Fun Career Milestone

We are just now wrapping up several days of fun graduation festivities at ISU.

We had going away parties, cook outs, graduation, receptions as a family and Kevin had lots of extra work.  It's an exciting time of year in academia.

This year felt extra special because Kevin hit a fun career milestone:
He graduated his first PhD student!

If you've been around for a while, you know that Kevin has had a hard year at work. 

It's been really challenging on all of us and I shared that with you guys back in October.  I'm happy to report that things have improved, but it hasn't been easy.  Kevin has had to work through a lot of challenging stuff and I'm so proud of him for coming out of all of it with a smile on his face.  God is good!  Work isn't perfect now.  We've just grown and learned a lot along the way.  We don't have answers for all our questions, but we know that God will take care of us like he always has.

It was a JOY to cheer him on in his profession especially when I know it's been a major challenge for him to hit this milestone.  He's been working toward this for our entire married life of almost 15 years with graduate school, internships, fellowships, jobs, interviews and now working towards tenure.  We are so proud of him and it was fun to see his dreams coming true (even if the process of getting to those dreams looks differently than we imagined it would).

Kev & the kids.  They sat through the graduation ceremony with me and some of Kevin students.  We had a good time snacking on candy, playing quiet games in our seats and clapping for the graduates.

The kids were really good.  Although we did have a slight mishap. 

Fletcher was standing on the seat of his chair before the ceremony visiting with Kevin's students and his foot slipped down into the crack as his chair folded up.  Poor guy was STUCK.  I figured I'd just lift him up, but I couldn't get his foot out.  Thankfully, Kevin's students were with us and could help.  One lifted Fletcher up by the armpits and I laid on the floor to wiggle off his shoe.  Poor Fletch was crying and we finally got his foot out after lots of wiggling.  His foot was all red and bruised the next day.  Never a dull moment in parent life.

The Psychology Dept went first!  We are so proud of Kevin.

Then the moment the kids were waiting all evening for... Erin!!  Their favorite babysitter Erin was back in town to graduate.  She's been away on internship this year and they've missed her so much.  Actually we have all missed her.  She's the one who gave us her fish when she moved.  The kids picked out a fun gift for her and it was great to catch up.

ISU blue treats were enjoyed by everyone.

 
We were happy to see sunshine and blue skies after all this dreary weather we've been having.
Happy Graduation Day, Sycamores!