f-o-r-e-v-e-r

That's how long its been since we updated this blog, just ask Squints.

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Yep, it is way past time for a new blog post, but we have been a little busy. We bought a house, moved to Utah and started a new job . . . just not in that order. We are still getting our things situated and working on home improvements. Dan is creating a paint studio work area, and Nicole is studying for her Board certification exam--not much fun.

Plus, we need to change the name of the blog since we are no longer New Mexicans. We haven't come up with anything amazing yet. Any ideas? Maybe we should have a contest, and the person who comes up with the best name wins a prize.

Someday soon we will have a new name and a fun post. So get ready-- but don't hold yer breath.

The End

It's finally here. The end of my residency in pediatrics. It is hard to believe. Some days I thought it would never end and now I can't believe its over. And what a bittersweet ending it is. I have learned so much about pediatrics, parenting, relationships, health, illness and death. I have shared joyous and difficult moments with many patients. I have made lifelong friends. My fellow residents and I have grown close--we've shared happiness and tragedy, both in the hospital and out. I've learned some lessons about myself as well. Dan and I have traveled a rough road, but we survived. Our marriage has been strengthened as a result.






The past three years were the most difficult and the most rewarding. Thanks to my family who loved and supported me the entire way. I couldn't have done it without all of you!





Thank you!

The thing is

It's Dan's turn to blog. He really wants a new post on here, but he won't do it. We had a great time last weekend at the arena, took pictures and everything. He writes such funny stuff and everyone loves to read it. It is his turn to blog and he is refusing. I know this is a shock, but he can be a little stubborn sometimes.

The thing is, he needs a little encouragement. We all do sometimes. I was thinking, each of you should leave a comment, send a text or email, call him and let him know how much you would like to read about the monster trucks on our blog. That would help him realize just how many people miss reading his hilarious posts. So, go ahead and let him know. I'm sure he will greatly appreciate it!

A little secret

I have something to confess, so brace yourselves . . . I am a closet christian rock fan.

Yes, its true. And my all-time favorite is My Savior My God. I first heard it when I was in Illinois for a month studying. I guess that's when I was really introduced to christian rock. There were about 30 of those channels on the radio and nothing else, well, some bad rap, but that's not music. So, that's what I listened to while driving around the little town of Champaign, Illinois. It was Christian Rock the whole way. On the trip back, when Dan flew out to visit me, we downloaded the song, so we could rock out all the way home. I thought it was fantastic, and Dan didn't seem to mind terribly. Then just the other day, I found out that the guy singing could give the Jonas brothers a run for their money in the heartthrob category.

But, lets be honest--that's not why I like the song. I like it because it is upbeat, fun to listen to and has a pretty great message.


It helps me understand why some christian groups incorporate these kind of tunes in their worship service. I can relate with those "holy rollers."




As it turns out, there are a few good stations here in New Mexico as well. Sometimes it is just what I need to hear. And it is always better than mexican circus music.

Ch-ch-ch-changes

That's what we've been up to the past few weeks, lots of changes.

• We found a house to move to for the next five months. A ridiculously tiny house. We went from having plenty of extra room for our belongings, to having way too much stuff. Tons of things, not tons of room. We lost more than 50% of our square footage. It has--out of necessity--helped us purge our junk, or at least be much more selective about what is worth weaving between as we go about our daily lives.

Here it is, the grand palace. This is the view of the north wing. Ok, that's actually the house in its entirety. All 1100 square feet.

• We also switched congregations. We are in a brand new ward with lots of old folks. We went from working in the nursery, to not even having a nursery. Seriously, lots of octogenarians. I believe we are one of four couples under 40. Everyone has been very welcoming and friendly. And the building is only 100 yards away.
  

• Relationship changes too. We are figuring out how to like each other despite being in each other's personal space 24 hours a day. Ok, except when I'm at work. I just keep thinking of that old song, "love grows best in little houses." Its probably a good thing there's not a Jack or Jill yet.

We have had some fun figuring out how to deal with these changes. We spent all day Saturday building a shelf for our kitchen. It is the largest room in the house, but only has 5 cupboards, not nearly enough room for all our appliances, dishes and food. The shelf turned out pretty well. It is perfect as far as utility goes. It could use some help in the decorative department, but by the time we finished building it, I wanted to put it to use. I didn't have time for the bright red paint we purchased to color it.


Not so shabby huh? It suits the intended purpose very well. We needed to get the million dollar microwave off the coveted counter space. And it holds all those appliances and big dishes quite nicely.

I'm a little worried that by showing a picture of it we will get tons of requests for shelves. We aren't ready to jump into that business yet. Sorry folks.


Dan went ahead and made this handy little space saver. We don't have a pan cupboard or any sort of pantry. We don't even have a hall closet in this house. He did such a great job, angled it and everything for easier access. He's a dandy.

Probably the best part of this new living arrangement is the back yard. In addition to its vastness, it has a little treasure. We found this little nook that was built in to the fence by the patio, complete with a latching door and shingled roof. It looks like an outside cupboard (Thanks, but we would have preferred another one in the kitchen instead). We haven't been able to determine what it was designed for, but we have come up with our own uses for it.


We are glad we found a place to live for our last 5 months as New Mexicans, even if we don't really fit.

Christmas in the Kirk

No snow down here in New Mex for a white Christmas. We had some the other day and it lasted about 2 hours. Pretty boring. We were able to find a little holiday cheer . . . at the River of Lights!





Bats and Jack in the box, definitely the first things that come to mind when I think of Christmas.



Santa is writing on his list what Dan wants for Christmas this year. Its the same as last year's Christmas wish and the jolly old man is still too poor to get him a metal lathe. Plus, it wouldn't really fit in the sleigh.

My favorite was the T-rex with moving parts.

It's no Temple Square, but it'll do for these New Messicans.

Practicing with acrylics

This is the first of many inspirational paintings I'm working on.



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