elle-m-n-o-p: baylor

Saturday I was blessed to be able to walk across the stage and be hooded for my doctorate. Although I'd officially graduated in May I really wanted this experience for myself, the kids, Chris, my Mom, and the rest of my family and friends. It was so special to participate in the graduation ceremony at Baylor, especially after witnessing Chris' big day last year. Baylor is such a wonderful university! I felt emotional several times, but not more than when I walked back around to my seat and looked up to see my babies smiling!

We left Thursday morning in order to give ourselves plenty of time to get there and I needed to pick up my regalia Friday morning so we needed the extra time. We had a smooth trip down and got there early enough to enjoy some playtime at the Mayborn and then eating some yummy gut packs from Vitek's. Friday we had lunch at our wonderful friends' house Josh and Carly. This was a special time since we don't get to see them very often and they had their second son Jake the day before Reese was born so we were able to meet babies! It was cuteness overload! Friday night was the doctoral dinner that the Graduate School gives for the doctoral graduates and their families and advisors. Unfortunately, Dr. Conaway, my advisor, was ill and I didn't get to see her this trip. During the dinner graduates get 2 minutes to say thank yous. Here's basically what I said just a little more eloquently because you can't hear my voice shaking from nervousness or being emotional, and some other things I wish I would have said:

I've recently been thinking how much writing a dissertation is like having a baby. And I should know because I've had 3 throughout this process. It takes a long time to develop, there's some pain and struggles, but in the end you get this wonderful blessing that, hopefully, goes out into the world and makes it a better place.

I'm so thankful to Baylor for giving a Kindergarten teacher the opportunity to learn how to help other teachers become better teachers. I want to thank the entire Curriculum and Instruction department, and my committee for their support throughout this process. I especially want to thank Dr. Conaway for helping me complete this journey. She never gave up on me even after 3 kids, a move, a husband in a Ph. D. program, and a job. I am forever grateful to her. She helped me every step of the way, and has been a wonderful advisor.

I want to thank my family and friends for the love, support, prayers, words of encouragement, childcare, etc. that they gave me from beginning to end. I wish there were hoods for each one of them on the stage tomorrow because it really was a team effort. I especially want to thank my mom for instilling in me the importance of education. She sacrificed so much for me, and she really should take credit for all of my degrees. My dad never got to see me start or finish this journey. He used to send us postcards when he was driving a truck across the country, and he would tell us about all the beautiful places he would see. I've kept one on display that says "If you study hard you can go anywhere you want." That has been a inspiration to me throughout this process.

My mvp and biggest cheerleader has been my husband, Chris. I could not have finished without his words of encouragement and willingness to sacrifice his time to help me however he could. He let me have babies and a career, and has done nothing but work so hard to make me and our bear cubs happy. He's the best Christian, person, friend, husband, daddy, and Baylor bear I know! I love him more than I could ever express with words! I'm so grateful for all he does for me and our family.