Believe it or not, we have been in Idaho for almost a month now! In that time, we've just been adjusting to this new life, getting used to Lester and Addy's school schedule, while the rest of us hold it down with appointments, errands and making new friends etc. I'll admit though, the transition has been made a little easier with a few visits from family and friends, and a few fun outings thrown in. I think the first week was a little difficult, and Addy in particular seemed to have the hardest time being homesick-but slowly but surely we are all getting there. So we are moving forward!

A few highlights of the last few weeks-first off, Lester's parents flew into visit for his 'white tie ceremony'. I had never heard of this before, but apparently its a fairly new tradition for medical schools [as in the last few decades or so]. Fun Fact: In the past, Doctors uniforms were typically all black in color, because sickness was closely associated with death, as well as with religious beliefs [and most clergymen back then wore black as well]. But in the last several years, with so many groundbreaking medical advancements, there has been a change in tone and thought towards physicians-one more focused on health and healing, of the body of course, but also of the mind and heart, as they are all associated.

When one of the speakers at the ceremony talked about this, it caught my attention. Lester and I go into everything in our life and marriage together-when we got the call about his acceptance, and immediate start date, we were excited, but extremely nervous-a little hesitant to accept it right away, even though it was everything we had been working toward. The demands of life as a medical students were not made in an effort to be family friendly-they were made to tax the students to the utmost, and to challenge them so they can be the best possible doctor they can be. Add to that the demands of a wife and 3 kids [something that most of Lester's peers don't currently already have..] and you have an almost impossible task. Thankfully, we knew this before hand-but still, it made our decision to embark earlier then we expected a difficult one. But the reason we decided to go forward with it was because we want our lives to be ones of service, hard work, sacrifice for the things that are worth it, purpose, direction and love. This, while being extremely difficult, is our chance to do this. And its something we feel that is bigger then ourselves, and that will effect our kids lives forever. I want to make sure that everyone knows that this was not something Lester just decided on doing on his own-it was something we pursued, and decided on together. We would not have done it if either one of us was not 100% on board. It was a family decision, as it affects all of us, and even though at times we hate it haha, I also feel an overwhelming sense of peace that it was the right decision-even when I'm picking him up from school at 11:00 at night, when he's left early that morning haha. Sacrifice for the things that matter people.

Anywho, after that long bunny trail...the ceremony was wonderful. After a few quick speakers, the faculty presented each of the students on stage with their white doctors coat. We all felt such love and pride as we watched Lester cross that stage, and the coat suits him. And he seems happy; tired, overworked, yes-but also happy haha. And that makes me happy.

Other note worthy things-after the ceremony we went out to dinner and met up with my sister Hillary and her family at Tucano's. The look on the girls faces when they saw each other-particularly Isla and Hannah was PRICELESS. I love love love watching my girls have such important, close cousin relationships-I had that as a kid and I think it is so so good that my kids can have that too, despite the miles. After eating an insane amount of meat and and watermelon [I'm looking at you Audrey haha...] we came back to our house and went swimming in our pool. They stayed for 2 nights, and in that time we hit up some farmers markets, toured Lester's school, played at some parks, visited some pretty temples,  went out for ice cream, made filipino food that my MIL taught us, ate too much dessert, all while visiting. I longed for alone time and more privacy as a kid, but now that I am an adult-a full, warm, loud house is what I miss and yearn for-so it was almost like an initiation for in making it a new home. And its felt better ever since they came-like its a real home now haha. I hope we have about a million more visits from them throughout our time here.

After that they headed off to my cousin Rocio's place to attend a baptism and ordination for some of her kids-we were so sad not to be able to go, but we were happy we got to be there in spirit and send some flowers. I hope we'll be able to visit with them soon!





Since then, we've been enjoying time with Lolo and Lola here. We've been to jumpy places, lots of lakes and parks, swimming at our place, some more farmers markets and eating out, exploring our new home, some church and social events, and even a real legitimate pumpkin farm. Life is definitely different and at times challenging, but I feel deep within me that we are here for a reason, and that these years are going to help us grow, and lead us to something and somewhere wonderful. And we are so happy and excited to be able to go home to visit often, and to continue to receive visitors from home as often as possible.

In the whirlwind of moving, the kids and I were able to have a lot of quick visit with friends and family, and make our unexpected, but necessary goodbyes. Lester didn't get this chance of course, bc of how rushed everything was, but in the end, I think it worked out best this way. After helping us pack up as and label everything we wouldn't need for two weeks, he was able to drive out here with his Dad, find us a place to live and start the long, exacting process of medical school. So by the time I had tied up everything on our end, he was extremely eager for us to join him.

After lots of play dates with friends, beach visits, food in the city, visits with all our Grandmas, crafts, baking, and a few parties, we were set to drive out on Friday. Luke, my Dad, Matafanua and Fesuluai helped me pack up the moving van from my house in a hot second, and so by the time we arrived to finish up the rest of our packing at my inlaws, with several of our friends coming to help, the job took 15 minutes, and we spent the rest of the time visiting, eating, and just hanging out. It was bittersweet to say the least-all week I'd been leading up to these goodbyes, with these friends I grew up with, ones I'd made and formed extremely close bonds with in the last few years, and then of course, with my family who my kids have no experience of life without-so it was a little sad and hard. I had to continually remind myself of the changes that happened to bring me to that point-and to think about all the wonderful, exciting changes that could happen with this new phase of our lives. And of course it helped to think about being back with Lester, in our new home.































 So the next morning I woke up at 4,  saw my Dad, Luke and Andrew drive off into the sunrise, and followed them shortly afterwards with my father in law and the kids. A million hours later, we finally made it, and it has been an endless stream of errands and firsts ever sense. First day of school for Addy, first official day of school for Lester, complete with a new campus ribbon cutting ceremony, first road trip for Bear, first bunk bed for Addy and Isla and so on. But I am loving all the tender mercies I'm seeing along the way-I love having our own space, and setting it up. I love seeing all the green wide open spaces here, and knowing there a million kids, and tons of nice people to get to know. I love spending more time doing basic things with my kids, like swimming every day, or experimenting with new bakes. I love seeing Lester thriving at his new amazing school, and feeling the rewards that are coming from his hard work. And I love that even though we are gone, that not a day goes by that I don't hear from all my people back home, making the transition all that much better. I want to say thank you from the bottom of my Grinch melted heart to all of you wonderful people who have made it so hard to leave-you have made our years here a treasure. And a special thank you to mine and Lester's Dads, and to Luke and Andrew for making the drive out with us. And a thank you to all those who are opening their hearts to us as we make this new place our home for the next few years. I just feel like the most blessed person on the planet-even amidst all the new change, which I am working hard on adjusting too. Change has never been my strong suit, and there are definitely a million ups and downs throughout each day-but I will get there someday. Until then, this will all have to do! And I am at peace with that. We're here now-and I am trying embrace that.