2017 year in review {VIDEO}

When I look back at this year I've had, I can't help but smile. Trust me, there have been plenty of upsets this year...like facing failure, scary health issues with our pup (we almost lost him), having to continue a long distance marriage with my husband, and don't even get me started on grad school. It's definitely been a challenging year. But that's life in all its blessings and its grief. Overall, this year has been overwhelmingly filled with good compared to bad and I'm thankful for this beautiful life I've created.

December Life Lately

Per usual, this month has been the craziest one of the year. With returning from our Christmas trip to Iceland, mailing off all the Christmas cards, and finishing out the trimester of dental school strong all before heading off to visit family for the holidays, it's been a whirlwind.

I feel like I've been mentally preparing for December for months, but it still caught me off guard with being busier than I expected. Lots of stressful days and sleepless nights. But there were lots of good highlights this month too that I'm excited to share. Also, had to include a few moments from the end of November because it felt wrong not to include our Christmas trip through Iceland here too. 

what we gave for Christmas 2017

This is the third year in the row that I've decided to share what we gave for Christmas. I much prefer this version to sharing what I got because quite frankly I don't really care what people give me or don't give me for Christmas. 

I get the most joy from what I give to others. And I usually put a lot of time and effort into our Christmas gifts so it's always nice to show off all that hard work.

Christmas by the Numbers

Happy Christmas Eve! Headed off to my parents home today to spend the holidays. But first, I wanted to share some of the high points of Christmas so far...by the numbers! 

home for the holidays

Not going to lie, I've definitely been overwhelmed with the holidays this year. It's not easy to be earning a doctorate degree while trying to make time for the rest of those real life moments. I love all the special parts about Christmas...the decorating, the ornaments, the Christmas cards. But all those things require time and that's one thing that I never have very much of. 

Friday Favorites 12.22.17

Hello All! 

Can you believe it that there are just 3 more days until Christmas and then onto ringing in the New Year? Before I get to ahead of myself, here are some favorites that I've shared this week. 

dental school lately: vol. 3

It's the last official day (finally!) before break and with it being the last term of 2017, it seemed fitting to share a an update of dental school life lately. 

I've been getting my butt kicked since the school moved our oral pathology final up by a week, added in an extra exam, and then cancelled said exam at the last minute after getting us all stressed out about it. So, it's been a rough few last weeks. But over except for one last assignment, so I'm here to share. 

a day in the life of a dental student: sleigh decay

So close to finishing up yet another semester of dental school (just a few more days!), but before I do, thought I'd share another day in the life of a dental student to reflect my current schedule before things get even busier next semester.

it's christmas card time!

With only 7 days until Christmas, we finally got our holiday cards out! Had the quickest turnover to get these ordered, delivered, signed, and mailed back out all in less than a week. Ha! Time management at its finest. 

trimming the travel tree

From encountering black bears in Alaska all the way to snorkeling in Florida, 

we've definitely ventured wide and far across the states this year. Not to mention, traveling all through Europe, picking up my favorite souvenir along the way...christmas ornaments.

I do this all year long and by the time December rolls around, I've collected quite a few holiday baubles to adorn the tree. This has been the best idea and holiday tradition to start because it ties the best parts of the year into our Christmas tree. Just when you thought Christmas couldn't get any better. Now, we can reminisce about travels past while decorating the tree. I wanted to show off some of my favorites from this year, so I grouped them into fun little categories below.

Friday Favorites 12.15.17

It's been a few weeks since I updated with a Friday Favorite, but its been that crazy around here. From our winter trip through Iceland to finishing up this semester of dental school to doing all the holiday prep, its been hard to have a moment to catch my breath. 

the greatest gift is...a smile

I had to share this cutest early christmas gift that I received from one of my patients. It’s the last time I will see her before the holidays so at the end of our appointment, she presented me with these chattering teeth and said that she wanted to give me a smile since I had restored hers. Too sweet, I almost cried. Ok, I did cry. And it got me thinking that I'm entering the best profession in the world because I get to spend my day giving people their best smiles. 

Confessions of a Christmas-aholic

I'm obsessed with this holiday. And while I definitely recognize that the true meaning of Christmas is to celebrate and acknowledge our savior, I can't help but love the side of Christmas that involves the jolly man in a red suit.  

But really...keeping live trees in our homes, watching for flying reindeer, adding a dash of tinsel to everything. It's all a little bit absurd, but is also a unique mix of so many traditions from different cultures all culminating to form our modern version of Christmas. Yes, I love it. And I'm explaining just how much with a few Christmas confessions. 

merry EVERYTHING!

 As far as I'm concerned, Christmas is the best day and worst day of the year rolled into one. Best because we finally have the opportunity to celebrate this blessed holiday. Worst because at the end of the day, it means the holiday season is over. 

dental school lately: vol. 2

From oral cancer biopsies to fungal swabs to extracting teeth to seeing my first pediatric patient, dental school lately has a been a bit of a whirlwind. And when I think back to how busy I felt during years past, I kind of laugh a bit at the thought of it all. Each year, each month, each day is tougher than the last. But I'm learning so much on a daily basis and moving that much closer to becoming a dentist. 

On that note, I think a little dental school update is long overdue. 

christmas in iceland…by the numbers

I have lots to share from our trip to Iceland that we took over Thanksgiving. But per usual, December is proving to be the busiest month of year for me. Realistically, I won't have a chance to sit down and edit photos plus write blogs posts until this hectic semester of dental school is over once and for all. 

But I'm bursting with excitement over this experience and have to share even if it's just a little for now. So here's a glimpse of our Christmas trip to Iceland…by the numbers. 

the christmas countdown!?

Now that it's officially December, we're all counting down to Christmas. Though I think most of us have probably been thinking about and prepping for the holiday season for months now. Or is that just me?