Update in April

Hello, hello blogger friends!

Well, it's certainly beginning to feel a lot like Spring here...so we are eating it up before it turns to that nasty, unbearable, instant sweat kinda summer stuff we should be getting in the next couple of months! 

Not much new to report on our end.  Only a few activities and news to report:

• I passed my vascular boards in the beginning of March, completing the 6th test to complete my accolade of four specialties and a lot of letters behind my name.  Basically this just means that I am meeting the requirements by the ARDMS to competently perform exams in the areas of OB/GYN, Abdomen/Small Parts, Breast and now, Vascular.  It doesn't mean a whole lot for me pay wise, simply because I told them I would have it completed within a year of being employed with them....but it makes you a more competitive technologist...especially with how we end up moving every year or two.  So glad that is over....now all I have left is to finish my last course for my bachelor's which I'll be done with in May. whew! 

• We enjoyed a Saturday night out a few weeks ago to see a Cirque de Soleil show in New Orleans.  It was awesome weather and allowed us to clean up and dress up a little bit for a night out on the town. If you ever get a chance to go to one of these shows...totally worth it and something different!!! 

• For Easter, we attended a new church...(we're still searching for "the one") and then cooked up a little Easter meal of cooked ham and all the fixings.  We had some Baker (Chad's work) people over that all had families not here in Louisiana...it was fun...and we spent most of the afternoon out on our patio visiting.  Very enjoyable...but we definitely missed not having our real family with us.

• We finally broke down and got our cars registered in Louisiana.  Definitely not one of our most favorite moments while here...but just part of the gig, really.  It only means that we're a little more established here now...but no worries, not PERMANENT ...and we're still Huskers at heart. On the lighter side...we thought they somewhat resembled the Nebraska ones!  

• Speaking of establishing....we've now been here for a whole, 365 days....YEAR!!  Hard to believe...it's actually gone by pretty quickly....but also fairly slowly too.  We recently just negotiated staying here in our house in Slidell for another year.  We originally had talked about moving closer to my work so that only one of us were commuting...but our landlord went down on rent for us...and really the driving isn't horrible.  Plus...we really enjoy the house we're in...which we're planning some big projects here in the next few months...so stay tuned for that!! 

• As far as our timeline goes for being Lousianans....it's hard to say really.  Essentially, Chad could stay with this company as long as he wants...and as long as there is work here.  His project is progressing as planned for the most part...and they are getting super busy.  He's learning so much and gaining a lot of great experience that will enhance his resume for the future.  He really does enjoy the people he works with...and is trusted for so many things.  At this point, we're probably looking at another 16-18 mos with this current project...and then from there we'll see where things go.  It would be ideal for him to be promoted to project manager with this company so that when it does come to the point of moving back home...he has that experience....but really all we can do is live in the moment and be gracious and thankful for the experiences we are getting.  Besides...who can say they get to eat fresh charbroiled oysters and drink on the patio/deck of a bar on the river edge?!?!  Not many people.... (P.S. found a neat little bar/grill that we will be taking ALL of our visitors.....many, many beers on tap, awesome food, great atmosphere and a HUGE outdoor deck/patio/dock to drink on....IN LOVE with this place!)

Also...we were so excited to be able to watch the Spring game yesterday to get a preview of our dear, Huskers!  Couldn't have been more proud to be a Husker in that moment they gave Jack!  It truly spoke volumes to how there is "no place like Nebraska"....  Have read some great articles about the whole thing....so nice to get attention for something like this and not how Pelini gets a little excited on the sidelines!
http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=207095760&DB_OEM_ID=100

Hope this finds everyone doing well!  Fill us in on what's new!!!  We'll be making our way back to the GOOD LIFE May 9-13!!  And we'll be making our rounds as usual...and hope to see everyone we can!! 

CKP