Things are going well. I have been busy at work with a lot of various things: marketing, publishing, contracts, pedicures... ;) My office took us all to get pedicures today for our staff meeting. They used the excuse that it was for Administrative Professionals Day which was last week but it was really because one of the women at the office had never had one. Even our shipping manager (only guy) came! It was pretty fun and they bought us lunch afterward. I work in a very fun place. I like it a lot. :)


I went to a Padres game the other day which I am hoping to do more often this season. I really do like the new stadium downtown, just a really cool atmosphere and downtown San Diego is one of my favorite places. It was my friend, Lauren Palazzo's, birthday so a couple of us went and got the cheap seats which are actually pretty sweet. Much less crowded. And the Padres won!

I am hoping to see Spiderman this weekend but I am not sure when I can. It is selling out like crazy down here and I don't really feel like paying for it if I am not even going to get a good seat...so we will see. I really do want to see it though. My friend Nicole has already seen it and is just about to go in to see it again at the midnight show - she called and told me it was awesome.

Still loving Lost. I am extremely excited for next week and the end of the season. Although I am very sad that in 3 weeks there will be no Lost until January... :(

My friend Kelly that I worked with at Sport Chalet is getting married next Friday so I will be going to that. Should be fun. I haven't seen her in a while and weddings are always fun.


I also have been working on learning a few new tricks in Photoshop. Here is a picture of me from last Saturday I think - I changed it up a bit and I like it much better now. Anyone who wants to see what some 'airbrushing' would look like in their own photos/portraits, send them my way! Practice is practice!

All I can think of for now. Good to hear from everyone!

I finally had my fill of working 50-60 hours per week and submitted my letter to my Monday OMS practice that I am leaving. I will finish what I have on the schedule over the next few weeks until I have finished my last case. I suspect that by the time we leave for Cleveland, all the outstanding procedures will be completed and we can have our Mondays back. That should allow mom and I to travel to visit many of you who are within a weekend's reach, and that includes all but our overseas family. We'll get back to them too. We will still continue my previous job with Willamette. Our retirement plans have changed and we are looking to make the big move in 2013 so we can get on with our mission and whatever else there is out there for us to do. Thank you for your loving support. Many events have triggered our decision, but the biggest is the feeling that we need to get out and do what is best at this time. L/ Dad

So... does our new little baby get a fun little girl or a fun little boy to play with? We can't wait to hear!

Tracey and kids

Life is ever busy. Dave is home from his travels - I think he will actually be home for a few weeks! In May we head out to Tom's graduation and then I will join Dave on his trips to British Columbia and Arizona. After a week off, we will all head down to CA for my sister's wedding. Dave has loved the courses he has taken so far and is very excited about where the practice is going. He took his team on this last trip to B.C., so they are also getting a good idea about what his plans are.

Isaac and Parker's games keep us running around. Isaac's team is a little intense for my liking. His coaches are intense, I should say. Constantly controlling the games by calling "Time!" every other minute, yelling at the umpires, kicking the dirt and throwing their hats down when there is a call they don't like. Yea - the coaches. It's no wonder the kids throw their arms up in the air when they strike out and huff off the field. Anyway - it's just frustrating. We've worked really hard to teach Isaac that he plays for fun and for camaraderie - then he gets on this team. Any advice? Parker's team is less intense, though his coach does take liberties in scolding the kids - I keep a close vigil, so Parker escapes much of it.

Taylor has growing pains - literally. His legs feel sore, but it never stops him from riding his bike or running around the court. He told his teacher last week that she needed to call me and tell me to get X-rays for his legs. She suggested he talk to me about it and he replied, "I did -and she is doing nothing!" Mother of the Year Award, here I come.

Morgan is registering for Kindergarten this week - she had all her shots last week and her left arm swelled up like a balloon. The swelling is down now; my next challenge is convincing her that she has to wait until the fall to start. She had the shots - now she wants to go.

I had another lovely encounter with our neighbor last week. She came over under the guise of inviting me to a cooking class, but after speaking with her, I am certain she really just wanted to discuss Bailey. In her oh-so-sweet voice, she informed me that Bailey barks ' constantly' when we leave the house and she and her husband are 'trying really hard' but it's very disruptive. She then suggested a 'shock collar' and taking her for more walks - 'maybe she's bored'. My thoughts: maybe she's a dog. And she's a smart dog - she doesn't bark when we are home, she waits until we leave. Perfect. I was sure to be sympathetic without apologizing. This is the same lady that told us she didn't believe in 'painting her lawn, like some other people' (she's referring to the TruGreen treatments we get). There is a part of me that smiles then when I see her front lawn completely dead from crane flies. I know - I'm not a very nice person.

Love you all - have a good week!
Adina

Sorry we don't have any embarrassing picture to put on here from your childhood. But happy birthday anyhow. Hope you are able to relax a little!! Love Brent and Buffy

Career-wise I am about to hit my starting QB job. I take command of H Company on th 10th of May. I feel a very heavy weight on my shoulders as I take responsibility for 200 guys and oh yeah...51 million dollars of vehicles and equipment. Add that on top of the fact we are going somewhere hot (in more ways than one) soon for a long time, and I have a lot going on right now. (I will never use specifics on this blog, and I request you do not either. The bad guys love search engines and we don't need the Stinchfields targeted.) Brooke is amazing, responding with grace amidst a very trying year that never seems to get better. It must mean the blessings are just waiting to flow soon. I will continue to hold out hope for that.

A couple of good things: this is the moment I have been waiting for in my career and I am incredibly excited, the baby is healthy -- we just don't know the gender yet, we get to move into a newer, bigger home 11-18 May, and the weather here is amazing right now.

The trip with Mom and Dad was fantastic. Hopefully he has shown you the pictures that were not uploaded - it takes a while to upload from here. It was an unforgettable experience and it came just at the right time. The Italian Alps, called the Dolomites where we drove through, are the most amazing mountains I have seen. It took us a while to get through the Alps going the way we went, but it really was worth it.

Jane is doing great in school; she just made the honor role and we are very proud of her improvement this year. Sadie is great; limping around with a bandage on her foot from a recent surgery to remove a large cyst on her heel. Ellyn is happy and the joy of our lives, but no progress to report. She did try to insert a videotape in the VHS when she was very frustrated about no movie, that made us happy as she was doing something cognitive to solve her problem.

We love you all and think of you often.

I thought I would add a couple pictures of the home... since no one is posting these last few days. We have put up drapes downstairs and in our bedroom. I still think the blue walls in the bedroom look different on photo than in real life. I'm thinking of crisp white bed linens to contrast with the walls and floor... but I will be waiting untill I start working again which will probably be the 7th. Next week I have to do the HR paperwork (big hospital process), physical and drug testing. That's it for now.
Buffy

Hello All,
It has been a while since I have blogged and I thought I would post an overdue update on my job situation. Basically, I've been waiting to post so I could place some good news at the end of the discouraging news.
I have been thinking about leaving my first PT job for a while and even interviewed with a possible employer when I got the surprise of my life... my job fired me! They are a small PT practice that has been struggling for some time to get more patients in their clinics with not the best of results lately. I even had a few work days when I spent the entire day (or most of it) not treating patients because there were none. So this place gave me a 2 week severence package and a not so nicely put and abrupt goodbye.
So, it has been a roller coaster of a ride and after really digging into my job search I found myself trying to keep up with all of the recruiter calls and posting resumes. Seriously, the phone has not stopped ringing since the day after I started posting on job sites online almost 2 weeks ago. Just ask Barb because I think I got about 4 recruiter calls (which I ignored)while we spent the morning and lunch together this week.
So I now have 2 good job options/offers to chose from. One is with The Vancouver Clinic who would pay substantially more than I last made (11,000 more with ability to make more through productivity like a doctor), you get to make your own schedule and you get a laptop. But, they are a physician owned PT clinic which is a big no no with my profession at large for possible non-compete law violations. Plus they have this contract that you have to sign that says you can't work in Southern Washington for 18 months after you leave the company (what the heck is that??). And the other is with Rebound which is based out of Southwest Washington Hospital. It would be in their Fishers Landing clinic. It has great benefits, great continuing education support, I get to dictate all my notes which is sweet, I hear they get free Blazers and Lacross tickets, and the pay is a little bit more than I last made. So does it sound like a tough decision? Let me know if you dissagree, but I think I'm going with Rebound so I don't have to compromise ethics or sign some weird contract.
Well, that's about it for now. I am glad I can say to Brent that we don't have to worry because I am soon to be gainfully employed again. I think it has been a good learning experience in what type of job or setting I really want compared to my first job and that there are a lot of choices right now for PTs.
Buffy

Adina,
Thank you for the recipe. Treven loved it and he wants me to make it like every week now, or so he says. He ate all of it in like a day and a half after I made it. Just wanted to let you know that it was a hit!

Brent,
I would like some of those cds that you showed me when I was there. I will call you sometime to go through them and tell you which ones we would like. Mom will take them to CA over Memorial Day weekend. Thanks!

Kimberly

I don't know how many of you that I told about Attilia's great grandson. Attilia is the italian woman who lives at Grandma's facility. He was born with leukemia in October. There is a website for him that I just found out about yesterday. When I looked it up, I found that he died this morning. It is worth looking at though...what a sad situation!! It is http://trevorkott.com

Kim....love the pictures of the apartment and darling Melia. She looks just like you did as a baby!!!

Love,

Mom

dear Morgan,

I got your letter today. My mom says I can come to the tea party and watch Ariel when we come to Washington. I'm excited about it. I like to come to tea parties. I had surgery today on my foot. I went to sleep and didn't feel anything. I love you and miss you.

love, SADIE

Anyone that is interested in the new Harry Potter movie, this one based on the 5th book, "The Order of the Phoenix" - you should click here and watch the new trailer. It looks SO good!!

Just a quick post since I am at school where there are computer labs! We LOVE our new apartment. Every night Treven and I sit down in our living room and just say to each other how much we love the new apartment. Melia adjusted finally at night. She was in our room the whole time we were living at our friends house so she got used to having us right there. It took two nights, but last night was wonderful! Not only because she slept through the night, but because we were able to sleep on our new memory foam mattress. GREAT NIGHT OF SLEEP! Recommend that mattress... Novaform at Costco. We bought a queen for 500 dollars. We get our internet in tomorrow so I will post pictures then. We have the Kitchen and living room and dining room put together, but our bedrooms aren't. We just got Melia's new crib and dresser so we have to put that together and our room is just... yeah.... Anyway, we will post pictures sometime in this next week!

Brooke and Mike, I am so excited to find out what the gender is. I just hope you don't hold it out too long! Either gender would be wonderful. Adina, I am so excited to have the curry chicken salad. I was making my grocery list and started craving it!

Well off to my last class! Will post pictures soon of both apartment and Melia!

Love,
Kimberly

We have continued to have great weather here since Kenn and Barb left, maybe a bit cooler but sunny and gorgeous. Yesterday was Sadie's dance recital. She was darling, they did a little tap dance to "Good Ship Lollipop" and really did well remembering her steps. She's such a funny kid, there was a group bow at the end and she kept bowing and blowing kisses to the audience.

Well we are moving into our new house in a couple of weeks. It will be worth it, but also a great deal of work. Poor Mike, it is the same week that he takes command. He is going to be very, very busy.

Ellyn had strep this week but is much better now. Jane made Honor Roll which I think is a bit of a miracle considering everything we've dealt with the last few months. I am very proud of her.

Adina, I too think fondly of last summer, I don't know that anything will be able to compare, except that this year I will have Mike. Nights at K&B, sitting and eating on the back deck, fire crackling, kids playing in the yard...Bliss. I will keep an eye out for the letter, I'm sure if it's an invitation Sadie will expect to be there as well.

So when I went in to my Dr. when K&B were here to make sure everything was alright we got a pretty good look at our baby's gender. I have an appt. on Tues, I'll be farther along and it will be a more positive confirmation, but I'd love to hear your opinions.

I'm off to make Sunday dinner. Love, Brooke?

I am a loner. Dave is spending this weekend in Scottsdale, AZ - next weekend in British Columbia. I need a social life that forces me to travel. Right now Dave is reading this blog, shaking his head and saying, "I told you to come with me...but, noooo...you wanted to stay with the kids!" This is true - the kids had a crazy weekend and I had a few commitments of my own, so I stayed home. Believe me, there have been moments this weekend when I have regretted that decision. I do hope to join Dave on some of his excursions later this year. In the meantime, I am anxious for his return tomorrow. We'll be having dinner at K&B's and celebrating Dave's big 33.

Cold, wet baseball games today - but both boys had good experiences, so it was well worth it. Isaac hit a double and his team won their first game. Parker got two hits and a good stop in left field, so he got to take home the 'game ball' - which he is still clutching, even as he brushes his teeth.

Ended the long day with a movie. The kids started it without me and when I came into the room, Parker and Taylor had a place saved for me on the couch. "Mommy - sit here, sit by me!" I felt so loved. But I had to eat dinner first, so as I ate, they kept pleading, "Mom - hurry - come sit down and watch the movie with us!" I was so moved. Finally I finished dinner and sat down between the two boys...only to find an electronic whoopee cushion waiting for me. Ha. Ha. I am so loved.

Time to put the kids to bed and have a few moments peace. Tom - congratulations on being board certified. Big accomplishment. I can't wait to call you 'Doctor'. Brooke - Morgan sent Sadie a card and she is dying to know when you get it...I think she invited her to a 'tea party' and may expect her to show. Kim - hope you love your new place and would love to see pictures - in all your ample time.
Hope everyone is well...
Adina

Well, Dad and I woke up to a frustrating morning today since we went down to exercise at Mavericks and they have, without notice, changed their hours to starting at 8 am on Saturdays...much too late for us! Dad just finished writing a scathing e-mail about the change! So we live and learn. We paid for the entire year because thereby we got a good discount but now that kind of leaves us up a creek! From now on, we just pay month to month even if it is more!!!

We are gradually getting back to the time zone here. The waking up early has been great since I have several things that are early in the morning but I really poop out at night. Last night, however, we were really daring and went out to dinner and to a 10:20 pm movie, The World of Women(maybe I have the title wrong)---good movie, not awesome...just alright. It was rated 4 stars...and PG-13 but had some fairly questionable language and subject matter. I am kind of amazed at our rating system. Brent and Buffy joined us and it was great to see them.

We have our countertops in now...and a sink and stove back! The backsplash still needs to be done so we are going out to get that arranged today. Dad thinks I have bad taste so he has to be with me to choose it. Until that gets done we are still in partial mode since our two cupboards are sitting on the floor in the breakfast nook. We are really happy with our countertops though--they look great!

Otherwise, I have spent most of my week catching up on my work. We have a deadline for several of the curriculum so I have been working hard on them. I am going over to the Tri-Cities on Thursday and Friday this week.

There is not much going on here other than that...I think Kim and Treven are moving in today so as soon as she gets time we will hopefully see some pictures etc.

We had a great time with Mike and Brooke. We love them so much! The area in which they live is just beautiful as you can see in the pictures! I recommend a visit to all!

Love,
Mom

Read it here.

My favorite quote from it:

"If we can't take the time out of our lives to stay a moment and listen to one of the best musicians on Earth play some of the best music ever written; if the surge of modern life so overpowers us that we are deaf and blind to something like that -- then what else are we missing?"

Looks like you all had a great time in Europe. I am sure that everyone here was very jealous of you, I know I was!

I don't remember the last time I posted here so I'll just give the general update. Nothing too out of the ordinary has happened. I am still training and pretty much staying on schedule. My main goal now is to watch my diet and nutrition a little better. I have been kinda slack on that but I think if I eat healthier it will improve my exercise performance that much more. So I have started to use one of those online tracker programs to keep track of what I am eating and how much I am exercising. It helps me to be able to look at the overall day to day and week to week like that.

The picture is of me with Andra (on the left), who's office is directly behind me at work so I work with her a lot, and one of Michelle's friends who doesn't work with us. It was taken at my boss Michelle's wedding reception that was this last weekend. Pretty fun. Got to meet a lot of the people that always call for her and Linda. It was at Linda's house in Leucadia (north coastal SD) which is right on the cliff and has a full ocean view. Pretty amazing. Work itself is good. A little slower this week than it has been recently but I am keeping busy with some housekeeping in the office and among our computer files. A little spring cleaning is always good.

Everyone watch American Idol? I only liked a couple of the performances. Lost is tonight and I don't actually know too many spoilers about what is going to happen so it will be a surprise! I am going over to "The Condo" to have dinner and watch it with some friends. Should be a fun time.

Love the pictures. Andrew is getting so big as are all of M&B's girls. Any and all news is fun to hear/read. Back to cleaning for me! Love you all!

Some from HohenSalzburg

The one photo is underground at the Salzburg salt mine. We were some 250 meters underground and took this wooden slide down to deeper parts of the mine. The 2.5 km tour included traveling across an underground lake on a raft/barge in the dark. Very good tour.