3.30.2012

Arizona Bound

ARIZONA, USA. Eye chart - 8 x 10 digital print design art - custom

Remember how Kevin wants to be a doctor? It is actually going to happen, but we are going to have to move to Arizona to do it. He will be attending Midwestern University and will graduate class of 2016 (Ohmygoshthatsoundssofaraway.) To say that I am proud of him would be an understatement. This is the culmination of thousands of hours, years (really a lifetime) of preparation, and so much focus and dedication. I know there is a lot more work ahead, but I also know he is very capable of it. 


With all of the changes occurring in health care right now, we have had a lot of people question his decision to enter the field. (And a lot of doctors advise us not to do it.) It is amazing to me how every time someone says something negative, his response is always the same. That he doesn't want to do it for the money. That he wanted a career of service and that this was the best way he  felt he could use his personal skills and talents to do that. I love that man.


We are moving mid-July to Glendale Arizona. If you are from there or love Arizona, could you just tell me all of the reasons I will be happy there? Because as proud as I am of him, I am also very apprehensive about leaving my family and the state I love behind. 


Med school here we come!


(thinking I might need to buy this cute print for our new apartment)

23 comments:

Ash said...

Congrats! That is so wonderful!

My husband is almost done with his first year. It's definitely an adjustment and a little overwhelming, but totally worth it. And my friends whose husbands are going into their fourth year say the time flies! Good luck!

Brissa said...

arizona?! congratulations you two! this is such exciting news! 2016 sounds like forever away, but i'm sure it'll go by fast. just like high school. or college.

Tara : Damon : Ellis : Hudson said...

congrats! i've been a long time random reader (can't even remember where i found your blog), and was wondering where he would go! my husband is a DO student as well and interviewed at Midwestern, but we are out at DMU. it goes by really fast, and it's not as bad as everyone says it is, promise. especially first year!

Brittany said...

Congratulations to Kevin and you! Even though Kevin's name was on the applications and the acceptence letter, I know you put in a lot of work to get him where he is.

And Arizona! Arizona is beautifu and warm. The sun never stops--such a good thing. Every Arizonian I talk to is obsessed with their state, so I'd say you have a good chance of loving it too.

Brittany said...
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Callie said...

Mandy- Arizona is fabulous. You will find yourself loving the warmer year round weather I'm sure. I love it, it's on my top 3 of places I could live in the U.S. I know you'll love it too! Best of luck!

Whitlie said...

Mands, that's so great for you and Kevin! Dallin's older brother just finished up at Midwestern as a PA. If you need info I can definitely put you in contact with them. They had great housing down there and are still in the area (he's working now). We've loved visiting them, it's a fun place!

Unknown said...

Welcome! You will miss the green, but you will love the winters. Try to stay positive through your first summer and enjoy the pool! We have amazing scenery, great events and lots of awesome people! Check out PetSmart corporate offices for a job! We are located in north Phoenix.

Catherine said...

Congratulations!!! You both have put so much work into getting to this point and I couldn't be more excited for you.

I have a cousin who live in Arizona and she and her family absolutely love it...they have lived everywhere for her husband's job and schooling (Utah, New York, Pennsylvania, Jerusalem), but they say that Arizona has always been their favorite place.

Annie said...

Mandy,

My brother is in his second year there at Midwestern! He loves it. How exciting for you guys!

Let me know if you want contact info for my bro. I am sure he could give you some help in living situations, the university, etc.

Congrats!

Lizzy said...

one good reason why you should be excited : your best friend Liz will be in Arizona too :)

Unknown said...

I lived in Phoenix until I was 11 and it was fantastic. I had such a great childhood. Lots of swimming and ice pops! It's hot hot hot but there are so many fun things to do there. Make sure you visit Sedona-and enjoy the cacti and rocky front yards. The people are so kind there and I love going back every chance I get. Enjoy and Congrats! :)

Natalie said...

YAY!!! yay for kevin and yay for arizona! as an arizona native, i am biased, but you will love it! lauren brimley of busybeelauren has done a whole series of posts on arizona and often takes "state vacations" so that could give you some insights! basically be prepared for heat, the best freeways (albeit kinda ugly), the best monsoons, and the best shopping over in scottsdale! coming from the citrus groves in mesa, we were always surrounded by the lusher part of AZ, but even when my sister hesitantly moved to Tucson she grew to love the desert. hey, it could even provide for a lot more poetry material! I'm so excited for you! good luck!

Unknown said...

Congrats!! Arizona is an amazing state. It seriously is so hot but you'll get used to it. I do have to say that when my family first moved there, it was the middle of the summer (I was 2) and my mom still talks about how much she hated it. However, now, she really does love it. Just stay in the air conditioning or the pool and you'll be fine. Plus, the monsoons are a HUGE payoff towards the end of July and through August. Also, know that it'll be hot till early November. Visit the Superstitions and take the trek out to the outlets in Anthem; so worth it. You will love it!

Natalie said...

p.s. last chance and nordstrom rack. your shopping saviours.

kate said...

AAAAAhem!

This is so exciting! Congrats to Kevin! And you!

I know a handful of Midwestern students and family in Glendale (an Eye Doctor, Ironically!) You will fall in love with Arizona, I promise. The summers can be brutal, but within an hour you can be at the lake, within a couple hours you can be up in the mountains and get the seasons. The winters are fantastic. Do you hike? There are so many great places close to the "valley." There is so much great culture in Arizona.

Are you moving this Fall? There are parts of Glendale I would steer clear of. Are you wanting to be IN Glendale or one of the surrounding cities? Are you job hunting as well?

Oh! I am excited for you. And it's still pretty close to home. We'll be moving back for a job (and REAL LIFE JOB!) April 2013, soooooo lets be friends, deal?

MadeByHind said...

I am happy for you :) yeah go ahead and get it. It looks so nice, I am also getting one print for my side bed but I still have to choose one first.

BE Marsh said...

Mandy, I'm SO jealous you are moving to AZ! My husband is from there and we LOVE it down there. The winters are very mild, which is a plus :) ALSO, they have a fabulous shopping center in Pheonix called Last Chance. It has fabulous finds of things that have been returned to Nordstrom and other such places with that are either overstock or SLIGHTLY used. It's splendid! Maybe some shopping there could cheer you up when you are down :) Good Luck! I'm so happy for you guys!

Claire White said...

mandy! I will be moving there in a year and 1/2 for my husbands schooling! I don't know a soul but knowing someone (even if only through blogging) makes me feel a little more ok with the idea. Best of luck to you! You'll make something beautiful about this experience, as you do with all your dealings in life, both the good and the bad.

Andrea said...

Actually I am so jealous of your move. I love visiting AZ. It is hot! Which I love. It's just like the winter months are June-August instead of from November- whenever UT decides to give us a spring. I think you will love it & find beauty wherever you are.

sydney b. said...
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sydney b. said...

So I just found your blog through my friend Brittany and lets just say I love it. How fun. My husband is also starting med school this fall and sadly we have to leave Utah as well! My cousin is in his first year at Midwestern and absolutely loves it down there. So jealous you get to enjoy the sun, we're most likely off to Chicago...not much sun and warmth there in the winter!

Alicia said...

You don't know me, but I am a sporadic reader. My sister moved to Glendale last summer and she absolutely loves it. She is in a ward with a lot of the students from Midwestern and she loves them all. I am sure you will love it! Congrats!