sweet bouquet, sweet friend, sweet ending

My last doctoral class. Done.

Just a little perspective.  When I began my first class,  Layton was a mere 18 months old. My last class, Layton will be 4 years old, and my second baby is now 18 months old.

Crazy. Perspective.

As I think back to the late nights, the weekends, the hours of typing papers with sippy cups surronding me, little kicks from inside, and even learning how to type and nurse a newborn baby at the same time. Talent, I know! Yep, you realize the true meaning of multi-tasking. And not to mention paying attention to my ever supportive husband, who sent me these on my very last class.




Isn't he sweet?  I definitely appreciated him being so thoughtful and encouraging all these years.  He has always been willing to help with the boys after a long day at work or on the weekends. 



Long hard road will hopefully end with completion of my dissertation, hopefully by December 2012.







Throughout the program, I made many new friends.  Lifelong friends that I will never forget who have helped me through tears, laughter, and late night grumbles.  Jamie is one of them that I couldn't NOT have done it without her.

She and I began our first class together and now have ended together.  It was a day of celebration. 
Epecially because she is moving to China to teach English for two years with her family of five!  YES, three kids and a husband going to the other side of the world to have the experience that will never be forgotten.  I can't wait to hear all about their adventures! 


(don't know why we both wore our glasses, we look studious, no?)

She's great and I wish her well in the years to come.  Thank goodness for blogs, and facebook so I will get to keep up with them!  And she has promised me a place to stay if I go and visit!! 


 In the end, this is not the end.......only a glimpse at the finish line.  They say that completing the classes is the easiest part, yet having enough self-discipline to write your dissertation, on your own, is where the challenges lies.  But I'm bound and determined to get there - eventually.