Just when we say we will not fly back to the US until the military moves us this summer.... we found ourselves going back to MN two weeks ago. I had recently turned down the offers to join practices in Spokane and Minneapolis. We had decided to defer future job seeking until we return to the States because it is so difficult to do so overseas. However, I was contacted by a practice in Southern MN and both of us were eager to see if it would be a good fit. So, they flew us back to interview!! All 4 partners met with us throughout the week while I visited the various offices (they have 5 offices throughout S MN) and they took us out to an amazing restaurant in Rochester. Of all the practices I have looked at so far, this definitely seems like "the best fit". They made me an excellent offer and we are currently mulling it over. It was nice being near family and seeing all of our relatives, especially the nieces and nephews, love on Elsa.
But.... (and, isn't there always a "but") We found out the military is moving us to California and I will be a staff at one of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residency programs!!! Professionally, this will be incredibly rewarding albeit challenging. I will be one of four staff members training dentists to be oral surgeons!! And, from a personal standpoint, the base is in an excellent location and will provide us the opportunity to explore an abundance of outdoor recreation. It is only 40 minutes from Napa, one hour from San Fran, two hours from Tahoe or a beach, etc. The more we find out about my job and the base/location, the more we think about staying in the military.... So, that brings me to the title of this post. We go back and forth several times a day because each option is a good one. Sometimes I just want to flip a coin. Heads, we stay in the military; tails, we take the offer in MN.... Aaron just flipped and it was Heads!! LOL.
Here are some pics of our trip. This was Elsa's third trip back to the US and once again she did great on the flight!! Although, she is quite a wiggle worm when she is held because she would much rather be on the floor crawling around!!
And, we get Parent of the Year for this photo. Aaron had a Jack and Coke and Elsa kept reaching for the empty bottle. Rather than risk a melt down...we gave in. This kept her entertained for about 20 minutes. The other thing she liked was the mini pretzel package. Never knew foil packages could be so entertaining!!
Aaron made (with Corey's help) a hope chest last year for Elsa. It turned out so well!!
And, one of our must have's with every trip home, is CHIPOTLE!! I love this picture of Elsa chilled out on uncle Corey's lap. He had her giggling and laughing! It was so cute.
We went out to Gale Woods Farm to show Elsa some animals. Andi works there and it is a very impressive place. I linked the text to their website...go check it out. They provide a lot of education about local agriculture, an incredible CSA, etc.
Sari wrangling up a chicken!!
She was rather indifferent to the animals. Wasn't scared, but just didn't know quite what to think. From the farm, we drove down to Kato to see my family and get to the whole point of the trip, the interview. There, she met another animal, my parents' dog. She LOVED maddy!!
And, Maddy loved Elsa...especially at meal time.
Her cousins loved "Baby Elsa" and it was so much fun seeing how interested they were in her. Lo-Lo loves the fact that there is another girl in the family!!
This photo deserves some commentary. Holy cow was it difficult to get 5 kiddos three and under to cooperate for one photo!! One would be screaming and when he calmed down and sat in the photo, one of the others would run off....in come some treats. I joked how even though not everyone is looking at the camera, the photo captured real life.
And, of my parents and Elsa.
We had an enjoyable week! I will post pics of her 10month shot and Easter shortly.
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