A "Perfect" Match

I think there are many valuable lessons one can gleam from the movie "Fiddler on the Roof". It's clever use of words and double meanings makes most of the movie very applicable to many daily experiences. Take for example the song matchmaker. (It is the clip above. . .watch it for laughs as well as a reference point.) Fernando has spent many hours contemplating what residency and therefor career would be a perfect match for him. Opthalmology seemed ideal until he spent a few days in the clinic. The next option seemed to be surgery. Fortunately, for us, he found a better choice in Anesthesiology. Once one chooses their ideal match, they must vie for it's attention. Wooing a board of doctors is not a desirable or easy task. For months, we have waited an contemplated the what ifs attached to the final decision this "board" makes. And as the song says, "Playing with matches a girl can get burned". So we decided to accept whatever comes our way. This morning we found our match. ANESTHESIOLOGY PG1 GENERAL SURGERY SAUSHEC FROM 01 July 2008 to 30 June 2012. In human terms. . .Fernando will do an intern year at Lackland AFB and Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio Texas focused on General Surgery and then begin residency in Anesthesiology.

The burn comes in the form of a year of General Surgery. Though it might be quite a blessing in disguise. So not having a husband for a year is stinky, but at least we will be in the same city. Plus, it might weed out any lingering thoughts/desires to be a Surgeon based on the hours he will be pulling. So in the years ahead when his job becomes same old same old (like all jobs do) he can remember intern year and re-fall in love with Anesthesiology. Plus, if he is really lucky, he will have many an opportunity to jump in on some action here and there. Meanwhile, I will be enjoying all the fun San Antonio offers and all the good food.

Yes I know Heavenly Father loves Mia!

One of our favorite primary songs is My Heavenly Father Loves Me. Since Mia was little, I would sing that song to her with the additional bonus of putting Mia in at the end. Like many times in her life, the words of the song rang true. Mia has been hoping quite openly to have a baby sister. As mentioned in a prior post, it isn't because she doesn't like baby brothers. . .it's just that she already has one of those. The morning of the ultrasound was filled with talk of what the baby would be. Mia even told me about a dream she had where she saw a baby girl. She near exploded when her hopes were confirmed. Then, as if life could not get any better, we woke up to snow the very next morning. One of Mia's very first comments were, "It's snowing because Heavenly Father loves me." Amen.



I might also mention that all these events were a somewhat new concept for Tiago. Baby is an interesting idea. So much so that Tiago often hugs my tummy and talks to the baby and then points to his tummy for me to do the same. The snow was fun to walk in, look at, but not to touch or EAT! He tried to warn Mia several times not to eat the "yucky snow". Mia tried to explain its deliciousness. Neither would budge.

"Because I am an AMAZING Artist"

This was the reason Mia gave when asked about her chalk drawings for Christmas. She did it with quite an artistic flare. The tone was dramatic but the hand swishing that accompanied the "Because I am an amazing artist" declaration was the clincher. It's just too bad that it happened on the chalkboard. That is always how it is. We have a huge roll of blank art paper on the other side of that easel and yet the 'keepers' always end up on some church handout, old envelopes, or as in this case erasable surface. Thank heaven for cameras, blogs, and videos.

Turkey Daze

As a family, we have been trying our hand at several different options for family holiday traditions. You know those activities you remember doing every year and love to recall all the funnier moments. Well, we have come up with some vary unique ones and we'll see if they stick. For the week of Thanksgiving, the kids and I have been having daily school fun to help them understand the why for shoving our face full of food every third Thursday in November. We found a few authentic sites on the internet and lots more silly songs and crafts. (see above photo of a Lightening McQueen inspired turkey and a Mia creation both crafted from their own hands, literally.) The night before Thanksgiving happened to be quite pleasant in regards to weather so we made up a little game to play outside. We each made some feathers to tape to our backs. Then ran around in a sort of squaty position gobbling like turkeys. The objective was to get as many feathers from the other "turkeys". Mia and Fernando both proved to be skilled turkey feather grabbers. I was less then proficient and Tiago was just plain confused and slightly scared at the behavior he was witnessing.


Thanksgiving day was kicked off with our ward's turkey bowl. Fernando was geared up with reciever gloves and appropriate BYU attire. (I am actually shocked that he hasn't purchase an authentic helmet and pads because he likes to do things all the way.) Mia was a trooper and came even though she said many times "I don't like football, but it's ok." Tiago on the other hand was a little disappointed that they were not in need of his skills on the field. Every football was "Daddy's football" and he would tenderly hold each one. There were many failed attempts at multiple footballs in his arms. The funniest thing he would say is "Cougar football" then do the famous cougar roar.
Nap time afforded everyone with the necessary second wind to make it to the end destination. . .food. This year's meal came with some old fashion techniques. Since our microwave had dreams of Disney's Light Show, we are now microwave less. I had to melt butter on the stove several different times for various recipes and had to think ahead of time what needed defrosting. Now I know what the Pilgrims must have felt. . .well except for the inadequate housing, lack of food, and living in a strange land. We mixed a little of the "old fashion" techniques with new age ideas including a turkey tenderloin and Costco apple pie.

Moral Rights Movement

The other day we watched the movie Amazing Grace that focuses on one man's quest to destroy the slave trade in Britain. Although the movie could have been a whole lot better considering the topic and the true story, it did leave me hankering for a good passionate debate. Fernando was a little more then tired from work that week and we share the same opinion on almost all important matters making a debate impossible. All night I kept thinking about how wonderful it would be if everyone who stood for any moral decency would voice their opposition to the tide of evil that is flooding our country and world. If the collective whole could stand up for the moral rights we have cherished, but taken for granted. This voice could at least match the loud lobbyists from "special interest" groups that get laws passed that seem crazy. For example, Maryland just unanimously passed a bill that would allow people of any physical make up to use facilities that are for the gender they feel more attached to. Translation: men or women can choose what locker room or restroom or any other gender assigned and separated area that would like to enter if they felt more female then you would suppose by their genetic make up. I am sure that there were several people who thought that slavery was wrong, but didn't think they could stop such an economically and politically sound institution. Luckily, it did to some extent. So, it's my turn. I need to find some way to let my voice be heard whether or not it makes a noticeable difference. At least I can try.

Best Friends

Tiago and Mia are best friends. That includes the occasional tiffs that come with that territory, but on the whole, they think the world of each other. I love to here Mia call for Tiago using her nickname for him. . .Boy. And love to hear Tiago yell at the top of his lungs, Meekies, in order to find his sister. Mia's job seems to be explaining the mysteries of the universe. For example, Tiago was informed that after he was married, he would be able to kiss a girl on the lips. (You better believe it!) Tiago's job is that of endless adoration and encouragement to try new things. It's always more fun to have a partner in crime. I often learn great lessons of love from watching them interact. Mia tenderly speaking to Tiago when he is throwing a fit or sharing her favorite things with him. Tonight, Tiago wanted to cuddle and comfort Mia since she seemed to be in a little bit of pain. He would give her hugs and kisses and wanted to sleep in her bed with her. He even said a little prayer in order to help out. Someday, I hope to love as they love and care as they care.

235 pound paper weight

After searching high and low for a gym that had decent daycare and coming up empty handed, Fernando surprised me with an elliptical. I have been keeping my eyes on getting a Life Fitness wonder for a few years, but the price tag of $7000+ new and $3000+ used kept me from buying it. Fernando looked around ebay and found a used and refurbished elliptical for a pretty good price. With shipping and set up in the home, it came to $1850. I'll give you the clips from the humorous set-up since it took almost 5 hours! First, the man drove the machine for 3 hours in the back of an open pick up truck, uncovered in the rain. Then with the dripping machine inside they attempted to disassemble the machine in order to take it up to our third floor bedroom. Even though they insisted that they knew what they were doing, it was more then obvious that they didn't. An hour passed before they realized that it would be better to just try to go up all in one piece (or at least all the pieces that they put back together). Five minutes was all it took to get up the stairs. The next several hours were spent reassembling and realizing that water and batteries do not mix. The whole unit didn't become functioning until a few days later. Sadly, I have only used it a few times since then. I hope that I find a better use for my machine than a giant paper weight and carpet holder.