Hello again. Sorry, I am new to blogging. I think the last two posts somehow did not get posted. :/
Since I just started this blog a few months ago, we will just have to catch you up..
We have a lot to report on our family this past year.
As opposed to previous years, no major trips this year, but we did accomplish a lot!
First: Martin completed his two years as Chief of Staff at Hoag recently! It was an enriching experience, if not all entirely "fun". Martin is very committed to Hoag Hospital ( Newport Beach). Although he is still doing Infectious Disease specialty work, he has accepted a position as Chief Transformation Officer at the hospital, which also encompasses his previous role as CMIO.
On a personal note, he had his second procedure this past spring to correct a heart rhythm issue called "atrial fibrillation". This is a common issue, but after a while, he could not control the periodic bursts of high heart rate, even with the best medications. So, he had a "ablation" procedure in 2014, that unfortunately did not work. Then he had another procedure at his own hospital this past year, which worked great. We are sooo thankful for the great care at Hoag, and his terrific doctors.
Our yougest child, Dennis, graduated from Tufts this past May. We are so proud of him and that he was able to get this Engineering degree ( Magna cum Laude), in 4 years!
The Tufts graduation was amazing. Here is a picture of me and Dennis at the night at the Boston Pops at Orchestra Hall, on that Friday night. We had never been to a "pops" event before, but it was so entertaining!
The next day we had on campus events, the bacclaureate ceremony, then that night we ( and the other parents! ) hosted a family style dinner at the house they called home the past 2 years, 109 North Street. Great Italian food, Good company. I know Dennis misses his friends. We are happy we could share this with his friend's families...
This is Martin and Dennis at the Bacclaureate event. Look how happy Martin is that his son is graduating!! And even with a job! Ok, one last picture:
This is after the graduation, in front of the statue of Jumbo.. For those of you who do not know Tufts lore, Jumbo is not just a now dead circus elephant, he is the Tuft's mascot! Grandpa Paul and Grandma Penny made the journey to Boston to be at the graduation, so much appreciated.
Dennis is now a junior level Environmental Engineer, working for a great consulting firm in Orange County called Ninyo and Moore.... Temporarily he is living in our "guest" house, until he gets on his feet financially. We are happy to have his company at home again!
Ok, so now on to Erin Kathleen ( now 25). Erin is in her 4th year of Medical School at Western University, in Glendale, Arizona. However, in 4th year, they actually are all doing medical rotations in various specialty areas, so do not have to be local at all. So, she ( and sometimes her boyfriend, Thomas) have mostly been back at our house this past year. Until the past few months, that is..
Erin is going into OB/Gyn and her boyfriend into Anesthesia. They are both great students and have been interviewing the past few months ALL over the country. Chicago, and maybe St. Louis look good for the both of them, but they have choices all over, so will see how this works out..
The way it goes is that they submit their rankings, and the programs submit theirs in mid January, THEN the computer spits out THE MATCH. at one day/time across the nation in mid March.
We are already praying hard that it works out well for the both of them!!!
Ok, all for now! I will try to stick to shorter blog posts, but wanted to get this in for the "Christmas card" readers.
Love to you all!
Janis
