First

Nathan's first patient tomorrow . . . . so exciting!

5K June 2010

We wanted to celebrate the end of Nathan's medical education so I asked him what he wanted to do . . . .

"How about we run a 5K?" he suggested.

So only a week after moving, we did. My parents watched our kids while we ran.
There was a kids' race, too, so the 3 oldest children competed as well. Andrew came in first, and outran the lady he was supposed to follow.

My time: 39:35
At first my goal was to jog the whole way and not leave in the ambulance. I knew I wasn't going to leave in the ambulance, but also that I was not in good enough shape to jog the whole way. (The first mile I ran post- Ed was June 2nd, NATIONAL RUNNING DAY). I decided to jog the long hill at the end and take my walking breaks earlier. I took two--three minute walking breaks, and was able to jog the rest. The sense of accomplishment felt great and I want to do another one, and run the whole way.

The last race we did together was 9 years ago, in Garden Valley, ID on the 4th of July. Nathan won it, and I walked most of it. These two races are the bookends at the beginning and end of his formal medical education. In both post-race photos I am holding a small fuzzy haired baby boy. Not that much has changed, and yet so much has.

Graduation

the beginning
or
the end

Nathan completed his fellowship!
Today was graduation.
Again.
Nathan participated in 5 graduations in the past 17 years.
That'sawholelotofschool.

I was not excited about doing a fellowship. "Two more years at the end of this road that is already very long?"
That could be translated as: "Are we there yet?"

During the past two years, however, I have come full circle. It is worth it! And as time marches on, the investment of time will pay off even more.

This is the man you want caring for your feet . . . especially if you have diabetes.

Congratulations and thank you, Nathan.
(and thank you to those who've supported this journey)

Yes, we are

My least favorite question about a move:

"Are you packing yet?"

"Yes, we are."


N's company is paying for the majority of our move. To lower the price some, we are doing most of the packing.
I can't remember laughing as hard in one day as I did today while we sorted, discarded, and packed. Stress increases humor? or is it proximity to my husband?

How many?
the estimate weight for our household =9950 lbs.
Box #15 was just taped shut
# of canning jars packed on Saturday = 105

ugh

Playing with our food

Don't knock it until you've tried it!
Here are the participants in Friday night's food presentation contest.
Taco salad night is always a hit at our house. I love the colors. And flavors.
My kids like it because they are in charge of what goes on their plate, and how it is organized.
Can you tell from the photo above that eating "mixed" foods is an acquired skill? Someone isn't quite ready for that yet.

p.s. One participant wanted me to photograph a plate with only lettuce on it. I didn't.
And, I've always loved playing with my food. I encourage it at my table (within reason). Broccoli stalks as trees . . . . . .

Mission accomplished

We found a lovely place to rent in CO.

It is approaching quickly, we have only three Sundays left after today!

It reminds me of the "Glen" in Glenview, though I don't think it's quite as expensive (for my Chicago readers). High density living with common parks, workout room, and party room if you want to rent it. Bring your rollerblades when you plan to visit. Our house is tucked away--no houses on the other side of the street. Three children are registered for school. We will be 3 stoplights from the freeway . . . which Nathan will be using. The plan is to stay for a year or two as we save for a house, and then buy close to this one. It costs slightly less than what we were paying in Chicago, but 40% more than here. The city we are moving to is very environmentally "green," cyclist friendly, and growing. It is going to be great. Several times on our trip I used the words "almost too good to be true" to describe my feelings about living there.

Name this horse . . .

I am house hunting . . . in the meantime this newborn horse needs a name . . . this is the easiest way for my children to see a photo of it . . . more next week . . . . maybe?