Ode to my Father-in-Law

Steve P., his sons call him, with a General Authority ring to it. Mary, his wife, calls him "Noben" from the spanish term for boyfriend. Of course, I call him Stevie or Stevvers. This is the man who started his own computer business, Nelson Data Resources, 30 years ago and it has since morphed into American Healthnet. He is still the President and CEO. He's the big cheese, see. He's important. And.... he's nice. Very nice. He's a true friend to me. He took me to the hospital for my ankle surgery last week because Peter had school and Mary was out of town. He stayed with me up until they took me away for anesthesia. I am so grateful. Thanks, Stevie, you're the man!

Philly Cheese Steak anyone?

Monday, March 16 Peter flies to Philadelphia for yet another oral surgery internship interview! As if Nashville and Brooklyn weren't fabulous enough. So, we still don't know where we're going, but the process has been keeping us humble, prayerful and excited. Where would you go (between the three) if it was your decision, and why?

Everything changes y'all

Life is sure an adventure with the Pete! Monday 2/23 we accepted an offer in Brooklyn; Tuesday he was offered the internship of a lifetime in Nashville, TN. So, he's flying out there next Friday 3/6 to interview there. Peter has a good feeling about it, and it sounds like its a better opportunity. So, there's a good chance that we will go to Nashville as opposed to New York. Wow. Who knows. Of course we reapply next year for residency. And that could be in New York. ? So... please stay tuned...!

The Big Apple!

Congratulations are officially in order to the most adorable ward clerk and your favorite dentist! Peter got the position in Brooklyn! They called this morning to offer him a one-year internship. Here we come NEW YORK!!! The internship begins July 1, so we'll move in June. Finding a place to live will be a major challenge, but we'll figure it out. There are 17 oral surgery residency programs in New York, so our chances of staying there even after the interhship are high. Residencies last either 4,5, or 6 years, so Peter will re-apply for a residency program next year. Although our chances of staying in NY for 5+ years are good, I'd get a visit in to your fun friends living in the Big Apple this coming year if I were you, because life is crazy and things are constantly changing and you just never know...

Os Trigonum

Well, its nice to know that all of these foot problems are not in my head!? ...or are they? I had an MRI last week and the diagnosis is that my "os trigonum" (pronounced OZ-TRY-GO-NUM) has to be removed. Its a tiny little "extra" bone on the back of the foot. Sometimes it becomes detached, which mine must have done last summer sometime. Not everybody has one, so its not a big deal to remove it. So, I'll have to have a minor surgery to remove it, which means I'll be on my way to exercising again soon! Peter said that the 'ol "os trigonum" is the medical code word for "basket case" and then he asked me if the doctor winked at the nurse when he told me the diagnosis. Hmmm...? *Note, this picture is looking down on the foot, so the heel is on the bottom of shot, whereas the toes would be at the top.

Interview in Brooklyn

Friday, February 20 Peter has an interview for an internship in BROOKLYN. He's flying out early Friday morning and he'll be back the next morning (all night lay-overs, etc.). So, we hope this will be a successful interview. We still haven't heard much from other programs... so everything is still up in the air. Stay tuned...!

Let's play!

Anybody that knows me well, knows that I love board games. Its such a great way to spend quality time with people. You get to know them by engaging in a random activity that can make memories or cause a big family fight (you gotta be careful, or at least the Reynolds do).

I'm so grateful to my dad who cultivated this tradition in our family. As a teenager, I remember playing Backgammon after I got off work at Ned's Krazy Sub or Pretty Party Place. At 9:30pm on a school night, after Dad picked me up from work, and the day still had time for games. We'd talk, laugh, and bond over this simple ritual. Now, I'm secretly, or not so secretly, infiltrating my new family with the joys of board games. Peter has even joined the movement - initially against his will. He's even competitive at times - a true manifestation that he's not just doing it to appease his wife! On Sunday mornings, we play Carcassonne, the new board game that my parents gave us for Christmas. Its fantastic! Doesn't take long, best for 2 people, and plenty of intrigue. I sound like I'm trying to sell it, I know. Just a shout out to the virtues of board games and the the families I love playing them with!