We are so thankful for all of our friends and family near and far, old and new. Time with family, friends and community have all contributed to making 2015 such a great year. We are really enjoying our time in Nashville. There is a lot to see and do here and we would welcome our out of town friends and family to visit!
Owen
Owen is getting big (you can ask him it’s one of his favorite things to talk about!). He attends Vanderbilt daycare and really enjoys going to church on Sundays. He often asks us “Are we going to school or church or stay home?” We are so thankful for his teachers at school and church. He is developing a love for hockey – he decided he was a Chicago Blackhawks fan (although he can be seen sporting Ottawa Senators and Nashville Predators gear on occasion). Owen loves playing tractors with Grandpa and loved making cookies and a ginigerbread house with Grandma over Thanksgiving. On Owen’s Christmas list this year: Optimus Prime, a computer, and a watch.
Travis
It’s interview season and Travis just offered to give me his NIH Biosketch for this section of our newsletter. Travis has been working hard (as always) and has been a great husband and dad this year always making time for family priorities. When he is not working he can most often be found asleep. In case you’re wondering about his work, he is a physician scientist with interests in using clinical informatics methods to improve the quality of cancer care. He is completing his final year of medical oncology fellowship in June and is on track to finish his biomedical informatics masters at the same time. He is in process of interviewing with different programs… stay tuned!
Laura
I have really enjoyed these past years in Nashville and am embracing the southern lifestyle – banana pudding, sweet tea, and country music. I have been working at Vanderbilt in the faculty and staff health & wellness program and enjoy meeting so many great people through my role. During the past two years, I have served on the board of directors for the Vanderbilt Housestaff Alliance, a social and service organization for the spouses of physicians in training. It’s been a wonderful community. I have been involved in a number of mindfulness based trainings and a doula training program. One of the highlights was doing a silent retreat with my mom when she came to visit. I have enjoyed volunteering as a doula with the Vanderbilt Midwives and teaching introduction to mindfulness for childbirth and parenting at the Hope Clinic For Women.
As we celebrate this Christmas and another year we hope you too will pause and reflect on the many blessings and cherish the time with those you love. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
With Love,
Travis, Laura & Owen
(and Rozzie – our 6 year old weimaraner)
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26