Getting it Together!

It has been a great week for the Wilkins! We found a condo that we love and were able to rent it starting in July! I am beyond excited! It's perfect for us.
It is in a great neighborhood, and we have a community pool. The condo is 2 floors, with the living space and master bed and bath on the first floor. Upstairs is 2 bedrooms with a jack and jill bathroom.

I also got a new job!! I am now the Program Manager at Butterfield Trail for Genesis Rehab! Yay! I don't actually start until the middle of July, but I couldn't be more excited. Not only is it right around the corner from our new house, it's such a nice facility and is a complete retirement community; Independent Living, Assisted Living, and SNF. 

In other news, I started Weight Watchers last Monday. I have done WW before, but I used the old point system, so points plus is all new to me. I am LOVING it. It's easy and I already feel better about myself... and my clothes. :) I want to loose some weight, not only for me and my self esteem, but also to be able to handle the crutches and get around easier when I have my knee surgery. So far, I have lost 5 pounds... not too shabby. :)

House Hunting

We have been trying to find a house to rent in Fayetteville, and it's so frustrating! We aren't looking to buy... we just want to rent until we can be sure we want to stay here. We have found a few, but there always seems to be a deal breaker. We found a PERFECT house, but it backs up to a sketchy-looking neighborhood; we found a duplex/condo that is amazing and in a great neighborhood, but it's a lot more expensive and the owners would rather sell the house. Right now we are just kinda playing the waiting game... waiting to hear back from the owners of the condo, and then we will hopefully be making a decision.
We only leased our apartment for 90 days because we wanted to just get moved to Fayetteville and let Matt take the Bar. I didn't think it would be this hard to find something, but I guess we're picky. :)
On a lighter note, I can't believe June is almost over. Where in the world has this summer gone? And, technically it's not even summer until tomorrow!

Sweet Tea & Bum Knees

I have had enough sweet tea to last a lifetime since we've been back in the south. I didn't know how much I missed it until I was able to order sweet tea at a restaurant, and wasn't looked at like I had antlers or something. There are lots of things I missed and just didn't realize it... sweet tea, sno-cone stands in every parking lot, hospitality- everywhere, razorback stuff galore, 2 lane highways, and being able to turn right on red at ALL stop lights (In Cleveland, you can only turn right on red if there is sign telling you to.) I love the south, and I love NWA.

I have been on the DL since hurting my knee. I get so mad and upset when I think about it because I want to be going and doing and finding my way around town. Instead, I have been in pain every day after work, so after PT I have to prop my leg up and chill until bed. It's a plus to be a therapist because I can get free PT with my buds at work! I am still using crutches and wearing a brace during the day, but at home, I'm a little more relaxed with it. I'm trying to make myself think about the surgery, but it seems that I always have something better to think of. ;) I know I can't do it this summer because Matt is busy studying for the bar.
I am really wanting to go to the Farmer's Market Saturday morning. REALLY. Fresh produce and flowers... yes, please! I hope my knee cooperates and I can go.

When it Rains...

I have had knee problems for just about my whole life. They started in elementary school, when I dislocated my left knee cap during gymnastics. I remember laying there and not having a clue what was happening to me. I was scared, and no one knew what to do or how to help me. I was taken to the ER and they were able to give me some pain medicine and pop my knee back in place. I started physical therapy and thought that was the end of this whole ordeal.

After about the 3rd time of my knee dislocating, the doctors taught me how to pop it back in myself. Nice of them, right?
I became scared of my own shadow when it came to my knee. It popped out at gym twice, at school twice, in the swimming pool, at a friend's house, and playing basketball. The second time it happened at the gym, both of my knees popped out of place at the same time. Talk about painful- luckily, by this time I was able to handle it myself. I had a small surgery on my left knee, but it didn't help.

The last time I had problems with my knee, I was a junior in high school. So, for it to happen 8 years later was surprising and completely unwelcome.

Friday morning I locked the door to our apartment and headed down the stairs. Unfortunately, I only made it down about 2 steps. I'm not 100% sure what happened, but on the 3rd step, my left knee popped out of place and I tumbled down the flight of concrete steps. Luckily, some things you just don't forget, so I was able to put it back in place. I screamed for help and woke everyone... and their dogs... up at 7am. I'm sure the neighbors just love us already. About 5 people came out of their apartments to help me and get Matt. Because this isn't my first rodeo, I immediately got on the couch with my leg propped up and iced it. Matt has waited on me hand and foot the past few days, and I am so thankful for him.

Monday I called to get in to see an orthopedic knee doctor, and they couldn't schedule me until the end of June. After sweet-talking a doctor Matt knows, we were able to get in Monday afternoon. I was a nervous wreck. I HATE going to the knee doctor. They like to wiggle my knee around to see how loose it is, and that makes me sick to even think about it. We talked to the doctor a long time about options, and decided surgery was really the only answer at this point. Like major surgery. Like go in with 3 incisions and basically bust my knee to rebuild it. I'm only freaking out a little. OK. Maybe a lot. I haven't scheduled the surgery yet because I need time to process what's going on and think about the optimal time to do it, since it required 6 weeks of recovery time.
I'm scared and nervous about the surgery, but I'm also optimistic that with it, I will be able to be normal...hahaha.

Settling Down

We are finally feeling settled in Fayetteville. This weekend my mom and dad came up to see us, and we had so much fun. They got here Saturday and we had lunch at Rick's Bakery... yummy! Then, we went to see their new puppy, Chevy, who is in Kindergarten for obedience and retrieving. She is too cute!

 This is her sister, Sunny.

Chevy did such a great job showing us what she has learned!

Saturday night, we ate dinner at a Mongolian Grill in Rogers and then had ice-cream from Cold Stone! Sunday morning, we went for a drive around northwest Arkansas and had lunch at Atlanta Bread Company before they headed back east.
Matt and I took a long nap after they left, and then we grabbed some dinner and went for another drive looking for future housing possibilities.
Mad Men is one of our favorite shows, so we watched old episodes all night that night. We slept in Monday morning, then went to Wal-Mart, which I absolutely LOVE in this part of the state! I tried out our pool for the first time...

 while Matt caught up on some emails and worked on his website a little. If you haven't visited yet, go to www.tacklecenter.com! They are having a Memorial Day Sale right now!

We are so thankful for our troops who sacrifice everything for our freedom. Thank you all for your bravery! We are cooking out tonight- chicken and corn on the grill, potato salad, baked beans, and watermelon. Nothing says Happy Memorial Day any better! 

Fayetteville

We are finally back in Arkansas, and it is pure bliss. We are living in a furnished apartment for the summer until Matt takes the Bar at the end of July. Then, we are going to find a more permanent place to live... with our own furniture and all of our belongings! But, for now we are happy just being in Fayetteville.

This week has been crazy. Monday, I slept in because we didn't get to bed until late, and I needed the rest. I caught up on laundry and finished unpacking our suitcases. Today, Matt and I ran around town trying to get everything done... We had to get our cars assessed, new licenses, open a bank account, and drop a few things off at the storage unit. I also had to finish some paperwork and do some things for my new job! Tomorrow is a little more laid back for us. When Matt and Zak get out of their Bar Review class, we are going to Russellville to get some things from Zak's POD and exchange a mattress so we can actually sleep tomorrow night! I am meeting with my new boss Thursday morning, and I am so excited! I am working for Incite Therapy at a Skilled Nursing Facility in Rogers.
I feel completely overwhelmed, but so ready for this chapter of our lives to really begin.

Life After Law School

He did it!! Matthew Wilkins, MAcc, J.D.

We had the busiest and best weekend! Saturday night, we celebrated at Lola with Matt's mom and dad.

After dinner, we had cake... so cute! I have to admit the cake was definitely more for me than for him!
Sunday, we were up early and headed to Case for the ceremony. We had to be there early, so we toured the law school and had lunch with Matt's class. We started walking to Severance Hall, and stopped along the way to get some pictures.

I am so proud of him!