Big weekend

This past weekend Michael and I enjoyed a night away in Atlanta while Grandma watched Clara. We attended an orthodontic conference at a fancy hotel and ate lots of delicious food.

We also signed the contract for our future.

Yep, we really are moving to Virginia in December and buying a practice. It's a done deal.

Wow.

Signing contracts. Amazingly enough, even though this single act has changed the course of the rest of our lives, I feel peace and excitement. I have no nagging uncertainties, although there is certainly some fear and nervousness. We have felt the hand of the Lord in our lives.

If either doctor backs out, they have to pay a lot of money to the other. A LOT of money.

As the attorney put it, "It puts a little blood in the water."

Later that night, we went out to eat with Dr. Alvis and a few of his staff. Michael ordered a caesar salad on the side, and he was surprised to learn that anchovies are part of the recipe (when you order it at a nice restaurant, that is). So Michael split the slimy little fish in half and we each ate it on top of a crostini. Although the taste was not revolting, it wasn't too grand either.

This experience made the second "first" we had that day.

Sitting with most of Michael's future staff. Yikes!

They are kind, welcoming, and supportive. Dr. Alvis is a man of integrity, has a good practice, and has been very helpful and considerate. We get along very well, and we couldn't feel more pleased and thankful. We all know there will be some definite adjustments, some bumps in the road--perhaps significant ones--but we feel peace that the direction we're pursuing is right.

And that makes the future pretty exciting.