Letter

With my Grandpa and Grandma Smith

Dear Brad,

We miss you. We expected your Ophthalmology rotation in Seattle to be really busy, so when you call us at 4 pm on your way home it makes us sad that we can't be there to welcome you home. We can't remember the last time you were home at 4pm. You've been working so hard.

Even though we're not there to fill up your free-time, we're very happy you have some time to relax. We all know you deserve it! We hope you have been watching lots of ridiculous TV shows, enjoying a full nights sleep, and eating whatever you want.

We've been having fun at Grandma's house. It's so nice to be with family. They've been such a big help with the girls. Sometimes we wonder how we ever managed alone while you were so busy studying.

Lainy plays with Grandpa's dogs a lot. She's very good at bossing them around. She's also had fun riding her bike, jumping on the tramp, playing in the hot tub, and reading all of Grandma's fun books. Her other favorite past-time is refusing to eat. Usually I eventually succeed in getting a decent meal into her, but it makes me wish you were here to help. She always eats better for you.

Lainy misses you a lot. Yesterday said that she needs to practice riding her bike so she can ride fast with Daddy. (By the way, thank you for singing her to sleep the other night. She looked so peaceful and happy as you sang "Way In Manger Silent Night".)

Leah is getting bigger and much more mobile. Today she got up on her hands and toes and tried to lunge at me. I don't think it will be long before she's crawling. I'll try to hold her off until you're here to see it. She still refuses to eat anything but bananas. She smiles at everyone, but usually wants her Momma to hold her. I think Leah misses you too. She smiles huge whenever she hears your voice on the phone.

And me. It is very apparent to me that I am just not myself without you. I miss you too. Let's not do another two-week stint apart, okay?

But we get to see you Saturday! We hope you have a great week. We hope you see a lot of cool surgeries, perfect your eye exam with your patients, and do fun things in your spare time.

We're thinking of you and loving you always!

Love,
Traci and the girls