Willie Nelson

This morning we dropped off Willie Nelson with our friends Eric and Shannon.  One of the most asked question is where is Willie Nelson going while you're in Prague?

We considered taking him with us. And at this moment, I'm wishing we would have... I totally cried this morning when we left. The look on his face broke my heart. He's known something's up for awhile. Yes, I know he's a dog. But if you know him you'd know he is a smart, sensitive and very perceptive dog. Sometimes, I think he's just going to start talking. Those soulful eyes of his say so much. 

Jason's family will be taking care of him while we are gone and our friends will fill in when necessary - I imagine that Kim and Matt will have him a majority of the time. They have their hands full with twin 2 year old boys and a super fast 3 legged dog but Willie Nelson is usually an easy keeper. 

Honestly, I think leaving Willie Nelson has been the hardest part about this whole adventure. I know he will settle into his life in Montrose but I'm not sure what Willie Nelson thinks about all this right now. Our family and friends can comprehend that we're coming back. I hope he doesn't feel like we've abandonded him... I know he'll be loved and cared for and given lots of belly rubs but I still feel sad for him. I feel like a parent talking about my kid  because I think he's the best dog ever. 

So if you see Willie Nelson over the next 6 months, make sure to give him lots of love and whisper in his ear as often as you can and tell him how much we love and miss him. 

 xo - katherine

What in the hell just happened??

Ok, here is the short version of the last 4 months.

January - Infertility testing. After poking and prodding, we've discovered that my (Katherine) reproductive system is not cooperating. Please fork over 50K and you might have a baby.

February - IVF in the Czech Republic, you say? 12K! We can do that, right? Ok! What the hell. Iscare clinic in Prague, here we come. 

March - House listed -- For Sale By Owner -- 3 days later we have an offer. Yay!

April - Whoa. Big month. Pack house, and move, move, move into a storage unit. We found an awesome rental house for the month! Thank you Ami and Mitch!!! Sold the Prius. Sold the Suby. Sold the truck. Wait. What???  Oh right, friends and family come through and we have vehicles to drive for the next month. Whew. House closes and I finally feel like we are really doing this. 

May - Jason finishes his Rad Tech program and graduates. Yay Jason!! I am so proud of you!!! My last day of work was May 15. I was not approved for Family Medical Leave or Leave without Pay so I had to resign in order for us to have a baby. Weird fact: My last day was my 4 year anniversary with the USGS.  I really love the people I work with so I am sad to be saying goodbye to this job. BUT, I have made lasting friends. That basically brings us up to date. We have spent the last few days seeing friends and packing our bags - for real this time. 

What does the future hold you say? We move out of the rental on Friday and head to Durango with a stop at Orvis on the way. Spend the weekend with Jason's sister Laura and her husband Kevin and the sweetest little Lucy Claire. Then we head up to Bend, OR with Jason's parents and his sister Kim and her twin boys, Carter and Calvin. Man, those boys are so fun. Once we arrive in Bend, we are all staying with Jason's brother, Jeff, and his wife Elaine and their two kiddo's Grey and Silas. Grey might let me borrow a princess dress and Silas is the chubbiest, most edible baby. So excited for play time with those two. Jason is running a half marathon with Jeff and then we hop on a plane and arrive in Prague the evening of June 3. First doctor appointment is June 4. 

Ok that is it for now.

Lucy's birthday!! So sweet.

First get together at the temporary digs.

Happy Willie Nelson.

Shenanigans.

Going away party at the Fulson casa. 

There was an amazing cinnamon roll hug.

My work going away party. I'll miss these awesome people.

May 15. Long, hard day. But our adventure starts now!

It's always fun with the Shraders.

xo- katherine