Falling Behind.....

It's no lie that I love love love blogging. I love seeing all my family and cousins and dear good friends from everywhere that I have lived. YET, I've been falling behind on commenting. This is like my favorite hobby! So, I'm sorry. I will catch up. Please excuse my rudeness for the time. (ps- thanks for the "Tags", I will get to them!)

Our Fall Break

Monday- Kazooing Day (indoor playground)

Tuesday- Discovery Forest Museum in Starlight, Indiana (yes, the museum is empty, and yes, that is an artifical tree and yes, you only ever need to go here once.)

Wednesday- Rainy day, whine, whine, whine day
(I looked up this article to see where my parenting had failed.)

Thursday- Library Day

Friday- to the Zooooo

Saturday- Ward Trunk or Treat. Go USC!- Tanner's the team mascot "Tanner Trojan" (it's really "Tommy Trojan") Emma the cheer girl and Landon the QB (says Ryan) .

(The pom-pom and sword were in movement. Happily none were harmed.)

Sunday- Day of rest, please (can that really happen?) and pulled pork sandwhiches.

Back-to-school on Monday for Tanner.

It's Thriller Time

Don't you love good old mormon folk? We can make anything better than the original- yes we can! Happy Halloween.



BYU Vocal Point

Our Plan of Attack

I think people wonder what we are doing. Sometimes I wonder what we are doing. Like is Ryan a resident or a medical student or what? So, this post is just to clarify and vivdly express my undying love and support to my husband- I mean look what he has put me through :) And, for my records. (it's boring)


PART 1: THE PART I KNOW
Ryan went to BYU and then finished at UCSD in San Diego (the La Jolla school, not to be confused with San Diego State.) He finished up in MicroBiology. We had just had Tanner and were in process of applying to medical schools. Ryan did okay on his MCAT (pre-entrance exam). Yet we just didn't know how competitive medical school was. We were jaded. Most things have come easy for Ryan. We thought he would get in. He tests very well. But, not well enough and we got wait listed and options for podiatry programs and DO schools and if "you go here for our Master of Public Health program, we will possibly take you into our MD program" offers. All good options, but not where Ryan's interests or timeline were. Also, we had application issues. One professors car was broken into and Ryan's application was stolen from his car and then 9/11 happened and mail was stalled. We just did not have things going in our direction. We missed deadlines.


So, Ryan started researching Foreign Medical School options. He went to some open houses. He talked to doctors. I networked and had a poignant experience. Tanner was born with a minor heart defect and was under the care of a TOP pediatric cardiologist. I took Tanner in for a follow up exam and the Doctor Fellow (in his specialty training) who saw Tanner and worked under this top cardiologist was a graduate of St. Georges University (the Grenada Caribbean school). It is a very clear memory to me, here was someone in a competitive specialty and a foreign graduate. From that point on I was supportive of whatever decision Ryan made. And so he decided on St. George's University. There was no delay- we got accepted and moved.

We lived on 2 islands in the Caribbean. That is a post in itself. The program works you there for 2 years and then integrates you into the states for the last 2 years of medical school, known as the Clinical Training portion. That was how we ended up in Bakersfield California. He took the same board exams as US Medical Students took and went through the same application process for residency. We ended up here at University of Louisville for his internal medicine residency- actually his first choice.

Ryan's currently a second year resident. He has about 18 months to go until he will be a board certified doctor. His residency will total 3 years. He could possibly stop training and just work as internist (doctor for 18 and up) at a hospital or practice or something. More likely a hospital. He doesn't like clinic work. But it is never that easy. He wants to specialize (ie- get a fellowship)


PART 2: THE PART I DON'T KNOW
We signed with the Air Force this past January. There salary contracts for doctors are quite competitive. There were several reasons why we did this. As a foreign grad when Ryan applies for a competitive specialty spot he will not be as competitive as a "stateside" applicant. We knew he might have to sit out a year or 2 to get that Allergy spot or GI spot and inside the Air Force the game is not played like that. He will most likely get into a specialty spot faster. Hopefully. We also needed the financial assistance they could give us now and a commitment with them did not scare us. Ryan could possibly get deployed and we can't control that. But it seemed to be a fit for us. We are just getting ready to put a placement request in for where we would like to be stationed- maybe Italy or Germany. I like adventure you know? (not really) When specializing within the Air Force they pay at least 3 times as much as compared to the non-military route. We will owe them more time but, there is compensation in pay. So where we go next and what Ryan settles his specialty on is still up in the air.

That's the plan. 4 years of undergrad. 4 years of medical school. 3 years of residency. 3 more years for fellowship. Possibly 6 military years. Almost 10 years of training down and 4 more until he is working as the doctor he wants to be.

And yet what stay at home Mom could really complain about seeing the world while her husband persues his passion? I would say I have had it almost perfect. Okay, minus the colicky babies. And moving is a pain. And poverty isn't fun either, but the Caribbean put that into perspective for me. But still, doesn't Europe sound fun while our kids are young? Okay, even Texas ;) we could go there too.

Golden Weekend

That's hospital doctor lingo for "no call: no pagers." Ryan got home and he was surprised with a half-packed suitcase going to:So we were off. Just 90 miles away to visit the Newport Aquarium.

Cincinnati was surprisingly a really beautiful city! We stayed at the Millenium hotel and saw this guy at check-in. He was surrounded by an entourage and I finally asked someone what the hoopla was about. Of course (shouldn't I have known?) he was an Ultimate Fighting Champ. (Are you impressed Cory and Cari?)

Ryan said he felt like he had gotten "call" night sleep though. Emma fell off the bed twice. We all shared 2 double beds, alternated sleeping arrangements like 10 times throughout the night, and yet still made it to the Aquarium right before it opened.

At the otter exhibit:

Ryan trying to close the jaws of a simulated shark:

We walked through several long tunnels giving us the impression of being in the tank. It really was amazing. Sometimes the floor was even glass.

The "Dive Team" workers were great with the onlookers. Ryan played (best out of 3) Rock-Paper-Scissors with one of them.


Right over our heads. We could stand still and yet were so entertained with the constantly moving scenery.

Petting the safe sharks:

and we could not believe the speed of these guys:

An above ground shot of the tank. This is just a portion if it.

We left at noon, drove to put the babies to sleep, I had a nap, we found a great park on the river and had a picnic and then went back and did the whole museum again. It was so perfect- I wish we had more "golden weekends", but perhaps with a bit better sleep.

(Oh, one more thing. I was so happy to have Ryan home for church! We had a great breakfast and everyone was ready on time and then we got to church and no one was there. OOPS! It was Stake Conference- 2 hours earlier. So, we had "church" at home. On "Good, Better, Best" . We used a single chocolate chip, a small candy bar, and a large candy bar to illustrate this. The day was salvaged.)

To My Mom:

One of the biggest reasons

I love my Grandma so much is that she had YOU

51 years ago today.

Tanner says, "Happy Birthday Grandma today." I'd like to add, I think you are due every year for a repeat of your 50th Surprise Birthday party. That was a serious paaaarty. And I hope you have just as good of one this year... minus all the family. But still with a great, to-die-for,chocolate cake (that you will probably have to make yourself since you are the best at it.) How I really really wish we were there to enjoy (the cake) and celebrate you. To the Happiest Birthday of all Mom! I love you. #2

A Form of Communication

(Let me try this again.. dang Blogger)



I mentioned in a previous post that Landon has some crazy signing skills. I bet the Jones 2nd cousins would be impressed. And yes, he is hitting his face. But it sure doesn't slow his speed. Emma is the background chatter.

Translation anyone?

Just check

check, checkn' in.

I didn't respond quickly enough to Emma and the "Helll-lo" left her mouth. The kind of "Helll-lo' that I say. And my sisters says. And it completely stopped me and made me laugh. Oh the things I hope never come out of my mouth to be repeated by my 2 year old.

We went and got flu shots this past week. Ryan was home to help. True fear emerged from Emma provoking Landon's panic and the shell-shock look on Tanner's face. He was stoic though and did not cry a tear. Emma on the other hand? I think she would have ran away from the nurse if she could have. (Mom swears I did that once, but I think she is confusing me with sister #1 Summer. She was there at the time too.) We have to go back for a booster shot for each of them in one month. Oh dear. I will admit that Ryan and I had a nice laugh during the whole event. I like that Ryan sees funny in most things. That is not my strong point.

At this point: Halloween costumes almost ready (check). PIF boxes gone and a distant memory (check). Save-the-Date Postcards for the infamous Bergloff family reunion (almost done... although I think cousin Jess could do them better.) New calling for me (check). That is... Ward Activities Dinner Group Organizer. Pretty fun stuff. I'm just working it out in my mind still but if there are any ideas floating around out there send them my way. (Someone has to know more than me about this-)

Tanner has school pajama day tomorrow and then he is off Friday and all next week. I am actually looking forward to it. Landon is too- he thinks Tanner is the craziest thing around. Oh, you know what's crazy? Watching Landon do sign-language. Thanks to some cousins, via my mom, I have some kid signing movies. Wait til I show you Landon's version. Stay tuned.

And the PIF winners are:

To clarify and legitimize my drawing:

Names were written on strips of paper placed in a cup, held by me, and drawn by Tanner witnessed by Ryan. Completely worthy of a legal stock exchange, I'm certain.

Congratulations To:

1. STEPHANIE H.

2. MELISSA B.

3. CARLA H.

and I scraped up one more box for the final draw of

4. HEATHER D.

That's how it went down. Thanks to all who entered. Thanks for the newbies that introduced themselves. Thanks to this blogging world that I am so treated to read and enjoy the lives of so many of you ladies. I am inspired and motivated and am at times fascinated with all that is done in each of your lives. Thank you for sharing with this plain old girl like me. I can't wait to see what these girls do and who gets the gets the joy of receiving these girls PIF's. OOOOOO (that's hugs to you all.)

So, winners, please email me at: rlw0625@hotmail.com your mailing address. I will drop these in the mail tomorrow. Or maybe the next. But soon.

Pay It Forward Exchange

ends tomorrow. I'll post results at night, my time. Thanks for all who entered!

Pay It Forward Exchange

I'm finally ready to send my boxes. Whew, finally! Do you want one? Just as a premise on how this happened. I frequent the blog of The Mandee Grant, whom I've never met, and noticed that she was "interviewed" via blog on the well-noted c jane . C jane was "Paying It Forward" (PIF) to her readers by using her personal interview skills on 3 of her readers that would be posted on her well frequented blog. Mandee was picked and according to Mandee "this was the HIGHLIGHT of her blogging life!" and in return for this interview Mandee had to PIF to her readers as well, some craft or personal like. So, myself a lurker and reader, I left a comment on Mandee's blog when her exchange was posted. I was brave. It was my first comment there. Well, she picked me. She also picked my good friend Jocelyn. Jocelyn launched her own PIF and I won that too. DOUBLE WHAMMY. And, I really never win anything. Ever. I even try to hit the mega-millions every once in a while. No luck.

So, I get to Pay It Forward to my blog readers.

Here's how it works:

1. You must have your own blog to perpetuate the Pay It Forward Exchange/Craft. YOU MUST Pay It Forward! I would love to know what the chosen do- I'm nosey like that.

2. You must enter by making a comment with something interesting about yourself.

3. You have until Monday night, October 15th. We will draw at Family Home Evening.

4. I will pick 3 of the commenter's randomly (or Tanner will). Now, I know I should technically do 6, since I won two PIF's, but I can't. Let me explain.

I am not "perfected" (so to say) in much. I can sew, but would never sew for anyone. I can't paint, or draw, or sing or quilt or make pots or blow glass or do a handstand. So, I really struggled to define my craft. This I do know about myself. I love Christmas. Hence my Pay It Forward: Christmas Package.

I did spend some thought on this (too much says my husband). It began to take over my home. It has also kept me in stall mode for other things I have needed to get done. That's why I only have 3 boxes. But, I tried my very homemade best on some items and purchased the rest. It includes: cookie cutter tree ornaments, felted snow mitt clothespins for gift bags, an oil burner from The Body Shop with a gingerbread oil, a leather jingle bell door knocker, and a well-loved treat. (HEY- Don't knock this stuff! I very much like it all!)

So, this was fun. It did require effort. I will be glad to pass this on. Especially to Jocelyn and Mandee (yes, I have a box for both of you ladies). How often do you get to give a gift of just things that you like and like to craft with no thought of what the recipient likes? Not very often. I was able to take some time thinking just about me. That's okay to do once in a while. I hope whoever gets my boxes will come to like these things as much as I do. And I tried my best, "So that in little time everyone on this planet will have some sort of craft from the heart- cjane".

If you want my PIF box, but mainly the attachment of starting your own PIF, let me know it now. All 3 of you please.

ps- thanks Kathryn for the photo

_____________________________________

UPDATE 10/9: Thanks Mandee! I got your PIF package today. It was nicely waiting on my porch. I felt like it was Christmas! I loved it all- but mostly that these are things you like. Thank you. I will especially savor the Dear Lizzie- alone by myself. And I'm not sharing. Even with Ryan. (Check out Mandee's blog for a great package description. I fear my posts are too long. )

Landon's First Haircut

Landon was looking shaggy. To cut his hair we went. In the chair:
Finishing up:
"All better," said Emma. She thought we were at the doctor.

On my mind

I am glad that Tanner told me his runny nose was "crying" it reminded me that he is still so little and exactly what I am blessed to have. I struggled to keep calm in my house for General Conference weekend, Ryan was working and did not get home til mid-Sunday and yet I still was able to jot down a few things that resignated when spoken, especially Elder Packer saying, "All are capable of Heavenly Father's help". Yes, even me. And I loved Sister Becks talk. Because I felt the truth of what she said, that a mom does know. I have been to visit with a new adoptive mom and think of my dearest friend and it makes me love her more for her faith and all the hope she shows. I spoke to my sister-in-law who just had her new baby. She prays for faith to not worry and feels His help. I needed to hear this. In the morning after Tanner gets off, I get the other 2 up and hold them and kiss them, one in each arm and Emma won't let me let go. Of her or Landon. Perfect. I could sit all day.

Five Stars

My family knows I am always in search of the best roll recipe. In case I can't make rolls from scratch, I found these:
These rolls are as good as homemade. I PROMISE. They are in the grocery store freezer section. $2.79 for 10. And Sam's has them in bulk. Ready in minutes and I swear they can compete against the best Parker House roll you've ever had. Don't believe me? Believe my kids and their friend Ellie who said, "These are better than doughnuts!" Perfect for Dinner of course and General Conference weekend.

Just hatched!

Ryan's littlest sister had her second baby girl this morning. How much I wish I could be there. Dangit. That always happens, we miss all the big events. Congratulations to Jill and Joe and the cutest big sister, Macee Maryn.

Kynzlee Dawn

8 pounds 9 ounces

20 inches

6:40 in the morning

What I Know:

If you are going to watch Cinderella- a Twist in Time you must wear the blue dress. Not the pink, according to Emma.

Crafty

I'm in the middle of trying to craft something for my Pay It Forward contest. Certainly it should not be that hard? I'm trying. Anyhow, my box is a holiday box and I will release more info later to those (few) of you interested in winning my craft/likes and thus giving your craft/likes away as well. Get it? Pay It Forward. (Blame it all on first, The Mandee Grant and then my really talented friend, Jocelyn Delgado.)


Well, I ventured down to Hobby Lobby today. Okay, it was a bit of a drive and did put me at my max of manageable time out with the kids. And they each had 3 or 10 suckers or so while I shopped. But, let me just say what a HIDDEN GEM. What in the world! Get to your Hobby Lobby. Great prices, great selection, CLEAN, organized and I spent 90 minutes there. With the kids. That must mean I really liked it. I know, I know, Melissa B. and my mom told me. And a few others. Now I get it. I gotta get my craft on now.


For my Bakersfield friends: Michaels x 12... you girls would love it.