Let's just get this party started...

I have a lot to share by way of pictures. We've had a whirlwind month and we are finally getting settled into our new place and city of Peoria, Illinois. So for today, and for my mind, I'm just gonna download this many pictures.

Here we are...the family and their DOCTOR!

So, so, so proud of Brad. He worked harder than anyone and probably I ever even knew. He's such an amazing guy and dad and friend and doctor.Brad with two of his best buds...Trenton (moved to Arizona) and Scott (Michigan)

Jake (Illinois) and Dan (Indianapolis)Jason (Pennsylvania) and Matt (Michigan)
Here I am with 2 of my great friends Devri and Danika.
We were lucky to have Brad's parents and his sister Melinda be able to come out for this amazing accomplishment.

My cute parents came a week or so before and helped us pack up and then traveled with us out to graduation. I was soooo sick with the worst flu of my life when they arrived and they just got started working and didn't ever stop.
These were the girls I got particularly close with when I served as Historian for the Students wives association.
More of the wives. I can't even explain what a place Kirksville was. It was just full of talented, giving, beautiful people.

Kirksville was just a simple life and simple time. I think this picture captures my memory of living there. This was a pretty lake we would go to on Sundays. I really loved just "being" while I was there. I was never in a hurry and I never really had much to do or really anything pressing. It was the perfect place to have Chloe and discover some of my talents...uh, while Brad was busy becoming a doctor (i'll keep mentioning that cause I am just so darn proud)

After graduation we sent my parents back to Bloomington to fly home, Brad's family took EZ and flew home from Missouri and we 3 drove the 1200 or so miles to Utah. We met up with some friends at Arches. I love Arches and these friends are just amazing so it was a double dose of good for a couple of hours.I couldn't not mention or show you the huge bird that killed himself on our car. He seriously flew right into us. As we were about to hit him and shreiked and covered my eyes and then impact. We both kind of lifted in our seats and that's when we saw huge feathers coming up over the hood. We drove this way for about 25 miles till dinner. As we exited we saw more than one car pass by and point at our grill. We really didn't no the extent of the incident till we got out and saw the poor fellow.

Luckily, we had a first aid kit with plastic gloves. Seriously?!!

After we arrived in Utah (more pics of that later) Brad and I went on our much anticipated trip to San Francisco. We drove Sunday night and had Monday through Friday. Just me and him...him and me. The best part with walking around with no plans and holding hands and eating wherever and whenever we wanted and walking into stores without a stroller and taking note of the exit and finding the bathrooms. It was sooooo fun. I just really can't even start thinking about it because it makes me want to cry because it was just so great and so needed and so perfect.We rented bikes and rode them around and across the bridge to Sausalito.
Chinatown, of course. Brad tried MuShu pork with me. Love those little pancakes and that plum sauce.
These were everywhere and so were those hats that are popular right now ( a fedora?) I tried one on in every store till I realized I would only be wearing this hat right now in SanFrancisco and most likely not in my real life in Peoria without people staring at me. So i passed and we passed on those shirts but there were cute.

As is typical Brad and Mel, we discovered the free stuff to do. This cable car museum was free. You get to go and see how the cable cars run through the city. it was really cool and I recommend it.
Did the touristy Pier.
Most people return their bikes after the marked ride across the bridge. Brad and I, cycling enthusiasts that we are decided to ride our bikes to Qwuait tower. To say "steep hill" is an understatement. It was THE steepest hill either of us has ever been up. Here we are at the top of the hill lookin down at Lombard (crooked street) We cruised down this hill and then rode straight up the other hill that you see in the distance. 29% grade mean anything to anyone?

Brad, of course, did this feat with little to no effort. I came trailing behind, but made it. We had people staring and pointing at us. If you'd seen the bikes you'd have known why.
On our last day we headed to Muir Woods to see some giant redwoods.

I like this picture.
And this one.

Here is another one of the cable car museum.The Japanese flower garden.
Cutest guy ever.
More woods.
And that wraps up the first part of our trip so come back for more Utah pics later.

Well we just finished another great trip to Utah, and one to San Francisco without the kids and I am sure Mel will blog all about that. We returned to Bloomington a week ago, moved Saturday and Chloe had her tonsils out yesterday. The last post was a nice poem about medical school and I am sure some graduation pictures may make the blog here shortly. But before all of that gets posted I thought I would take a minute to thank someone who didn't graduate medical school but probably should get a lot more credit than she has. I am not as good with words as Mel so this may be a short post, but how grateful I am for her. Her willingness to be a great mother, to give service to others and especially to laugh when life doesn't always work out the way we thought. Not sure where this journey will take us but I am so glad to be on it with you. Thanks for all your help, love and support, I couldn't have done it without you.

Becoming a Doctor...a poem.

B-rad is officially a doctor.
We've been partying in up in Kirksville, Utah, San Francisco, and Utah so I don't have any pictures of the doctor yet but here is a lovely poem...(it's long but it covers 4 years so I did the breifest version I could:))

Med school is starting, it's finally here.
Not sure whether to laugh, cry, or cheer.

The midwest heat welcomed us with fury.
Those first days and weeks seem kinda blurry.

Where are the fallen power lines, we can't see 'em?
The 7 year secadas are buzzing, someone please free 'em.

Your first day of class, we sent you off feeling so proud.
Here goes the next four years we said aloud.

Studying and stuggling at first was how it went.
Every Sunday with family, no books, is how they were spent.

We loved to walk up the sidewalk and see you coming down the road.
At 5'ock our hugs and kisses helped you release the days load.

Exercised when we could, gotta make it count.
I almost froze in negative temps to an icey cold mount.

Our second year we did the St. Louis half.
When our luggage rack fell of the car we had to laugh.

Chloe waited to crawl for you.
And waited to take her first step for you, too.

Our early riser singing in the moring to Curious George.
Seeing you start the day with scriptures helped you spitually forge.

Driving to Utah, flying to Utah, lots of traveling time.
Seems we make it there everytime just fine.

Estes Park, Lake of the Ozark, we've covered the atlas.
A crazy winter drive in Colorado..glad we got you back to us.

Showing family the anatomy lab with all its weirdness and gore.
Sliding to home on your watch-your wrist must be sore.

The hoedown, the winterformal all the SAA functions we went to.
My SAA fun and memories I couldn't have had without you.

Starsky liked to run the neighborhood
Judge said, "did you have him on a leash like you should?"

Riding your bike to Troy and Mills and up,over, and beyond
TCC daily with friends and exercises so fond.

Once or twice we walked all the way to church.
Stepped over a bat, it squaked, made me lurch.

TO the park, to the park, to the park we go.
Brad's test taking confidence started to grow.

Spending time and dinner at our good friends house.
Babysat on weekends to go out with a spouse.

4 years, 2 kids only paid for a babysitter one time.
10 bucks for her to watch tv seemed like a crime.

You have a day off, lets drive to Nauvoo.
The spirit of the temple, peaceful times helped us through.

We got a condo in Branson and took some friends along.
playing games, eating treats, relaxing times is where we belong.

Bikes? Bikes? Brad excited so many guys.
With this common like you created great ties.

Chloe came with us, we had Ezra along the way.
"Family comes first," that's what we always say.

You studied and studied and studied some more.
I baked, crafted, top-modeled, life was never a bore.

Institute Thursdays brought persepctive to life.
Look at challenges with optism and try not to strife.

Dr. Ionas and Soloviva ,liked one more than the other.
But witthout that one Chloe may not have a brother.

That first winter Chloe seized for the very first time.
We saw in one second how life can go to hell from sublime.

Fever seizures happen and all is well.
3 more for her, one for him, they have the "fever spell."

Still testing, and learning, and discovering the doctor in you.
What you got done made me think there was not one of
you but two.

Mock match? Please, what're you so worried about.
"It doesn't even matter!" I wanted to shout.

But then we didn't match to Michigan and ended up in Normal I-L.
THe Lord's hand is in all is what we soon got to tell.

A Tornado in K-ville the first of its kind
all the flooding in our basement I'd like to rewind.

So now we're in Illinois in a house on front street.
The midwest heat, brown pee, it just can't be beat.

OUr ward in Bloomington was one of a kind
professor, statefarmer, doctor, all these we could find.

Bromenn hospital a fine place to train.
We loved visiting and using the valet lane.

Chocolate shake please,- and escalator ride.
Brad's rotations refined his doctor side.

"I went to the Cancer Center today, " on a whim
The doctor said there was reserach I could do for him

So we learned about Rad-onc and saw glimpes of our future.
March 17th slashed the dream but we're rebuilding suture by suture.

August in Cincinnati, Septemeber in dreamy Seattle.
Interview season was long but we couldn't be re-attled.

A paper route or research that pays

We made some money to spend on fun days.

On to Peoria for our internship year.
1-2-3-4 each day brings us near.

To Brad, who is the hardest worker I know,
Dream Big, work hard, impress everywhere you go.

This 4 year journey is over, the school part is done.
This journey, this adventure; the 3 of us plus one.

The future is shiny, it's bright and so starry.
The med school journey is over and there's not reason to be sorry.

We've had you to ourselves from march to end of June
Playing, Traveling, relaxing but working for you soon.

June 18th starts some adventures new
Brad, we 3 couldn't be prouder of you!!!