Okay, so first off...I just have to say that it was so good to read all of the 20 something comments on my last two posts. I didn't get them immediately because something was weird on my comment settings, so I just saw them about a week ago! Thank you everyone who commented, it IS good to be back to the blogging world, and it has been so fun to check in on your blogs! I hope to comment more often in the next few months!
So, here's a really quick update on us Thuernagles. Andy signed a 2 year contract with Willowtree Dental in Boise and has been working for them while we opened up our own practice and started building our patient-base. They wanted him to sign a 3 year contract, but we refused because it would interfere with our own business ventures, so they reconsidered and hired him on a 2 year agreement. They knew that we would be starting our own practice, but their office is 25 miles away from ours, so no worries about the "do not compete" clause.
This job has been a real blessing, because Clearwater (our practice) isn't making enough money yet to sustain itself, pay employees, and give us a living! So, we've been using the Willowtree income to live on and help sustain Clearwater. Good plan!
Well, on Tuesday, at the END of the day, Willowtree fired Andy because he started his own practice. Not only that, but they are refusing to pay him his February paycheck, AND they are pressing for us to pay them $30,000 in "damages" because now they'll have to find someone to replace him. Needless to say, Tuesday was not the best of days for the Thuernagle family.
I had called Andy on my way to get the kids from school to ask him something about our practice, when he told me the news. It was a miracle that I made it to the school without crashing the van, and an even bigger miracle that I actually got the kids home safely. I have no concious memory of the drive after the phone call. Shock!!! After the shock, the fear and worry, and then the absolute anger set in. I was ready to march right in to Willowtree Dental and demand paycheck and press for my own amount of "damages" reimbursement.
Well, it's funny (no really, nothing about this is funny...well, maybe it's funny to a few people) that all of this happened because for the past week I've been praying really hard that we'd be able to make enough money each month to pay our huge tremendous bills. :) So I was devastated, how in the world was this going to help with student loan debt, small business loan debt, etc? All Andy and I knew to do was to pray. I left Rachel with the younger 3 kids for a few minutes while I ran Taylor over to his cub scouts activity...and then I just couldn't go home yet. Instead, I went down to the practice thinking that I needed to just have some quiet moments to myself before going home to face the kids. Well, I found Andy at the practice. He had gotten there just a few minutes before me. And so we took that opportunity to comfort one another, and then to sit there in our office, and pray to our Heavenly Father. Then we started writing down names and phone numbers of all of our friends and associates in the area who may have some ideas of how to help us.
Now this is why I posted all of this, not to get sympathy or anything, but to just share this with everyone. Andy got fired at about...3:00 pm on Tuesday afternoon. By 6:45 pm that night he had been offered another position at a dental office much closer to home, with some people that we had met shortly after moving here but AFTER we had signed with Willowtree. I remember after we had met them we both expressed regret that we had already signed that Willowtree contract. Funny. (I know, not really.) To us, it was nothing short of a miracle, and it was a direct nearly immediate answer to our prayers.
So, we're not out of hot water yet. We've contacted a few lawyer friends and associates and are currently working on getting the money out of Willowtree that they owe us, and on having their "damages" forgiven. So to any of our dental friends who may be reading this...stay away from Willowtree Dental like the plague!!! I know a few of you called to ask us about them, and may be considering working there....but DON'T! Our lawyer who helped draw up our Clearwater documents and corp docs said that they are as "crooked as they come."
So, back to the Ensign. This has been a stressful time for us, and I know that there are so many right now who are struggling, or unsure of what the future might bring. I read this quote from Pres. Packer this morning, and had to read it over and over and over. It was such a great reminder.
"If you are helpless, he is not. If you are lost, he is not. If you don't know what to do next, he knows. It would take a miracle? Well, if it takes a miracle, why not?"
I'm so thankful for the miracles in my life.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
Some 4th Grade Wisdom
Taylor has the most amazing teacher this year. We all love her. She knows how to motivate and inspire and I think that those two things are the most important gifts a teach can possess. This year, she's had each of her students memorize this passage, written by Keith Kennedy. Taylor recited it to me the other night. I LOVED it, and had him write it down for me.
I wish we could post this up on billboards across the nation. Just think what our nation would be like if each of our citizen's followed this advice? Wow. I don't know how many times I've heard people blame different things or people for their own choices, pointed fingers at other people and used them as an excuse for giving up or quitting. And then go on to point fingers at people who are successful and say that it was because of other people that they got to be where they are, or say that it was because they just had more opportunity. What about hard work and sacrifice? I know that support plays a big part of success, but based on past experience, I also know that having a lot of support is not necessary to succeed. Sometimes we have to lay it all out on the line, give it all we've got regardless of what other people think of us and just go for it. And succeed or fail, we've gained knowledge and wisdom through the very experience. Then we can take what we've gained and apply it to our next endeavor. None of that comes from financial backing, doting parents, or popularity...it all comes from within.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Keith Kennedy @ 1985
FACE it...Nobody owes you a living.
What you achieve or fail to achieve in your lifetime is
directly related to what you do or fail to do.
No one chooses his parents or childhood
But you can choose your own direction!
Everyone has problems and obstacles to overcome
But that too is relative to each individual.
NOTHING IS CARVED IN STONE...you can change
anything in your life if you want to badly enough.
EXCUSES ARE FOR LOSERS. Those who take responsibility for
their actions are the real winners in life.
Winners meet life's challenges head on, knowing there are
no guarantees and give it all they've got.
It's never too late or too early to begin.
Time plays no favorites and will pass whether you
act or not.
Take control of YOUR life.
Dare to dream and take risks...
If you aren't willing to work for your goals, don't expect others to.
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!!!
I wish we could post this up on billboards across the nation. Just think what our nation would be like if each of our citizen's followed this advice? Wow. I don't know how many times I've heard people blame different things or people for their own choices, pointed fingers at other people and used them as an excuse for giving up or quitting. And then go on to point fingers at people who are successful and say that it was because of other people that they got to be where they are, or say that it was because they just had more opportunity. What about hard work and sacrifice? I know that support plays a big part of success, but based on past experience, I also know that having a lot of support is not necessary to succeed. Sometimes we have to lay it all out on the line, give it all we've got regardless of what other people think of us and just go for it. And succeed or fail, we've gained knowledge and wisdom through the very experience. Then we can take what we've gained and apply it to our next endeavor. None of that comes from financial backing, doting parents, or popularity...it all comes from within.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
It's Something At Least
For Christmas this year, one of our awesome family members gave us a book. She had done the whole turn your blog into a book thing with our blog for the year 2008. Mohna, that was so awesome. It was so fun to look back and to read about our eventful year and all of the things that our family had done out in Cleveland during 2008.
Well, that did it. Since graduation we have been too busy for me to even think about doing anything on the computer other than paying bills, or doing business-related transactions. But after we received that book, it made me motivated to find the time to jot down a few things about what we're up to, just to keep up on the family history! So thank you Mohna, I needed that little push. :)
So after graduation, we moved to Nampa, Idaho. We rented a house for the past 7 months in a cute little neighborhood right across the street from the kids' elementary school. The kids were in shock when they saw where they would be attending school. They couldn't believe how new it was, how much grass it had surrounding it, how many basketball hoops it had, two ball diamonds, 4 soccer fields, two large playground areas, as well as a paved walking path. They were in heaven. So was I. I never tire of getting up each morning to see the mountains and the big blue sky.
We were more tan this summer than we've been in four years. We were outside every day for as long as the sun was up. We went on hikes, walks, bike rides, floated rivers, went camping, etc. I told Andy that I didn't even fully realize how suffocated I really felt while living in Cleveland until I had lived here for a month. My grandma said to me during year two of being in dental school that "you can take the girl out of Idaho, but you can't take Idaho out of the girl". Well, that's really how it was with me. And being a past Miss Idaho, I guess that fits. :)
So, even before we graduated we had signed a lease on a property to start building our dental practice. This summer, while Andy started working for Willowtree Dental on the East side of Boise, we also started construction on our own Dental practice. We would spend large amounts of time working with architects, contractors, city permit departments, and loan officers. There were several nights when our little rental house was literally filled with carpet samples, paint and tile samples, and granite samples. We had Patterson people coming in and out leaving us with and overload of information. Andy flew out to Portland to visit their warehouse where they make the Adec chairs. We designed our logo, and worked with artists to perfect it and make it into an awesome sign, and I worked on advertising and marketing plans. We conducted hiring interviews and chose a few employees. And...we spent a lot of money.
On December 7th, 2009, Clearwater Dental opened it's doors at Southside and Greenhurst. Since then, we have been busier than ever but it's pretty awesome to drive by Clearwater Dental each day and think, "Hey! That's ours!"
A month before we opened the practice, we bought a house right up the hill from the practice location. It literally takes Dr. Thuernagle 1 minute to walk out of the practice doors and walk into the house. And I thought that the fixer-upper Cleveland house would be our last of that sort, but no. This house was built in 1944, 10 years older than our Cleveland house. The great thing about this house is it's location...and it's potential. We'll just leave it at that for now. Ask us in about 5 years.
Okay so no pictures on this post...but at least I've jotted something down to prove to everyone that we really are still alive!
Well, that did it. Since graduation we have been too busy for me to even think about doing anything on the computer other than paying bills, or doing business-related transactions. But after we received that book, it made me motivated to find the time to jot down a few things about what we're up to, just to keep up on the family history! So thank you Mohna, I needed that little push. :)
So after graduation, we moved to Nampa, Idaho. We rented a house for the past 7 months in a cute little neighborhood right across the street from the kids' elementary school. The kids were in shock when they saw where they would be attending school. They couldn't believe how new it was, how much grass it had surrounding it, how many basketball hoops it had, two ball diamonds, 4 soccer fields, two large playground areas, as well as a paved walking path. They were in heaven. So was I. I never tire of getting up each morning to see the mountains and the big blue sky.
We were more tan this summer than we've been in four years. We were outside every day for as long as the sun was up. We went on hikes, walks, bike rides, floated rivers, went camping, etc. I told Andy that I didn't even fully realize how suffocated I really felt while living in Cleveland until I had lived here for a month. My grandma said to me during year two of being in dental school that "you can take the girl out of Idaho, but you can't take Idaho out of the girl". Well, that's really how it was with me. And being a past Miss Idaho, I guess that fits. :)
So, even before we graduated we had signed a lease on a property to start building our dental practice. This summer, while Andy started working for Willowtree Dental on the East side of Boise, we also started construction on our own Dental practice. We would spend large amounts of time working with architects, contractors, city permit departments, and loan officers. There were several nights when our little rental house was literally filled with carpet samples, paint and tile samples, and granite samples. We had Patterson people coming in and out leaving us with and overload of information. Andy flew out to Portland to visit their warehouse where they make the Adec chairs. We designed our logo, and worked with artists to perfect it and make it into an awesome sign, and I worked on advertising and marketing plans. We conducted hiring interviews and chose a few employees. And...we spent a lot of money.
On December 7th, 2009, Clearwater Dental opened it's doors at Southside and Greenhurst. Since then, we have been busier than ever but it's pretty awesome to drive by Clearwater Dental each day and think, "Hey! That's ours!"
A month before we opened the practice, we bought a house right up the hill from the practice location. It literally takes Dr. Thuernagle 1 minute to walk out of the practice doors and walk into the house. And I thought that the fixer-upper Cleveland house would be our last of that sort, but no. This house was built in 1944, 10 years older than our Cleveland house. The great thing about this house is it's location...and it's potential. We'll just leave it at that for now. Ask us in about 5 years.
Okay so no pictures on this post...but at least I've jotted something down to prove to everyone that we really are still alive!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Graduation Weekend!
Well, the weekend that we had been looking forward to for four long years finally arrived, and it was an awesome weekend, well worth the wait. There were so many emotions that weekend, and so many memories breezing through our minds that I'm finding it difficult to even begin describing it. I think the thing that sums it up the best is to compare it to racing a long set of laps in a swimming pool. You have your head down in the water the entire time, just barely getting your mouth out of the water for short breaths inbetween your strokes, but you keep on kicking and stroking for all your worth...and then all of a sudden you're at the wall and the race is done and it's time to come out of the water. That's how it feels right now. We're exhausted and elated and thankful and excited all at the same time!
Our weekend officially began on Thursday evening, when Oliver and Keisha arrived in town. We had just finished up with having dinner with the Elders when the doorbell rang and our first Idaho visitors arrived! Hooray!!! We were so excited!
Later that night, Andy went to the airport and picked up Trever and Samuel who were flying out and then driving our Accord back to Idaho for us. Taylor was so excited to have Samuel sleep in his room, and had been counting down to his arrival for several weeks.
Friday morning, Andy and Taylor and Trever and Samuel left to go to the Cleveland Natural History Museum on a field trip with Taylor's 3rd grade school class.
It looks like Uncle Trever was popular with the kids...
That afternoon, we met up with Oliver and Keisha again, and went to the Westside Market. In all of our four years here, Andy and I had just never made the time to go over there, so Oliver and Keisha made sure that we didn't miss our last chance. Thanks guys, it was awesome! Rachey and I really liked this bakery display. Yum...look at those cakes!
Here are the yucky pigs. Seriously, this picture just kind of grosses me out. Pork anyone?
Aunt Keisha was awesome! Lainey just snuggled right in and didn't get too far away from Aunt Keisha all weekend long. :)
Friday night Oliver and Keisha headed out for Pittsburgh, and we took Uncle Trever and Samuel out to Squire's Castle for one last BBQ. Squire's has been one of our favorite places out here in Cleveland, and it was a beautiful night for ball and a bbq.
Friday night Oliver and Keisha headed out for Pittsburgh, and we took Uncle Trever and Samuel out to Squire's Castle for one last BBQ. Squire's has been one of our favorite places out here in Cleveland, and it was a beautiful night for ball and a bbq.Trever spent most of the time pitching to Rachel.
Here's Trever and Samuel in front of the castle.
My kids loved having Uncle Trever around. Thank you for being so patient with them!
Taylor and Samuel played catch the entire weekend. They were actually playing catch in our front yard while we were loading up the cars for Squire's and Samuel caught a ball that slipped through his mitt. We heard a whack and then Samuel went down to the ground. We all went running over to him...he was okay, but he sure did have a big shiner for the rest of the weekend.
These two boys just had so much fun together.
Rachey grew pretty attached to Uncle Trever. I thought this picture was so sweet.
Boy, do you think our kids like baseball or what?
When we came out here four years ago, we had a picture of our family taken in front of the castle. Four years ago we didn't have Matthew or Lainey with us. Brooklynn was our baby then...11 months old, Rachey was 3, and Taylor had just turned 5. Our family has sure grown.
Even Mommy and Lainey got in on the baseball action for a little while! (Andy says that I throw like a girl. That is a good thing. I am a girl.)
There is a saying that I love and want to put on the boys wall in our new house. It goes like this. "Boy: noun: a noise with dirt on it." Here is my cute little boy covered with dirt and having the time of his life. He is so sweet.
So while everyone else is playing ball and Andy is grilling the meat...Matthew is raiding the cooler. He is so funny.
And sweet little Lainey was pretty content to watch everyone from her carseat...all snuggled up with her blankey and rattle bunny. She is so cute.
Brooklynn really isn't into baseball yet...so she spent most of her time roller-blading along the path that went by our picnic table.
So funny thing, as we pulled into the parking lot a guy went past on a bike and yelled "Dental student?" to us. We laughed and said yes...then wondered what gave us away. Idaho license plates? More than one child? Nope...it must have been our beautiful white teeth, right?
Saturday morning we headed up to Kirtland. Trever and Samuel had never been here before, and we were excited to show it to them. I was having a hard time...I'm really going to miss Kirtland.
Here's Taylor at the mill.
Samuel and Taylor never stopped goofing around. They were just really fun to watch. It made Andy and I so happy to see Taylor having a friend. These have been some really tough years for him...we are so excited to get him back out to Idaho.
Here is cute little Rachey at the mill. Our kids have been on the tour one too many times I think. They really didn't care to listen to what the sister missionaries were saying...they just wanted to take a quick look and move on to the next building. :)
Rachel's favorite part about visiting Kirtland was this cat in the cemetary next to the temple. Rachey loves animals...sometimes a little too much. Because we don't like her petting stray cats, we asked her not to touch it...she was doing her best to obey...but you can tell that she just really wants to reach out and pick it up.
And here is Lainey with Aunt Keisha again. I think that Lainey had a great weekend...being held nearly the entire time! Now a week later she's still thinking, "Hey! Where did my Aunt and Grandmas go?"
Matthew had to go to the Doctor on Thursday morning because he had a fever...and we found out that he had an ear infection. I could tell that he didn't feel well all weekend, but he was a good little trooper. I was glad for all the help with Lainey that weekend, because Matthew wanted to be held by Mommy quite a bit.
Here's Grandpa Belnap with his grandsons in the school of the prophets, above the Whitney store. I have a lot of fond memories from meetings we've had in this room with the young women, and will miss it.
Here's Grandma Ruth and Grandpa Daryl in front of the Whitney store. Both sets of grandparents arrived Saturday morning, and met us in Kirtland. It was so fun to have them there with us!
Lainey quickly found Grandma Belnap's lap.
Later Saturday night, we headed out to the Highland Heights Community Park for a BBQ that Andy and I had organized for graduating dental students and their families, our Mayfield ward members, and friends from the Kirtland Stake. We didn't think that anyone would come because it was cold and rainy...but we were so excited when so many friends braved the weather to come out for one last get together!
Here's Trever and Samuel in front of the castle.
My kids loved having Uncle Trever around. Thank you for being so patient with them!
Taylor and Samuel played catch the entire weekend. They were actually playing catch in our front yard while we were loading up the cars for Squire's and Samuel caught a ball that slipped through his mitt. We heard a whack and then Samuel went down to the ground. We all went running over to him...he was okay, but he sure did have a big shiner for the rest of the weekend.
These two boys just had so much fun together.
Rachey grew pretty attached to Uncle Trever. I thought this picture was so sweet.
Boy, do you think our kids like baseball or what?
When we came out here four years ago, we had a picture of our family taken in front of the castle. Four years ago we didn't have Matthew or Lainey with us. Brooklynn was our baby then...11 months old, Rachey was 3, and Taylor had just turned 5. Our family has sure grown.
Even Mommy and Lainey got in on the baseball action for a little while! (Andy says that I throw like a girl. That is a good thing. I am a girl.)
There is a saying that I love and want to put on the boys wall in our new house. It goes like this. "Boy: noun: a noise with dirt on it." Here is my cute little boy covered with dirt and having the time of his life. He is so sweet.
So while everyone else is playing ball and Andy is grilling the meat...Matthew is raiding the cooler. He is so funny.
And sweet little Lainey was pretty content to watch everyone from her carseat...all snuggled up with her blankey and rattle bunny. She is so cute.
Brooklynn really isn't into baseball yet...so she spent most of her time roller-blading along the path that went by our picnic table.
So funny thing, as we pulled into the parking lot a guy went past on a bike and yelled "Dental student?" to us. We laughed and said yes...then wondered what gave us away. Idaho license plates? More than one child? Nope...it must have been our beautiful white teeth, right?
Saturday morning we headed up to Kirtland. Trever and Samuel had never been here before, and we were excited to show it to them. I was having a hard time...I'm really going to miss Kirtland.
Here's Taylor at the mill.
Samuel and Taylor never stopped goofing around. They were just really fun to watch. It made Andy and I so happy to see Taylor having a friend. These have been some really tough years for him...we are so excited to get him back out to Idaho.
Here is cute little Rachey at the mill. Our kids have been on the tour one too many times I think. They really didn't care to listen to what the sister missionaries were saying...they just wanted to take a quick look and move on to the next building. :)
Rachel's favorite part about visiting Kirtland was this cat in the cemetary next to the temple. Rachey loves animals...sometimes a little too much. Because we don't like her petting stray cats, we asked her not to touch it...she was doing her best to obey...but you can tell that she just really wants to reach out and pick it up.
And here is Lainey with Aunt Keisha again. I think that Lainey had a great weekend...being held nearly the entire time! Now a week later she's still thinking, "Hey! Where did my Aunt and Grandmas go?"
Matthew had to go to the Doctor on Thursday morning because he had a fever...and we found out that he had an ear infection. I could tell that he didn't feel well all weekend, but he was a good little trooper. I was glad for all the help with Lainey that weekend, because Matthew wanted to be held by Mommy quite a bit.
Here's Grandpa Belnap with his grandsons in the school of the prophets, above the Whitney store. I have a lot of fond memories from meetings we've had in this room with the young women, and will miss it.
Here's Grandma Ruth and Grandpa Daryl in front of the Whitney store. Both sets of grandparents arrived Saturday morning, and met us in Kirtland. It was so fun to have them there with us!
Lainey quickly found Grandma Belnap's lap.
Later Saturday night, we headed out to the Highland Heights Community Park for a BBQ that Andy and I had organized for graduating dental students and their families, our Mayfield ward members, and friends from the Kirtland Stake. We didn't think that anyone would come because it was cold and rainy...but we were so excited when so many friends braved the weather to come out for one last get together!
Rachey was cold and so she snuggled inbetween grandma and grandpa.
My kids were just soaking in all the attention that they got from their grandparents that weekend! Grandma Ruth was teaching Brooklynn a cute song about a "horse and buggy".
Saturday night, we finally got home from the bbq, got everything put away, bathed the kids...and made it to bed very late. I don't know about Andy, but I didn't sleep very well Saturday night, I was too excited for the next morning....GRADUATION!!!
My kids were just soaking in all the attention that they got from their grandparents that weekend! Grandma Ruth was teaching Brooklynn a cute song about a "horse and buggy".Saturday night, we finally got home from the bbq, got everything put away, bathed the kids...and made it to bed very late. I don't know about Andy, but I didn't sleep very well Saturday night, I was too excited for the next morning....GRADUATION!!!Ruth and I went to convocation that morning, and while she and Lainey saved our seats, I went outside and took a few pictures of Andy as the graduates from the different colleges were lining up for the parade. I just felt so proud of him...here he is in his robes...love you honey!
Here's Laineybug and I waiting for the procession to make it in.
And...Lainey snuggling up to Grandma Ruth. This was the first time Lainey had met her grandmas...and she was getting in 4 months worth of snuggling time.
Here I am with the graduate! Be forewarned...from this point on you might see a lot of pictures of Andy and I kissing, hugging, etc...we stayed up late Sunday night talking about the day, and both of us said that it reminded us a little of our wedding day. It was exciting and exhausting...and lots and lots of pictures. :)
After convocation, we met up with everyone at the dental school reception/luncheon. Here is Grandma Belnap and Uncle Trever.
Samuel came prepared for the long day with a good book. Although, I don't think the he or Taylor minded the luncheon so much...I think that he and Taylor each went back to the buffet 3-4 times. It was awesome.
Uncle Oliver and Aunt Keisha.
Notice how Lainey keeps finding her way to either Aunt Keisha or one of the grandmas?
Oh...here she is with Grandpa Belnap. Meanwhile, Brooklynn is doing something with Grandpa's ear. :) Sorry dad!
Matthew with his Daddy.
Grandma Ruth and Grandpa Daryl enjoying the luncheon.
These are a litte out of order...but here is Andy and Matthew after the diploma ceremony. Andy is officially Dr. Thuernagle now!!! Even though it was much harder having all of the kids there, I am glad that we decided to bring them. It really was a family graduation. I think that we each felt it...it was the day that we had all worked toward. So, here is Matthew wearing the grad cap. So handsome.
And it's Rachey's turn in the cap. Andy and his girls. :) Poor little Brooklynn was just exhausted.
The boys turn with Daddy. Taylor's turn with the cap.
I like this picture. I think it portrays the fact that graduation isn't the end...it's the beginning, so here's looking toward the future!
I warned you! I was so proud of Andy...he had worked so hard during the past four years, not just working hard in class and in the clinic, but working long hours at the library at night, and working Saturdays in order to support our family. Dental school as a single student would be hard enough, but dental school with a family of 3 children to start and 5 children at the end was not an easy task. It was a proud moment. :)
Here is Andy with Dr. D'alessandro or Dr. "D" as he was known in our home. :) Dr. "D" was one of Andy's preceptors in the clinic.
Who's that guy? Oh! The "other Dr. Thuernagle" or "Dr. Thuernagle squared" as someone said that day. Two handsome brothers.
So here is Andy getting his diploma from Dean Goldberg...it's official!
I love this picture. My kids were too excited for their daddy to wait until after the ceremony to give him hugs. They ran up and gave him a hug before he sat back down in his spot. Taylor, out of all of our kids had to give up the most for this endeavor...he's been Mommy's big helper, the little man of the house these past four years, and I just love this picture.
Here are the girls with their Daddy. So cute...amazing to think that when we started Brooklynn was our 11 month old baby.
And here is a great picture of Andy with his mom. She was so proud of him, and we're so glad that she was able to be there to share this awesome weekend with us!
And here is a group shot after the diploma ceremony. Andy and I are both holding the diploma because...well...because it definitely took two.
And here we have Oliver and Keisha and Trever and Samuel in with us. Trever and Oliver were awesome, they were both taking the pictures for me so that I could just relax and enjoy the experience. Thank you!!! 
So we got home from the day's festivities...and there was Andy's scooter in the driveway. I had been joking a few days previous to graduation that it would be hilarious to get a picture of Andy riding the scooter with his robes flying. Graduation just wouldn't seem complete without one last official ride on the notorious beast of a scooter. So...here he is. I'm sure the neighbors were wondering what in the world that weird guy in the blue bathrobe was doing riding up and down the street...and what was up with that strange looking shower cap?
Ahh...what an amazing weekend. Ruth and Daryl, Mom and Dad, Oliver and Keisha, and Trever and Samuel...thank you, thank you for coming out to Cleveland. We could not have done this weekend without you all! Thank you for helping with the kids and taking all the pictures so that Andy and I could just relax and enjoy it and soak it all in. And for all of our family and friends who have given us love and support over the past four years, thank you. We couldn't have done it without you as well. To all of our Cleveland family...we will miss you tremendously...finishing school and leaving is bittersweet. We feel so blessed, and are looking forward to moving back to Idaho and settling down for a good long while!
Here's Laineybug and I waiting for the procession to make it in.
And...Lainey snuggling up to Grandma Ruth. This was the first time Lainey had met her grandmas...and she was getting in 4 months worth of snuggling time.
Here I am with the graduate! Be forewarned...from this point on you might see a lot of pictures of Andy and I kissing, hugging, etc...we stayed up late Sunday night talking about the day, and both of us said that it reminded us a little of our wedding day. It was exciting and exhausting...and lots and lots of pictures. :)
After convocation, we met up with everyone at the dental school reception/luncheon. Here is Grandma Belnap and Uncle Trever.
Samuel came prepared for the long day with a good book. Although, I don't think the he or Taylor minded the luncheon so much...I think that he and Taylor each went back to the buffet 3-4 times. It was awesome.
Uncle Oliver and Aunt Keisha.
Notice how Lainey keeps finding her way to either Aunt Keisha or one of the grandmas?
Oh...here she is with Grandpa Belnap. Meanwhile, Brooklynn is doing something with Grandpa's ear. :) Sorry dad!
Matthew with his Daddy.
Grandma Ruth and Grandpa Daryl enjoying the luncheon.
After the luncheon we went outside and took a few pictures before the diploma ceremony. Here is Brooklynn with her daddy.
Matthew had about had it for the day. He really just wanted to run around and climb on the outdoor sculptures.
These are a litte out of order...but here is Andy and Matthew after the diploma ceremony. Andy is officially Dr. Thuernagle now!!! Even though it was much harder having all of the kids there, I am glad that we decided to bring them. It really was a family graduation. I think that we each felt it...it was the day that we had all worked toward. So, here is Matthew wearing the grad cap. So handsome.
And it's Rachey's turn in the cap. Andy and his girls. :) Poor little Brooklynn was just exhausted.
The boys turn with Daddy. Taylor's turn with the cap.
I like this picture. I think it portrays the fact that graduation isn't the end...it's the beginning, so here's looking toward the future!
I warned you! I was so proud of Andy...he had worked so hard during the past four years, not just working hard in class and in the clinic, but working long hours at the library at night, and working Saturdays in order to support our family. Dental school as a single student would be hard enough, but dental school with a family of 3 children to start and 5 children at the end was not an easy task. It was a proud moment. :)
Here is Andy with Dr. D'alessandro or Dr. "D" as he was known in our home. :) Dr. "D" was one of Andy's preceptors in the clinic.
Who's that guy? Oh! The "other Dr. Thuernagle" or "Dr. Thuernagle squared" as someone said that day. Two handsome brothers.
So here is Andy getting his diploma from Dean Goldberg...it's official!
I love this picture. My kids were too excited for their daddy to wait until after the ceremony to give him hugs. They ran up and gave him a hug before he sat back down in his spot. Taylor, out of all of our kids had to give up the most for this endeavor...he's been Mommy's big helper, the little man of the house these past four years, and I just love this picture. 
Here are the girls with their Daddy. So cute...amazing to think that when we started Brooklynn was our 11 month old baby.
And here is a great picture of Andy with his mom. She was so proud of him, and we're so glad that she was able to be there to share this awesome weekend with us!
And here is a group shot after the diploma ceremony. Andy and I are both holding the diploma because...well...because it definitely took two.
And here we have Oliver and Keisha and Trever and Samuel in with us. Trever and Oliver were awesome, they were both taking the pictures for me so that I could just relax and enjoy the experience. Thank you!!! 
So we got home from the day's festivities...and there was Andy's scooter in the driveway. I had been joking a few days previous to graduation that it would be hilarious to get a picture of Andy riding the scooter with his robes flying. Graduation just wouldn't seem complete without one last official ride on the notorious beast of a scooter. So...here he is. I'm sure the neighbors were wondering what in the world that weird guy in the blue bathrobe was doing riding up and down the street...and what was up with that strange looking shower cap?
Ahh...what an amazing weekend. Ruth and Daryl, Mom and Dad, Oliver and Keisha, and Trever and Samuel...thank you, thank you for coming out to Cleveland. We could not have done this weekend without you all! Thank you for helping with the kids and taking all the pictures so that Andy and I could just relax and enjoy it and soak it all in. And for all of our family and friends who have given us love and support over the past four years, thank you. We couldn't have done it without you as well. To all of our Cleveland family...we will miss you tremendously...finishing school and leaving is bittersweet. We feel so blessed, and are looking forward to moving back to Idaho and settling down for a good long while!
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