When It's Cold Outside...

The Fall has been jammed back with activities! The Bulldogs have been having a great football season after a bumpy start. Mom, Meg, Katie Margaret, Chris and Jake came up one weekend to go tailgating....aka "to the party!". It was really hot which makes me appreciate the current below freezing temperatures outside. October was a busy month with both a trip to the beach with "the girls" and Chris and then a trip up to Charlotte with Mom to visit Clay and Lauren. The beach was just what I needed to relax and enjoy some

last bit of summer fun. It was bittersweet after such

an amazing trip last year. Mom and I flew up to Charlotte which was a good visit minus the speed race through the Atlanta airport so we wouldn't miss our flight and Mom getting sick. Clay and I played the game of Life and I definitely beat him!! It was pretty sweet. I did get to see a little bit of Charlotte thanks to our wonderful tour guide. There's a really neat place downtown that has the mileage to various places in the US. (example below!)

October also was pretty busy for both me and Eric at work. Eric had fall baseball practice ending with the Soybean Series similar to the Maroon and White game at State. They ended up splitting the series 1-1-1 so there really wasn't a winner. But he is enjoying his job and really excited about the Spring! I think he's also a little anxious about me being there more regular. I had a few training workshops to help with at the end of October....which fortunately landed me in Jackson over Halloween weekend. Katie Margaret and I painted a pumpkin again this year. She liked it a whole lot more this year...and kept sneaking onto my side of the pumpkin.

November was a little more calm. I did get to do a few more days at Banfield earning some extra money and keeping up my clinical skills. I started doing that back this summer and try to do it once a month. With Eric and I both working at universities, we got a few days off for Thanksgiving. Because of everyone else's scheduling, we decided to go to both parents' houses! We headed to Illinois where we ate Thanksgiving Dinner with Eric's extended family. Sara and Dominic also came down a day early so that we could see little Maddlyn who was born on November 5th. She is so little and 8 lbs. Eric looked really sweet holding her as you can see, but I did remind him that our children will probably never be that small.

After a few days in Illinois, we headed down South to Momma's specifically because Clay and Lauren can't come for Christmas. We had a blast! It was nice for all of us to be able to be there. It was definitely a jam packed weekend: Katie Margaret and I decorated our gingerbread house. I cheat and do super glue the house together instead of using the icing...but to be honest, there ended up not being much icing to begin with and we had to open a can of icing. KM did a great job decorating this year! Last year, she spent the majority of the time eating the icing, even during pictures afterwards. But this year, she was really good and meticulous about icing the roof and placing candy. Eric impressed us all and made a gumball snowman that stayed together. We also decorated Momma's trees which we had spent the weekend before putting up while I was at home working. We put on the Christmas music and went to work. We waited until Chris was asleep to avoid having to re-place ornaments on the tree. Katie Margaret and Eric developed a system of tag-teaming the tree and probably decorated more than anyone else.

I can't believe it's already Christmas time!!! Only 24 more days. 2010 has definitely gone by fast...a lot faster than I thought it would.

Summer Fades to Fall

As always, I am writing with months that have passed but always lots of stories to tell.

Eric went back to Niagara and was the head coach. They didn't make the playoffs but had a better record than the previous summer so he's happy with that. I was able to go visit and see "Coach" in action. We also had a few days to ourselves where we headed to Canada to Niagara on the lake and visited the Falls on both sides, American and Canadian. Although we didn't get our passports stamped, it was really interesting because Eric apparently looks like a shifty character. We were stopped by patrol going into Canada...good thing Eric is a "teacher" because the guy finally let us pass after Eric said that.

I offically started my work position on June 1. I am a Graduate Research Associate at MSU still at the College of Veterinary Medicine. I'm finishing up the Master's degree I started a little over a year ago along with working on various projects. One such project involved going out to farms around the state to take samples for different types of tests. I definitely know what Mississippi summer feels like in coveralls now and I met tons of good people that I am proud to claim as fellow Mississippians. My actual thesis project for my Master's involves a survey for private veterinarians around the state and their experience with disaster preparedness. I've been busy stuffing envelopes and entering data. It really is interesting the results I've gotten though. The plan is to finish up come December and then who knows????

I have had some opportunities including doing some relief work at a clinic in Jackson a few days a month, going to the AVMA convention and running their 5K with Lauren, and then also going down to the Mississippi Coast for the Oil Spill Response. It was an awesome opportunity, and I realized the first disaster experience since graduation so I actually was able to perform doctor duties instead of technician type stuff (which they generally have students do). On the topic of disaster response, I received an American Veterinary Medical Foundation grant for a workshop I'm creating for first responders and veterinarians together. I'm really excited but can't believe all the crazy planning that is going into it.

Eric took the Assistant Baseball position at University of Tennessee-Martin. It's only 3.5 hours away so we do get to see each other fairly often. They started practice recently, and he said it's going well....just different from what he's used to. He's really excited about the spring, and I'm hoping to be able to go to as many games as possible. Avery's more excited about the fact she has a backyard at the new house!

We went up to Illinois a few weekends ago for Sara's baby shower. It was great to see everybody and she received plenty of good presents! I can't believe November is almost here!! Thanksgiving and Christmas should definitely be different.

We've done a lot of travelling lately particularly me with work...so hopefully, more adventures will be posted soon!!! Congrats to all our friends on new jobs, upcoming births, and proposals!

Graduation

So I am officially a doctor as of May 1, 2010...contrary to what Eric thinks (his definition is that I have a job and am practicing). But I officially have a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. Once I become licensed in June....I will be able to practice veterinary medicine on my own. It was a pretty awesome day. Graduation Day was April 28th where I received the Vicksburg Kennel Club Scholarship and Veterinary Cancer Society Award at the Awards Ceremony that morning and then received my diploma at the Graduation Ceremony that afternoon. Momma, Ann, Meg, Clay, Chris, Katie Margaret, and Eric all came. Avery did get to participate a little because we stopped by the apartment after lunch at Oby's.

Katie Margaret decided she liked both my tassle on my cap and the cowbell I received from the MVMA with "our" name on it. She is Bulldogbound!

The day was awesome but I have to say really sad because we all definitely could tell someone was missing. Miss you and Love you Daddy!!

I meant to post this back in May....it never did...weird.

Spring

With the beginning of spring and the end of the school year approaching, many changes have been going on in the Ebers's house. Avery turned two back at the end of February, and it is amazing that we have had her that long! She had a playdate with her mother and it is interesting to see similarities and differences between them. It's hard to believe that she is as big as she is considering we live with her everyday and are used to her size.

Baseball season at Columbus is finishing up with the Junior High team going all the way to the District Championship game losing to Louisville. Although disappointing especially after last year's win, the guys played hard and Eric is very proud of their hard work and great attitudes throughout the year. The high school has only a few more weeks to play....and then off to Niagara for summer ball!

I officially completed my last two weeks of my senior year at an externship here in Starkville. Although a few bumps along the way in scheduling, all-in-all I have enjoyed the opportunities I ahve experienced this year. It is hard to believe how fast time has flown by, but at the same time, graduation has been a long time coming. In just a few weeks, I will receive my DVM and after getting licensed, can officially practice veterinary medicine.

We currently do not know where we will be or what we will be doing come the fall, but we know God has great plans for us and we wait patiently. We each have a few options and are weighing them along with seeing what else could be out there.

We have continued to have opportunities to spend time with our niece and nephew, over spring break and then again over Easter. Below are a few pictures of our busy weekend. From visiting with family to egg dyeing to church to Easter dinner, it was a hard weekend, but we are very tahnkful for what we have. Christ is risen indeed!! And happy birthday to my fabulous big sister!!!

A New Year...many changes

First and foremost, thank you to everyone who has been supportive, caring, understanding, and just simply there whenever needed. It's been a difficult past few months, but we are very blessed with a close family and great true friends. The cards, flowers, text messages, emails, and prayers are greatly appreciated beyond words.

It's hard to believe how busy everything has been. Eric assistant coached for an FCA collegic baseball team this past summer and did so well, he was asked to be the head coach for this coming summer. They did fairly well, but he had a wonderful experience and thoroughly enjoyed being in Niagara, NY. The past few months in particular he has been busy recruiting and finalizing plans before the regular baseball season starts up in Columbus. He is still head coaching the Junior High team who won the City Championship so we're looking for a repeat! and he is still the pitching coach for the high school team. Games officially start up this coming weekend with a Jamboree. Hopefully, I'll get to visit this coming summer since two rotations kept me in Mississippi last summer.

My senior year officially started back at the end of May and it's hard to believe that graduation is almost here! (April 28th). I took my National exam (called the National American Veterinary Licensing Exam- NAVLE for short) back in December and found out in January that I passed! So as soon as I get my diploma and pass my state exam, I can practice veterinary medicine. I've had lots of experiences in the past few months including six weeks at the CDC, some advanced clinical rotations, a clinical externship, and even took a few Masters classes that will count for both my veterinary doctorate and masters degrees. I am taking a few weeks off right now to enjoy being with my family and resting after not only a busy school year, but also an emotional time. Just a few more weeks credit and I'm ready to graduate.

Avery had her first official duck season and retrieved three! We are very proud of her and hope she continues to do well. She has always been a bundle of joy and will always be a puppy in our eyes, even though it is very apparent that she is quickly outgrowing the condo.

I was able to spend a lot of time this past fall and the early part of this year with my family. I was able to enjoy going to the beach in October, painting a Jack-o-lantern, seeing my nephew get baptized, watching the Egg Bowl, playing in the snow twice with my mom, and spending 7 official weeks in Jackson this winter with my mom and dad. Lots of good memories, lots of lessons learned, but most importantly...thankful that I am who I am and am blessed to have a great family to call my very own.

Summertime!

The Ebers have been very busy preparing for the summer months!!

While Eric is getting ready to head to Niagra, NY to be the pitching coach for the Niagra Power, his junior high baseball team won the Junior High Conference Championships with a record of 15-4! Go Eric! The kids love him too. He is heading out in just a few weeks and will be there most of the summer. Although he really enjoys the kids, he really misses the whole college baseball scene. I really hope I'm able to go visit on my week off later in the summer but we'll see how things shake out.

Avery is crazy as ever. We moved some furniture around so her bed is in a different place and man does she love it. (We do too in case she gets something she's not supposed to have and we can corner her!) She has learned to jump over the gate at the stairs so theoretically it is pointless, but it does keep her downstairs 80% of the time. She does have these random moments when she jumps and we really have no idea why.

I have officially transitioned to my senior year. Equine was super busy (hence why I didn't write much) but I had a blast and really miss it! Ashley and I had a foal and mare pair the last two weeks which were soo much fun. Small Animal Internal Medicine is completely different and still lots of fun. I really can't believe I have been through a whole year of rotations and am in my SENIOR year!!! I have two more weeks on medicine and then go to ICU for six weeks. Shannon and I are then heading to the CDC for six weeks which I can't wait. I don't mind being in Starkville but at that point I will have been on rotations in Starkville for 365 days straight!

Easter was a blast! All 9 of us were able to get together and hang out. It's weird because it's like Easter is becoming the new Christmas as far as family get togethers. It was awesome egg hunting with Katie Margaret because she didn't want to put the eggs in her basket and she wanted to share with everyone. The Ebers family is definitely excited we can have sweets again.

Other than that, we are going through the days and really enjoying the warmer weather. We had a day the other day of constant rain which wasn't soo bad.

Can you believe it!

I can't believe it is already March! Baseball season has begun and I only have 8 weeks left of my junior year! Lots of stuff has happened over the past few weeks....

Avery has officially turned one year old on February 25th! We have ordered her a new collar for two main reasons 1) she has chewed her tags and needs one with the ID on the actual collar and 2) she has gotten bigger. We also officially celebrated her birthday with a cake. Although disgusting, she really enjoyed her peanut butter. Her mom and dad are still in the area along with some of her littermates and once we all get on track, we are having a big puppy playdate.



Food Animal is still going well. I had the cutest patients a few weeks ago. We have been taking care of quite a variety of animals including horses, goats, and cattle. Amazing that these all fall under our department but they do. I have really enjoyed my experiences even though I am completely exhausted and have not even started starting for our final which is in little over a week. Luckily, it's just on the cases rather than the all the lecture notes like the pre-test was.

P.A.W.S. is being discussed in a few of our veterinary publications which is really cool. It's amazing how many people are interested in our project. It really shows that we are making a difference. We are finishing up in the last few weeks of the year which makes it even harder to believe that this school year is almost over.

Baseball is going well. I was able to go to a game the other night. It's so hard with having to be on call and doing nightly treatments at the same time that Eric has games. I feel sorry for Avery the most because once Equine starts and baseball really gets going, she'll be along a lot. Right now the junior high is 5-0 and the high school is 4-1.

The biggest news is that Starkville, MS officially had snow today! We had a blast! I can only describe it by posting a few pictures of our exciting day.

I have never seen Avery run so fast. She had a great time catching snowballs in her mouth. As Eric says, "her two favorite things: retrieving and destroying."

The Ebers family officially is giving up sweets for Lent! Can't wait until Easter!