A chapter.

In celebration that January is over, I've decided to update my blog. I mean REALLY update it. You poor people have been wondering what we are up to and I haven't had a lot of exciting news to share.

The last month has been blah.
Right before Christmas, we became victims of our country's so-called "Recession".
In reaction to the real estate slump, the company panicked and laid off 25% of their employees. Spencer was a "luxury" as the Corporate Training Director, so they gave him a fancy severance and said, "Adios".

But you have a baby on the way! (you exclaim)

Yes, but they also agreed to give us "Cadillac" health insurance through April.

Phew.

So, Spencer's time at home has given him opportunity to complete several projects and plan for the future.

For example:
Spencer has worked very hard (and me as his self-appointed secretary) to complete 8 applications to PhD programs around the country. He hopes to study Health Communication.

What is Health Communication?

"Narrative medicine" is another way to say it. It is the study of doctor-patient interaction and how it can effect healing. (There is a lot more to it, and Spencer will probably say that is an inaccurate description but I'm not an expert). It is a new field in high-demand in the education system and work force. So, we hope he will graduate with lots of options. Teaching at a university is his goal, but consulting is where the money is. We'll see.

Which schools has he applied to?

Texas A & M
U. of New Mexico
Purdue (Indiana)
Penn State
U. of Oklahoma
U. of Ohio
U. of Kentucky
U. of Georgia
I know. Wow. It is so strange not knowing where we are going to spend the next few years of our lives. Grant could start school while we are out there! AHH! Ohio and Kentucky are top choices. We should start hearing back in February until mid-March.

In the meantime, Spencer is on the tail-end of completing his graduate paper/thesis for his Masters degree in Organizational Communication. HURRAY! Official graduation is planned for May.

What about work?

Well, of course Spencer always has something up his sleeve. He is an entrepreneur at heart, you know. Everyday he thinks up a new business to start. I'm thankful he doesn't follow through with 99% of them. Applying for a job somewhere would be silly because we will move away for school in the Fall. His parking lot striping business will come in handy when the snow melts, but for added income, he has just started selling fancy blinds. (My dad does this in Boise and his help has made things very easy to get started!)

There have been lots of changes, but it seems that everything will work out better this way.
I've been busy too. I leave that for another day.