Whistle while you work!

Well things have been put into over drive for me the past few weeks. I have been working 7 days a week for the last 3 weeks and it doesn't look like it's going to slow down until Jason and I go home for Christmas. I shouldn't complain. I am less worried about our financial situation now than I have been in a long time, so that's always a good thing. Substitute teaching is going very well. Like I said I have been busy at the same school for the last 3 weeks. It was strange yesterday when I had to go on the Aesop program and find a substitute job and it was at a different school. Whole new experience for me... wasn't used to it anymore. I did take the day off today so that way I can hopefully get my house put back together. It is such a mess still from Thanksgiving and the following week of decorating for Christmas. I do still have to work tonight at DSW but at least I have the day.

Jason is doing very well. He just finished up his Radiology rotation and is now starting Anesthesia. He was so excited when I got home from work last night, he was like a kid in a candy store. He was able to intubate a patient on his first day, and now today he is in surgery knockin' people out. It was really good to see him that excited, it was a good reminder of why we are putting ourselves through this journey. I feel kind of bad though because the Anesthesia rotation is only 2 weeks long so he doesn't get as much time and the other rotations, but I guess that's what out rotations are for. Speaking of which Jason is starting to get his schedule all figured out for his out rotations, and boy oh boy am I glad that we got Cooper. It is starting to look like he is going to be gone for three months straight to different hospitals around the Midwest. Yes mother that's what I said the Midwest we are planning on staying relatively close by.

Cooper is doing well. He is getting all ready for Christmas, along with both Jason's and my family. Cooper will be spending time at both houses so I'm trying to help them Cooper proof it. At least they wont have to worry about their tree. When I was setting up the Christmas tree this year Cooper wanted to help, and that was exciting. The tree almost fell over on him so now he wont really go near it...guess I don't have to worry about him destroying that decoration. Other than that he's just been hanging out and having his play dates with his little friend. Jason and I are getting really excited for the first snow fall, we want to see what Cooper thinks of that.

That's about it for our family for now!

Happy Belated Thanksgiving!

Well, another holiday has come and gone. This Thanksgiving was very different for Jason and I. It was the first time we have not gone home and had our families cook for us and go shopping with us on Black Friday. It was a little different, not better not worse but definitely different. Jason and I had a few of our friends over who also weren't able to go home for the holidays. Staying true to my families tradition, I made an absurd amount of food for 4 people, but everything turned out perfect. The turkey was wonderful and our friend brought over some very yummy food as well. All in all my first Thanksgiving was a success.

Black Friday shopping was a whole new ball game. Jason and I went to Target and got a Christmas tree, which I still have to put up, and that I was all that we bought. We did meet up with our friends and assisted them in buying a crazy amount of diapers and wipes at Babies R Us. Other than that it was just a typical Friday.

Now that Thanksgiving is done, it is time to look ahead to the next holiday. Christmas!!! Jason and I are going to be heading home for the holidays. I don't know who is more excited Jason or me. Probably Jason because he hasn't been home since May, but yeah we will be home for a whole 2 weeks. I still don't think that it will be a long enough trip, but hopefully we will get to see everyone and do everything that we want while we are there.

Other than that nothing new is going on. Jason is on his Radiology rotation and is finding that to be a very hard profession to stay awake in, so I think that anything requiring a dark room not a good idea for him. I am still very busy substitute teaching and working at DSW, and loving every minute of it. Cooper is doing well, he really liked Thanksgiving and thought that turkey was the greatest thing on earth. All in all the family is doing well!

Time flies when you are constantly working.

Well lots has happened since I last posted. First and foremost I was able to go back to South Dakota to spend some time with friends and family. I don't care how long your trip is, it never seems to be long enough. The first night there my mother had the brilliant idea of carving pumpkins for Halloween. She really thought that my 2 year old nephew would enjoy himself. That lasted all of 2 seconds, my Dad and I ended up finishing the pumpkin. I also got to have a little gathering at my parents house. I was able to see all of  my friends who are still in the area...including Collin the newest addition to the group (Emily and Dave's little boy), as well as a majority of my family. It was really great to get to see everyone and spend some time with them. Then of course there was some serious shopping done with Mom. My sister and Terry were out of town the first few days when I was home, but they came back on Sunday night, it was good to see them and spend some sister time. I finally got to see the last Harry Potter movie with my sister and Dad...we only waited like forever to see it. Finally, Trick or Treating with my nephew...he dressed up as Woody from Toy Story it was sooo cute! Then it was back to Ohio...see like I said very fast!

When I got back home it was back to the grind. I took a few days off from subbing to get my house back in order, but still had some shifts at DSW. Now my super busy month has started. I am subbing at the same school for the next 3-4 weeks working in different grades. This last week I was in the 2nd grade room and they were so much fun. It is going to be a little tough for the next two classes to top that one. This coming week is 1st grade, which I went into their classroom to introduce myself, they seem like a good group. We will see how far their try to test their limits though. Then I am in kindergarten, and this class I had already been with once before so I'm very excited to go back. I've been very fortunate this month with my substitute teaching and how many days I have been able to get. I can only hope that I am able to keep this pace up. I am still working at DSW as well, but they are cutting down on my hours during the week since I am subbing so much now. I have to say I'm kinda grateful...I get so tired after being with those kids all day!
So yeah that's what's keeping me busy right now!

Jason is finishing up his last week of his Cardiology rotation. He didn't mind this one, but again not something that he wants to go into. His shelf exam is on Thursday so he is busy studying away for that. The next rotation is Anesthesia/Radiology, he will do two weeks of one and then two weeks of another. Which kinds bums him out since Anesthesia is what he's interested in. I guess that's what out rotations are for. In more exciting/sad news Jason is the new proud owner of a Mac Book Pro. His computer kinda took a turn for the worse, and after a week of him complaining about how much his computer sucks I took him up to Akron and convinced him to buy a Mac Book. It wasn't easy he put up a good fight, but in the end I definitely one. It is a really nice computer too, I am a bit jealous and want one too, but I will have to wait.

Cooper is doing well. He is having a hard time adjusting to my busy schedule, because he has to kennel a lot more. I guess it is something that he is just going to have to get used to. Other than that he's doing  really well. Still some of the puppy instincts lingering, but I guess he's not one years old yet so those will be there.

So there is what is going on with our family!

Wowzers!

So the month of October has almost come and gone and I'm not quite sure what happened to it. Things have started to get really busy around here for Jason and I. My substitute teaching has become more and more consistent. I am officially in 8 school districts, but really only working in about 3 or 4 (due to my preferance not theirs). Recently I subbed in one district and when I got there I was looking over the lesson plans and coulding find some of the materials that I needed to teach. So I went to the teacher next door to ask her and once we found what I was looking for we started chit chatting. Soon enough she passed my name and business card around to the rest of the kindergarten classes, the first grade classes and the second grade classes. I guess it's pretty rare for someone who is certified in early childhood to be a substitute, so they really liked that face about me. Since that day I have had 2 weeks in November claimed...a tentitve 3rd week (they haven't posted it yet), and a bunch of scattered days throughout the next few months all at that one school. When I told Jason he said I need to loose things more often (which if anyone really knows me is not a challenging request). So yeah, things are starting to shape up in Ohio! In addition to my new subbing schedule I am still working at the shoe store about 15-20 hours a week, work, work, work...it will all pay off when Jason is done with school.

Jason has been pretty busy lately as well. He is just finishing his Family Practice rotation today. He really liked his Dr., but still doesn't feel that it is a field that he is interested in going into. Next he starts Cardiology, which was supposed to be Pulmonology but there was a big mix up so he got switched. In addition to going through his already mapped out rotations he has to start thinking about his fourth year rotations that he sets up. These are the big ones folks! Some of the rotations that he goes to fourth year are his audition rotations for residency. So he really has to make a good impression. I am keeping my fingers crossed that he can knock their socks off just like he has done so far with all the Dr.'s here. So far he has a few ideas on where he wants to go, but nothing if finalized until later on in the Spring. One thing we do know for sure is that he does have an audtion rotation in March/April and he has to go back to Kirksville in March for his 3rd year testing. Of course I will keep you all posted when I know more about that.

Cooper is doing very well. He is getting really big. 33lbs as a matter of fact. I think that he might be done growing though, which really is ok by me. He is pretty much done teething (thank god!), but still is a bit of a chewer. He actually got to meet his first SD family member last weekend. Jason's Mom flew out to Canton to see us, and by the time she left Cooper had a new best friend.

Overall things are going really well here in Ohio. We are starting to think about the holidays and when we can go back to good ol SD!

Ironic

Well, I was just sitting here looking over my blog and reading how last time I said that time was at a stand still. I can laugh at that now, because I am realizing that the month on September is practically over. My mom-in-law is going to be coming to visit before I know it, and then I will be home for a nice visit. Crazy.

Haha speaking of crazy my husband. Jason decided to take on the car again. He has some sort of idea that he is not only a medical student, but a mechanic as well. I think the past 5 days are proving that theory as false. I don't even know what exactly he is trying to fix the only thing that I know is that this 1 hour project started 5 days ago. We had to order parts in because we broke some of the originals, and we had to repurchase new items because we had to redo some of the work we did on day 1 through 2. Yeah, needless to say we are definitely not a single car family.

On the bright side I did make him bum a ride from a friend to the hospital today so I could substitute teach, which was a great idea. I know that I am going to say this comment and maybe regret it (my teacher friends are going to wail on me), but Middle School teachers have it semi-easier than Elementary teachers. They are planning and implementing one lesson plan on one subject just over and over throughout the day. They didn't have to plan one for social studies, math, language arts, science and reading each and everyday. Nope one lesson, one subject. I just may go back to school and get my secondary certificate. Anyway, it was a good day and was nice to be back in a classroom.

Time is at a stand still!

You know I keep saying to my family that I am fine being a little homesick because I will be home for Christmas soon. Nothing to worry about it's only a few months away. Well, time is officially at a stand still. I haven't subbed for the past 3 days because the only openings have been in High School and it makes me so nervous to do High School. I think I'm just going to have to buck up and get over that fear really quick. The first day wasn't so bad being at home because I worked all weekend and needed to get the house back together. Yesterday I just vegged around. Now today I am going stir crazy....which has led me to my original thought. Christmas is a long time away. The days are moving by so slowly and the holidays are really around 3 months away (super long time). As Charlie Brown would say "Oh brother!"

In other news things are going well here. Last week I was able to substitute twice. Once in the Cosmetology Department at a High School (I think this experience is what brought on my fear) and another time in 4th grade (yay comfort zone!). I also had a lot of hours last week at DSW which was really nice. I am officially trained on the register, which love doing and I think I am way better at doing. Overall it was a good work week. Jason and I also were able to go over to the Fred and Jessi's house on Sunday for football. Jason went over at about noon with Cooper (Fred and Jessi are the owners of Coopers girlfriend). I wasn't able to go over until after work. All of us are in the same Fantasy Football league. That's right I am in a fantasy football league, I know nothing about football, but what the heck! I actually did really well this week. I won against my match up and am in 4th in the league overall (out of 12).

Jason is doing well, he tells me more and more each day how much he does not like Internal Medicine, so I think we are ruling this one a definite no for residency options. He is starting to study for his next shelf exam which is actually for General Surgery (his rotation last month). They don't want the students to take their GS shelf until after their first set of IM so he gets to do it now. Next month Jason is going to be rotating in Family Practice, which he is not looking forward to I think it has something to do with cold and flu season. His time golfing has slowed down a little (partially due to my request and partially due to weather).

Cooper is doing great! He has finally lost one of his canine teeth so I think we are in the homestretch as far as teething goes. He is starting to get some more brown spots on his back and near his rear, so I am wondering what percentage of him is beagle and what percentage is lab. It's kind of exciting to watch him grow and change. He's turning into a little chunk! Not really but he is getting a lot heavier and longer. Jason and Cooper have been bonding a lot more lately since Jason gets to come home early. I am pretty soon not going to be his favorite. Oh well. Cooper and I have been working on a few more training things. He is now able to sit and kennel, we almost have heel down...I think a few more days and we will be golden on  that one. He is learning pretty fast. He still likes to be chased though. On Sunday Fred was taking his dog out to go potty and Cooper decided he wanted to go out too (without Jason). Both dogs took off running down the street towards a busy intersection. Fred was able to catch his dog and Cooper stopped...looked at Fred and took off again. So Fred picked up his dog and chased after Cooper. Finally Fred managed to get both dogs back home. Neither Jason or Jessi knew that this had happened they were inside watching the game. Needless to say, Cooper isn't going to get to go out in open spaces without a leash for a long time!

Other than that we are all doing great!

Yay Fall!

So it's getting to be that wonderful time of year where the weather is starting to turn cooler and you can wear your sweaters and sweatpants again! I love fall!! I love the fact that you don't have to run your air conditioner 24/7 and that I can take Cooper for really long walks without dying. So that's my little tribute to Fall.

Things are going pretty well here. I have been enjoying my time working at DSW still. I actually got a lot more hours this week which is really nice. The substitute teaching hasn't picked up yet, but I did get an assignment yesterday. It was funny there was a half day assignment in elementary school and I went to accept that, but someone already had taken it. So I hit the refresh and there was a high school so I accepted that one without really reading it. It was for 7 am and it was already 7:05 so I called the school and said that I couldn't do the assignment because I technically was already late, and they said that's ok what time can you be here. So I arrived at the school at 8:00 just when the first bell was ringing. I was the substitute teacher for the Junior Cosmetology class. This school had a complete salon in the basement, and these girls start as juniors in this class and they go through all of the steps on learning how to become a licensed hair stylist by the time they graduate high school. Now I wasn't able to really teach them anything so they just practices techniques they had already learned. It was a very interesting day.

Jason is doing really well in his Internal Medicine rotation. I think he definitely likes the hours of this rotation a lot better than the previous two. Yesterday he was home before I was from school. He told me that he doesn't really care for the rotation itself (just not something that he's interested in), but he likes the hours. Having him home more has been really nice. Cooper sure likes it, and it has improved his listening when Jason tells him something a lot more. Jason has also been able to get in quite a few golf games over the weeks. His game is really improving (so he says). It's going to be hard, for both of us, when he has to go back to crazy hours once this rotation is all said and done.

Cooper is doing great! Last week he had a little operation to get neutered and he bounced back from that as if it never happened. He is also officially completely vaccinated. It felt like we were going to the vet all the time for a bit there so now we don't have to go for a year. Although I think I'm going to have to take him to get weighted so I get him the right medicine for heart worm and such. He's growing so fast it's crazy!! He is really enjoying the Fall weather too. He likes to chase the leaves when the wind is blowing and chew on pine cones that he finds during our walks. I really can't wait to see how he likes winter. I think he will go crazy in the snow!

All in all our little family is doing well. We are getting ready to plan for our trip home in December. The anticipation is killing us. We can't wait to see and spend time with our family and friends!

Getting to be that time of year...again!

I don't know what it is about the start of Fall that I love so much. It might be the fact that school is starting and I get to work again (yay!), or the cooler weather that makes is bearable to be outside, the changing of the leaves, the start of sweater season. So many things to love about Fall. The nice thing is that I am no longer the only one who loves and appreciates this time of year. Cooper has discovered that if he waits patiently a breeze will come and the leaves will blow just a little...and then he can run them down and catch them. I know it's not the same appreciation that I have, but he does seem to enjoy this time of year too! It also makes our walks a little longer and a little more interesting.

Things have been going pretty well here in Ohio. I have started and am really enjoying my part-time job. It's nice to have something to look forward to throughout the week. My bosses are really funny and it's just a fun environment to work in. I also received my first substitute teaching assignment this week. Yesterday I taught in the morning at a Middle School....which was super scary for me because I am only used to working with Elementary and Preschoolers. It was actually a lot of fun. I really enjoyed my time with them, they can actually understand some of my sarcastic comments and they semi-enjoy being there. The afternoon I spent...where else a Preschool. It was nice to be back in the familiar. Although these kids weren't as awesome as the kids I left behind in Kirksville, they were a close second. The energy in the classroom was great and she had some really wonderful ideas on how she runs her room. (I kept the lesson plan so I can have ideas for my someday classroom).

Jason is finally finishing up his General Surgery rotation. I seriously thought this day would never come. He is on call this weekend and then he starts Internal Med on Monday. The nice thing about IM is that he will have set hours and little to no on call time. YAY! I will get to see my husband at night! I think that he's more excited about not having to go in so early to round on patients, which means a little more sleep for him...go figure. But we are making it through these rotations. Three down and many more to go!

It Starts....

Well, many new things are starting. First off I want to say congrats to all of our friends back in Kirksville who just went through their white coat ceremony and are now starting their medical journey. We are so proud of you Karl and Meaghan!! These next few years will be some of the best and worst times for you, so enjoy it. I also want to say congrats to Emily and Dave who just welcomed Colin David into their family. He is such a cutie pie and I seriously want to fly home now to meet him, but I have to wait.

Jason and I have just celebrated our two year anniversary. It's strange to think that we have already been married for two years. There are many times that I still think and feel like we are newly weds. This year we had to celebrate early because he was on call on the actual day. But we were still able to have some fun. Jason was amazing and found a vineyard in North Canton. We went there for dinner and then walked around the pond and enjoyed our wine. Then we brought some of our high school romance back and went putt putt golfing. Needless to say some things never change and I lost...badly. The end of the evening was great we came home and watched a movie (Memento...if you watch it, it's a little strange). Overall, it was the best anniversary to date.

Some new things are starting here. I have gotten cleared to substitute teach in 3 of the 6 districts so far that I had asked for. So I am sure to keep pretty busy. I also am starting my part-time job at DSW shoes today. I am not sure how Cooper is going to handle being kenneled during the day, but he should make it ok. Speaking of Cooper he is really starting to teeth. We have so far lost 4 teeth. The top middle two and the bottom middle two, Jason had been trying to get him to whistle since he has a giant hole in his mouth...it has yet to happen. Cooper also had his first play date yesterday. He was so tired after playing for 3 hours that he barely got up to eat dinner. Jason is now starting his run of on call. It hasn't been to bad the past two weeks he has been on call on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but now it's Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I hope he survives it!

Oh Cooper!!

Well, I think that Cooper is finally settled into our house. He is comfortable enough to jump up on the couches if we are there and hide under the kitchen table for a quick nap. Today however takes the cake. Cooper has a favorite toy...an empty Gatorade bottle. I don't know how that beats out a $10 kong but whatever. However, I had MY Gatorade bottle on the end table in the living room from last night and Cooper thought it was his. He reached up to the table and pulled it down and started playing with it. Thank goodness the lid was still on otherwise that would have been a mess all over my floor. Lesson learned for sure!! In other Cooper news he is getting over his Kennel Cough. We just finished his medicine yesterday and the vet has said that he may cough for a few more weeks but it will get better. You can really tell that he is feeling better...he's running around a lot more and taking longer walks again.

Jason has finished his OB rotation and has now started General Surgery. They are keeping him way busier than when he was doing OB. A lot more reading at night and a lot more nights on call. So far though he hasn't had to go in when he's been on call. Yay!! I don't know if I would like being home alone!

I have been a little busier. I had a job interview this week for a part-time job at DSW shoe store. I know what you are thinking this could be a very bad idea, but I think it would be fun! I had a second interview for the job yesterday and now they are just going to call my references and let me know. I hope that I get it! I also have submitted my substitute teaching application so just waiting for school to start on the 22nd! Hopefully that keeps me busy as well!

Lots going on!!

Well it doesn't seem like that long ago that I updated everyone on what was going on, but it seems like things change at a warp speed around here. Jason and I have a new addition to our family. Cooper Lehr was adopted from the pound last week on Wednesday he is now 14 weeks old and a joy to have in our family.

Cooper is really keeping Jason and I on our toes. From his really strange sleeping spots...





To his new found love for our couch...



It will be fun to watch this little guy grow up. We are so excited to have him.

On another note this week is the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Week. Which apparently is a big deal. There are lots of fireworks and a new event taking place every day and evening for the next week. Last night Jason and two of our friends up here in Canton went to the lighting of the balloons event. They choreographed hot air balloons to music. Probably the coolest thing that I have ever seen.

HOW COOL IS THAT!!! That was just one of the many songs that they did. Fred and Jason didn't find it as exciting as Jessie and I did. 

Not for the faint of heart

Well, one week down and 6 years to go. Jason started his OB rotation last week on Tuesday and has been working his buns off ever since. Last week by Friday he had already put in 50 hours at the hospital (and it was only a 4 day week). Then he was on call over the weekend and last night. He gives a case presentation tomorrow so even though tonight he is going to be home for dinner he will be busy working on that in his office. I never understood why everyone always said prepare yourself for a lot of alone time. This journey that these students go through is definitely not for the faint of heart. As a spouse we are supposed to be strong and support them through this, but that is proving to be harder than I thought. Fortunately, Jason and I are looking into adopting a puppy. This will give me someone to come home to and take care of while my husband is at the hospital caring for other people. Gotta love it!

We Had Visitors!

Well, we had our first set of stay in our home visitors. My sister, brother-in-law and nephew came to Ohio and stayed with Jason and I for 5 days. It was so much fun to see them, and to see how much Caiden has changed over the course of the past few months. Uncle Jason and Caiden were very busy together pretty much the whole week. There bonded pretty much instantly, I however had to wait a day until I got to be considered cool in Caiden's eyes (I was the one who gave him snacks...it was only a matter of time before he liked me!). While the Nelsen's were here we celebrated Caiden's 2nd birthday. His birthday really isn't until August but we aren't going to be able to come back for it so we did our own thing. Jason was pretty excited to give Caiden his present and I think Caiden liked it too, after he was able to get it out of the bag of course.

Let's see here....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There we go problem solver!!

After a few attempts at getting his gift out of the bag he was finally able to see.... Chuck the Dump Truck!!
He moves...he talks...he does wheelies. Uncle Jason was very proud of himself for finding such an amazing toy!

But of course what would a birthday party be with out Aunt Becky making a double decker marble cake with chocolate frosting!

 

Which Caiden thought was a good place to put his hand a dib and large section of the cake! The rest of the week was a lot of fun with the Nelsen's. The boys were able to go and explore the Football Hall of Fame, Golf, and hang out. While Angie and I were able to lay by the pool and go shopping at the outlet mall just north of here. It was a great week...it was also nice to have an extra person to be neighborhood watch.

 

 The whole house knew when every car, truck or van were coming in or out of our complex. It was really nice to be informed! Hehe, but like all good things they had to come to an end. Jason and I took the Nelsen's back to the airport on Saturday and then proceeded to put our house back together again.

Getting Settled

Well, things are coming together here. We are all settled and I am keeping busy with a few things. I have joined a book club for one thing. The Plain Township sends out a flyer once a month keeping you posted on what is happening in the community (Even though we live in Jackson Township) and they had a listing from the library showing the summer reading programs. One of the programs is a monthly book club for adults and I thought what the hey I like to read. So I called the Library and the lady at the desk proceeds to try to sign me up for the teen book club (apparently I sound young on the phone). Finally after an embarrassing discussions on how I am an adult she signed me up for the club. I went to the meeting last week and found that I was the youngest person there by 30 years or so, but the group was actually really fun. Of course I got picked on a bit since I was the youngest and new, but I will definitely be going back. The book we read this month was called Dark Place.

If you are wanting to read a book that is a suspenseful, thriller this is a good one to read. I thought it was very good, but I like those kinds of books. Now I'm reading The Girl Who Played with Fire it's the second Stieg Larsson, another suspenseful book.

On another note Jason and I received a wonderful gift from my mother the other day. It is a coffee addicts dream machine.

I introduce the newest member of the Lehr family...our Keurig! This baby brews the best coffee ever. Jason even broke down and had his first cup yesterday. Mind you it wasn't anything super strong....Cafe Mocha, but he actually enjoyed it. I am very happy that he only consumed one cup because it was bouncing off the walls yesterday morning and I don't think his body or my sanity could have handled him having a second cup.



Yikes Bikes!!!

Well lots and lots of things have happened since I last wrote. The month of May was crazy and looking back on it now, I am surprised I survived. In my last two weeks in Kirksville I lost a beloved family member. My great-grandma passed away due to a stroke. It was a huge loss to myself and my family and she will be greatly missed.

Grandma and Great-Grandma at Easter 2011

A few days after the funeral I was able to go back to Sioux Falls again to celebrate my best friends baby!! We had a wonderful shower for her and she got a lot of goodies that she will definitely need for baby Wiederich!!



Stacey, Amy and I

The week after the shower it was moving time. Jason and I were very fortunate to have such wonderful friends in Kirksville to help us move out of our apartment. Beck, Karl and Meaghan were amazing especially since we didn't get our truck until 9 at night (Thanks Budget : P ). We had it down to a science though and were able to load the 24 foot truck in about 2.5 hours...I think these medical/dental students have a future in a moving business (back up plan hehe).




Meaghan being a handy woman
and taking apart my dining room table.



Jason and Karl unloading my storage unit.

The next day we said good-bye to some of our other friends and we hit the road. Now in true Mettler/Lehr fashion we had to make an entrance so this is what we pulled up to our new home with....

We were huge!!!!! But everything made it semi-safely a few scrapes but nothing broken! Yay!!! The best part was waiting for us were our parents. Kathy and Dave flew from Sioux Falls to Canton to help us unload the truck and get settled and my crazy parents drove (I think that's the last time they will do that). We could not have gotten settled as quickly without them...we owe them huge!! So without further ado our new home.



Living Room



Kitchen

 

Dining Room

  

Bedroom

Balcony in bedroom

Bedroom

Bathroom

Office

Office

Patio

Garage

So there you have it. We are in, settled and doing well! Later this month we are going to have our first set of visitors. Angie, Terry and Caiden are going to take a trip out here to spend some time with us and see our new home.

                           

Ok...so a little worse than I thought.

I WON THE BET!! Jason thought that I broke my ankle but I didn't I just tore 3 ligaments! I think though in the short term and maybe the long term it would have been better if I broke it. Dr. Main said that I have a fully torn CFL, partially torn ATF, and a partially torn medial ligament...basically I have alphabet soup ankle and I hurt some stuff. I have to say that I was really happy that Jason came with me because he knew exactly what the Dr. was talking about. For now I'm in my lovely bright pink cast for 10 days, I have to get a MRI later this week to see how badly I tore things. After the 10 days I can move to a walking boot and start some physical therapy.

It is going to be a long 10 days. I will keep everyone posted about the MRI!

Whoops!!

Well, today is the day I've been waiting for...not! Today Jason and I are driving to Macon to get an x-ray of my ankle/foot. The swelling has gone down a bit, but now the pain has started to come and we are a little concerned. Jason and I have a little bet going on he says it's broken and I say it's not...if anyone wants in on the action let me know! I will keep everyone posted on that!

Packing...kinda

Well the packing fun has officially started. Jason and I realized when we got home from Easter that we have 5 short weeks (now 4) to get our apartment ready for the big move. I went on a packing frenzy and now our living room is our second storage unit. (Our storage unit is full!!)





Moveable Art!

Although it is not too bad living amongst boxes of our belongings I have found one downside. When all the lights are out in the living room and I am sleepily walking to bed for the night...the boxes become a hazard. That's right folks, I Ms. Coordinated ran right into the tower of boxes! Oh well, they didn't tip over and I walked away unharmed.

In other news...I have found a sport that I am banned from. This winter/spring I have found a love for volleyball. Jason and I play on a league together and we also go and play pretty much every Saturday with a group of friends. However, I have a problem with jumping and landing correctly. Earlier this winter I sprained my left ankle badly going up for a hit and have finally recovered from that incident. Unfortunately I have now sprained my right ankle doing the same thing. Jason thinks it's my shoes, but two different pairs of shoes were worn during these unfortunate events. So, Emily said that there is only one common factor between these two accidents...me. Apparently I am a funny jumper and this factor is the root to my volleyball problem. So, due to this second injury I have been officially banned from volleyball. : (



"You're smuggling golf balls." - Jason



 Although my ankle hurts really bad, my biggest concern is the move. I hope that my ankle will be ok enough to continue packing and help load the truck in 4 weeks. I think I should be ok...but I guess we will see.

Easter!!

So I am a super fan of any holiday that lets me buy decorations, also that involves candy! But, what I love most of all is going back home and seeing my crazy family. Jason and I were able to make it back home for Easter this year. Although it felt like a super quick trip we were able to see everyone that we wanted to. We even were able to surprise my grandparents at the airport ( I haven't seen them in about a year). In addition to that I was able to be there for Caiden's first official Easter Egg Hunt!! Last year didn't count because he wasn't walking on his own. I tell you what this year was a hoot!



Getting the hang of it!



Whoops!!



In reality you only need one egg with candy!

 

That is all he wanted!

It's funny I thought all little ones knew that you need to get all the eggs to get a lot of candy...not Caiden he just wanted one snickers bar....for now! All in all it was a good weekend, but it was also nice to come back home!




As Promised

Well, not a whole lot is going on right now, but I did say I would post some pictures from when Dabbert and Travis came down to visit. We went to Leisure World a night with the Kim's and Beck. Needless to say Dabbert, Travis and I are in debt from a few bets at the bowling alley. Don't worry people we remember that we owe you ice cream!

This is before we started losing our bet...see how everyone is still smiling!



Winners




Jessica and I




Beck is in the zone!

 On a side note, Jason and I found out that our apartment rented a few days ago! So we are getting out of our lease in July instead of having to wait till August...yay!!

Crazy Month

Well, I haven't really had a whole lot of time to write this month so I'll do one big post! March has been a crazy month for Jason and I. We had both of our spring breaks and managed to squeeze in a ton of stuff during that short time off from work and school. During my spring break (mine of course was the week before Jason's). I was able to go home, but not before stopping in Pella to visit the ever so wonderful Katherine. I got to spend the afternoon/evening/morning there and then finished up my trip home. While home I was able to visit pretty much everyone and go to the dentist (perfect teeth by the way!!). I came back to K-ville on Thursday and put together a surprise birthday party of Jason on Friday. He is now officially 26!



Jason getting sung to by everyone at Coltons





Jason trying to blame it on me (Thanks Karl and Jessica)



Kirksville Family (Joe, Jessica, Me, Jason, Erin, Bianca, Karl and Jason)

The next day we flew out to Canton Ohio to find our new place to live! I am happy to report that it was a very successful trip. We actually just signed the lease on a 2 bedroom 1.5 bath townhouse. We are very happy with our choice. Also, the teaching opportunities have been a lot better for me. I have currently put in an application for two school districts so everyone keep your fingers crossed.


When we got back from Ohio Jason Dabbert and Travis came down for a weekend visit. It was so great to see them before we move. (Pictures from their visit soon to come). Jason kept them busy in the big town of K-ville with a lot of sports! But yeah, now we are back to our normal routine and boring lives for now!

***Geez it was a really busy month***

Busy..Busy..Busy

Well, February has turned out to be a very eventful month thus far. Besides the fact that I turned 26 this month, Jason and I were able to go back home and surprise mama Lehr with a party for her birthday as well. It was really fun and Dave was so very proud of himself for pulling it off. The only downfall of this adventure home was that we weren't able to stay longer. Since I had to work and Jason had class we were only able to stay for Saturday and leave again on Sunday. I guess it's true that all good things must come to an end.

The Monday after we got home it was my 26th Birthday. Unfortunately, I did have to work, but we had our Valentine's Day party and so it made the day a lot less stressful than others. Then when I got home from work Jason surprised me with an candle lit dinner for Creamy Vodka Pasta (my favorite!) I was then able to open up my Birthday prizes. Jason is so good at paying attention to what I want, because he got me a gift card to New York & Co. so I could get new work pants, and he got me my Puma running shoes. I have wanted these shoes for  a very long time and was so surprised that he got them for me. So overall, super fantastic birthday.

However, I say again all good things must come to an end. Today Jason and I decided to go play volleyball at the gym with some friends and I was going up to block and landed wrong. I ended up coming down on my ankle instead of my foot and rolling it really bad. Fortunately, my team was still able to get the last two points to win the match, and then everyone hustled to get me ice and help me out of the gym. I am now under the watchful eye of Dr. Lehr, which I have to say is a very strict doctor. I am "RICE"-ing my injury (rest, ice, compression, elevation -his term not mine), I am not allowed to walk unsupervised which for a busy body like myself is not an easy thing to do. I am definitely the hardest patient that Jason will probably ever have. But, I am hoping for a speedy recovery because I signed up for a 5k in March and I really want to be ready for it. We will see if the doc will clear me!

Times Are Changing!!

It's fun to watch how life slowly changes and develops over time. I have been thinking a lot about this lately since my best friend since middle school has told me that she is expecting her first child. I think back to when we first met in middle school and how she had helped me pass many of my classes. I fast forward a little through high school where she met her now husband and helped me sift through the many boyfriends of mine until I found my now husband. Fast forwarding again through college where we had a little distance between us and talked less often, but always found our way back to each other. Then on to our weddings, hers first in November and I watched them make their life time commitment to each other, and how proud I was that she asked me to stand up for her and witness this moment. Then of course mine in August where I asked her to do the same for me. Now the start of a new life. I know this sounds all so mushy and unreal, but it's a lifetime of friendship that is amazing to relive. I mean honestly, how many people are really still this close with their middle school friends? Think about it...not many. So there is my little sentimental moment...now on to real life.


Things in Kirksville are starting to come to a close. I have posted my job description to various places in Kirksville and the Preschool is starting to prepare itself for my departure. Jason and I have finally started making plans for our trip out to Ohio. Which I am getting more and more nervous about. I am not nervous about going out there to visit, but rather the permanent move there. I mean 2 years isn't exactly a life time, but it is quite a long time to be so far away from friends and family. But as always we will make it work. I think Jason is ready for the change. Not so much leaving all our friends we have made here behind (because we would pack them up and take them with us in a heart beat), but rather the opportunity to finally work with patients. He is ready to be Dr. Lehr!

Yikes

So, I never mentioned this last time, but for Christmas I had got a lot of gift cards to Barnes and Noble. I had been working and saving them so I could buy a Nook for myself. Well...I was finally able to do that. I ended up getting the Nook Color and now I am totally book obsessed. I think the best part is that I can go to the Sioux Falls library website and check books out for it and that way I'm not spending a ton of money on books. Jason keeps calling me his little bookwork or his little nerd, but I don't care I love it!!

In addition to my obsessive reading Jason and I have been getting back into the swing of things from the holidays. He was a little less than thrilled to be starting school again, but he's making it through (I think it's because he had a bunch of tests and stuff right when he got back). Now he is also starting to study for his boards that he has to take in June. I have to say I am so proud of him. He formed a little study group with two of his classmates and they have a schedule that they are following to ensure they are ready by June. It's completely something I would do not Jason. I think I'm finally starting to rub off on him.

Although we are always on the go we are still finding time to hang out with our friends down here. It's been kinda nice the past couple weeks we have all been taking turns having Friday night dinners. It's almost to be expected now. Over New Years our friend Joe and Jessica Kim had a Korean cook out that we missed, but they promise they will do again. Last weekend Jason and I hosted a fish fry which is always a hit! Then last night we went to Karl and Erin Boehm's for German food...it was soooo good! I was kind of joking with Erin that the Kim's are our Asian sensation cuisine, Boehm's are International cuisine (we usually have all sorts of things there) and Jason and I are the caught or shot for you meal. We always make something that Jason killed it seems like. Oh well, getting everyone some experience with Mid-west life I guess. As always though we are thankful that we have made such great friends down here. It makes the time away from family and friends back home a lot less painful!

There really is no place like home for the holidays!!

Well as you could have guessed Jason and I were able to make it home for Christmas. We were able to spend loads of time with our friends and family while we were there. I get so excited this time of year because it's the one time you know that everyone will be back in Sioux Falls. We were able to see friends that live as far away as Washington D.C. and as close to living in Sioux Falls itself. Jason and I were also able to spend a lot of time with family. When we first came we were able to stay with my Mom and Dad and then part way through the trip we switched to staying with my sister and brother in-law. Which was great because that also meant we would spend a lot of time with my nephew Caiden.

As always getting together with family brought with it many lessons for Jason and I. Ones that we will of course apply in the future. For example Lesson one: When a child's toy says some assembly required, they really mean a lot of small parts will need to be put on these large plastic pieces and it may even require power tools, rubber malets and a little elbow grease.

Lesson Two: When you give a 1 year old a battery operated ATV and expect him to use it properly...you are really asking for that black wheel stain in your carpet. (Caiden ran into the couch and didn't know he had to take his finger off the go button...wheels were spinning and well you know the rest.)

All in all it was a fantastic trip. As always though it is hard to leave. Hopefully we will be able to make it back home in February, and then I will be back in March after we go to Ohio to find a place to live. Hope everyone had a Happy Holidays!!