 2 weeks before the hurricane.

Delivery Day: 41 Weeks Preggy- Sorry Asher, we're dragging you out!

Our new Peanut.

Asher turned 1 year old on September 22!

Mommy, Daddy, and Asher celebrated by going to State and Allen Lounge for dinner, one of our Dallas favs! Asher enjoyed some chicken, pita, and hummus, and Mommy helped him use a fork like a big boy. We had a wonderful evening walk to dinner in the cool weather, such a nice, peaceful way to be together.

To Asher- What a blessing you are to raise! You have brought us so much joy during this last year of trials. We love you!

Asher is a Hebrew name meaning "happy" or "blessed". He really is a happy and blessed little boy.

Asher's Buckaroo Birthday Party

Sweet, sick birthday boy. He definitely was not himself but held it together pretty well for the party. Thanks, buddy. Family and friends helped us celebrate Asher's 1st, buckaroo-style, at my grandmother's house in College Station on Sunday.

He poked around on the cupcake but didn't eat a thing. :(

Here's a smile!

Looking like a real little buckaroo!

Banana layer cake and cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. Don't forget the Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla ice cream! Yum!

Other items on the menu:

Rudy's BBQ

Mimi's Mac 'n' Cheese

Tortilla chips and salsa

Chickfila diet lemonade (awesome)

Bottled root beer

Assorted Hershey kisses

All the children of The Triangle plus spokes (will explain in future post) together at last! How many more will there be???

(L to R) Ramsey George, Asher Huffman, Andrew Huffman, Will Fowler, Hudson George, Abigail George, Casey George, Caroline Huffman, Luke George

Huffman Siblings

(L to R) Mark, Meredith, Asher, Elizabeth, Andrew, John, Caroline, Katherine, Abigail, Luke, Dustin

All Georges!

(L to R) Stephanie, Jason, Hudson, Logan, Casey, Ramsey, Megan, Katherine, Abigail, Luke, Dustin

Nasty Virus

Poor Asher! He has had a rough week after picking up some nasty virus causing him to vomit all night then get an ear infection and nasal congestion and losing a whole pound of body weight in the process! He now weighs less than he did at 10 months old! Good thing he had plenty of fat to spare. We almost canceled his birthday party, and probably should have in retrospect since we passed the virus around my family. However, except for Asher being sick, the party was a success!

Not a Baby Anymore

I do not have a baby anymore. I have a big boy who can walk. I am going to cry.

Colossal Cookies

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

I got this recipe years ago from my college roommate, Beth. I used to make them a lot, and I recently rediscovered them! The recipe uses 1/4 c dough for each cookie, hence the name "colossal". I prefer descriptive names (any cookie could be colossal), but whatever you call it, it is delicious! P-butter and chocolate are a fabulous match!

I rarely make a recipe as is. I usually change ingredients or proportions to make the recipe more wholesome or just more delicious. I can't remember how I've changed this one. Here it is, my version of Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies! I often cut this recipe in half since it makes so much dough. Notice that it is a flourless cookie, a nice change. Do you need help to justify making these? Ignore the fat and sugar, and focus on the wholesome, substantial ingredients: eggs, natural PB, oatmeal, chocolate!

• 1/2 c butter or canola oil
• 1 c sugar
• 1 1/4 c brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 t vanilla
• 2 c natural peanut butter (non-natural PB is hydrogenated oil- yuck- please don't use)
• 6 c oatmeal
• 2 c chocolate chips
• 2 1/2 t baking soda
• 1/4 t salt

You know what to do. For "colossal" cookies, use 1/4 c dough, press down a bit, about 2 inches apart on baking sheet. Bake ~12 minutes at 375 F.

Baking Notes:

I can't believe I just recently discovered parchment paper! It's like wax paper sans wax. You can find it with the wax paper and foil at the grocery store. Simply place paper on baking sheet, cookies on paper, and they slide right off! No more scraping them off with a spatula and having your cookies fall apart on you! This is a great option for large cookies. I don't bake cookies without it! Even better: You don't have to wash your pan!

My abbreviations:

c = cup

t = teaspoon

T = tablespoon

bs = baking soda

bp = baking powder

11 Months Old!

Happy 11 Months, Asher!

Latest Stats:

Weight- 25.5 lbs (same as at 10 months! He's thinning out from all that rambunctious crawling!)

New Tricks- going from squatting to standing, taking some steps and falling down (4 yesterday!), throwing a ball

Favorite New Toy: an empty plastic nutmeg container (Why do we spend money on toys???)

Stay tuned for exciting 1st birthday details.........

My precious family of 3!

Big Boy Asher wearing a big boy outfit.

Cousin Jack came to dinner last week. We miss seeing him! Two years ago, he was a student at Texas A&M Galveston, and we loved spending time with him regularly!

Abigail Susan George was born Thursday, August 13, to Aunt Katherine and Uncle Dustin! She is beautiful! Now Asher has 4 boy cousins and 2 girl cousins (all under age 3!).

What fun they will have!