A Marvelous Mess

Lately, we have been busy scheduling interviews for Andy as he is applying to residency programs around the midwest. So far he has been invited to interview all over: Sioux City, Mason City, Lincoln, Des Moines, Mankato, and other places that I am forgetting.

Although this is a very exciting time for us, it is also stressful.

We want to make sure that we make the best decision for the whole family. There is so much to consider: my career, Marie's schooling, housing opportunities, daycare, our families, Charlie (yes...he is a factor for us to consider), and of course the best possible training for Andy for his 3 year residency in family medicine.

Des Moines has been an amazing home to us and we are very close to our friends and our connections here. Everything is set here...our home, school, job, daycare, and doctors.
We are comfortable.

On the other hand, a move could mean we are closer to our family, a different job opportunity for me, more rural training for Andy, closer to leisure activities we love to do (hunting), and closer to friends.

The past 3 years have flown by and we can't believe we are at this time in Andy's schooling. The thought of 4 years of medical school seemed unending to us when we moved to Des Moines in 2008.
Now here we are .
Honestly, it feels a bit like what Marie's hands look like in these pictures...messy.

We are starting interviews soon and would appreciate your thoughts and prayers as we make this decision.

In the end, we know we will be guided in the right direction.

Football Saturday

We had another beautiful tailgate Saturday, and this time we stuck around for the game. Andy's Uncle Tom and Aunt Mary were visiting from Michigan so they could see their Horns take on the Cyclones.

Marie was loving all the extra attention and even got to see Aunt Liz, Grammy, and Papa.

While at the game, Papa took Marie down on the field where she got an up close look at the band and the field. Although it was chilly, Marie stayed warm with plenty of cuddling and popcorn.

At one point Marie turned around to Grammy and said, "I like this!"

I guess this means more football games are in our future!

Looking Good!

After too many mornings dealing with snarls and tangles, I decided it was time to get Marie's hair cut for the first official time.
I have done a few snips here and there but she needed a good cut.
I knew she would be a little nervous, but after a sucker, balloon, bubbles, and finally sitting on daddy's lap, she calmed down and sat still the whole time.

The stylist cut over 2 inches off! This cut makes her look so much older!

In other news....Daddy is home! He has just completed his 4th and FINAL (yeah!!!) rotation away from us. Marie and I have been home alone in Des Moines for the month while Andy was in Sioux City and Charlie was in Spencer for three of the four weeks.

Andy had a great rotation in the family med program there. It is a possible residency site for us so it was a very important rotation for him. He really enjoyed it and got great hands-on experience delivering many babies. That being said, it's soooo good to be under one roof again.

interesting reading material

Andy has so many medical books lying around the house and Marie always finds them to be interesting.
She pages through and looks for her name.
(this means she looks for the letter "m")

Whether it is the newest Osteopathic Journal or medicine dosage pocket guide, she finds it fascinating. I can't even tell you how many times we will find her sitting down with a book in her hand making up stories and pretending to read the med jargon.
Meanwhile, all her books filled with beautiful pictures and silly story lines are ignored for the moment.
Who knows, maybe she will want to be a doctor someday...

home sweet home

This past weekend we got to go spend some time in Sheldon with my family. I don't know what it is about fall but I always get a touch homesick and I love going back home to spend time with my family during the crisp, cool weather. This weekend was just about perfect:
Comfort food, cool weather, bakery doughnuts, and pumpkin picking.
Marie loved playing with her cousins and their new puppy, Maggie. I couldn't believe how loud 3 little could be...shrieking, running, yelling, and eventually exhausted from all the playing.

Although not the best picture I have ever taken, I love this one. The girls were trying to pose with their kitten, Blackie, when Charlie came running through the shot. I guess he wanted to be involved in it all...very typical of Char. Charlie has been spending some time with Papa & Grammy this past month but he is home now. Papa was whipping him into shape as hunting season is right around the corner. It's great to have him back - the couch, Marie, Andy, & I were all getting lonely.

God Bless Tylenol

At 2:00 Saturday morning we were greeted by a sad little one with a fever of 102 degrees. Medicine was taken and Daddy proceeded to sleep in awkward positions on the Lay-Z-Boy with Marie. Fortunately we have our own doctor here who can look in ears and throats, listen to lungs, and reassure the nervous mom.

Saturday was full of drinking Gatorade, trying to bribe so Marie would take her meds, watching movies and cartoons over and over again, taking and retaking temps, and lying on the couch with a sick one...not how we anticipated on spending our Saturday.

Luckily, Marie finally took a good dose of meds at 7:00 p.m. and was eating mac 'n cheese and singing songs by 7:45...amazing what 1 tsp. of grape flavored meds can do!



Daddy was happy Marie was feeling well enough to watch the Huskers play. We've heard of an armchair quarterback, but here is our laundry basket quarterback.

Thankfully she is back to her old self again and ready for another busy week.

Fall is near...

and this past weekend we got to enjoy the beautiful fall-teaser weather with some fun activities. Not only did we get to enjoy some tailgating fun with Papa & Grammy, but we also got to go play at the park, get ice cream, and walk around the zoo. While we were tailgating, Marie had a mishap with a car door and got a nice little cut on her forehead. Thankfully we have enough Dora band-aids to get her through.

At the zoo, Marie got up close & personal with some Emus at the Australia Adventure exhibit, and got to feed a giraffe!
It was a great weekend to spend together as Andy is very busy with a rotation this month.
Marie & I are busy too...we are helping coach an 8th grade volleyball team. Marie is a big help at our practices. She shags the balls, puts them in the basket, and even helps lead stretches. It has been a fun way to spend some mommy-daughter time together and I think she is really enjoying it.