The next phase in our lives....

The phone rang on Saturday morning, minutes before we were to leave for Josh's baseball game. On the other end was my new friend from Wisconsin, Tracy Jensen. She is in my brothers' ward (Brad and Jeff) and is in the Primary presidency with Brad's wife Jana. Her husband is going to complete a 1 year fellowship in Hepatology in Cincinnati and they will be moving there in June. Jana gave her my email and Tracy's been so sweet in keeping us in the Cincinnati loop. She talked with a few of her husband's medical school friends that are currently in Cincinnati and began sharing the information they sent to her with me. She would send me new rental listing she had found online that were for 4 bedroom homes or other tips about the area.

Tracy had gotten word that an LDS family, The Ladles, in the Cherry Grove ward was looking to rent their 4 bedroom home. They had lined up renters, but they had backed out at the last minute. After trying to sell their home for six weeks, they were ready for round 2 of possible tenants. Tracy had secured a rental home in Anderson earlier that week, so she passed along their information to us. We called them after the baseball game and they were very kind and warm and we both had a good feeling about them and the possibility of renting their house.

The Ladel's are both from Orem, Utah and they are moving to Baltimore, Maryland in June. The husband, Brian, is going to Johns Hopkins for a hematology-onocology fellowship. He will complete his pediatric residency in Cincinnati in June and went to Johns Hopkins for medical school, where he also completed a PHD. That adds up to 8 years med. school/PHD, 3 years pediatrics, and 3 years hem-onco, for a grand total of 14 years of training. It makes our ten years (4 med school, 5 residency, 1 fellowship) not seem so bad.

We asked if we could come up the next day to meet them and see the house. They said yes, which was beyond kind since it was Mother's Day. After church we drove up to Cincinnati and followed I-257 East to Anderson Township, Ohio, a suburb 25 minutes from downtown and the hospital.

We crossed the bridge into Ohio with the realization that after a decade in the Bluegrass our Kentucky residency is coming to an end. Of course, we won't be far. Just across the river. In fact, Rich will have to cross into Kentucky every day to get to work. Still, it's change. And that is always interesting.

We pulled into Anderson Township and I was excited. It was strange to think that our vague future in Cincinnati could finally be coming into focus. A clear vision of what lies ahead next year was here before us, and I was ready. The city is full of shopping, restaurants, boasts a river front Coney Island entertainment center, excellent schools and was named as one of the Greater Cincinnati area's most livable neighborhoods.

We drove down Beechmont Avenue and spied a Laser Tag place (boys were very excited!) and then down 8 Mile Road until we reached the neighborhood. We passed Summit Elementary School and were pleased by its appearance. We had heard good things about it from the Ladle's. Then on to Citadel Place. When we found the house, it just felt like it fit. We were home.

The Ladle's were gracious and inviting and after a tour filled with homemade bread and jam and much laughter, we were sold. The boys were convinced after they heard: 1) There are lots of boys their age on the street (even 1 LDS family with 5 kids a few houses down that have 12 and 10 year old boys) and football games are often played in the front yards. 2) The school is 3 blocks away (K-6) and the kids all walk to school. 3) School starts at 9 AM (sleeping in!). We called them later that night and said we would love to rent their home if they were willing (Rich and I joked that the elephant in the room was the fact we have six kiddos). They said they were thrilled too. We will head back up in two weeks after Rich completes his oral board exam for a BBQ, small ward meet and greet at the house and sign the paper work.

If you ever wonder if Heavenly Father watches out for his children and has a hand in our lives, this is proof. He is ever present, leading and guiding us through life. Rich and I have never had loud answers, but often have to take that dark leap of faith, hoping that we were doing what was right. But just after we committed to that first step, His presence is felt and I know we were never, ever alone.

Cincinnati, Ohio from I-275 East
The Ohio RiverDriving towards Anderson Township, Ohio
Cherry Grove Shopping Plaza The boys LOVED seeing this on the main road...
Summit Elementary School (K-6)
Our street 1557 Citadel Place
4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bath, unfinished basement, fenced backyard
3 blocks from school
5 minutes from church
10 minutes from Wal-mart, Sam's Club
25 minutes from the airport
25 minutes from the Unversity of Cincinnati Hospital
12 months until Rich's medical training is complete
10 years in Kentucky
1 year in Ohio
1 Happy Family