tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46064640094830633032024-03-18T21:34:48.663-07:00The Long Days ArchivesBethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02384955527881982899noreply@blogger.comBlogger607125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606464009483063303.post-6062294804277940722018-06-17T22:00:00.000-07:002018-06-18T06:31:31.654-07:00Resi-DONE. Alternate title: The Doctor is OUT.<br />
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Alternate alternate title: Solid Work Doctor. </div>
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Alternate alternate alternate title: You are finally done. </div>
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Today was a good day to celebrate Joe. Not just because it was Father’s Day. He is a really great dad and deserves all the celebrating for that. But TODAY was his last day of residency. </div>
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And thanks to the help of my good friend and his colleague inside the hospital, the kids and I (plus friends!) were able to surprise him as he left the hospital for the last time. </div>
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Balloons. Signs. Blowers. And silly string. </div>
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We made quite the scene. </div>
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But he deserves all the celebrating!!! And so much more. It’s been a long seven years. </div>
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Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02384955527881982899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606464009483063303.post-2044544234949630852018-06-10T21:07:00.000-07:002018-06-13T21:13:21.256-07:001 week of residency. Today in church it hit me that Joe has only 1 week of residency left. 6 shifts and he is done. We are done. The thought instantly brought tears to my eyes. Real tears. Streaming down my face tears. The pastor was preaching about spiritual warfare and people facing trials. Real and heavy stuff. So I felt silly crying over finishing residency. Thankfully I was in the second row and alone so no one saw my tears. But these past three years have been hard. Not spiritual warfare hard. But challenging. And seemingly never ending. And yet here we are almost at the end.<br />
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Admittedly, in the beginning church was hard for me. For the first 6 or 8 weeks we lived here Joe worked every single Sunday. So it was me and my four kids "church shopping" alone every week. At the time I had an infant, a two year old, a five year old, and an eight year old. Physically it was hard. Emotionally it was even harder. Choosing a church without my husband was a huge and overwhelming responsibility. And most Sundays I cried sitting alone in the pew holding my baby. I often used the baby as a cover. Going to the cry room to nurse him and cry in private. Those were long hard days. Thankfully those hard Sunday mornings are a distant memory. Our church has become like family over these past three years. And even though it is just me and the kids most Sunday mornings it isn't so hard. And I don't usually cry anymore. Except today.<br />
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Today I cried tears of relief and joy and a little bit of disbelief. We did it. We made it.</div>
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Joe survived some really long, brutal ICU months. Months of nights. Lots of missed holidays and birthdays and family events. And even more missed sleep. So much hospital time. So little family time. Learning to be the best ER doctor he can be. Oh and a hurricane. He survived that too.</div>
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And the kids and I survived so many hours just us. In our new city in our new house in a new state where we didn't know a soul. We made a life for ourselves. Filled with school and church and sports. Book club and beach days. We created a pseudo-extended family with our residency and church people. I survived countless meals and bedtimes as a solo parent. So many hours and days without Joe.</div>
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And now its almost done. 6 more shifts.</div>
Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02384955527881982899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606464009483063303.post-87093408587420302762018-05-30T13:28:00.000-07:002018-06-13T13:29:45.482-07:00ROLL(ersk8)ING into 35!<div style="text-align: center;">
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Last night my friends and family made a childhood dream of mine come true...</div>
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By joining me at Skateland for a rollerskating birthday party!!! It was awesome. Very nostalgic for this 90s kid. Tuesday night cheapskate has never been so fun.<br />
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I will admit that I felt pretty lame planning my own party and buying all the party supplies. But I guess that's just life as a middle age-ish adult. I sent Joe a picture of the cookie cake from the grocery store as I was buying it. His response was "You are buying your own cake and you put those numbers on it?" For a second I panicked thinking I had the wrong age. Maybe I wasn't really turning 35?? But nope I am indeed 35. Joe just thought I would be embarrassed to admit to my age.<br />
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Not embarrassed at all. 35 is looking pretty good right now. I've got 4 amazing kids. Great friends. A loving and supportive extended family. And a rockstar husband who is *almost* done with residency and a very exciting move in the near future. Nothing to hide. Just lots to celebrate!<br />
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I was quite impressed with Grandma Donna's roller-skating skills! As were her granddaughters. They loved skating with her.<br />
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This girl made sure to tell the DJ that it was my birthday so I got a shout out from him. She's a good friend like that! I did NOT get to ride in the giant roller skate like the birthday children but I sill had fun:)</div>
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My birthday gifts were VERY state themed. A Minnesota cutting board and a "Howdy Y'all" inside of Texas cup. And I love them both!</div>
Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02384955527881982899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606464009483063303.post-29488441955167676042018-05-28T08:38:00.000-07:002018-06-01T08:38:33.379-07:0015 YearsLast week Joe and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary by taking a kid-free trip to Mexico! We returned to Playa del Carmen where we honeymooned. Well not the same resort but the same town. The original resort closed...we think. But WE are still going strong:) Our honeymoon was 10 days and this trip was 5 days. I’m thinking it should have been the other way around. We couldn’t have possibly needed 10 days of rest after our wedding, right? But we certainly could use that much rest a decade and a half and four kids later! Regardless we are SUPER grateful for any amount of time away together.<br />
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This entire trip was made possible by a) my parents’ willingness to watch our crew and b) moonlighting. </div>
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My one and only requirement for our resort was that it had poolside cabanas. Because if you know anything about me it’s this: I like to sleep. And I wanted to be able to go from my bed in our room to a bed next to the pool. I love sleep THAT much. </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_efba_3755_360d_b798" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v6IjTwZxZvY/Ww_2zTdwhmI/AAAAAAAAQZs/jTypddmbgmgqqYh0pcchmOHP10mWmLuqACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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Turns out THIS guy was a really good sleeper on this trip. For the first two days every time I turned around he was “resting his eyes”. Years of sleep deprivation will do that to a person I guess. Because normally he does NOT nap. But in Mexico he was a pro napper:)</div>
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<img alt="" id="id_45b9_9992_fe4d_9287" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9Q7oFSKPEYI/Ww_2zQG_7fI/AAAAAAAAQZo/lg9gI4xMveYgpgjpAcju50OUDJZK8ijYgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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Poolside or beachside. He didn’t discriminate. Naps all around!</div>
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Naps and lots of pictures together. Thank goodness for the selfie mode and self timer on phones. Fifteen years ago our Mexico pictures looked like this...</div>
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Joe. </div>
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Bear. </div>
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But not Joe & Bear. </div>
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Ok. That’s not completely true. And here is the proof. We re-created a rare Joe & Bear together picture from our honeymoon on this trip. Here’s the result:</div>
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<img alt="" id="id_aa1c_88cc_bde5_ffbf" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8RnCHUW1f8M/Ww_20x6GRLI/AAAAAAAAQaE/0gjIQggIRIgCzwezU2nVHV-3B8AnikUnwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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Yes. That’s the same dress. Still fits thanks to lots and lots of stretch. I felt silly bringing it and wearing it again but in the end I’m glad I did. The results make me smile. I love seeing us then and now. So much has changed in the last 15 years. But so much has stayed the same as well. Plus the re-creation process was funny. I wore the dress on the night we had hibachi reservations. Which means we ate at a hibachi counter/table. Not a real table. Meaning the picture would be totally different. Oops. We persevered. After hibachi we went to the buffet and insisted on a 4 person table despite the hostess’ insistence that we needed a 2 person table. In the end we got the table, the picture and a second serving of dessert! Win. Win. Win!</div>
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This next picture is also a honeymoon picture re-creation. Except I don’t currently have the original. It’s packed and ready for our move THIS weekend! </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_5068_b14c_e1f9_4e27" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1p6UIAEc20Q/Ww_21RtazuI/AAAAAAAAQaU/NEqYDslphvcWxjat82np1FQj3gBNNK2qwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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Joe gave me that skirt as a gift for our honeymoon:)<br />
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<img alt="" id="id_bd50_8939_f5a9_90df" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FFpPb8t2oGA/Ww_21Sevc6I/AAAAAAAAQaQ/_-SuXDPDZ_UMXm7KzkZlObWL4br9UNjbACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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<img alt="" id="id_14b9_4023_cda4_5507" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0efaQiTKlWA/Ww_21VIlJCI/AAAAAAAAQaM/LIFT6HQ8dyMh2twyAmR5Ga3ORO-62PU7wCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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Admittedly I napped a bit too. Mostly poolside and on the beach. But our last night there I did fall asleep during the Mexican fiesta/market. Oops!</div>
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I know I already said this. But the time away was so good. Just to be us. Together. Alone. No responsibilities. No distractions. We got to talk uninterrupted. Multiple times each day. Every day all day if we wanted. I feel like it’s the first time we’ve sat down and really talked in a long long time. Lots of verbally processing the last seven years (medical school + residency). The good. The bad. The ugly. All of it. Plus talking and dreaming about the future. Because we are finally on the brink of being done with training. So much to talk and think about. </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_f618_d2b6_c18_c27c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9Zu8sqrvB8s/WxFmVTDbwII/AAAAAAAAQbo/1E64_UBwPzYpHGDdHCzRuLQsYtK09r-VwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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<img alt="" id="id_fd34_90c9_254b_aeb3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z0U-NSWj8AA/WxFmVVMiMFI/AAAAAAAAQbs/Nd0u8Flaw1UMYEh4vIKsVBIymQidm18IwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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Admittedly there was a little bit of guilt involved with leaving the kids for a (school) week. It was a busy week. And we missed some important events with them. Isaiah’s 5th grade award ceremony and party. Charlotte’s award ceremony and dance dress rehearsal and pictures. Hannah’s kindergarten graduation (we FaceTimed for that one!) But my parents did great and the kids loved having their grandparents at the special events. I think overall it was good for everyone. </div>
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I’m hoping we don’t wait another 15 years before we get away just the two of us again. </div>
Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02384955527881982899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606464009483063303.post-90716148144405318932018-05-18T22:36:00.000-07:002018-06-01T07:52:24.881-07:00SoccerEvery year or so I get the itch to put my kid(s) in soccer. It just seems like the right thing to do. Or maybe just the thing to do. Right or wrong. It’s a thing. And I get all excited and register a kid or two. Buy all the necessary gear. Socks. Shoes. Shin guards. Soccer ball. I/we start out strong. Enthusiastic! We are going to do soccer. This is our thing.<br />
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And then reality hits. Practice multiple times a week. Putting on and off the ridiculously difficult soccer socks and shin guards. All those laces to tie. Finding and filling water bottles. Searching for soccer balls. Saturday morning games. MORNING GAMES. As in multiple games before noon because multiple kids means multiple teams. Add in the fact that I’m doing 90% of this solo with extra (non-soccer playing and not excited) kids in tow. And well I start to doubt that this is our thing. It’s a whole thing. But maybe just not OUR thing. </div>
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<img alt="" id="id_7ef9_f024_8867_4118" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gbB-k_M6Q8A/WwVhQ4hWYjI/AAAAAAAAQXM/QiB-dg17C0E69duBzbuKbtXjCZ7xzHjjQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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Just tonight during the first five minutes of practice I was ready to call it quits. But I didn’t because if there is one thing having four kids has taught me it’s this: sometimes you just have to laugh when you want to cry and quit. Laugh and keep going. </div>
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We had of course rolled up to the soccer field a minute or two late. And the street was already lined with vehicles so I parked (backwards) a mile away from our practice field. Ok not really a mile. But not close either. Even before I had the van completely parked I told the girls to hop out and run to practice. I sent Isaiah with them while I worked on unloading the van. Because a one hour practice requires no less than one stroller, two chairs, a blanket, a bag of snacks and a bag of toys. </div>
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It quickly became apparent that Levi was NOT going to be able to control himself so he was put back in the van for some time to regroup. No big deal. This I could handle. As Levi throws his fits in the safety of the van I work on gathering our stuff. But of course this is when Hannah decides she must go potty NOW! And the only bathroom...a port-o-potty is on the opposite side of the field. Levi is not calmed down yet so I holler for Isaiah to come back to the van to supervise timeout while I take Hannah potty. I quickly run across the field with Hannah to the potty and then return to the van. Upon my return I discover Levi has calmed himself down. And had an accident inside the van. So I start the changing and baby-wipe bath process. </div>
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All of this within 5 minutes of arriving at soccer practice. </div>
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Spring soccer season is now over. And while it was a lot of work. Incidents like I just described were the normal all season long. It was also also a good season. And not just because the Sting Rays won more games than they lost. It was a good season because my girls learned a few soccer skills and a lot about teamwork. They learned sportsmanship. And trying their best. And we did all of this while surrounded by church friends. Our own little community. We cheered on each other’s kids together. We carpooled. We passed around snacks and babies. We took turns taking the younger siblings to the playground. We talked and laughed and shared life together. All at the soccer field. Maybe soccer is our thing. Or at least it was our thing for a time. </div>
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Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02384955527881982899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606464009483063303.post-37612745743630625022018-04-27T21:42:00.000-07:002018-06-13T21:42:57.725-07:00RIP NapsI'm not sure how it happened exactly. I didn't really see it coming to be honest. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> It was a slow slide. </span>And then all of a sudden it was here.<br />
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Life without naps.<br />
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<img alt="" id="id_edfa_bbbc_1dfe_70d1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E9sG1c7V0Ew/WyHvq6F5ugI/AAAAAAAAQgE/HuYoLxKDe9kd-_QVSGwYUO82_w-Yu71aQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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(An actual picture of one of Levi’s last naps...taken under the door with my phone. I wanted to know if he fell asleep but I didn’t want to open the door.)<br />
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<img alt="" id="id_379b_80fb_634e_3639" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lmch2Hw0OTc/WyHvqwCZmuI/AAAAAAAAQgQ/wWoDCEMdAHALc5OCsjb-YWyKnqS5A-TswCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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And to be completely honest I'm not sure I like this nap-less life.</div>
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Sure its great that my schedule is so much more flexible. Afternoon play date? Sure! Stay at the beach all day? Of course! Quick trip to the grocery store before school pick up? I mean sure I could do that. I don't but I could. So much flexibility.<br />
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Sounds good in theory. But the reality is that I have a very whiney needy three year old boy on my hands ALL OF THE TIME! But at the same time I can not for the life of me get him to nap. And when he does nap he stays up WAY WAY past his bedtime. Such a catch 22. The proverbial rock and a hard place. I'm there.</div>
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Send help.<br />
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Okay its not THAT bad. He's awfully cute too. But I am struggling with parenting this perpetually slightly overly tired three year old. I know its a phase. It won't last forever. But for now I miss naps. And cribs that contain napping children.</div>
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<img alt="" id="id_bd6f_d6b4_d51_424c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IQBLpB0gJhU/WyHvtOAnRdI/AAAAAAAAQg0/rwd-Ke_OCCUqnX_Pyd0oyOUlCvnmCDPIQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02384955527881982899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606464009483063303.post-719449476432341672018-04-24T21:10:00.000-07:002018-05-06T09:12:34.371-07:00Saying Goodbye<div>
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Tonight we said goodbye to our residency home. The plan was to have a “picnic” in the empty house and reminisce together. However reality is that moving is exhausting. Change is hard. The kids were crabby. And we were all short on patience and kind words. It wasn't exactly the storybook ending I was hoping for. Charlotte did manage to muster up some final words about the house, “I’m glad we got to grow up here”. And with that we called it quits.<br />
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Because going from this: </div>
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To this:<br />
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Is only magical and easy in pictures. The actual process is somewhat painful and slow when moving with four kids in tow (and a husband that is working seemingly endless hours). I may or may not have thrown an adult sized fit in middle of this entire crazy process. After which I texted my husband and apologized like the mature 34 year old I am. But I also told him I am NEVER moving us again without movers. This is our eleventh move in (almost) 15 years of marriage. I’m done moving. I mean it.</div>
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Except I’m not actually done moving. This was just stage 1 of our end of residency move. Currently we are residing in a furnished rental home until the end of residency. We are all adjusting. Including Frankie the tortoise.<br />
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">In two months (or sooner depending on our house buying process) we will move to East Texas for Joe’s post-residency job. His first big boy job:) But that move HAS to be easier, right? I mean 90% of our stuff is packed and in pods just waiting for our next home. Unloading and unpacking HAS to be better than packing and loading. It just has to be. Because this move was pure torture. Physically and emotionally.</span></div>
Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02384955527881982899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606464009483063303.post-11691257760000671472018-04-03T07:08:00.000-07:002018-04-06T07:10:50.581-07:00ERx2Just when I thought we were finally recovering from all the sickness and trips to the doctor Monday happened. A day in which I took two kids to the ER for two separate emergency visits. That was two too many visits for my liking!<br />
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The ONLY good part of these ER visits was we got to see daddy on a day that we otherwise wouldn’t have seen him until bedtime. Gotta count your blessings where we can find them! And really Joe and his colleagues took such good care of us. </div>
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Here’s the synopsis of how it all went down. All three big kids went off to school like normal. Mid morning I got a call that Isaiah was having sharp chest pain with breathing. After a few calls/texts between me, Joe and the kids’ pediatrician, Levi and I went to get him. The three of us went to the ER. Ultrasound revealed an infected but otherwise normal lung. Thank goodness. We head home. Levi, Isaiah and I pick up the girls from school. Back at home I’m starting an early dinner (because Charlotte has dance) and I call the big kids into the kitchen to work on homework. Charlotte makes an extra running lap around the coffee table. She slips and busts her chin open. After a few crazy texts and pictures to Joe we head back into the ER. Me, Charlotte, Isaiah, Hannah & Levi. Mind you the hospital is under construction so the closest parking I could find was on the opposite side of the hospital so we got to parade through the entire hospital before reaching the ER. Just me and my entourage. Charlotte mercifully has stopped screaming “I’m dying! I’m bleeding. Call 911! I’m dying...” by this point. </div>
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And no one did in fact die. We survived. It kicked my butt. But we survived. Oh and I never did make that dinner. We ate McDonalds in the van:)</div>
Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02384955527881982899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606464009483063303.post-76547518486604444752018-04-01T23:00:00.000-07:002018-04-06T07:10:23.658-07:00A South Texas Easter<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">For the past two weeks I’ve had a sick kid and I’ve been mostly house-bound due to that. So it felt extra good to get out and celebrate Easter...South Texas style:)</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Outside egg hunt with residency friends a couple days before Easter. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img alt="" id="id_d5bb_52e7_bd20_f5da" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cQ-cxBv46zI/Wsd-4ByLGAI/AAAAAAAANfo/oS1BJId4gswKCd02c9fI_vgFi9Lxan0SwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><img alt="" id="id_4ab9_3db8_c633_e7bb" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gk_E4zmNMUs/Wsd-4_bGq1I/AAAAAAAANfw/922PHJYWmCcczGIQ6BgSOvgqOmBXdFhtACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><img alt="" id="id_15ee_6cbc_c74f_14aa" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a3u8akNhUxE/Wsd-42PWZrI/AAAAAAAANf4/_EAZ4tWlQTgWxepcPVxuK7OoCSiV7v9KwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><img alt="" id="id_e10a_32ed_ce3d_1d86" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UBZFHdI8CwU/Wsd-3bXim2I/AAAAAAAANfg/yQ6Eb5gOqNohBYOZQN7dhry_Vcs01P5UgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><img alt="" id="id_74d8_c699_9e78_7c03" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hMw829ukVhA/Wsd-32ON74I/AAAAAAAANfk/vG62VXm58G412KOdZynLVV2JljDao4YVQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><img alt="" id="id_175d_786f_afd1_175d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dhLFCHsOfsY/Wsd-4v3WGlI/AAAAAAAANfs/3ZQTj0qfYIsPPKLstpmONDV4UTlLJve5gCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><img alt="" id="id_e244_9e3a_554_2dae" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VwqLOZV4ADk/Wsd-5GzLa-I/AAAAAAAANf8/ShcH9cXHSFUrYUdvG5vh4tze0zqUAYncwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br />Unfortunately Isaiah was still sick this day and missed the egg hunt. Thankfully his dad was off work that day and able to stay home with him. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Lightweight summery clothing on Easter Day. No snow boots or tights or even cardigans necessary! Minnesota got lots of snow for Easter this year. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img alt="" id="id_6186_4d77_1822_6026" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8ASRTWK7Lio/Wsd-4zlyfDI/AAAAAAAANf0/vVjhaCStwSwz9RHXUvOsHKQxKit44sUOgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><img alt="" id="id_9b35_2904_7752_e74c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w6vIuU9qYpI/Wsd-53HoQJI/AAAAAAAANgA/Yoru_qNNJs4Q3-99_yBCPIN4Uq--YlxQACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><br /><br />Hannah wore my Easter dress from childhood. So I present Easter 1988 and Easter 2018: </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /><img alt="" id="id_74b6_d80f_dfde_313f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0rrqVMsvbPE/Wsd-6J7XYuI/AAAAAAAANgE/KiIv4EX0mzMlTLhBTrqNRCOVvG2Ux6C2gCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br />She was definitely cuter in it than me! Unfortunately due to sick kids and being stuck at home I never made it to the store to buy Easter hats for me girls. That would have really completed the look!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Cascarones! </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img alt="" id="id_b121_4bda_c6e7_9188" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8SUWG7kuhwg/Wsd-6d-lVGI/AAAAAAAANgM/tYT7lKSVeS8953w87weq6PTQvFTBRfrbwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><img alt="" id="id_35a7_1fb5_b1ae_5de6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OmddZvcmHG0/Wsd-6knS_TI/AAAAAAAANgU/rFKMPG-JLC4MiF2ncbJGFi5Ph80EKXGFQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><img alt="" id="id_7251_ff5b_1d13_8a21" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yDNGR0wgArg/Wsd-6kwBEYI/AAAAAAAANgQ/0GwiQ46HBC0tp8xXHCe0P7skKK9xppeLgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><img alt="" id="id_5995_f5dd_db10_2570" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a5d55sb9FEY/Wsd-7II3AOI/AAAAAAAANgc/rA244mEE2T8fryKtcOVElj40xUBBWmKqgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><img alt="" id="id_c32b_eade_43af_603b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uH8q0MS8Z-8/Wsd-7Bx5naI/AAAAAAAANgY/dC-lDa5IHdMIizpQdrlmBwxeXCQJjYZ7gCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><img alt="" id="id_e005_9ceb_396_1ee0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Idt7WrLyJMY/Wsd-7k04xXI/AAAAAAAANgk/8k1oOPFKB00ndLC5ymFdal1imQgO_nF5wCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><img alt="" id="id_ab70_928f_bdbc_140b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kc5yLsM5YDo/Wsd-7lUma0I/AAAAAAAANgg/p6-6DMvJZIsK7sluMn1elKHHp9GO9bshwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><img alt="" id="id_71d5_3c12_405e_1d45" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C0cghsNkjXM/Wsd-79IgF9I/AAAAAAAANgs/Pgrryx9dAuUWA53hAU3Q8BF-Khzv_Uy6wCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><img alt="" id="id_3da3_51f8_9e20_bf18" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NxkHLpainrA/Wsd-7-tyIBI/AAAAAAAANgo/pMz5jII3Ub8PTssUIzX3EopUIobdW2rigCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br />These confetti filled eggs are a Mexican tradition. One that brings good luck;) I was intending to buy some for our last South Texas Easter but then...sickness. There were a lot of things I was going to do for Easter that just didn’t happen. But then these cascarones found us! They were the table decorations at our Easter potluck with Joe’s grandparents at their RV park. My kids happily collected them after lunch and smashed them on each others’ heads outside! It was fun. I’m glad we snuck this tradition in this year! </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Lastly we spent the rest of Easter swimming and hanging out with the great grandparents at the RV park. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img alt="" id="id_e5bd_8a20_7169_c335" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z6Yc8mPzCO8/Wsd-8UyN_QI/AAAAAAAANgw/h9Xvmj0oJPA3gqZ3lu9KoJX_uJd3RXWlQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><img alt="" id="id_6d1e_7207_d095_6183" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jbGBIN_td24/Wsd-9KOz2LI/AAAAAAAANg8/YkxQjELfZQMus0HtG_X1Ln-4J_P5wVHUwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><img alt="" id="id_6d8a_22ec_4fcf_a831" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZvLD-KZVQdA/Wsd-8rNCBXI/AAAAAAAANg0/zKCyE1URA84W5sJ-bZCmujTp0mKYJKYvQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><img alt="" id="id_7e6f_d7b4_beee_50b8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eaG32j1OuYQ/Wsd-81a4NlI/AAAAAAAANg4/qcf4dB6Eg14rzax6sauWQBgTHqitJbPWwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><img alt="" id="id_676f_f7cb_b429_77be" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0CfFTe9VriE/Wsd-9AFrR2I/AAAAAAAANhA/8xZqob0Lv3gmDzx6XsZvOMo0iuAZtrdIQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br />All in all (despite the sickness) it was a great Easter. I’m always grateful when Joe has a holiday off. Being together as a family is wonderful and not a guarantee around here. We take it when we can and don’t take it for granted. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And now I’ll end with this adorable Easter bunny picture. Of 3 out of 4 of my kids...because sickness. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img alt="" id="id_6f7d_5030_5910_632" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Bi85sZHo4j8/Wsd-9cFLKaI/AAAAAAAANhE/_L6LYsoema4iF42szIbq3XK-hxjTXCI-wCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br />We ran into him at Walmart after our egg hunt while I was buying stuff to fill their Easter baskets. Discretely buying candy and small presents for your kids with your kids...I don’t recommend it! But it was the best I could do. Back to the Easter bunny. It was completely unplanned. But my kids were so excited to see him (and his candy!). They ran from the register for a picture and I followed them...without paying for my full cart. Oops! But it kinda perfectly summed up our Easter this year. Typically I make plans and we visit the Easter bunny. Typically I also buy my kids’ Easter basket stuffings early and without them. This year was anything but typical. But it was still lovely. We were together. And our Savior is still Risen. </span></div>
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Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02384955527881982899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606464009483063303.post-39526380182944786172018-03-21T12:58:00.000-07:002018-03-22T13:00:16.434-07:00Where are we now?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A million years ago when I started this blog I was a brand new stay at home mom to three itty bitty kids (newborn, 2 & 5) and my husband was a second year medical student. I was overwhelmed. (Ha, I guess not much has changed! I'm still overwhelmed:) And I felt like there was no way we were going to survive medical school and residency. Ok that's not true. I knew we would survive. It just felt like too much. Too long. Seven years of long, brutal hours for Joe at school & work and me at home with the kids. At that time one thing that I found the most encouraging was reading blogs of other medical students and resident wives. Women that had gone before me. That had conquered this medical training beast. I literally read entire blogs from start to finish like a book. They gave me a real life look into what medical school and residency looks like as a family. They gave me hope. And I didn't even know these ladies and their families! Since I had dabbled in blogging before (about garage sales...what was I thinking?!?!) I decided to give it a try once again. I figured if others' blogs had helped me maybe my blog could help someone just starting out on this long process. And what I discovered along the way was that I loved blogging. I loved processing my thoughts through writing. I loved documenting my kids as they grew and changed. I loved having a virtual history book of our family. I don't know if anyone reads this. I don't check the stats or keep track of followers. I just know that this has been incredibly therapeutic for me during these past six years. A great outlet. It has become something I LOVE doing. However lately it just hasn't happened. Life has been busy. Good busy. Mostly. But not blogging makes me crabby. Its my hobby. And I miss it when I don't make time for it. So I'm making the time. I'm back.<br />
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And I'm going to do a little life catch up. Because maybe, just maybe there is another medical student wife (or pre-med or resident) out there reading and following along and wondering how this crazy, long journey is ending for our family. Maybe they want to know how life looks at the end. So if you are out there. Just know it does end. Medical school ends. Residency ends. <br />
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And not surprising we all are a lot older. Our kids are now 3, 5, 7 and 10. The oldest three will have birthdays soon and be 6, 8 and 11. That brand new kindergartner I was writing about when I started this blog will be starting middle school next year. And my baby boy - who did not even exist when I started blogging - is a full blown opinionated toddler. He's a big boy in UNDERWEAR. I no longer have anyone in diapers! Which as a mom is crazy. I mean obviously I can do math. I knew when Joe started medical school that we would all be a 7 years older by the time Joe finished residency. But at that time I had a 1 & 4 year old. I had NO IDEA our family would look like this now. I was also in my late twenties then. Now I'm getting real close to 35. I couldn't comprehend mid-thirties then. But here I am.<br />
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Ok. Enough about ages and math. We are all older. Got it. So what does the end of residency look like for us? I wish I could say its all wonderful. Rainbows and unicorns. But that would be a lie. I always thought the end would be so exciting. Lots of celebrating and fun. We finally get to make the important decisions for our lives. Like where we want to live and where we will send our kids to school. Turns out those big decisions are STRESSFUL! And being DONE is bittersweet. These years were hard and long, but at the same time they were amazing too. Filled with great people and experiences. We had a cohort of people that were going through the same thing. We were all in it together. And all of that is about to end. And that feels a little scary. Our residency safety net is being pulled out from under us. And as it turns out Joe and I aren't very good at figuring out big life decisions together. What we are really good at is making the best of the life situation we are dealt. Wisconsin, Illinois and Texas were never our first choice of places to live but we moved to each because that is what the next step of our training required of us. And we made the best of each of those moves. We settled in and established a life that we loved at each of those places. Now we get to choose what comes next and that is hard!<br />
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So what have we done so far?<br />
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Joe interviewed for post-residency jobs last August. The kids and I traveled with him...because FREE vacation! But just figuring out WHERE to interview was hard. Joe loves Texas. And I love Joe. So we settled on Texas. But Texas is a big state. So the options still seemed vast and too many.<br />
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October is when he signed his first post-residency contract. We are headed to East Texas. Because...well 1) its in Texas and 2) it looks/feels like Minnesota with a very distinctive southern twang. He will start work mid-August.<br />
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Then we coasted for a few months and enjoyed our last winter here.<br />
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About a month ago we started getting serious about getting this house on the market. Resurfaced bathroom counters. Finally fixed the fence Harvey tore down. Fixed the hole in the kitchen ceiling (an entire year later). Wallpapered the master bathroom. Painted <i>almost</i> all the trim. Finally painted the lower kitchen cupboards to match the upper cupboards. Stained all the doors. Scraped the windows (and cried big fat ugly tears while doing this tedious task). Planted flowers and cleaned up the landscaping. Purged, packed and staged. Basically we did everything we always intended to do for this house. And it looks beautiful now. Just like I dreamed it would.<br />
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And now that I’ve typed up all of that it sounds like all good stuff. And it is. It’s good stuff. We’ve made it to the finish line (almost). But it’s been a tad stressful. Less celebrating and more “discussing” than I ever imagined. To be completely honest we don’t have it all figured out yet. We don’t know where we will live for the last couple months of residency if we close on this house before graduation. We also don’t know what we will do with all our stuff. And we are yet to choose exactly which town we want to move to. Then there’s the entire “should we rent or should we buy” debate that feels endless. Renting seems reasonable since we know next to nothing about Joe’s new job and the town. But at the same time our kids are getting older and we feel bad uprooting them so many times. So buying sounds like a great option. Except...we can’t get a loan until 60 days before Joe starts work...which is basically the same time as graduation. It’s complicated. I know it will work out and we will get to the celebrating part. But for now we are trudging through some big decisions. Decisions while not always fun I’m grateful we finally get to make. It feels like we finally get to choose what we want our life to look like. And that feels good.<br />
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Now back to that time/math thing. Here's a little visual of what seven years looks like...<br />
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These next pictures are from Joe's first day of medical school in 2011 in Illinois. A very sweet 4 year old Isaiah had packed his Batman backpack for his daddy's first day of school. Charlotte was just learning to walk. They were all sporting MSUM Dragon shirts because Joe was supposed to wear a college t-shirt for his first day of school.<br />
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Here are a few pictures from the beginning of residency. Unfortunately I didn't take a first day picture. But these were all taken within the first couple days of residency. Back when we had no idea what was coming. Residency seemed like a fun adventure then.</div>
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Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02384955527881982899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606464009483063303.post-758216695752408782018-03-09T21:03:00.000-08:002018-03-20T21:04:17.031-07:00Selling Our Residency House.1,001 days ago we moved into this house. And slowly but surely we made it home.<br />
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Today we put it on the market to sell.<br />
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So many mixed emotions with selling this house. I snapped some pictures with my phone right before the professional photographer came to photograph our house. I posted those pictures on instagram along with my thoughts in that moment. Instead of trying to say it all over again I am going to just copy & paste from Instagram....</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>"1,001 days ago was my first time seeing this house in person. And oh boy did it need help/work (see the last picture). I’ve had a love-hate relationship with this house ever since. Making this house into a home wasn’t easy. But gosh I love it now! And now we are selling it. Our home went on the market today. It will be sad to say goodbye to this house. A house that has seen us stretch and grow and strengthen as a family. A house where we learned we could do hard things. And not just home renovation hard things 😜. This house has been our refuge and gathering place for family and friends-that-have-become-like-family. So many play dates and impromptu get togethers. Out of town guests and sandy floors from days spent at the beach. These pictures might be just a house but I see the people that have filled it with love and laughter and great memories. People that have carried me through some long residency days/weeks/months. How do you put a price on that?"</i></span></div>
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To answer my own rhetorical question. You don't. That's why we hired a realtor. We leave that up to him. A year ago I thought this would be a really happy and exciting day. Instead it feels sad. The beginning of the end. I haven't always loved this house or this life here. But I love what we've made of it - both this house and this life. I'm going to miss them.<br />
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I just hope someone else will discover this house for the real gem that it is and make a life they love in this home.</div>
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Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02384955527881982899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606464009483063303.post-35881982728872677802018-02-13T22:07:00.001-08:002018-02-14T16:00:11.840-08:00Family Valentine’s DateLast year we pulled the kids from school to go on a family adventure date on Valentine’s Day. This year due to schedules (ie Joe works and I have MOPS) we went on our family date tonight. One night early.<br />
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And despite feeling a little under the weather I survived Peter Piper Pizza with the family. </div>
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Clearly everyone else had a blast! Arcades just aren’t my thing. But I really love my kids and for them I can do it:)</div>
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Homework and bedtime AFTER our family date was a painful, painful process. Add into the mix the class valentine cards that needed to be finished and I thought it was going to kill me. I just had to keep reminding myself that we were making memories. Building a family tradition. And one whiney bedtime from the kids was worth it. They are worth it. And gosh I love them! Even when they are pushing me right up the edge. </div>
Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02384955527881982899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606464009483063303.post-85450685704930368952018-02-04T21:59:00.000-08:002018-02-05T06:39:12.258-08:00Ski Santa Fe!Joe had an EM conference this weekend in Albuquerque. He was presenting the abstract to his (required) research project. For those that are curious the topic is: the effect cervival collar placement has on the optic nerve sheath diameter. Which can correlate to increased intracranial pressure. Which is bad. But enough about that.<br />
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When Joe first heard about this conference he immediately asked me if I would want to join. Not for the conference of course. But for the time away together. Without kids. And skiing. Without a moment of hesitation I said yes! Though I must admit I didn’t know there was skiing in New Mexico. All I have ever seen of the state (driving home from Colorado) was flat and dry. The time away sounded amazing. I was sold. Plus with my parents wintering with us getting away is easier. Built in kid watchers are the best:)</div>
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So off we flew last Thursday afternoon. </div>
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Leaving behind sick kid(s). And homework. And housework. And all manner of responsibility. It was glorious. (Also sorry mom and dad) </div>
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Joe spoke. </div>
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And then we explored. </div>
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Most of our time was spent with another resident and attending physician. Plus the attending has a brother that lives here so we met his extended family. Which was a blast. They are an amazing, generous and incredibly hospitable family. They opened their home to us. They fed us. They even loaned us a vehicle for the weekend. And they were such a fun family. It sounds creepy but I loved watching them interact as a family. They have two teenagers who genuinely like spending time with their parents. They joke and have fun. It was refreshing to see. Joe and I both agree that we strive to be that family! </div>
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And then today we drove out to Santa Fe to ski. Just Joe & I. </div>
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The last time we skied was college. Either freshman or sophomore year. Regardless it’s been over a decade. We were both a little nervous. But excited to get out on the slopes. </div>
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We had lots of laughs (at ourselves!) as we geared up and got on the lift for the first time. I definitely read all the signs and warnings. So much to remember. Also I don’t remember ski lifts being so terrifying 15 years ago... </div>
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We made it up and conquered the bunny hill!!! </div>
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So we moved on to bigger and harder runs. </div>
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Not all the runs were open due to lack of snow. It’s been a warm, dry winter in New Mexico unfortunately. So we definitely weren’t “shredding pow” as the locals say. But we had a blast regardless. Like a wise 17 year old once said “skiing is like pizza. Even bad pizza is pizza. It’s just good because it’s pizza”. I completely agree. Even bad skiing is good. It beats no skiing any day! </div>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Amazingly neither of us wiped out all day! I mean there was that one time Joe “skied” down part of a blue run on his bum (much to the delight of the onlooking lift passengers). Unfortunately I missed that little show as I had passed him and never looked back. Oops. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">We both agree we are going to be sore tomorrow as we used muscles we haven’t used in years. But it was worth it! </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Let’s hope it’s not another 15 years until we make it skiing again!</span></div>
Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02384955527881982899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606464009483063303.post-16269791639399661972018-01-29T22:04:00.000-08:002018-01-30T05:15:42.480-08:00The LAST day with a two year old.This morning when Levi got out of bed the first thing Grandpa Paul said to him was, "Levi today is your last day as a two year old". And suddenly, just like that our ordinary Monday morning turned into something much more monumental. Something that needed to be recorded. Documented. Sealed in my memory forever. My last day having a two year old in my home. EVER. Ready or not this day was here. So I was going to record it.<br>
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As luck would have it we had a fairly fun Monday morning planned. Mommy & Me exercise class down by the beach followed by a MOPS playdate at the aquarium. So all in all, not a bad day to document! And Levi was a fairly willing participant in my "must photograph every moment" mission.<br>
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<div><br></div><div><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">He's a Texan through and through. As we were leaving for our morning of fun he told me "Mama I'm freezing. I need my mittens" and insisted I went back into the house for said mittens. It was 58 and sunny! Oh and that sweater remained on him until it was a solid 70 degrees outside. </span></div><br>
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Highlights of our day include for me: watching Levi watch the dolphins with pure joy radiating throughout his entire body, enjoying the sunshine and beautiful ocean-front views, and Levi keeping his undies dry all morning while out and about. And for Levi his favorites included feeding the sting ray (he thinks the sting ray was trying to eat his hand!), watching the 4D movie and watching the "baby, mommy and daddy fish" swim (ie dolphins).</div>
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Levi is such a fun and joyful addition to our family. I can hardly believe he's been ours for 3 years (tomorrow)! And yet at the same time I can barely remember our life without him! He lights up our family and lives. God knew exactly what he was doing when he gave us this kid. Our bubba.<br>
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<br>Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02384955527881982899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606464009483063303.post-53389402601125083492018-01-15T22:09:00.000-08:002018-02-01T22:10:49.531-08:00New Year. New Undies.Not for all of us of course. But this little cutie patootie got new undies this new year:) Paw Patrol of course!<br />
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And oh my goodness he is doing so well potty training...thanks to my mom finally starting the process for me. My other kids all potty trained around age 2. This kid probably could have potty trained then as well however I wasn’t ready! One would think that after a solid decade of having a child in diapers I would have been eager to get him in underwear. But nope. Thank you mom for motivating me.<br />
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Funny little story. Mostly funny because I wasn’t there and didn’t have to clean up the mess. On Levi’s third day of potty training Joe and I had a date night. And by “date night” I mean an interview dinner for medical students for his residency program. Which means my parents had the kids for bedtime. Which (I think) means my mom does all of bedtime routine while my dad hides. So the story goes like this. Grandma got Levi all ready for bed and tucked him into his crib (with a diaper on). She then gets the girls ready for bed. Tucks them in. Reads a chapter of their book to them. Then Grandma heads out to the living room to tell Isaiah to get ready for bed. Isaiah is sitting in one of our big comfy chairs reading. This is when Levi announces his presence in the living room. Grandma turns around to find Levi in the other comfy chair. Reading a book. COMPLETELY naked. </div>
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And it just so happens that he chose this book for his reading material that evening....</div>
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Grandma quickly discovered that he had taken his pajamas and diaper off in the crib. Peed all over his crib. Including multiple blankets and stuffed animals. Then climbed out and found a good book. </div>
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Like I said funny because I wasn’t there to deal with it!</div>
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Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02384955527881982899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606464009483063303.post-80999558365553928982017-12-26T10:43:00.001-08:002017-12-26T12:20:03.117-08:00Merry Christmas!It was a Cousin Christmas. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGlZuCoXrsqJtq5IH2JwNyMlJU-Cqh7lzB3V5q4yVH9YZzYyGmMJzDpwOTLpT1SjsMLL7YrcNrDyDrl7cTXXHFGnxhdr-eUYGUJcHEML8aItIiaUTS3SfJR1K_MrQSLSVQB_-kRGsAg/s640/blogger-image--1158667524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGlZuCoXrsqJtq5IH2JwNyMlJU-Cqh7lzB3V5q4yVH9YZzYyGmMJzDpwOTLpT1SjsMLL7YrcNrDyDrl7cTXXHFGnxhdr-eUYGUJcHEML8aItIiaUTS3SfJR1K_MrQSLSVQB_-kRGsAg/s640/blogger-image--1158667524.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>For the first time since 2013. <span style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">My sister generously opened her home to all 22 of us for a long weekend. And despite South Dakota's lack of snow and the temperatures staying well below freezing we all had fun. Just being together is good enough for us! The cousins played...everywhere...the house and the barn. The adults talked and cooked and snuck in a few card games. I'm so grateful for the time we were all together Christmas and I hope it's not another four years before it happens again. </span></div>Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02384955527881982899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606464009483063303.post-12868576378616719532017-12-16T20:36:00.000-08:002017-12-16T20:36:15.201-08:00Us. Then & Now.Joe's first year of residency a medical student and his family stayed with us for two weeks. The medical student was doing a month long rotation here at the hospital and his wife and kids wanted to come down from Iowa...I mean who wouldn't want to come to the beach in the fall? We had never met this family before so it felt somewhat risky inviting them in. And yet by the time they left they felt like old friends. I seriously loved those two weeks having another adult around. It made me think that residency families should be required to live together. Or at the very least very close together...like on a commune or something. Kidding! But really...the built in support was amazing. She made dinner one night and then I cooked the next. The kids played and we moms had adult conversation. Win-win! Oh and we were all happy and pleasant when the guys came home from the hospital. Win-win-win!!!<br />
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Ok back to the original point of this story. The wife was not only a lovely person, but a photographer as well. And she offered to take our family pictures for free. Ummm...twist my arm:) So to the beach we went all dressed up...<br />
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And I will forever be grateful for these beautiful beach pictures that she captured of our family. They are some of my favorites. These were also some of my favorite ages for my kids as well. Levi was 7 months old, Hannah had just turned 3, Charlotte was 5 and Isaiah was 8. BABIES! All of them. <br />
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This being our last fall living here at the beach I decided it was time to go back and re-create those family pictures. To see how we had grown and changed as a family. Now I am obviously not a professional. And my mini tripod and self-timer is a far cry from a professional photo shoot, but I'm thankful to have captured us at this stage as well. Levi is now 2 (almost 3!), Hannah is 5, Charlotte is 7 and Isaiah is 10. And the wind was absolutely out of control that day. Blowing sand in our already blinded-by-the-sun eyes. <br />
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We sure are going to miss this beach! We've been spoiled living so close to the ocean.Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02384955527881982899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606464009483063303.post-208653745220437142017-12-14T22:01:00.004-08:002017-12-31T16:49:01.895-08:00Charlotte's Wedding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This past summer while the kids and I were in Wisconsin visiting our best friends Charlotte married her friend Max. It was the sweetest little wedding planned completely by the mini bride and groom. </span></div><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Not so coincidentally Charlotte's uncle was married in a real and nearly as sweet a ceremony the weekend before....</span></div></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptuZq2b0t9aFJR5eqW5C7ABP1qRUfokiSk0UKRYFIn2Mcyw5GVqCSlyBRCn21FD1IPOd2CD4e26wPesEOO-WUqv899ka8hHtqzh3WewrWzdzAgJOhMWXuy-3aBxxYCHK1bccKJ4ayeg/s1600/802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptuZq2b0t9aFJR5eqW5C7ABP1qRUfokiSk0UKRYFIn2Mcyw5GVqCSlyBRCn21FD1IPOd2CD4e26wPesEOO-WUqv899ka8hHtqzh3WewrWzdzAgJOhMWXuy-3aBxxYCHK1bccKJ4ayeg/s640/802.JPG" width="426"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The real wedding gave Charlotte lots of inspiration for her wedding...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisby-7HtkZ_fA8HIe8OlQL968WRpO8M3SFy5ZTjNxYDg4lGzqR6vpjpRUVOXfYNcz2_zCv3p1sHGU4rafLfpKFUYSDh0wLpuARCjBjXFpGriKU55M0S9Qa7fsdE1LhFN2ZnI_a6qrWGg/s1600/1322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisby-7HtkZ_fA8HIe8OlQL968WRpO8M3SFy5ZTjNxYDg4lGzqR6vpjpRUVOXfYNcz2_zCv3p1sHGU4rafLfpKFUYSDh0wLpuARCjBjXFpGriKU55M0S9Qa7fsdE1LhFN2ZnI_a6qrWGg/s640/1322.JPG" width="425"></a></div>
<div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Max and Charlotte spent the morning planning the big event together. They handmade their invites. Sleeping bags were laid down as an aisle. Fake flowers were gathered. Their outfits were chosen with care. And Max's big sister styled Charlotte's hair. They even made a perler bead heart with their initials in it. Hannah was assigned the coveted role of flower girl. And the rest of the siblings and I watched the ceremony. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Though admittedly for a hot minute I thought the bride was going to call off the wedding when the groom was taking too long to get ready for her liking! But alas the event went off without a hitch:)</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div>
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<div><br></div><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The couple's first dance was complete with twirls and dips. The groom even picked up the bride at the end. The two of them couldn't stop smiling and giggling and smooching (on the check only!). It was adorable. </span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></span>
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<span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Afterwards we all celebrated with a mini-donut and root beer reception. Admittedly the bride and groom had planned a pillow fight and board game reception but the mothers stepped in and changed the plans a little. As mothers of the bride and groom tend to do:)</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></span></div><div><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Speaking of mothers, the two of us are trying figure out how to keep this romance alive so there can be a real wedding in 15-20 years....</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></span>
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<br></div>Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02384955527881982899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606464009483063303.post-75533087944234896332017-12-12T19:51:00.000-08:002017-12-12T19:51:34.695-08:00Christmas Tree Decorating 2015<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZS3bTiAL3iQ" width="459"></iframe><br />
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This long awaited (by me!) video was completed compliments of Joe's "golden weekend". A golden weekend is when the resident has the entire weekend off. Both Saturday and Sunday. This is a rarity in residency. Especially in EM. Before residency began I had heard of these goldens, but I didn't fully grasp how wonderful and truly golden they are until I experienced a handful of them myself. A couple weekends ago Joe had a <i>deluxe</i> golden weekend. He had Friday, Saturday and Sunday off!!! We took full advantage. Or maybe just I took full advantage. Friday I got a pedicure with a friend. That is something I have only done only one other time during residency. It was a real treat! Then that evening we took the kids to<a href="https://longdaysarchives.blogspot.com/2017/12/visiting-santa.html" target="_blank"> see Santa</a>. The next day we <a href="https://longdaysarchives.blogspot.com/2017/12/christmas-tree-decorating-2017.h" target="_blank">set up our tree</a> and just enjoyed a day at home until the evening when Joe and I attended our church Christmas party (without kids!). Joe having Sunday off was an extra pleasant surprise for me because I had assumed he had to work. Going to church together as family...such a simple thing that I miss and greatly appreciate when it does happen! We were just a regular family doing regular family stuff all weekend. It was delightful! And then Joe put this video together for me. It was like the icing on the cake. And I can't stop watching it because sweet baby Levi crawling around our house is THE BEST. Gosh I miss the baby days.<br />
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<b></b>Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02384955527881982899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606464009483063303.post-20972547617308869202017-12-11T00:16:00.000-08:002017-12-29T15:02:08.587-08:002017 in 12ish Pictures<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>January</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">My parents were wintering with us in Texas once again. We all went out to the beach to burn the Christmas trees with our residency friends. We LOVE this tradition! At the end of the month </span><span style="text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Levi turned 2 and we celebrated with a big turtle cake...again with our residency friends:) We survived one weekend of cold winter weather - then went back to warm, sunny "winter". </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></span></span></div>
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<b>February</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">With my parents still in Texas, Joe and I were able to sneak away to Mexico for 5 days for his brother's beach wedding. It was AWESOME. Joe was on a month of nights and had his in service exam...so that was less awesome. But having grandparents around always makes it better!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br></b></div>
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<b>March</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Our BEST friends came for spring break. And it was THE BEST!!!!! We did the beach...a couple times. Played tourists in our town. And just spent quality time together. We were having so much fun we extended our time together by driving a little north with them on their first return travel day.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div>
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<b>April</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Joe was back on MICU. Meaning I went a little crazy. I decided to put my craziness to good use and tore out our master shower. It was a homeschool "project" with my girls. (The shower still isn't put back together again. But that's not the main point here.) We also celebrated Easter at home. Just the six of us. Joe was able to join us for the church service. It's the little victories in life:)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br></b></div>
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<b>May</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">By May I was back in survival mode. Joe's schedule just killed me. I was ready for a break. We did manage to make it out in our kayaks as an entire family for the first time ever! And my parents came back for Charlotte's dance recital. </span><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At the end of May was our 14th wedding anniversary. No celebration. Maybe be next year:) </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_HOxcJsde_ivxlIZLVSPrWyHlEFBaIMdslmCQ_KbR2SSQxHZFSqiCqHNoRbCsI4gE6eRcWD48VMrQaxRMZUOFQrtcCYUE-W0b5CC8DhMRqjTQuphyphenhyphen8pxMmBLf2gpU7_lwYc9sVIjrA/s1600/175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_HOxcJsde_ivxlIZLVSPrWyHlEFBaIMdslmCQ_KbR2SSQxHZFSqiCqHNoRbCsI4gE6eRcWD48VMrQaxRMZUOFQrtcCYUE-W0b5CC8DhMRqjTQuphyphenhyphen8pxMmBLf2gpU7_lwYc9sVIjrA/s400/175.JPG" width="400"></a></div>
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<b>June</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br></b></div><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This month marked the end of Joe's second year of residency. 2 done. 1 to go! Also the end</span><span style="text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> of the school year. We survived homeschooling! And our summer kicked off with our annual road trip up to Minnesota to see family and friends!!! This year's drive was much easier as the kids and I knew what to expect. It felt manageable. Even a little enjoyable. And time with family and at camp definitely made the miles on the road worth it!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOczXDiSkgXWE4vnVE6_N_HxJ_2_cbWUSGYACkGaygdGdNrgM-4CCKBs9DKgbl_6SZGVNK3M6KHx0AlB9luDg80vT55acZ3C9j12ffPG8TINrBi0uMyLFBrRHunHvoOQgh5CLIZ8HaQ/s1600/240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOczXDiSkgXWE4vnVE6_N_HxJ_2_cbWUSGYACkGaygdGdNrgM-4CCKBs9DKgbl_6SZGVNK3M6KHx0AlB9luDg80vT55acZ3C9j12ffPG8TINrBi0uMyLFBrRHunHvoOQgh5CLIZ8HaQ/s400/240.JPG" width="400"></a></div>
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<b>July</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Joe was able to join us for a quick weekend in Minnesota for his other brother's wedding. This was his first trip back "home" since before residency started. It was lovely:) Lots of time on the lake together! The kids and I made the rounds visiting friends and family. We saw both sets of Great Grandparents for the 4th of July. Spent a week in Wisconsin. And spent a week at my parents' house with my sister and her family. Lots of extended family visits squished in there as well. </span></div><div><br></div></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lJ1QRra_G6U9D-TnBuQKtJIb8VlyNkqTXTE3k5s-HQXldbfTPfZxzoxZqw4ZHYE-ak9v8R56nvD4ZPym7EvTuk3Ln1T41BlMHDk29TGhc_l15qwukhZMiWpIBnpBxNV3yjfgXwgOgA/s1600/562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lJ1QRra_G6U9D-TnBuQKtJIb8VlyNkqTXTE3k5s-HQXldbfTPfZxzoxZqw4ZHYE-ak9v8R56nvD4ZPym7EvTuk3Ln1T41BlMHDk29TGhc_l15qwukhZMiWpIBnpBxNV3yjfgXwgOgA/s400/562.JPG" width="400"></a></div>
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<b>August</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This was a month. A month filled with high highs and low lows and everything in between. We started with time in the mountains of Colorado with good friends. Hannah got to play in the snow for her 5th birthday! Our long trek back to Texas reunited us with Joe after 7 weeks and 5,000 miles on the road! We had a week at home before we hit the road as a family for Joe's job interviews. While we were away we learned of a hurricane brewing in the Gulf of Mexico. The kids and I stayed out of town and Joe returned home to work the duration of the storm. This turned out to be the longest, most emotionally challenging 3 days for me as Harvey intensified to a Category 4 and all I could do was pray and watch from afar. Joe and the hospital were left unscathed and we had the sweetest reunion. Lows and highs. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzqzZsX8dcmkle7ReZVcNmY2PFeUD5IjdBRoAk9aXUlhT3ikptaXPrVZaGRfEiudCU2KTWDvROrRpIjh_fZunYc5WpwpTkoxjJxMNcdjhroK-WNbXN6OQUZzMtLnT_-vPW66n-qK1rg/s1600/2043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzqzZsX8dcmkle7ReZVcNmY2PFeUD5IjdBRoAk9aXUlhT3ikptaXPrVZaGRfEiudCU2KTWDvROrRpIjh_fZunYc5WpwpTkoxjJxMNcdjhroK-WNbXN6OQUZzMtLnT_-vPW66n-qK1rg/s400/2043.JPG" width="400"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TS1x6f1JyIkxLrZT2mDIJfsly1HpXy3DjUDbKra69vmbSINOwBWz7cikdrz_UL-yq1fk_Dlr1V2qfSIPXYqCgeFxBtSE53fLoGl5WDxTAknOz_4xgMlExQo5mSIbbZ1YXZQtoN6Wfg/s1600/232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TS1x6f1JyIkxLrZT2mDIJfsly1HpXy3DjUDbKra69vmbSINOwBWz7cikdrz_UL-yq1fk_Dlr1V2qfSIPXYqCgeFxBtSE53fLoGl5WDxTAknOz_4xgMlExQo5mSIbbZ1YXZQtoN6Wfg/s640/232.JPG" width="426"></a></div>
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<b>September</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was a weird month. Readjusting to life. Life after Harvey. Even though our town was left pretty much unchanged, everything felt different. Off. Life just felt off. School started eventually. Hannah started kindergarten! (That was hard for both of us!) And Levi and I figured out our routine at home. We all adjusted back to residency life and Joe's ever-changing schedule. My parents and cousin and Aunt & Uncle's visit helped things feel normal this month. I snuck away for a conference in Kansas City for a few days.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAlpjWOvMmpH30bih-vm3v6Tp94le1GIYF4pWsbA7GBqNBmVqenIVpCl5sPYdFleIHZhBvPF8R8kffoPNpLuPRzVZ2bxH3seH5b4KlFFW9s5cO47nQBHEZmnmEbTqnEGTjjZoyOUS2-g/s1600/645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAlpjWOvMmpH30bih-vm3v6Tp94le1GIYF4pWsbA7GBqNBmVqenIVpCl5sPYdFleIHZhBvPF8R8kffoPNpLuPRzVZ2bxH3seH5b4KlFFW9s5cO47nQBHEZmnmEbTqnEGTjjZoyOUS2-g/s400/645.JPG" width="400"></a></div>
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<b>October</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We did all the usual fall activities - pumpkin patch, planning and creating costumes, and trick or treating. As well as South Texas fall activities - beach days and time spent outside at parks since it was finally cool enough. Joe and Isaiah were able to go on a father-son camping and kayaking trip for the first time in a long time! (Five years...but who's counting?!). Joe also attended an EM conference in Washington D.C.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33On7rNDtn8GK2_IXg6M5LkeSYknHOmboxWy6vLoHjxvA8vY5Z-kZajB04bOImwBH9WyA48Z87dykvX4l-wD9l0pTtivbTgl7K6yjnLZ5dW7O5uOkCBKIkkGVLGesCWkETWJdFq9n6w/s640/blogger-image-250183111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33On7rNDtn8GK2_IXg6M5LkeSYknHOmboxWy6vLoHjxvA8vY5Z-kZajB04bOImwBH9WyA48Z87dykvX4l-wD9l0pTtivbTgl7K6yjnLZ5dW7O5uOkCBKIkkGVLGesCWkETWJdFq9n6w/s640/blogger-image-250183111.jpg"></a></div><br>
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<b>November</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Our family got some much needed family time in the form of a morning at King Ranch, a (surprise!) trip to Sea World and camping during the kids' fall break! Getting away together is the best. And just what we needed! We also hosted our third and final Residency Friendsgiving. With nearly 80 people in attendance and WAY too much food - I'd say it was a success!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeJZmU9qib-DNPfpdo8Ph9jo9XL9oJzW-sfrELezDhBmOgRKtqXkQDACJ90DYv6ykS5yKkr6qtya6UIcVa_6hLNeev45oMrIZC3bwip7SjAw_4LwH_QrEBNBtH9kweu2lMoa4IcabYg/s1600/110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeJZmU9qib-DNPfpdo8Ph9jo9XL9oJzW-sfrELezDhBmOgRKtqXkQDACJ90DYv6ykS5yKkr6qtya6UIcVa_6hLNeev45oMrIZC3bwip7SjAw_4LwH_QrEBNBtH9kweu2lMoa4IcabYg/s400/110.JPG" width="400"></a></div>
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<b>December</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This was the year we were finally able to buy plane tickets "home" in order to give our kids a white Christmas. So of course it snowed in South Texas!!! The most snow they have had in 112 years! It was magical. Getting on a plane and being "home" a few short hours later was equally magical for me. And despite my worries about flying solo with my four kids it went perfectly! We've been playing in whatever snow we can find with family and friends ever since our arrival. It's been a great way to end our year. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div>
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<br>Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02384955527881982899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606464009483063303.post-35734099101816178692017-12-09T22:01:00.000-08:002017-12-10T22:01:45.072-08:00The day after a Texas snow day...For those of you that are curious what it looks like a day AFTER it snows in South Texas, here ya go...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCMSkNq95cokoWieNYZeKaZgoRSwqDKgeXlUJphvTJOIGvgTF0D9q8EvukbJakS7h3mqLrFtfKQCe1oD2fPrEklHdBDJwQG2URSQAFzMfXRe42mlnYPNBASsrdxpHRFrWaee4xB0Fng/s1600/IMG_5713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCMSkNq95cokoWieNYZeKaZgoRSwqDKgeXlUJphvTJOIGvgTF0D9q8EvukbJakS7h3mqLrFtfKQCe1oD2fPrEklHdBDJwQG2URSQAFzMfXRe42mlnYPNBASsrdxpHRFrWaee4xB0Fng/s400/IMG_5713.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Roger might be the last snow left in town. All the rest of it is gone. And it feels like the snow was just this wonderful dream. Like it never really happened. Because looking around town it just doesn't seem possible that it could snow here. As quickly as it came, it left. We sure are thankful that we got to experience it while it lasted though!<br />
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Two and half years ago when we moved here the first thing our neighbors told us Minnesotans was that it snowed here in 2004. A Christmas miracle. They said it could happen again. I thought that it would never happen! I also thought we wouldn't see a hurricane while we lived here. 2017 was the year to prove me wrong. A hurricane and snow. We've lived to tell the stories.<br />
<br />Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02384955527881982899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606464009483063303.post-69732388407073324882017-12-08T23:46:00.000-08:002017-12-12T19:33:39.594-08:00Magical SNOW day.Growing up in Minnesota I am well accustomed to snow. I like watching it fall and I enjoy playing in it. Sledding and skiing are two of my favorite activities. But I've never thought of it as magical. Until today. Today it snowed in South Texas! Palm trees and snow mixed. Now that felt magical.<br />
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The view down our street this morning. Keep in mind that just three days ago I was wearing shorts, a t-shirt and flip flops and complaining about the heat. And likely I will be back in my sandals two day from now as well. Magic I tell you.</div>
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But let me back up and tell the story of the snow from the beginning. Tuesday was normal South Texas winter weather...which feels nothing like winter. So when a lady at Bible study mentioned the possibility of snow flurries by the weekend I rolled my eyes and laughed. Then on Wednesday it rained off and on. Thursday it rained all day. A hard, cold rain. But not anywhere near freezing. Thursday afternoon the school district decided to delay schools for the next day because of a "winter weather advisory". Again I rolled my eyes. Rolled my eyes, built my fire and told my kids to put on their warmest footy pjs just in case it did snow overnight. I promised my kids that I would wake them IF it snowed. I very much doubted it would. So there I sat by my fire working on a few homemade Christmas gifts watching the rain fall and my children sleep under the tree. It wasn't an unpleasant way to spend an evening but I felt like maybe, just maybe I was wasting my time. </div>
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Then at 12:04 am just as I was getting ready to call it a night I received a text from Joe. It simply read "snowing". He was working overnight at the hospital. Looking out our window there was still only rain, but I was hopeful that the rain would turn to snow. I immediately put apple cider on the stove to warm and pulled out cookies for the kids. And then it happened. A few heavy flakes came fluttering down amongst the rain drops. So I woke the children. Or tried to. At first only Isaiah and Charlotte woke up. The other two were too sleepy.</div>
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Isaiah insisted Hannah had to see the snow. So he got her up - which is no easy task! But worth it. Because she LOVED it!</div>
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Charlotte then woke Levi. Apparently she had promised him she would show him the snow. I was a little leery of waking a two year old at 1 am. But again...magic.</div>
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Levi preferred to watch the magic from inside the house. He wasn't the biggest fan of the cold. But he sure loved the cookies! Its hard to see but this next picture is of all four of my kids looking out the windows watching the snow fall. It was nearly 2am at this point and time for them to get tucked back into their sleeping bags around the tree.<br />
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After the kids fell to sleep I had a hard time falling back asleep. I was sure that the snow would all be gone by morning and I just didn't want to miss any of it. Finally around 3am I fell asleep. My kids woke me around 7am. They wanted to show me the snow man they had built with their dad. (He had gotten off work around 6am). In all honesty I was expecting miniature snowman and I was shocked to see this guy outside our house...</div>
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Meet Roger. Because Minnesotans know how to build a snowman:)</div>
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Levi was impressed. He liked playing in the snow during the day a lot more than watching snow fall during the night.<br />
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Much to Charlotte's delight (and her siblings dismay) school was not cancelled. Meaning she was able to get dressed up in her fanciest (warm!) clothes and attend The Nutcracker Ballet with her class on a field trip as scheduled. Which meant I was able to host my Christmas Brunch that I had scheduled for that morning with the residency ladies. My house was a little messier and wetter than I had anticipated. And I was a lot sleepier than I would have liked to have been. But overall it was delightful. Good food and good company. The fire was toasty and the winter scene out the window was just perfect!</div>
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After school we snuck in a little more time playing in the melting snow before going to Joe's residency Christmas party. We also had a fun little photo shoot with Frankie the tortoise. Due to the rain (and snow!) Frankiehad been inside for 3 days and was beginning to try to claw his way out of his inside home (ie a plastic tub). Because it was above 50 degrees and the sun was shining I decided to give him some outside time roaming the grass. But before he was free to roam I thought he might need some holiday pictures with his first snow. Please note: he never touched the snow. I'm not cruel. Just crazy. I've totally turned into the crazy tortoise lady. These pictures make that crystal clear.</div>
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Joe was working and unable to attend the residency party. But that didn't stop us from getting all dressed up and having a good time:)<br />
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The kids danced the night away. Literally. They were on the dance floor from the moment we arrived until we left. Barely stopping to eat. Hannah's dance partner proposed to her halfway through the evening. She said no. (She already knows who she wants to marry. That's another story for another day) But that didn't deter him from continuing to dance with her all night:)<br />
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And then if that is not enough magic for one day, something even more wonderful happened...<br />
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My favorite Texan had her baby boy!!!! My kids and I are all completely smitten with him.<br />
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December 8, 2017. Definitely a day for the record book. </div>
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Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02384955527881982899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606464009483063303.post-50971065653628582342017-12-06T22:50:00.000-08:002017-12-10T22:50:26.854-08:00Family TraditionsWhen you move every couple of years it is hard to create family traditions. Those traditions can't be associated with a certain location or event. These traditions need to happen within your home. With just your family. Because those are the only things you can take with you...no matter where you move. I learned this the hard way when we moved from Minnesota to Texas and had to leave our beloved <a href="https://longdaysarchives.blogspot.com/2014/10/pumpkin-patch-2014.html" target="_blank">annual pumpkin patch trip</a> with friends behind.<br />
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Luckily we didn't leave all our traditions behind in the Midwest. One of our family traditions is making Christmas cookies together. I am NOT a baker. I just don't enjoy it. Add in a bunch of little "helping" hands and it can get downright stressful. But from the time Isaiah was a toddler I have done this every year with my kids. Its messy. Its chaotic. The cookies never turn out that great. But its our tradition. And we can do it anywhere. As long as we are together.<br />
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<b>December 2009:</b><br />
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<b>December 2011:</b><br />
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<b>December 2014:</b><br />
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<b>December 2017:</b><br />
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Remember that stressful and messy part? This year I totally lucked out when a residency friend offered to host the cookie baking and decorating at her house! All the mess and stress but no cleaning required. My kind of cookie night:)<br />
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This last week Charlotte had a school assignment to write about one of our family traditions. She didn't pick Christmas cookie baking and decorating. She didn't choose the pumpkin patch. And she didn't write about tent camping as a family. Those are the top three family traditions I would have thought she would have picked. Instead she wrote about our annual <a href="https://longdaysarchives.blogspot.com/2017/07/the-kids-and-i-left-texas-2-weeks-ago.html" target="_blank">summer road trip</a> to Minnesota. That's a pretty good tradition too. I can see why she wrote about it:)Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02384955527881982899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606464009483063303.post-29664126570022543702017-12-04T12:54:00.000-08:002017-12-04T12:54:40.720-08:00Christmas Tree Decorating 2017Last year we started the tradition of allowing (well-behaved) children to sleep under the Christmas tree every night leading up to Christmas. I read Christmas stories and sit by the fire (if it's "cold" enough!) and the kids look up at the tree. It really is magical! So this year when the calendar hit 12/1 I was anxious to set aside time to get the tree set up. And those who know me know that I am not a patient person. Not surprisingly on 12/2 our tree was up and decorated!<br />
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But we can't just decorate a tree. That would be too simple. No I've unintentionally complicated this process. Six years ago I saw the most adorable stop-motion video of a family setting up their tree together. Of course that means five years ago we started making our very<a href="http://longdaysarchives.blogspot.com/2013/12/from-our-home-to-yours.html" target="_blank"> own family stop-motion </a>Christmas decorating videos. And we've been doing it ever since. (For those who are interested here are <a href="http://longdaysarchives.blogspot.com/2014/12/deck-halls.html" target="_blank">2014</a> and <a href="http://longdaysarchives.blogspot.com/2016/12/deck-halls-2016-version.html" target="_blank">2016</a> as well. We took all the pictures in 2015 but Joe never got around to making the video. Darn intern year. Someday. Maybe. ;)<br />
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So without further ado I present 2017: the year you can see the top of the tree:) We really are getting the hang of this. Our only mishap during the entire process what Hannah falling of the chair at one point because Joe mentioned putting the star on top of the tree. She was so excited to get to the star she tripped - even though it wasn't her year to put on the star! It was supposed to be Levi's year to put the star on top but he declined. I'll leave the story there. A real cliffhanger. ;)<br />
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This is probably where I should add the detail that Levi is yet to fall asleep under the tree. The three oldest have made it all night both nights so far. But Levi just can't. He listens to the stories I read and he tries. But we've had to put him in his crib to sleep. I was hoping he could join the big kid ranks this year. We will keep trying. But I'm thinking next year will work better.<br />
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<br />Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02384955527881982899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4606464009483063303.post-69880290920543340822017-12-02T10:33:00.000-08:002017-12-02T10:33:51.593-08:00Visiting SantaEven though 3 out of 4 of my kids do not believe in Santa Claus we went to visit him last night. I'm perfectly happy having them NOT believe. Jesus is truly the reason we celebrate Christmas BUT its also fun to get all dressed up festive and participate in some Christmas festivities. Crafts, snacks, and Santa to name a few. Oh and this event is FREE. Which we all know is my absolute favorite.<br />
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Levi doesn't truly understand this entire Santa thing. But we have a framed picture of baby Charlotte on Santa's lap (in our Christmas décor) so he was excited to get his turn with the big guy. He was especially interested to see if Santa was wearing glasses or not.<br />
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He was! Which means Levi willingly went up to him.<br />
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Apparently Levi wants a Darth Vader helmet this year. This was a surprise to me because when we were creating our lists last week he never once mentioned anything about Darth Vader! Two year olds:)</div>
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Charlotte told him she wants a locket and Hannah wants a diary. I love that they have simple requests. <br />
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Isaiah was my least enthusiastic Santa visitor...he even tried to sneak off while we were getting into line. (Which was only one family in front of us. Yay for getting there right when it started! :) And when Santa asked what he wanted he mumbled his answer incoherently so Santa had to ask again. Which made for a great picture. Thanks Isaiah.<br />
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Oh and his request? A remote control car. Though I think he's hoping one of his uncles will buy it for him.<br />
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This snow globe bounce house thing was the highlight of the evening for my kids.<br />
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Joe reluctantly wore this festive shirt that Isaiah picked out for him. He's such a good sport. I think its cute. Errr...I mean very manly. Please note Levi's Southern Santa. Merry Christmas Y'all!<br />
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Speaking of good sports, my friend Sarah tagged along with us for all the fun...even being one day overdue! Though I couldn't convince her to sit on Santa's lap. I thought baby boy definitely needed a picture with Santa...even if it was inutero.<br />
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<br />Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02384955527881982899noreply@blogger.com0