Family sleepover

As I cuddled with the kids in my bed tonight I thought, " I don't want to forget this night." I love that they want to cuddle with me. I love the way they mold to my body. I love the way they calm down when I run my finger down their forehead and nose (it was Steve's trick to get them to sleep as babies). I love that they love to hear stories of when they were "little". I love that Sarah said on many occasions tonight, "this is the very best date ever!" I love it when I do take a moment to slow down and enjoy them. Tonight was one of those and I don't want to forget it. I love that Steve is up there right now in bed with two kids who adore him, that he's not going to get a good night's sleep but he's up there anyway because he loves to make things special and fun for them.

Impromptu Sleepover

I checked on the kids tonight before I went to bed and this is what I found:

We're going to Penn State!

Steve signed the contract and I faxed it off this morning. We are officially going to Penn State for Steve to do an anesthesia residency. We are really excited and feel so blessed to have this opportunity. Steve was offered a PGY2 spot out of the match (which means he won't lose a year by repeating his internship) and starts in July 2011. We'll be moving to Hershey, PA. All I remember about Hershey is the free chocolate at the end of the tour and that the light posts have kisses as the lanterns. I'm sure there's a lot more to it than that and we are all really excited to know we have a job. I'm really so proud of Steve that he was offered a spot outside the match....these opportunities don't come around very much at all. He must have made a really great impression. The people at Penn State called Steve on the afternoon of his interview as he was driving back to Michigan. I'm just so proud of him!

I don't know if I'm ready for this

As I was picking up Sarah today from preschool she was bubbling with excitement and whispered that she wanted to tell me something. I asked what it was, but she told me to wait until we get to the car. When we were in the car, I asked again what she wanted to tell me. She became a bit shy and said that she'd tell me when we get home. Finally we were home and I was more than a bit curious about what she wanted to tell me. So she sat down right in front of me and started to giggle and smile.

Then she began saying something like this, "today I was at school....and I held hands with Kenny....and we were running....and I said 'why are you going so fast, Kenny?'...and I liked holding his hand....and....and I think....I think (a little giggle and a big smile).....I think I'm in love!....Oh!....but I'm not exactly sure....maybe I'll have to figure it out...maybe tomorrow at the apple orchard."

Trying not to sound too alarmed, but wanting more information I asked her how she felt when she held Kenny's hand. Her answer was priceless: "I felt kind of silly inside. Oh!"

I guess we'll see how it goes tomorrow....

Potty Training

We (and I mean WE: Grant, Sarah, & I) are potty training today. Grant gets an M&M every time he goes. Sarah gets an M&M every time she helps Grant go. And I get to watch it all go down. Grant refuses to wear any clothes when he wears "big boy underwear." Apparently, his Woody vest and cowboy boots don't count as clothes. He squeals like a girl every time he's successful and he's doing great. Hopefully this time it will stick!(Sorry for the poor quality photo. I had the settings wrong on my camera.)

Lady Fingers

Sarah loves lady fingers.
Grant will only eat them if I call them soldier lady fingers.

You are good at doing hard things.

For a while I've been telling Sarah that she is good at doing hard things. I want her to know that life has challenges, but that she has the ability to face them and figure them out. She recently has started piano lessons and I find myself saying "you are good at doing hard things" a lot as she figures out where her fingers go and how to read the notes. I must be saying it a lot because the other day Sarah came to me with a book of paper dolls that had to be cut out. I had been avoiding the book for weeks because I knew it would take me hours to cut all the dolls, hats, dresses, etc. out. But then Sarah brought me a pair of scissors, rubbed my arm, looked in my eyes, and said, "Mama, you are good at doing hard things. I know you can cut these out." How could I say no to that?

Butterbug

Grant has always loved giving and receiving butterfly kisses. About a week ago as I was tucking him in at night he kept saying something I couldn't understand. He kept saying, "Butterbug. Butterbug." He could tell I obviously had no idea what he was talking about and so he kept explaining, "On my eyes....on my cheek." Then I realized he wanted a butterfly kiss. Now we all call it a butterbug.

Independance Day

We went to Greenfield Village for the 4th of July this year. We brought a picnic dinner, laid out a blanket and enjoyed a relaxing night together. The Detroit Symphony Orchestra played a variety of patriotic music and it was such a unique way to remember our country's history. One of the most poignant moments of the night for me was when the conductor invited each different branch of the military stand up while the orchestra played its theme. It was really touching to see all those who have actively fought for and given their time for the freedoms that we all enjoy. There was one gentleman who was in the Air Force standing about 15 feet from our family. I loved watching his face as his theme was played. He was full of humility and pride....an interesting and appropriate emotion. When it got dark, the orchestra played all the classic patriotic songs as an incredible fireworks show went off. It truly was a night to remember.

California

Utah

It's Official....Steve's a Doctor!

Steve graduated with his degree in osteopathic medicine on May 15, 2010. I'm so happy for him. He has truly worked harder than I've ever imagined someone could work for something. He studied and struggled and he pushed through sickness, injury, and exhaustion. To say that I am impressed and proud would be an understatement. Steve has worked for this day for most of his life. He is now officially a doctor and I am so proud of him. I know he doesn't like me to toot his horn, but on this day I feel justified. Steve graduated 7th in his class....of over 170 students! I was always so impressed with how he never shared his grades with anyone. He didn't want to be competitive in medical school (which, if you know Steve at all, you'll know that a competition comes second nature to him). He was in school to gain an education so that he could some day be the best doctor possible. He has grown in so many ways.

He's grown spiritually. Many times Steve would come home completely exhausted from an exam and would say, "I had a lot of help on that one." I know Steve has come closer to the Lord because he has relied on Him so much through the last four years. It's been neat to see Steve work as hard as he did and then turn it all over to the Lord. Time and time again Steve has talked about how the Lord has guided him in things large and small.

Steve has grown intellectually. Well, this is a bit obvious. But I've seen Steve grow from someone who knew enough to get in to medical school to someone who knows enough to actually be of help to others. He has studied so hard through many sleepless nights to learn the science of medicine. Then I watched him spend his third and fourth years of medical school learning how to treat people, how to understand the process of healing, how to deal with them and their families, how to be a good doctor.

Steve has grown as a husband and a father. These past four years have proven a wonderful trial for our family and I believe Steve has come out victorious. I have always been grateful for the time that Steve is willing to dedicate to our family. Even when he has been on crazy-busy rotations (like surgery in downtown Detroit), he takes time to connect with the family. He makes sure the kids are tucked in bed and that I'm taken care of. On numerous occasions Steve would take the kids out of their beds long after they'd gone to sleep to hold them and rock them. I am grateful that his priorities have included our family at the top.

In short, I am so proud of Steve. He has labored for this degree and we had a great time celebrating it. On our way to Kirksville we decided to visit Nauvoo one last time. Steve's parents met us there and watched the kids while we did a session at the temple. It was so neat to be back in that temple. In Kirksville we were able to see lots of good friends, hang out with family, visit the Wal-Mart a few times, eat a celebratory dinner at the Pear Tree, and of course attend the long-awaited graduation. I can't say it enough, but I am so proud of Steve. As he walked across the stage when his name was read, I was filled with so many feelings of excitement, anticipation, relief, and appreciation. It was a wonderful day!

Now for the photos.....

Here is Steve getting robed...the official moment!
The Kirksville newspaper did a story on the graduation and
Steve was the one pictured for the article! Here is the link.

The Graduate. (not Dustin Hoffman)

I'm sure Sarah had some game going on here. She's probably the princess and Grant has just saved her by defeating the terrible dragon.Steve's parents.

My parents.

Jared Chase, Curtis Nielson, Steve, & Matt Nelson.
These four were pretty much joined at the hips during first and second years. They all studied so well together. They are all such great friends. Can't believe they're all doctors now!

Nelsons, Chases, Laters, Parks

Jenny Parks and me.

Tana Nelson, Margi Chase, me.

Brian Parks, Scott Rynearson, Tyler Moss, Nate Nielson, Cameron Cartier, David Hill, Trever Wilkins, Matt Nelson, Steve Later, Jared Chase.

Project Night Group: Katie Rynearson, Saysha Nielson, Melissa Moss, Jessica Gowdy, Katie Wilkins, Tana Nelson, Kasey Later, Margi Chase

Those project nights were definitely a saving grace for me...these girls made it all bearable!

Kasey, Katie, Melissa, Jessica, Saysha, Kathryn, Katie, Margi, Tisa, & Tana. We all met up at a park for a shower for Kathryn....she had her first just three weeks ago!

All our kids at the park.....I can't believe how they've grown!