Medical School Graduation

So, I know that this is going back in time, but I wanted to share a cute story about Marcus' Medical school graduation, which was just over a month ago. Just to set the stage, no pun intended, I will begin by saying that the University of Rochester did a class act job of putting together a very lovely graduation ceremony. It was held in the Main Hall of the Eastman School of Music, which looks like something of an old European Opera house; red velvet seats, busts of Beethoven, Bach and others on the walls, an absolutely gorgeous ceiling with a huge and I mean huge crystal chandelier in the middle. This picture dosn't do it justice but you might get the idea.

So, back to the real story, the ceremony was very formal: there was a brass quintet playing as the professors and graduates walked in, and they all looked so great as they came in. They speaches were all wonderful, and then the time came to give each graduate a diploma. They asked that all the applause be held until after the last graduate. So, everybody was very quiet and serious as each graduate walked across the stage. Keep in mind that my children were two of only a handful of children in the entire theatre! Marcus walked up onto the stage, and they called, "MARCUS JAMES RAMPTON", and without any cues Jack screamed with pride in the middle of a very serious croud, "Good Job Daddy!!!" It was soooo cute. Everybody around us kind of turned and smiled. they thought it was pretty cute too. Indeed, we are all so proud of Marcus. He put in many hours at the hospital and in classrooms to learn the art of healing. We know the road was not easy for him all the time, but he made it!! I also love three year olds, who show their joy and pride no matter what kind of setting. They are so pure and true in thier display of emotion. So, here's to you Marcus. The three of us are your biggest fans. Nothing could stop your fan club from cheering you on.

BATH TIME!

Look at this fluffy little girl! Five fat rolls on one thigh! We just love this splashing baby.

We were driving home from Sea World today, and Jack was sitting his carseat next to his sis, and the whole way home he was doing silly goo goo ga ga noises at her, and she was absolutey belly laughing!! It was so funny! And Jack was so pleased with himself, he thought he was the best big brother in the whole world. Moments like that sure warm a mom's heart. These two little people are my world, and it is a very good world to be in.

a couple more cute pics of the kids

jack playing when he is supposed to be sleeping!

look at me janene and wendy, i grew into the jammies you gave me!

le creuset: a culinary dream come to pass

for those of you who know me, you know that i have been dreaming about the day that my kitchen will be home to a red le creuset pan...well my friends the day has come, and i am very excited. we have a le creuset outlet close by and i got a great deal (not to mention the added 20 percent off thanks to the military). so, i made creamy chicken risotto tonight that would knock your socks off. Also i found the perfect table cloth from the pottery barn outlet:pink paisley...dosn't get much better than that. So, even though it is silly, here are a couple pictures of my new treasures.

pics for kicks

here are a couple of pics of the kids!

Eliza Jane: definately worth an extra 7 minutes

Well, last year I decided that I was going to start training for triathalons to keep in shape. With a little gleaning of knowledge from the Dougherty's (thanks guys you inspired me more than you know)...I did my first duathalon last spring. I was pleased with how I did, since quite honestly it was my first competative race since running in my highschool track uniform! I was completely pumped to do my next race a couple months later which was a triathalon, and would require me to add swimming to my excersize schedule. I was delighted to find out a few weeks later that I was pregnant with our second child Eliza. However, heavy training was put on hold, and I determined to resume training for races after the baby came. My goal was to get back in shape quick enough after Eliza was born to do the same duathalon a year later (which would be 3 months after she was born). I had been saving up for a bike, and a month before my race I got my first very own road bike. Here's what I don't love: running...Here's what I love love love:biking. So, back to the story, race day came, and I didn't feel ready at all. Eliza was still up nursing twice in the night, and I had really only been running for a month, but I decided that I would do it no matter what and finishing the race would be my goal. To make a long story short, I came up over the last hill, and I spotted Marcus and the kids cheering me on, and I had a beautiful, triumphant moment. Children are a sacrifice, but mostly a pure joy. I finished that race seven minutes slower than I had the year before, but I figured my progression in life is much more deep and real than seven minutes in a race. I had a beautiful healthy baby at the end waiting for me. And that is is the real deal. Not many peple in that race sat down on the grass and nursed a baby after just crossing the finish line. It was a happy day. So, I guess my take home lesson is that as a mother of two little people I may not finish life's race first, I may not finish it in perfect style, but my friends I will finish it, most likely with a giggling baby on my hip, a frog catching three year old at my side, and a husband cheering me on.

our last days in rochester...pardon the sap

when i pulled into whipple park four years ago i started to cry...what was this place that looked like an army camp? the burnt looking siding was more than i could take; it looked old, toys were strewn in every direction and i told marcus we better start looking for a new place to live because I was not about to call this place home....four years later as katie drove me down murlin drive to catch my plane to texas i was overwhelmed by the love i felt for this beautiful tree lined street. the burnt siding actually grew on me, and more importantly, as i drove down that road i felt a deep richness. i left my beautiful rochester, ny with bits and pieces of so many cherished friends. you all enriched who i am, and who i will always strive to be. though i am terrible at goodbyes, and i am sure there are a good many of you who i failed to hug before i left (or flippantly said "see you tomorrow" knowing darn well that i wouldn't) i hope you all know that you are a part of me...i love you all. four years after the tears over burnt siding, i sat as the airplane taxied away, holding eliza and sobbing. tears again...

love to you all

I know you all are not in this picture, but at least i got a few of you!