Dr. Steve

I'm going to break from our roadtrip report with a couple of big announcements...

1. I would like to introduce you to Steve Perry, D.C.. (And soon-to-be C.C.W.P. - Certified Chiropractic Wellness Practitioner) Steve was done in September (and got his diploma), but graduation ceremonies weren't until December. (They only hold them twice a year.)

The next photos are the reason why I need to take a photography class. Once I'm out of natural light and in strangely lit areas, I'm helpless. I practiced on 5 or 6 people before Steve went across the stage, trying different settings and this is what I ended up with.

Lovely. Sigh.

Graduation attire kind of fascinates me.

I've always wondered where the robes and funny hats came from. The robe Steve wore reminded me of something from Harry Potter.

Sophie liked the tassel.

Here we are on the day we've been waiting the last seven years for: graduation. We're officially real people! (We're 30 and 31, so it's about time, right?) Yikes. All of the hard work and long hours at school and clinic have paid off. And he even finished with honors.

The Perry clan came out for the big day. (His brother Michael, Amanda, and little Layla on the left, Dad & Mom Perry, our family, and Aunt Kimi on the end. Ivy just woke up, in case you're wondering. I guess the ceremony wasn't entertaining enough.

Everyone had to have their own pictures. Steve's Uncle Ron and Aunt Kathy also came with Steve's cousin Scott. (bottom right)

A few of Steve's favorites at the school: Dr. Donaldson (Dean of the Health Center, also LDS) on the top, Dr. Hawkins on the left, and Dr. Hiliker (Steve's clinic faculty advisor) on the right.

I'm really proud of Steve. I love that he found something to pursue that he's passionate about. How many people can say that they truly love their career? Of course, he has lot of work to do ahead as he starts working and eventually opens up his own clinic.

And that brings us to our next announcement. . .

2. We're moving to Reno, Nevada.

Steve got a job with a doc (Dr. Cliff Fisher) who has an upper-cervical (Blair)/full-spine office. We actually stayed at his house one weekend in October so Steve could check out his office. We didn't expect him to offer Steve a job because he wasn't sure if he was ready to take on another associate yet (he already has 4 other docs working for him). But he called us on our way to Vegas last month. And within a few weeks we got the OK.

(Side Note: Steve had to talk to the doctor's business coach after his phone interview with Dr. Fisher, and toward the end of their conversation he told Steve, abruptly, "I don't need to talk to you anymore. I like you." Then the business coach called Dr. Fisher back and told him he'd be an idiot not to hire Steve. I agree. But then again, I'm sort of biased.)

Steve starts mid-January. We're moving out there the weekend of the 8th into yet, another, little apartment (AHHHHH!), but that's only because we're planning on buying a house sometime this spring. We think our move will be longer than the typical year-long associateship, so we're taking the plunge.

I've never felt a burning desire to live in Reno. Ever. But it feels right. I'm excited to move on, but I start crying when I think of all of the dear friends we've made since we've been here. (And some who've left already.) So I don't think about that. Otherwise I'd be crying all the time.

So please don't make me cry until January 8th.