Cast Off!!!

After 2 months, Taylor finally got the cast off. It never slowed her down but it was starting to stink. Take a look. We don't know if she was wanting to leave the cast on, if it was too loud, or too hot but she is happy now that it's off.

The only thing to do: SWIM!!

It's so hot here in Arizona that IF we go outside it's just to run to another air conditioned building or we are swimming. This is what we do 5 days of the week. Kelton and Taylor are both in swimming lessons right now and love it!!

Taylor, waiting for her turn to get in the water with the instructor.
He just swam the whole length of the pool.
Swimming the whole length of the pool. Kelton is swimming so awesome. Future olympics!!
Crew likes the pool. It makes him tired and he wants to eat then falls asleep.

What a Family Means

Recently, I have been researching different residency programs and possible locations that we might call home in the next year and a half. Medically I look at the number and types of procedures, the number of hospitals in the system, the number of beds in those hospitals, the professional reputation, the resident reviews, the laws that affect podiatric practice, and even the on-call schedules. There is a lot to compare. Socially I consider only one thing. . . how will my family be physically, spiritually, and emotionally? I don't have to choose the residency tomorrow, so I have some time to debate with myself. October is when I decide where to extern, and where you extern is where you apply.

How do I make the best choice? I don't know. I don't even know that there is a single best choice, or that I'll have the complete choice in the end (a.k.a. "the match"). Yes, I want the best training I can get, and yes I want my family to be happy. In this research, one thought has continually crossed my mind. What my family means to me.

"Portneuf River in Lava Hot Springs. They came, they saw, they conquered,

and hated every minute of it, but DID IT TOGETHER!"

(We only dumped the kids in the water once.)

Natalie, Kelton, Taylor, and Crew, they are my world. I cannot ever give back the amount of happiness they have given me. I think of all the times I have been gone and missed certain things, and unfortunately it will probably get worse before it gets better. Fourth year podiatry students spend the year traveling month by month to different externships across the country, and then as residents, as far as a can gather, you are like well trained golden retrievers. Always on-call and at the beckon call. My point is that although the decisions and situations that are certainly upcoming will be difficult and possibly not ideal. With the support of my family, we can do ANYTHING and still be happy! I love them all, and I feel we work well as a team. So whether we end up in Seattle, or Boston, we will make it. We will keep you all posted on what happens, but I thought I would share what I had been thinking about.

Ryan

Big Kids

Taylor is getting so big and loves helping me do everything with Crew. She is definitely a BIG sister. She just started this thing with her tongue when she is getting her picture taken.

Kelton has been doing awesome with his diabetes and new diet of gluten free. He goes in on the 16 of July to get ready for a pump. Yeah!!!!!! We are very excited.

Rollie Pollie

Crew is 4 months old now and learning to roll. He is doing great and sometimes has help from his big sister Taylor.

Lake Powell

We were so glad that we were able to go to Lake Powell with the Kemp Family. No kids (except the one that's still attached to mommy), perfect amount of time to leave kelton in someone's care, great weather and great people. We had a blast.