1 year later ... change ... it is good!

Just a quick note to let you know that ... Clark passed 5th grade and moved up to 6th in the same school.  This will be the first time that he will be in the same school for 2 full years in a row.  MJ passed 2nd grade and she too is staying in the same school with the same classmates.  They both started school this week and already are back in the swing of things.  This year the first day of school did not cause the same level of anxiety in any one of us!  It was also great going shopping for books, I had translators.

Sean is still enjoying his time working in the ICU here at Landstuhl.  He is the director of education for the medical students, residents and fellows who come to train in the Trauma department (48 people can actually come each year and close to 75 want to come).  He took over this position in the spring and quickly realized it was A LOT of work.  So, he asked Mayland, who happened to do this type of work at UPenn for 12 years, if she would be willing to help out.  "Of course".  Well, helping out has turned into a volunteer position through the Red Cross.  It was quickly recognized by the command of the hospital that actually having someone administer all of the medical education activities for physicians-in-training would be advantageous and provide accountability.  So, now, she is volunteer working as the graduate medical education consultant (GME) until a position description can be written (done), approved (30 Aug) and filled (maybe by the volunteer?).  This actually, translates into working almost 40 hours per week to get this up and running.  It  has been fun though, getting back into that area.  It is very rewarding to help facilitate the training of the next generation of military physicians in this very unique setting.
The only down-side is that this could interfere with some of the traveling, a reality that Mayland is working very hard to prevent.  

Need to start planning our fall trip and then Christmas (Spain/Morocco is looking pretty inviting).  Finishing up the photo albums to post for you to see our summer adventures.  We miss you all and hope you decide to come visit!