From the ghetto to "the HILL"

So....we FINALLY moved to "the hill" and are quite enjoying it. I DON'T HAVE TO CARRY GROCERIES AND CHILDREN UP THREE FLIGHTS OF STAIRS WHILE WADING THROUGH PEOPLES LEAKING GARBAGE ANYMORE!!! We vacated our ghetto apartment last weekend to never return. Even though they may look nice and not too ghetto-ish (because they are only a year old)......unfortunately, they were just that.....SAD, trashy, ghetto-like.


Lets just say that it was not uncommon to see the police in the parking lot, drunken people on their balconies, two year old children at the play area without clothing or diapers and kids playing in the dumpster (to name a few). Real high quality...we were SOOOOO sad to leave.

Anyway, we love our new place. It is quiet here and the kids are really liking the extra space and the back yard to play in (although they have NO IDEA how to PLAY outside unless there is a swing set/jungle gym....it is so sad). Here are a few pics

This is Gabe trying in squish the ants on his bike. It's all he has really figured out yet.



Gabe is helping me plant the flowers that the boys gave me for mother's day.


Cael wanted to help too. Although he continues to "help" me by digging up what we have already planted.

Isaac was helping us unpack. (actually he dropped a ball in the box and is trying to retrieve it...it was very funny...he almost fell in)

Isaac is staring out the front window....enjoying the scenery(one of these times he is going to slip and crack his head open on the windowsill but he just won't stay off of there).

Because I am a very visual person (Stacy and Chad: I still have NO IDEA what your house in California looked like) I created a "walking tour" of our home. If you place you mouse on the picture, there is an explanation of what it is. I know that some of you don't really care what the house looks like but for my family who will never get to come here or at least not for a long time, I just wanted you to be able to picture our happy abode. :) If you can see, Gabe and Cael have the largest room (the master) and Rob and I have the smallest (downstairs) but.....at least we get to use their closet for storage. I LOVE STORAGE!!!!!

Melanie G. M.D.??...ummm....not quite

Well.....a few weeks ago, I performed my first surgery. I know....right, and I am not even premed. Rob came to me one Sunday morning after he had just stepped on a toothpick and announced he thought he may need to go to the E.R. (I know, don't laugh....it took me by surprise as well). Now, for those who know me best you know that I am not one to A. want to waste my time going to the E.R. and being sent home with a bandaid (that happened to me when I sliced myself with a knife at Boston Market) B. risk going to the E.R. and coming home with some random, unknown disease or C. waste my money when things can be done at home. Therefore, we prepared for surgery.
I gathered the rubbing alcohol, tweezers and bedside lamp. Rob laid on his stomach and propped his foot up on a few pillows. After cleaning the area and sterilizing the tools, I set to work. Rob kept jerking his foot around and complaining about how much it hurt. I replied that I was sorry and said that I could sympathize with him because I had borne three children and though I it may be a bit uncomfortable and may even hurt a little, I was sure it paled in comparison to child birth (I know I am not the most nurturing or sympathetic person sometimes....I am working on it). To which he said,"Nuh uh, the bottom of my feet are really sensitive." Can you imagine my reply???? Go on....try to......... I said (note: very calmly after I rolled my eyes a few times) Oh, and you don't think it's sensitive where babies come out. I hate to break it to you but it is. Now just be quiet and hold still!!!" He was a much better patient after that and soon we had it out. No tetanus shot needed, luckily, but we did take pics.

I know, you are amazed at the results. So am I. You know, if I didn't dislike other peoples mouths, feet, dirty hands, blood and germs, I very well could have a future in health care.