The one that got away.

Joel and Clara were going to water the flowers when we found a beautiful Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake next to the hose. With cat-like reflexes and gloves Joel caught the snake and put it in the bucket. He insisted on keeping it until he could catch a frog at night and watch the snake eat the frog...the frog was caught, but they were best of friends and united in the effort to escape blue bucket bondage. Joel was sure they couldn't escape and went inside during the rain. When he went back out to let the snake go-- far from home... he was gone! Yikes.

In other news... we pulled a late night ( 3:30am up at 5:25 for Joel ) painting our bedroom "Silver sage". I am a firm believer in the whole measure twice, cut once way of doing things. We should have taped twice on the borders. Tape came off and we have some touch-up. The room looks great, and only one more room to paint... Clara's room got some pink window hanging things. Check out the pics.

Our neighborhood pet.... view from the back fence looking northwest.

Rascal Round-up

Kimball and Clara are developing some interesting sibling rivalries. Clara loves to torment Kimball by stealing his favorite soldier toy, turning off his movies, and climbing into his dinner seat to finish off his untouched dinner. Kimball choke holds Clara quite frequently to prevent her from doing any of these rebellious actions. Mom and Dad have a great threat for such behavior…the neighborhood pet!
Although we haven’t officially named our 4-5 foot alligator friend, he has let us watch him from our backyard 3 times now. Kimball reminds us that there is no swimming in the pond because the “crocodile has big teeth and he’ll bite your arm/head/leg off!” Speaking of swimming, Kimball has got it! We’ve been enjoying our neighborhood pool and County Park “Splash Zone” nearly every day. Kimball swims with great big “alligator arms” safely to the side every time. Clara also loves to go swimming and practice her “kick-kick-kicking.” Her favorite things to do are sing the alphabets, read books, play in her secret closet, and take neighborhood walks to pet the doggies.

To Sleep or Not to Sleep?

Dozens will have to ask the question…would you let a dentist put you under? Joel began his MUSC residency with a 6 week rotation in general anesthesia. Each day he is teamed with an anesthesiologist in one of 20 main operating rooms at MUSC hospital.
Commenting on the use of the title “Periodontics resident” in the OR Joel said, “Thank goodness people don’t usually know what a periodontist is-including the OR surgeons. I would be leery of a 27 year old trained in treating gum disease sticking a breathing tube down my throat. But my motto in these situations generally is that ‘confidence is a great substitute for knowledge or ability’. But don’t quote me on that or tell any of my patients that behind my reassuring smile is a soon to be filled dearth of experience.”
Joel is batting .400 for successful intubations, and 5/5 for successful IVs placed. To be continued in August.

We are happy to report that the move was a success on both ends. In Los Angeles our amazing hometeachers, John Cutler and Sean Young, organized our Elder’s quorum to pack us out. A small army appeared at 5:00 (Will Treinor arrived at 5:15) and packed our stuff into the van with such gusto that we think they wanted us out the sooner the better!
Lindsay and the kids drove to Utah to visit Nana and Papa, and Joel stuck around in California watching World Cup soccer, surfing, eating the Young's food, and hanging out with family in Pasadena. Joel took and passed the California dental law exam, and then drove to Lake Powell to meet Grandpa Miller et al. on the houseboat.
After 3 days full of watersports, sun, and rationed Diet Coke, Joel and Lindsay drove to SLC to see Utah family. Salt Lake was a blast, or riot, however Nana would put it. We played games, ate good food, and, on July 4th, Kimball and Clara rode horses for the first time. Also Kimball shot a bb-gun- a thrilling life event for any parent.
Finally Joel and Paul left for a 2 ½ day drive from Utah to Charleston. Highlights were a speeding ticket in Wyoming, corn in Nebraska, Cardalls in Missouri, whisky in Kentucky, Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, Carl Sandburg’s home in North Carolina, and home to a hot, humid Charleston. We moved in the hottest day of the year: 95 and sweaty.
The Elder’s quorum in the Charleston 1st ward showed how to move in southern style. Blaine (6’4’’, 220) saved Joel and Paul from imminent death by heatstroke by lugging boxes like it was going out of style.
Once again to the rescue… Nana and Papa helped us make a home. Paul wins the MVP of the move for resuscitating an old dryer, and figuring out how to fix a few minor and major boo boos on the couches.
We are finally out of boxes and we love our neighborhood, yard, and the space of a great new house! The backyard is bare for now, but with so many beautiful things growing all around, we will be planting soon. Take a look at our house posted photos at http://www.ofoto.com/. Use our login info if you want: Username is Lindsay's email address, and her password is her first name.Thanks to everyone who showed so much love during our move. We miss our California friends and family almost as much as Paul misses Blue Bell brand ice cream (an amazing brand sold only in the South).