School's Out Forever!

June 4, 2010 marked a day that was almost 8 years in the making. On June 4, 2010 Nate graduated medical school and officially became a doctor. Wooohooo!

While I missed out on the majority of his med school journey, sitting in the crowd, I was filled with pride at all the hard work and time he dedicated to this achievement. I waited patiently to capture this much anticipated event... unfortunately my timing was just a bit too good and I snapped my picture at the same time as the school photographer's flash went off. Bummer.

Luckily I was able to get this one of Nate being hooded.

With oaths taken and the speeches over, the new class of doctors was lead out of the auditorium by pipers.

The next day we all celebrated Dr. Nate at a bbq pool party at my parent's house. And what graduation party would be complete without a cannonball competition.

Although graduation may be over, Nate still isn't quite accustomed to his newly earned status and after years of telling people he's not a doctor yet it hasn't completely sunk in as a reality yet. I guess old habits are hard to break.

How much is that doggie in the window?

About a month ago we said goodbye to our old family dog Yoda. As Nate and I helped my family look at listings for new furry friends Nate mentioned how he had thought about getting a dog for us to keep me company while he's gone. So after a couple weeks of thinking and looking we found this little guy.

Buster is a little beagle mix, though the jury is still out on what his mix might be. Votes have been cast for, terrier (i.e. Jack Russell), chihuahua, and pug. What ever he is, he's just dang cute and sweet. Buster was rescued by Beagles of Arizona Rescue Club from the pound since he was on the euthanasia list for being so frightened there. I can't say that I blame him, I would be too. His foster mom thought that maybe he had gotten away from his previous owners and no one came to find him. Alas their loss is our gain.

So far he's been settling in pretty well at his new home though he was our little shadow for the first couple days. He is surprisingly mellow, and very little seems to phase him; not the vacuum or the doorbell, or fireworks, or the the bunch of nieces/nephews who wanted to pet him, make him do tricks and give him treats. Though he was worn out afterwards and fell asleep after being home for five minutes.

The only things that do get him really worked up are walks (because he LOVES going for walks) and other dogs that he sees on walks presumably because he wants to go be friends (according to Nate).

He loves to cuddle and keeps trying to join us up on the couch or in bed, but we're working on that. Sunday night after playing with the nieces and nephews, I was in the bathroom getting ready for bed when Nate knocked on the door.

"Is Buster in there with you?"

"No...can't you find him?"

"No"

"Is he in his crate?"

"No."

"Is he on the spare bed?"

"No."

"Well he has to be somewhere in here."

I called his name and a few seconds later I heard his tags jingling only to see his little head pop out from under our bed. I guess if he couldn't get on the bed, he would instead go under it.

We're looking forward to having fun with this little guy for many years to come.