And so it begins...

The weeks of tests... :) Today I have my second microbiology exam. I'm not a huge fan of Monday exams because then I have to study over the weekend, and I am just too attached to my free time. Wednesday is Oral Pathology, Thursday is Growth and Development, and Friday is Perio Methods II. Good times. I can't wait. :) Most of my classmates are very stressed right now - many are planning on skipping a lot of class this week to try to study for all the tests. I would be more stressed, except what good will it do???
Anyway, Aaron and I had a good weekend... We met a few more people at our church on Sunday, so that is fun. We got invited to a pumpkin carving party, but unfortunately I had to study yesterday so we couldn't go. But hopefully when we have a little advanced notice we can go to some of these events!
I hope you all have a great week! Thanksgiving is coming soon!

Small group

Tonight Aaron and I went to a small group for married couples from our church. We've never gone before - mostly because we've been out of school, or I've had school stuff going on, we've forgotten, etc. So we finally made it tonight, and I think it was a really good time! We've had a hard time finding a church that really fits us and that has people who want to meet new people. Aaron and I met at a church here in town, but it felt like once we got married the married couples at that church didn't really give us the time of day. I know we are a fairly young couple, but to me it seems like that is all the more reason for the older married couples to reach out to us... But, that didn't really happen. So we tried a few other churches in town - one with really friendly people, almost too friendly! Again, we had a hard time finding people to connect with. Sometimes I feel like my career choice gets in the way of meeting other married women. I have never wanted to be a stay at home mom - don't get me wrong, I want to be a mom. And I have a bit of a mom complex because I sort of idolize my mom who has completed devoted herself to her family! Anyway, some of the couples Aaron and I have met along our church journey have been really nice people, but I felt like I couldn't get to know the woman because she already had all of her other mommy friends established. Or, if they didn't have kids, they weren't that far off from having kids, so their friends all had kids. So, all of this to say, I think we've found a church where we click. :) There is a big range of people who go to the church, but they have all been very friendly to us. And there are little things I appreciate, like in this small group there is a couple that is expecting and they also have a 18 month old - the couple get a babysitter so they can get out and be a married couple and the mom can have time where she doesn't have to be a mommy. I appreciate it as a relatively newly married person, and I think it is probably really healthy for them too!
I've missed having a community like this. I'm excited. :)

Oh Argyle!

Kate and Aaron match... how cute.

Chewie

He also likes the laundry... :)

It got a little chilly in our house...

So Reuben curled up on the laundry like always. But, Aaron decided that he should pile some laundry on top of Reuben to keep him warm... :) Reuben had a very nice nap!

I'm tired...

Today I am tired. It doesn't help that it is rainy outside - this is perfect nap weather! Last night Aaron and I put together his new office furniture that he got from Staples - quite the production! It all looks really nice, and the paint color he picked looks really nice with it all. I'll try to post a pic...
Anyway, starting next Monday we have 7 tests in 10 days - it's going to be a little hectic in the Brummer household. I'm sure it'll all turn out fine, but I'm not looking forward to all of the studying.
Well, hope you all have a great week!

Oh I wish I were an Oscar Mayer wiener...

No, I did not audition for the Oscar Mayer song - these two pictures are from this past summer when we were in Milwaukee for Aaron's annual work meeting. The picture by the water is downtown Milwaukee after we toured the Northwestern Mutual home office, and then the other is at the "Garden Party" that Aaron's company hosts every year. Basically, they shut down the Milwaukee Zoo, put up five different huge tents with all different kinds of food, etc. And the Oscar Mayer-mobile was there. :) I hope we get to go again next summer!

Wednesday...

It's the first actual chilly day of fall here in Iowa City! I think it's in the 40-50's today, which is some of my favorite weather because I get to break out the warm clothes! Today I have a test in oral surgery - it's kind of funny because we learn about all of the techniques and equipment needed for it, but we won't use the knowledge until we start rotations next year.
Tomorrow I have my third patient - I will be cleaning their teeth. Hopefully it is an uneventful morning! Some of my classmates have already started in other clinics so they are already drilling and filling... I'm a little jealous, but it's nice to ease into clinic with some "easier" procedures.
More random pictures to come later...

What?

Reuben loves dirty laundry, especially when I have piles of sorted laundry on the floor. He got a little crazy this time and ended up with my shorts on his head! Isn't he so cute!

School, school...

So it's Monday - back to school again. Monday and Friday mornings are my second favorite time of the week because we have fixed pros (aka crowns) in the sim clinic. For some reason I really like this class - Aaron says I should be a prosthodontist since I'm such a perfectionist. :) I think it's interesting, but I don't know if I would want to only do pros all the time.
Anyway, we have one test this week but it'll be a hard one - oral surgery. I'm glad it's on Wednesday, because then Thursday and Friday aren't as stressful.
Well, I am off to study... Happy Monday!