Univ. of Texas Dental Branch Graduation 2011

Oh wow! It was surreal! In a mad dash to get to U of H for the graduation, we forgot the hat and tassle at home and had to make a beeline back to the house. Nick got there in time, we got there in time, we got amazing seats in the balcony, I took enough pictures to rival the paparazzi, and all was good. Really good. Nick looked so distinguished in his robe, hat (he was nearly the only one without the cap), and doctoral hoodie. I have another picture to add to my collection of "US at graduations." This is the third, but the only one where I'm not wearing a matching robe.

No, I didn't earn the DDS, but I feel as much a part of the whole endeavor as Nick is. He rightfully earned the title, the prestige, and the responsibility set forth by that honor. But, somewhere in all of that, I earned an sizable, invisible chunk of it. It has not been an easy six years. That's no secret. I don't mean to whine, but it was definitely more of a challenge than I EVER imagined it would be. While my heart is bursting with pride and a sense of accomplishment, I can never forget the sacrifices made along the way. We've managed, and no doubt the experience has changed us as individuals, as a couple, and as a family.

We'll only know the benefits of our investment as we continue into this world of dentistry. With graduation marking a certain end to the chapter of dental school, it is a certain beginning of the chapter in professional dentistry. WHICH MEANS a move (that's such a little word that involves SO many things), a gazillion boxes, new doctors, new paint colors, trusting a moving company, new patio doors, the new world of homeschooling, transferring EVERYTHING, emotional adjustments (the BIGGEST change of all), and many things that swirl around in my head. None of that even involves the dentistry part, I just realized!

We're ecstatic about Nick's new practice. The office is so cozy and you can instantly tell that the dentist and staff have put a lot of love into its creation. I cannot wait to see how Nick puts his own spin on the place and interjects his personality and skills into it. I know Nick is deeply honored to continue this dentist's life's work.

IIIIIInching Closer....

It's ironed, on the launch pad, and ready to be worn across the stage on Friday. Yay for me for ironing! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!!

One More Step Closer

Five days and counting to graduation, and 13.5 days remain in my career as a classroom teacher. My list of things to do is slowly getting ticked off. While I am anxious and excited to move forward, I still have stings of sadness about moving. I nearly cry when I go into my Starbucks and Ann, my Starbucks lady knows to start my *regular* whenever I come through the door. Ann won't be coming. My beloved El Rey won't be there for me. Looking out my classroom windows dang near makes me cry. I found out I've already been replaced. Ironically I went to high school (slightly different times, but I recall the name) with my replacement. I'm still trying to figure out how my position couldn't be funded, therefore I would've been terminated in a couple of weeks (I resigned after that inevitable piece of news), and now, low and behold, there's funding for a replacement. The more I try to understand the district, the more frustrated, hurt, disappointed, and betrayed I feel--by my own school.
The universe needs me elsewhere. Waco, in fact! I cannot wait to focus my energy and attention on my own children and my own husband. And me!!! On Friday, I'll be the one beaming with pride in the stands, cheering on my Nick. Inside, I'll be cheering on myself too. It's been quite a ride.

Keeping on keeping on...

Life events are happening at lightning speed right now. Awards banquet, board exams, graduation, PreK splash day, summer birthdays celebration, field trip, MY SCHOOL wrapping up...
And then there's the combo package of selling this house, buying another, inspecting, packing, showing the house, moving, keeping things tidy, thinking about arranging painters for the future house, finding something to WEAR to graduation. (Dang it, I've had 6 YEARS to find something, but have I?)
Somewhere in all of this, I am teaching all day, comforting little ones with bad dreams at night (is our stress rubbing off on them?), helping the other through painful leg cramps/growing pains, and settling disputes among students. I'm tired, frazzled, spent, and am ready to begin the new post-dental-school chapter of our lives. And, I am ever-so-anxious to slip off on our vacation...a dental school honeymoon of sorts!

Adventures in Waco...Prologue Part 2

We just got back from spending several days (unpaid leave) in Waco househunting. Househunting with children brings a whole new element of fun to the experience. I must say that they maintained pretty good composure throughout the torture session...I mean house tours.
Michael was enthralled with OTHER PEOPLE'S STUFF. One house, our favorite, had an amazing collection of antiques and other cool *stuff.* He tried. I could actually see the little angel and devil on his shoulders and him contemplating whose advice he should take. Walk around and be a good boy...or CHECK OUT OTHER PEOPLE'S STUFF. He was gentle (oh my gosh I am glad he was gentle) and it was an innocent curiosity, but I was on pins and needles whenever it would get really quiet.
Nathan seemed to have househunting induced nausea. That was fun. I felt so bad for the little guy, but this was such an important weekend to get some important things accomplished. No mention of nausea at all now that we're home. Could the child be stressed?

We househunted AND got more familiar with Nick's new practice. The three ladies who work in the office are just top notch. It will be a pleasure to get to know them. Thanks to them, I can now say that I know 6 people in Waco...4 from the practice, the dentist's lovely wife, and our realtor.

Adventures in Waco...the Prologue

And thus begins our third or fourth (or fifteenth) trip to Waco...
We're here with the boys and Barbara. We visited house number 1 out of about 11 this evening (complete with one queasy child, one starving child, and one very pleasant-and always tolerant-mother in law) and quickly X-ed that house off the radar screen. Weird house. It was on a golf course which was moderately cool, and had a super cool boys-could-share-loft-like bedroom upstairs, but the rest of the house was weird. It's like some giant took each room separately, placed it in a salad bowl, jumbled them up and threw them into positions like a bunch of dice. There was no flow at all, was spacious, yet seemed extremely cramped. One good thing, though, is that I realized that I don't have NEARLY as much JUNK as some people. I would have never let someone come into my home if it were in that shape. Stuff everywhere.
I am super anxious to see the other homes. I guess I am anxious to see the home that inspires me to be there for the next gazillion years so I never have to move again. I remember feeling that way once, when we moved into the Norfolk house. We found it on a whim, and weren't even looking to move. But, we saw it, walked in and instantly knew that it was THE place for us.

So many things have gone on lately, but I've barely had time to breath much less blog. I'll catch up, maybe in December! I sure hope we have calm tummies and happy attitudes tomorrow. :)

A Few Recent Photos