Residency Graduation

Pete's graduation from residency was MONTHS ago, but like I said, I am catching up.

We were both going into this thinking it would be long and drawn out (because that IS what the Army does) however, it was short and sweet.  Each resident was awarded a plaque and two medallions.  There were a few speeches given, but the one that struck me the most was by Major General Czerw (pronounced 'Surf'), the top dog in the Army Dental Corps. He spoke mostly about how much the family of each resident played a part in getting the resident to that point... especially the spouses.  I was sitting with one other resident wife, and he looked at the two of us frequently.  He talked about how he hoped that each resident realized how hard we have worked while they have been working so hard in school.  It kind of hit home that day; like I really had helped Pete through these last 5 years.  I was given a certificate and flowers as well, from the Major General.  Someone took my picture, but I haven't actually seen it yet.

Pete, of course, looked handsome in his dress uniform, and hated having his picture taken a hundred times.  He worked hard for this.  He learned a lot from this residency, things that will help him have an edge once he is in his own practice.  He made some great friends, and I think he misses them more than he misses his dental school buddies.  It was a great group of dentists. 

 FYI:  One of these dentists is already deployed.  

Two dentists are missing from the picture.  They both took early assignments and missed graduation.

And one dentist is pregnant. I bet you can't guess which one.

Great-Grandma Farr

While I was in Utah, just a few days before I left for Germany, my great-grandmother passed away.  Vontella Farr lived to be 101 years old.  She had an amazing life; she lived to see many things, and to my surprise, in all those years of life she buried very few loved ones.  She had many family members and friends still alive and supporting her.  

I learned a lot about my great-grandma through the talks that were given at the funeral.  I had no idea until then that she and my great-grandpa eloped in Nevada, and were later sealed in the temple.  I learned that she was one of those amazing women, who, no matter what was happening in her life, still managed to put on a happy face and take care of those around her.  She was a strong woman, and after her husband died, was also a very independent woman.

We were all very sad to see her leave this earth, but we are also overjoyed at the thought of her being with her loved ones who have left as well.  

Somehow, I only managed to take pictures of the flower arrangements.  

This was the arrangement from my family.

My uncle Kenny as he laid his rose on the casket.

Both she and her husband were born in August, and passed away in August.

PhotoStory Friday: The Street We Live On

Hosted by Cecily and Sports Mama

We now live in Germany.... have I mentioned that yet?  So here are a few pictures from the area that we live in.  We live in Weiden (said "Vyden"), which is mostly a farming community, however, we are right near the City Center where all the action is.  Twice a week there is a Farmer's Market, and it is also where all the restaurants and shopping are.  Pete and I are going on a morning date this Saturday, to have breakfast and do a little shopping.  I promise to take the camera with me.

We live on Bayernstrasse (Bayern Street) in a yellow house.  The kids think it's hilarious that we live in a yellow house; they comment on it every time we drive up to it.  Each building is a duplex, each with 4 levels.  Once the house is moderately organized, I'll show you that as well. 

 This is Bayernstrasse:

This yellow house is ours.  Currently we have no immediate neighbors, which is ok with us.  All the houses here are the same, but Pete chose this one because it had the biggest yard of them all.  Like our '92 BMW?

This is the cute little German house across the street where the grumpy old Germans live.... actually, we have never met them.  We are just told they are grumpy.

This is Noah's school bus stop, at the intersection of Berlinerstrasse and Leimbergerstrasse (Berliner and Leimberger Streets).

This is Noah's school bus.  Yes, it's a public bus, however it is only used for school.  It reminds me of the Fun Bus to Wendover.

This sign means the 30 kilometer per hour zone has ended.

This sign means the sidewalk is shared by pedestrians and cyclists.

This sign means Toyota... some things don't translate.

Aren't These The Cutest Flippin' Shoes?

In an effort to catch up on the summer, I will hopefully be posting something everyday.  Here's a start.....

In August we had a get-together with the Hodson side because a few of the out-of-town cousins were in town.  It was great to see them, because I haven't seen some of them in years.  I got to meet Elliott, the cute little boy that belongs to my cousin Jon, and his wife, Allison.  He has the best blue eyes, and the softest blonde hair.  But what I fell in love with were his shoes:

These are Hodson eyes.

Two of my cousins, Jodi and Dianna.

Mad hula skills.

Pete was actually much better at it.

PhotoStory Friday: Where is Ausfahrt, Germany?

Hosted by Cecily and Izzy 'N Emmy

Well, I'm back.

It's been a rough, rough summer.  But I'm back. 

That said, Welcome to Germany.  This is where I live now.   And here is the first picture you get to see from this very green country in which I live.  

Before I moved, everyone said, "You have to get one of those shirts that say 'Where is Ausfahrt, Germany?'

Ausfahrt is not a place.

It means "exit" in German.

You will see this sign at every exit on the Autobahn (freeway).  However, a large majority of the people who move here from the states see this sign all over the Autobahn and say to themselves, " Wow, there sure are a lot of ways to get to Ausfahrt."

I am proud to admit that I was not one of them.  I did know what the word meant.

However, I am not so proud to admit that I had fun saying the word like a ten year old boy with a potty mouth might say it.  

Go on. Read it again, with that ten-year-old-potty-mouth mindset.  I'll wait.

You laughed, too.  Didn't you?