NMCSD Graduation 2011

"It was the best of times.....It was the worst of times"

this was how Paul started out his remarks....and I couldn't agree more!

The past 4 years have been filled with little sleep on Paul's part, and empty bed on my part, lots of blood, bones, and books!  It all lead up to this monumentous night....

GRADUATION! 

It was held at the USS Midway Museum in Downtown, San Diego.

 Paul was presented with his certificate by the NMCSD Department Chairman, Captain Hoffmeister, or "Hoffy" as he is lovingly called by the residents.

Proud parents, Greg and Valerie, and supportive In-laws, Pat and Gwen were there for the occasion.

 As well as dear friends....the Evans, and the Bitton's.

 Honestly,  I couldn't have made it through the past four years without these two gals right here.  They were there when I was sick ( and Paul couldn't be), when my kids were sick (and Paul couldn't be), and when I needed a good cry (and Paul wouldn't want to be)!

 Paul gave a glowing brief talk about how his experiences and training prepared him for the "real world".

 Then.....the four graduates called their wives up and presented us with the MOST beautiful bouquet of flowers in gratitude of our love and support.

Keri LeClere, Myself, Kelli Hammell, and Amy Bremner

 I know I am presenting this as if this night was all about me......and it wasn't........but it kind of was...because marriage is about team work...and I feel we pulled this off together.  I am so proud of my husband and all he has done these past four years.  He is most likely about 1200 hours deprived of sleep, which I hope he can someday catch up on.  And through it all, he still managed to play catch with Ryan, attend Chloe's dance recital (although it was a close call), and to teach Callista that Daddy can swing her higher on the swing than Mommy can.

It was a Perfect Evening spent with the Perfect Company!

Congratulations Paul!

The Ortho Roast

It is tradition that the Chief Residents get roasted by the class behind them.  Most of the guys have many "roastable" tales that they have completely been embarrassed by throughout their lives.  However, how do you roast a kind, clean "Mormon Machine"?

 You take a creative guy like Todd Fellars (above), also a fellow Mormon, who happens to like IBC Root Beer, who then creates a Jimmer Fredette label to glue onto the bottles, and have me stage a Root Beer laden man asleep after a BYU Basketball game....at 1:00 in the morning.  The hard part was the fact that he started to wake up in the middle of my little photo shoot, and I had to tell him "whatever you do....don't move and don't open your eyes"!!!!





Recognition Night

Julia is part of my family.  I think of her as a twin to Chloe so it is no surprise here that they are in matching dresses for Activity Day Recognition Night.  It was also talent night, so the girls decided to do their dance that they have been working on in Jazz for the past 6 months.  The best part is.......we spent all the money on the costume to find out the recital was on a Sunday.  The girls were devastated but did not falter in their beliefs at all.  What a great treat it was then when Sister Jensen announced talent night and the girls could, after all, wear their costumes and perform their dance. 

It was AWESOME!!!!



Complete Cuteness

I have completely spoiled my kids, I know, but it gives me great joy to put their towels in the dryer for them while they are having their baths, and then bringing them their nice, warmed towel as they are stepping out.  I brought Callista her towel and she started to follow me to her room to get her PJ's, but then she wasn't there anymore.  I called her name and she said "I am in the dryer where it's warm".  I thought.....WHAT?  She wasn't kidding!!!

A Playdate with Ruby

When I moved to San Diego exactly 4 years ago, the first person who reached out to me was a woman by the name of Lisa Ryan.  I met her at Church our very first Sunday and she immediately invited me to join them for playgroup at Torrey Pines State Beach the following Friday.  I politely declined because I had a very cute 5 month old baby named Callista, and was completely overwhelmed with my 3 kids and could not imagine attempting the beach quite yet.  She herself, was expecting within a few weeks her own baby girl.  Little did I know then that she and I, and her sweet baby girl and mine would enjoy many playdates and memories together.  Our last playdate with Ruby we enjoyed the Birch Aquarium with lunch at Rubio's.  We will miss "Booby Jane" as Callista called her for her first few years, and her Mother.  This is a family who is always there when you need them and Lisa has an amazing, contagious laugh that I love to hear in my mind when Iam feeling sad.  Thank you Ruby for being such a great friend to Callista, and thank you Lisa for being such a great friend to me!