"To love would be an awfully big adventure."— J.M. Barrie

Saturday, September 26, 2009

An Update

I know it has been a REALLY long time since I posted anything. I figured I would give a little update about our lives here in Iowa.

Eric and I had a very busy summer. Eric did research and actually won an award for the best neuroscience research. He is just so smart :). I taught at my mom's Go For It dance camps and had a total blast. I really forgot how amazing it feels to dance, it had been almost a year since I danced.

The biggest task over the summer was our 2 moves. We had a mix up about our lease and it turned out that we had a gap between leases. This meant that we had to sublet an apartment for 1 month and then move a 2nd time into our new duplex. The first move was a huge hassle but thanks to Ray we did it. Eric and Ray moved ALL of our stuff on their own. Thanks Ray!!! The second move was much smoother. We had tons of help and got everything moved in just a few hours.

We thought once we got to our new place everything would be perfect. We were WRONG! Our new place was really dirty and needed a lot of work. We decided we wanted to do the work to make it nice so we don't need to move again while Eric is in school. We painted the entire place (3 bedroom 2 bath duplex), replaced carpet in the basement, and Eric took on the project of laying tiles in the laundry area. Of course he did an awesome job! Thankfully, all of our hard work paid off and we LOVE our place now.

Eric just started his 2nd year of medical school. To me this year seems way busier than last. He is very dedicated and doing well. As you saw in my previous post he just joined the Army National Guard. The process has been long and intense but hopefully we will all done with paperwork soon.

I got a new job as a research assistant for a Psychiatrist. I am very happy in this new position. I feel like I get to use my brain and my degree and it feels really good. I also started working towards my master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. I have always wanted to do this but I finally had the motivation to get started. Honestly, school is not my favorite activity but it is my only path to becoming a therapist.

Eric's Commissioning Ceremony

This is a little late but better late then never :)...

Eric has officially been sworn in to the Army National Guard. We spent a lot of time deciding if this was the right decision for us. After much deliberation we felt this was a great opportunity. Eric has always wanted to join the Military. I was more hesitant but I do think this is the best thing for us and our future. I am sure when it comes time for him to be deployed I will rethink my decision, but I do know he will be doing important work and helping to save lives.
I am so proud of him!!!

Here are some pictures from his official Commissioning Ceremony...

Major Dial is explaining that Eric will be taking an oath to serve his Country.


And it begins...
He has to complete 2 sections


Part 2.


Eric is thinking..."(Exhale) I am so happy this is finally happening!"


So many wonderful people came to support Eric in this journey.






It's almost official, just a few signatures away...





Yes. Finally Eric is a 2nd LT.


And in the words of Major Dial, here is the "bag of swag"
Eric got this awesome backpack full of fun National Guard stuff.


Aren't Eric's friends so nice to support him in this big decision. Gabe (yellow shirt on the left) is working on joining the Guard VERY soon.
Good luck Gabe!

And here we are.