A Dream Come True

Thursday, May 19th was a day that we have waited for and dreamed about for a long time. That was the Grand Opening for CopperWell Chiropractic. Today was an emotional day for me. I have watched my husband work his heart out. There were many late nights at school studying and learning. There were many late nights at home. He spent 7 years going to school to earn his Doctor of Chiropractic degree. I was with him for 6 of those years. I have seen the excitement as he learned new techniques and then as he began working on his fellow students and eventually the public. I have seen the sparkle in his eye whenever he talks about helping people. He has gone through notebooks doodling floor plans and layouts for his office, coming up with logos, and thinking about color schemes. He has prepared and planned for this day for years. And now finally it is here! Everything he worked for! And it was amazing!

Jen came to spend the night Wednesday so she would be here for the ribbon cutting ceremony at 11:00. She helped me get the kids ready to look their best in support of Daddy and Teran. And I have to say they were a good looking bunch. I am so glad Jen was there! She was my camera woman and my kid wrangler!

Just as we were getting ready to go out the door, there was a knock at the door. My mom and dad had surprised us. They told us that work was just too busy and they wouldn't be able to get away. So when I saw them there I almost cried. I was so touched and grateful that they came to celebrate this special day with us. Especially since they got up at 4:00 in the morning to make it on time and then turned around to go home at 3:30 in the afternoon. Such a lot of driving! Thank you for doing that. It meant so much!

When we got to the office, Chant's dad and stepmom (Kerry and Frances) were there. Kerry had taken the day off work to be there to support us. They stayed the entire day! Thank you so much for doing that! We are so grateful for your love and support and so glad that we live close to you!
I had to snap some pictures before the ribbon cutting. This is Chant and Teran, our business partner.
And us. I promise my smile was a lot bigger!
Grandpa's job was to keep the kids occupied. He did the ultimate at that when he ran next door and got Little Caesar's pizza. They were quiet for a long time!
Grandma and Porter were having quite the talk. Too bad Grandma didn't know what he was saying :)
Members of the Chamber of Commerce gathering. I was so grateful for the amount of people that showed up.
For those who don't know Teran, this is a standard gesture. I love her! She is so fun and she cracks me up! We are lucky to have her!
Everyone gathered for the ribbon cutting. Say Cheese!
And cut!
It's official!
We are so pleased and excited to welcome Gabby to the team! Gabby is a licensed massage therapist. She is so excited to be part of the group and we are glad to have her! (Gabby was hired the day before!)

We are ready to go and continue to make our dreams come true! Thank you to family and friends for all your love and support. We couldn't have done it without amazing people encouraging us and standing behind us!

All Things Chant

This has been a big month for my hubby! First and most important his chiropractic clinic opened May 2. This is something we have been working for for 7 years!
The kids were so excited to wish Daddy a good first day at work.




























The marque out in front of the office with the office sign!














The street-front sign. It lights up at night! How cool are we :)














This amazing banner hangs behind the reception desk.











It acts as a separation between the waiting area and P.T. bay.








The front of the building.












He has been working hard getting his office put together. The building is new and so it needed to be built out. Chant and our business partner, Teran, were there every step of the way. Once that was complete it was on to decorating and getting everything set up. It has been a long process and they worked so hard to get ready for opening day. I cannot believe after all this time it finally happened! Still a little unreal! I am so proud of him!

Another noteworthy item: Chant is now a member of the PTA for Brinnley's school. He is the health adviser. Which means he may be the lucky person to give the maturation talk to the 5th graders. I just laughed when I heard that!

And for those who don't know, Chant and I teach the 5 year old at church. Every Sunday is an adventure!

I love you my dear!

Commencement

Commencement: the act or time of commencing; beginning; a start. I love this definition. Graduation is a start to a new life, the rest of life, the real world.

I flew back to St. Louis so I could be there for graduation and to celebrate all that Chant has accomplished. Friday, December 17 was the awards ceremony for graduates and their families to attend. Chant was given two awards. The first award we knew he would receive. It was the Health Center Achievement Award. Only one intern from each clinic gets that award, so it was quite an honor for him. The second we didn't know he was getting. When they called Kerry Williams, he just sat there for a minute and then he jumped and said, "That's me!" It was an award for excellence in the ability to perform and teach the Logan Basic Technique. That was only given to 4 people, so again an honor. I am so incredibly proud of him!
The day of graduation we got to the school early. (Chant had to be early and we had one car, so that meant we were all there early.) We were so early he was the only graduate there. Doesn't he look lonely?
Chant and his sister Kristy.
Chant and sister Jen. (Sorry Margi, I don't know why I don't have a picture of you!)

This graduation ceremony was amazing! It started by bagpipe players leading the way for the graduates. It sounded so amazing. I had chills! Chant gave us the insider tip and I am sitting right in front of the lead man. Awesome spot! The keynote speaker was Orin Hatch. He cracked a few Mormon jokes and gave a very nice speech.
After the speakers it was time for the graduates to be hooded.
Waling to the front to be hooded. The second girl is Teran Warner, our business partner.

They hold the hoods over their arms and then when they get to the president of the college, Dr. Goodman, he takes the hood and puts it on them. The hood is gray signifying chiropractic and inside is royal blue and white for Logan's colors.
Being hooded. (Me tearing up behind the camera.)

At the end of the ceremony, the bagpipe players formed two lines facing each other and the graduates walked between to exit the auditorium. Again, Chant and Teran walked right by me. Unfortunately my camera was being slow and I didn't get a picture of Chant. Sorry Honey!
Chant with Dr. Hogarth, the St. Peters Head Clinician.
Afterward we went to lunch at the Old Spaghetti Factory with our group (Chant's mom, sisters, my sister and brother-in-law, and Teran's parents, grandparents, and siblings.) It was quite the group at 16 people. I am so glad we had time to stop and celebrate their achievements. Chant worked hard through 4 years of school, late nights, taking care of kids and a wife, and church callings. I never could have done it. I am so amazed at what he has accomplished and I am so proud of him! Thank you for working so hard for us! We love you! And we are ready for what is next!

One Year Older!

Saturday Chant turned 29! For his birthday one of his patients gave him 5 tickets to The Magic House. We were so excited because that is one of the places we wanted to go but didn't know if we ever would because it costs $8 a person.
Chant had patients in the morning but as soon as he got home we drove to St. Louis. We had such a good time! It is a fun, hands on place. There is everything from bubbles stations, music areas, model trains, magnets, a solve-the-mystery area, and a little village

The village was pretty cool. They had a bunny cage. Porter picked one of the stuffed guys up and fed it a carrot.

Me and Porter driving the recycling truck.
Brinn's favorite part was climbing up the lily pads that went from one floor to the next.
Making music.
Outside the Magic House after a fun-filled afternoon. We are so glad we were able to go!
For Chant's presents, the girls picked his first pink shirt and tie and I picked the cowboy style shirt below. (Dad, you would be so proud of me. It has snaps!)
Happy Birthday Honey, hope it was good! We are so glad we were here to help you celebrate! (The first time in 3 years!)

The Boys of the house

I thought I would give a quick update on the boys of the house.  Porter is changing so much.  He is learning and growing tons.  Here are a few of his current favs.

He is still very much into dancing and he will run from another room to bounce up and down when he hears his fav songs come on.

Tonight he was carrying around this beautiful skirt and trying to get it on.  FInally he took it took Chant who helped him step into it.  He wore it from about 6-7:30 and cried when we took it off.  He was having fun playing prince and princess with the girls.

He also likes the make-shift crown.  (The inside of a plastic baseball hat.)  

He refuses to let me feed him anymore.  I tried as long as I could, but he is Mr. Independent now.  Notice he is still holding the spoon in the left hand ;)

He loves boxes and stuffed animals

The new favorite activity is to visit the duck pond.  He carries on quite the conversations with the ducks and can quack as loud as they can.  He is also fluent in mooing and neighing.

The man of the house started clinic last Monday.  It has been one week and so far so good.  Our lives are a little more hectic and he gets home a little later than before, but we are still doing good.  And we are so proud of Chant for working so hard!