For Sale

THIS HOUSE. OUR HOUSE IS OFFICIALLY ON THE MARKET.

(SIGH)

4.17.2006

IT FEELS LIKE IT WAS JUST YESTERDAY THAT WE WERE MOVING ALL OF OUR BELONGINGS FROM A TINY APARTMENT IN WAUWATOSA, WI TO THIS BEAST OF A TOWN HOME IN MADISON. I FONDLY RECALL JEFF'S INITIAL REACTION TO ITS SIZE SUGGESTING WE PURCHASE WALKIE TALKIES.

(ALMOST) FIVE YEARS LATER, WE ARE BUSTING AT THE SEAMS AND ARE FACING YET ANOTHER MOVE.

I AM TRULY GRATEFUL FOR THIS HOME, WHICH HAS SHELTERED US THROUGH FIVE YEARS OF RESIDENCY, WELCOMED HOME TWO TINY BUNDLES OF JOY, PROVIDED US WITH JUST ENOUGH ROOM TO ENTERTAIN, AND OFFERED A PEACEFUL ENVIRONMENT TO ENJOY LIFE AS A FAMILY OF TWO, THEN THREE, AND FINALLY FOUR.

IT SADDENS ME TO THINK OF THE LAST TIME WE WILL DRIVE DOWN OUR STREET LEAVING 8280 STARR GRASS DRIVE BEHIND.

"Life Changing Soup"

WARNING...THIS SOUP IS VERY ADDICTIVE.

Barefoot Contessa Roasted Potato-Fennel Soup (minus the fennel and modified by yours truly)

4 lbs red potatoes, unpeeled and quartered
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
2 yellow or white onions, chopped

3 quarts chicken stock or 3 quarts vegetable stock
1 cup heavy cream

Directions:
Prep Time: 1 hr
Total Time: 2 1/2 hrs

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. In a large bowl, toss the potatoes with 1/4 cup olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes, until cooked through.
3. Saute the chopped with 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large stockpot on medium heat until translucent, 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Add the roasted potatoes (including scrapings from the pan) and the stock.
5. Cover and bring to a boil.
6. Lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 1 hour, until all the vegetables are very soft.
7. Add the heavy cream and allow the soup to cook slightly.
8. Using a stick blender, puree the soup in the pot (this can also be done in a regular blender, food processor, or food mill).
9. Taste for salt and pepper.

10. Serve with warm bread, close your eyes, and savor every drop!

I HAVE MADE THIS SOUP ON AN ALMOST WEEKLY BASIS ALL WINTER LONG AND LOVE SHARING IT WITH FRIENDS. IT FILLS YOUR HOME WITH THE MOST WONDERFUL AROMA. JEFF ALWAYS COMMENTS ON HOW GOOD THE HOUSE SMELLS WHEN HE GETS HOME AND IT IS SIMMERING AWAY ON MY STOVE TOP. I HOPE YOU BECOME A POTATO SOUP JUNKIE LIKE ME AFTER ENJOYING THIS RECIPE.

It's Early

(photo taken by charlotte larson)

THIS GUY. MY LITTLE ALARM CLOCK.

I USED TO THINK I WAS A MORNING PERSON; HOWEVER, I'M REALIZING THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WAKING AT 6:30 AM (PRE-CHILDREN) AND WAKING AT 6 (POST-CHILDREN WITH INTERRUPTED SLEEP CYCLES). THIS MORNING I WAS GREETED WITH AN ALL TOO CHIPPER, "BA-BA...DA-DA" AT 5:15AM. CURIOUS, THAT THE LITTLE GUY ALWAYS CALLS FOR HIS OL' MAN IN THE MORNING WHEN IT IS I, MAMA, WHO IS THERE TO FETCH HIM. THE HOUR BETWEEN 5 AND 6 AM IS (IN MY OPINION) MORE PAINFUL THAN PLEASANT. I EMPATHIZE WITH THOSE WHO'S DAILY ALARM BEEPS OR BUZZES AT THAT HOUR.

THINGS LEARNED AT 5:15 AM:

- COFFEE TASTES BETTER AFTER 6, PREFERABLY 7 AM.

- WHILE LESS SATISFYING, COFFEE IS MANDATORY.

- THE TV SCREEN IS OBNOXIOUSLY BRIGHT.

- YOUR EYEBALLS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO ACHE.

- THE BABBLES OF A BABY REGISTER A TEN, WHEN IN REALITY ARE MORE LIKELY A FIVE OR SIX (AT A MORE REASONABLE HOUR).

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE...

- ONE IS ABLE TO SHOWER, DRY HAIR AND PUT ON FULL MAKE-UP BEFORE 7:30 AM (A RARE OCCURRENCE AS A MOTHER OF TWO, AT LEAST IN MY HOUSEHOLD).

- ONE IS ABLE TO ARRIVE AT TARGET, PARK IN FIRST SLOT AND BE AMONG THE FIRST SHOPPERS OF THE DAY.

LORD, HELP ME TO REMEMBER THAT "THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE; I WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT!" WHETHER IT IS 5 AM OR 8 AM.

Residency

(photo taken by charlotte larson)

WIKIPEDIA (THE FREE ENCYCLOPEDIA) DEFINES RESIDENCY AS: a stage of graduate medical training. A resident physician is a person who has received a medical degree and who practices medicine under the supervision of fully licensed physicians, usually in a hospital or clinic. The residency can be followed by a fellowship, during which the physician is trained in a sub-specialty. Successful completion of residency training is a requirement to practice medicine in many jurisdictions. Whereas medical school teaches physicians a broad range of medical knowledge, basic clinical skills, and limited experience practicing medicine, medical residency gives in-depth training within a specific branch of medicine.

(photo taken by charlotte larson)

RESIDENCY (REDEFINED BY THE WIFE OF A RESIDENT): a stage of graduate medical training that requires mental and physical stamina to endure the laborious hours spent outside of the home learning patient care, hospital policy, and refining one's specialty skills (i.e. surgical, internal medicine, obstetrics, etc.) A resident physician is a person who sacrifices leisure, rest, recreation, personal and family time in an effort to become a physician of character, skill, and expertise. The residency requires focus, perseverance, dedication and commitment to success in both the resident's training and patient outcome. The residency can be followed by a fellowship, taking one's family to places such as Cleveland, OH. Successful completion of residency training results in (Lord willing) a permanent position in a thriving hospital, allowing the MD to apply knowledge and passion acquired during fourteen years of training.

WE HAVE COME TO THE FINAL YEAR (AND REALLY MONTHS) OF JEFF'S TRAINING. AS HE HAS BEEN WORKING LONG HOURS LATELY, I HAVE HAD MANY QUIET NIGHTS TO REFLECT ON THE PAST FIVE YEARS OF RESIDENCY, HIS PROFESSION, AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR OUR MARRIAGE AND FAMILY. TO SAY THAT I AM PROUD OF MY HUSBAND IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. THE FOCUS HE HAS COMMITTED TO HIS STUDIES AND TRAINING NOT ONLY IMPRESSES ME BUT HUMBLES ME. HE CONDUCTS HIMSELF IN A PROFESSIONAL, APPROACHABLE, RESPONSIBLE, AND TEACHABLE MANNER. HE WAKES EARLY AND ARRIVES HOME FATIGUED, BUT ALWAYS GREETS HIS FAMILY WITH A SMILE, EAGER TO PICK UP HIS CHILDREN. IF HIS DAY WAS FILLED WITH UNCERTAINTY, STRESS, ANNOYING CIRCUMSTANCES OR DISAPPOINTMENT I WOULDN'T KNOW IT AS HE TRIES TO MAINTAIN AN ATTITUDE THAT IS POSITIVE (OR AT LEAST NEUTRAL) SO THAT THE "BAGGAGE" OF HIS DAY SOMEHOW LIGHTENS ON THE RIDE HOME. HE IS COMMITTED TO GIVING OUR CHILDREN THEIR NIGHTLY BATHS, A TASK THAT MIGHT SEEM INSIGNIFICANT, BUT TO A WEARY MOTHER PROVIDES 20 MINUTES OF REST DURING A TIME OF DAY THAT IS OFTEN HECTIC. HE ROTATES BETWEEN READING MEDICAL JOURNALS TO FURTHER HIS UNDERSTANDING AND CHILDREN'S BOOK TO ENLIGHTEN OUR CHILDREN. HE TAKES THE TIME TO CHECK IN ON ME DAILY, AND OFTEN ASKS A NURSE TO CALL ME FROM THE OPERATING ROOM IF HE WILL BE ARRIVING LATER THAN  EXPECTED. HE HANDLES THE SIGNIFICANT AND MUNDANE TASKS OF LIFE WITH GRACE.

RESIDENCY IS NOT A WALK IN THE PARK. IT IS MORE LIKE NAVIGATING YOUR WAY THROUGH A NEW CITY WITH THE OCCASIONAL WRONG TURN, SPEED BUMP AND FLAT TIRE. HOWEVER, DISCOVERING A NEW CITY ALSO PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR FRESH EXPERIENCES, NEW PLACES TO DISCOVER, AND A CHANGE OF SCENERY. OUR TIME IN RESIDENCY HAS BEEN JUST THAT. I HAVE SEEN JEFF GROW AS A PHYSICIAN, FATHER AND HUSBAND. I HAVE SEEN THE LORD GROW ME IN WAYS AS I LEARNED TO BE MORE PATIENT, MORE RELIANT ON HIM, AND FIND FULFILLMENT IN MY ROLE AS MOTHER OF TWO AND WIFE TO A BUSY SURGEON. THERE HAVE BEEN CHALLENGING DAYS, MOMENTS OF DISAPPOINTMENT, FAILED COMMUNICATION, AND TIMES OF LONELINESS. BUT, AS I REFLECT ON OUR TIME IN RESIDENCY IT WILL NOT BE THOSE MOMENTS THAT DEFINE OUR TIME. I WILL REMEMBER THIS TIME AS A FRUITFUL SEASON IN OUR LIVES. A SEASON THAT MADE US FIRST TIME HOME OWNERS IN A HOME WE LOVE , PARENTS TO TWO BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN, AND ALLOWED US TO GROW PROFESSIONALLY, PERSONALLY, AND IN OUR COMMITMENT AND LOVE. I PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS FAITHFULNESS, GRACE AND LOVE. FOR WITHOUT IT, THE LONG DAYS OF RESIDENCY WOULD HAVE PROVEN TO BE MUCH MORE DIFFICULT.

"What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made EVERYTHING beautiful in its time."

Ecclesiastes 3:9-11a

Grandma Marianne

MY GRANDMOTHER MARIANNE PASSED AWAY ON JANUARY 2ND IN LAS VEGAS, NV AFTER A DIFFICULT BATTLE WITH CANCER.

TO SAY SHE FOUGHT FOR A POSITIVE AND PRODUCTIVE WAY OF LIFE IN THE LAST YEAR IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. THROUGH WEEKLY EMAIL EXCHANGES, I WOULD READ OF HER CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION AS SHE ATTENDED HER SENIOR CLASSES AT UNLV, HER ATTENDANCE AT WEEKLY WATER AEROBICS, THE OCCASIONAL TRIP TO PLAY BINGO ON THE STRIP WITH FRIENDS, MEALS SHE WOULD PLAN, FRIENDS SHE WOULD HOST, AND OUTINGS SHE CONTINUED TO GO ON. I WAS AMAZED BY HER INNER STRENGTH, DETERMINATION AND TENACITY. (THERE WAS PROBABLY A STRONG PRESENCE OF GOOD OL' STUBBORNNESS AS WELL. A TRAIT THAT, WE AS FAMILY MEMBERS HAD LEARNED TO LOVE AND EXPECT.)

SHE WAS A LOVER OF SCRABBLE. A GAME SHE AND MY DAD WOULD SPEND (ENDLESS) HOURS PLAYING. I REALIZED AT A YOUNG AGE, I WOULD NEVER SHARE THEIR PASSION FOR THIS GAME AS I COULD NOT MAINTAIN MY FOCUS OR PATIENCE FOR THAT LONG A PERIOD, SO I OPTED OUT OF PLAYING. INDEFINITELY. I DO, HOWEVER, HAVE MANY FOND MEMORIES OF OBSERVING THEM AS I PERIODICALLY CHECKED IN ON THEIR PROGRESS. SHE LOVED ENGAGING IN CONVERSATION ABOUT A VARIETY OF TOPICS FROM THE UNUSUAL TO CONTROVERSIAL. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT PERPLEXED ME IN MY YOUTH, BUT I NOW WILL HOLD AS ONE OF THE THINGS MOST ENDEARING ABOUT HER. SHE LOVED TO COOK GREAT MEALS, OFTEN ITALIAN, AND IN RETURN LOVED EATING. SHE LOVED TO SEND ME CUT-OUT COMICS, OR INTERESTING ARTICLES SHE CAME ACROSS. I SMILE, AS I RECALL ONE PARTICULAR ARTICLE SHE SENT FOR JEFF SPECIFICALLY ON MEDICINE. SHE HAD A WAY OF MAKING ME SMILE IN A WAY ONLY SHE COULD, AS A RESULT OF HER DOING SOMETHING UNEXPECTED. I WILL FOREVER REMEMBER HER HEARTY LAUGH, HER LESS-THAN-BEAUTIFUL SINGING VOICE, AND THE TUNES SHE WOULD SING. I KNOW I HAVE A LOT OF MY DAD'S SIDE IN ME, AND I WILL CARRY MUCH OF MY GRANDMOTHER'S TRAITS AND PASSIONS ON WITH ME - HER LOVE OF READING AND KNOWLEDGE, SWIMMING, COOKING, LAUGHING, HER STUBBORNNESS AND INDEPENDENCE. I'M THANKFUL FOR HER LOVE, HER STRONG AFFECTIONS FOR MY CHILDREN (SHE ONLY WAS ABLE TO MEET CHARLOTTE, A THOUGHT THAT SADDENS ME GREATLY), HER DESIRE TO COMMUNICATE WITH ME UNTIL THE VERY END, HER INTEREST IN JEFF'S CAREER AND THE PRIDE SHE HAD OF IT, AND THE MANY WONDERFUL MEMORIES SHE GAVE ME AS A CHILD AND YOUNG ADULT AS AN ACTIVE, INTERESTED AND LOVING GRANDMOTHER.

I LOVED HOW CHARLOTTE ALWAYS REFERRED TO HER AS "MY GRANDMOTHER."

I'M SO THANKFUL TO THE LORD FOR ALLOWING ME TO HAVE ONE LAST CONVERSATION WITH HER AS I WAITED TO BOARD A PLANE TAKING ME TO PASADENA, CA. I KNEW SHE WAS IN HER FINALS DAYS. AS MUCH AS I DIDN'T WANT TO FACE THE REALITY OF THIS I CALLED. I WILL NEVER FORGET HER VOICE. SHE KNEW I WAS CALLING TO SAY GOOD-BYE. SHE TOLD ME SHE LOVED ME, THAT SHE LOVED MY CHILDREN, THAT SHE WOULD SEE ME IN HEAVEN, AND TO HAVE A WONDERFUL YEAR IN CLEVELAND. IT SADDENS ME DEEPLY TO KNOW SHE WILL NEVER HEAR OF OUR ADVENTURES THERE OR GET TO KNOW OUR FUTURE CHILDREN. BUT, I HOLD DEAR THE TIMES THAT I WAS ABLE TO SHARE WIT HER ON THIS EARTH AND WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HER WITH LOVE AND STRONG AFFECTION.

"Que Sera, Sera"

I REMEMBER MY MOTHER SINGING A SWEET LITTLE SONG TO ME AS A CHILD.

"When I was just a little girl

I asked my mother, what will I be?

Will I be pretty, will I be rich

Here's what she said to me.

Que Sera, Sera,Whatever will be, will be

The future's not ours, to see

Que Sera, Sera"

AND NOW, I HAVE A LITTLE GIRL OF MY OWN AND I STARE AT HER IN AMAZEMENT WONDERING WHAT SHE WILL BE WHEN SHE IS OLDER.

I TRULY LOVE OBSERVING MY CHILD IN A GROUP OF OTHER CHILDREN AS I GAIN A MORE ACCURATE SENSE OF HER PERSONALITY. WE HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN HER TO BE A BOLD, OUTSPOKEN LITTLE LADY WITH STRONG NATURAL CHARISMA AND HEARTY CURIOSITY FOR LIFE. BUT, TO SEE HER AMONG HER PEERS THESE TRAITS BECOME MAGNIFIED RIGHT BEFORE MY EYES. (I REALIZE THIS MAY COME ACROSS AS PARENTAL BOASTING. YOU MUST GRACIOUSLY GRANT ME THIS PRIVILEGE AS IT IS OUR FAMLY BLOG.)

THIS MORNING AT BALLET CLASS I BEHELD SUCH A SIGHT THAT MADE ME SMILE, CHUCKLE WITHIN, AND FILLED ME WITH WARM MOTHERLY PRIDE. CHARLOTTE'S WEEKLY BALLET CLASS CONSISTS OF FOUR SWEET LITTLE INDIVIDUALS, 3 GIRLS AND 1 (BLESS HIS HEART) BOY. IT IS THE PERFECT SAMPLING OF CHILDREN AS EACH ONE COULD BE STRATEGICALLY PLACED ON A SCALE OF SHY/TIMID TO OUTSPOKEN/BOLD. A SWEET MIX, INDEED.

TODAY HER INSTRUCTOR WAS ATTEMPTING TO TEACH BODY MOVEMENT THROUGH LINES - STRAIGHT, CURVY, AND JAGGED. DURING ONE PART OF THE LESSON, SHE TOOK OUT A PILE OF CUT OUT SHAPES. HER OBJECTIVE WAS TO HOLD A SHAPE UP AND HAVE THE CHILDREN CREATE THE SHAPE WITH THEIR BODIES. EASIER SAID THAN DONE (FOR THIS POOR TEACHER). AS SOON AS THE SHAPES WERE BROUGHT OUT, TWO LITTLE PUPILS MADE A B-LINE FOR THEM. IT WAS A COMICAL SIGHT TO OBSERVE THE TWO CHILDREN GRASPING AT BOTH THE TEACHER AND SHAPES IN AN ATTEMPT TO TAKE OVER THE LESSON. AT ONE POINT THE TEACHER WAS UP ON HER GRACEFUL TIP-TOES CLUTCHING THE SHAPES WITH GIGGLES (AND SIGHS) OF EXASPERATION. YOU CAN GUESS WHO ONE OF THE PUPILS WAS...

OUR CHARLOTTE.

OF COURSE, I STEPPED IN (AS DID THE OTHER MOTHER) BUT OUR GIRLS PERSISTED. IT WAS NOT OUT OF DISOBEDIENCE, BUT OUT OF A TRUE (AND SOMEWHAT FIERCE) DESIRE TO HELP AND TO LEAD. I THINK I EVEN MUTTERED, "YES! THESE TWO ARE THE FUTURE TEACHERS OF AMERICA" AS I TOOK MY DAUGHTER'S HAND AND BROUGHT HER BACK TO HER APPROPRIATE PLACE ON THE FLOOR.

COULD IT BE?

COULD IT BE THAT WHAT APPEARS AT TIMES TO BE A STUBBORN, OUTSPOKEN, BOLD, AND FIERCELY INDEPENDENT TODDLER IS THE MAKINGS OF A FUTURE LEADER? I WOULD LIKE TO THINK SO, ESPECIALLY ON THE DAYS WHEN SAID TODDLER EXHAUSTS ME BOTH PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY. I WOULD LIKE TO BELIEVE SO WHEN SAID TODDLER ALREADY IS ATTEMPTING TO TEACH HER BROTHER THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE BY PULLING OUT HIS PACIFIER, LEANING INTO HIS FACE PROMPTING HIM WITH, "CAN YOU SAY..." BUT, ULTIMATELY I PRAY THAT IT IS SO. I PRAY THAT THE LORD USES MY LIL' MISS FIRECRACKER IN WAYS THAT SURPRISE EVEN ME FOR THE SAKE OF HIS GLORY AND KINGDOM.

Food For Thought

I RECENTLY CAME ACROSS THIS QUOTE, "It is true that in our busy lives we can't do everything. BUT we can choose which things we ABSOLUTELY will get done."

(emphasis mine)

IT IS COMMON IN THE NEW YEAR TO SET GOALS, RE-PRIORITIZE, CHANGE DIETS, ATTEMPT TO CEASE ALL BAD HABITS, AND BRAINSTORM NEW WAYS TO IMPROVE OUR DAILY LIVES. I HAVE NOT ALWAYS SET NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS FOR MYSELF, BUT I DO APPRECIATE THE NEW YEAR FOR WHAT IT PROVIDES - FRESH BEGINNINGS. I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE EVER APPRECIATED THE IDEA OF A CLEAN SLATE MORE THAN I DO NOW AS A MOTHER. I LOVE WAKING UP EACH MORNING KNOWING THAT I HAVE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THE "RIGHT" CHOICES FOR MY CHILDREN, HUSBAND, HOUSEHOLD AND MYSELF. UNFORTUNATELY, WHAT IS "RIGHT", "PRODUCTIVE", "HELPFUL", "STIMULATING," ETC. IS NOT ALWAYS MY FIRST RESPONSE IN LIFE. FIRST, MY EMOTIONS OFTEN GET IN THE WAY AND SECOND THERE ARE SO MANY (POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE) DISTRACTIONS IN LIFE (I love me some TV).

AS I REFLECTED ON THE ABOVE QUOTE, I FOUND IT NOT ONLY CONVICTING BUT FREEING. AS A MOTHER WHO IS PRIVILEGED TO STAY AT HOME WITH HER LITTLE ONES, I HAVE THE FREEDOM TO MAKE EACH DAY OUR OWN. THERE ARE DAYS WHEN EVERYTHING WILL RUN SMOOTHLY, THE KIDS AND I WILL HAVE ENERGY TO PLAY, CREATE, TAKE GOOD NAPS, EAT GOOD MEALS, AND GREET JEFF WITH BIG SMILES ON OUR FACES AT THE END OF (HIS) VERY LONG DAY. HOWEVER, THERE WILL BE DAYS WHEN THINGS DON'T GO AS PLANNED, WE ARE LOW ON ENERGY, SOMEONE IS SICK, OR THE EMOTIONS OF TWO TODDLERS AND A WEARY MOTHER ARE RUNNING WILD. I'M LEARNING NOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF EITHER SCENARIO. WHILE HAVING ALL OF THE ENERGY TO MAKE AND DECORATE HOME MADE INSTRUMENTS WAS A GREAT THING TO ACCOMPLISH THIS WEEK, IT WAS ALSO A TENDER MOMENT TO SIT (WEARILY WITH THE FLU) ON THE COUCH WITH MY SWEET ONES CUDDLING AND WATCHING A MOVIE. AS I SAT I THOUGHT, "IS IT BAD TO INVEST SO MUCH TIME IN THIS MOVIE RIGHT NOW? WHAT ELSE DO I HAVE THE ENERGY TO DO?" IN THE END, I FREELY ACCEPTED THE MOMENT FOR WHAT IT WAS. TIME SPENT WITH MY CHILDREN. AND, IT WAS PRECIOUS.

MY PRAYER IS THAT I CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON WAYS IN WHICH TO SPEND MY TIME WISELY.

"THERE IS A TIME FOR EVERYTHING, AND A SEASON FOR EVERY ACTIVITY UNDER HEAVEN."

Ecclesiastes 3:1