Our Hiking Trip

A few weekends ago, Cody and I went to Goose Creek State Park, about 6 miles outside of Bath, NC. It was about a 45 minute drive, but it was well worth it. They have several hiking trails of various lengths, many of which run along the Pamlico River and Goose Creek. The trails are nothing like mountain trails, but still fun to walk through. Cody and I hiked on two different trails. The first one took us to a beach area along the riverfront where we had a picnic lunch and by a cemetary from the 1800's (probably a result of the yellow fever outbreak along the Pamlico River during this time). The next trail took us through a wetlands area. While we were at the park, we saw many animals--red headed woodpecker, cardinals, lizards, and deer. We had a really great time and plan to go back soon.

After we were finished at the park, we decided to go to Bath, since it was only 6 miles away. Bath is the oldest town in NC. It is a very charming, but small town. We drove through the streets and stopped at Bonner's Point to take pictures along the waterfront, where there were chairs set up for a wedding that had either just taken place or would happen soon. We also walked through the church yard of the oldest church in NC. The church was open to visitors, so we were able to walk inside.

On our way back home, we stopped in the town of Washington to walk along the waterfront near the downtown area. They have a nice boardwalk that is about 3/4 mile long. We also stopped in some of the shops that were downtown to browse and to get ice cream.

We had a wonderful date together! It was so nice to get away for a while and just spend the day together.

Celebration Banquets

Graduation time is nearing, so lots of congratulations and farewells are in order. Cody and some of his classmates were the guests of honor at two banquets recently. Two weeks ago, we attended the Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA) Senior Banquet. This group provides several ways for students to learn how to integrate their Christian values into their career as a doctor. Cody attended devotional lunch sessions and "Ground Rounds", a small group meeting at Starbucks once a month where medical ethics are discussed with a Christian point of view. They served dinner and had a guest speaker, and then gave each graduating student a Doctor's Bible engraved with their name and a book. They concluded the banquet by having the almost-doctors-to-be and the practicing doctors recite the Christian Doctor's Oath.

This past week, we went to the Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) Banquet. Cody was involved with this group throughout his four years as a medical student: M1 representative, President, and founder of the FMIG Journal Club. Once again, we were served dinner at the banquet and we listened to a guest speaker. The FMIG advisor, Dr. Schmidt, spoke about each graduate and gave them a personalized paperweight. (Cody will probably get me for sharing this, but being a proud wife, I have to share what Dr. Schmidt said about Cody!) Dr. Schmidt started off by saying that she would have saved Cody for last, even if he hadn't of already been last by default (she called the graduates in alphabetical order, according to their last name). She noted that Cody knew from the time he entered medical school that he wanted to be a family doctor, that he understood what Family Medicine was about, and that he was the biggest proponent for Family Medicine. She said if she knew how to sew, she would have made him a cape, as she jokes that he is the Superhero of Family Medicine! I was so proud of him!

Cody and Mel


Kelley and Phil


The Guys


All of the Graduates


Kelley, Phil, Josh, Becky, Mel, and Cody

Happy and Healthy Again

After being sick for about a week, Hershey is finally feeling much better! Last Sunday (on our way back home from visiting family for Easter), Hershey starting having diarrhea. We have no idea what caused it; there is no telling what he could have gotten into when we were at my mom and dad's or Cody's mom and dad's, or if he just got a doggie bug. When we got home on Sunday, we starting feeding Hershey boiled chicken and rice instead of his regular dog food, hoping that it would help his tummy feel better. Unfortunately, this didn't really seem to help.

After waking up in the middle of the night to Hershey's panting (because he didn't feel good) and cleaning up diarrhea on the carpet, Cody took him to the vet first thing on Tuesday morning. They gave him three different medicines--one antibiotic to get the bad bacteria out of his belly, one to help stop the diarrhea, and one probiotic to replenish the good bacteria in his tummy. Per doctor's orders, we continued feeding him a special diet of rice, cottage cheese, and boiled chicken, which he loved!

By Thursday, you could tell he was feeling better because his eyes weren't as droopy and his ears were perked up a little, but he still wasn't back to his usual self. However, today, he seems to be back to his playful little self, with a happy little swinging tail. He enjoyed taking a walk with Mommy and Daddy, playing out in the yard while Mommy and Daddy were planting the garden, and playing with the water hose with Daddy. We gave his dog food back to him today, so hopefully this will settle okay with his tummy. We are so glad that our little boy is feeling better!