It Took a Villiage

The day finally arrived. I am done with my BS. Whew, just 7 months before my 40th birthday. As soon as the paper work is filed and approved I will be certified to teach K-8. While jobs in The Mitten are scarce for teachers, I am still hopeful that things will work out. No, we are not moving to North Carolina, South Carolina, or Florida where teaching jobs grow on trees and the sun always shines.

We don't have a commencement ceremony until spring. While I will walk, I think I am going to be over all of this by then.

There is no way I can thank all of the people who have helped me to get to this point. So many people sacrificed a lot for me. First and foremost is Alan. He has kept the house going, tended to the kids, brought home the bacon, cleaned up after the dogs, taught our daughter to drive...the list is endless. Mostly, he kept me sane. I am blessed. He deserves so much more than me.

Next are my kids. Wow. One of the people who got me going in this direction was Cole's first grade teacher. Cole has been so understanding when I stayed in the car to write a paper during baseball games, or all and out missed soccer games, floor hockey, basketball, and baseball games, because I was too busy.

Jenee... I have no words. She took care of Cole and everything else that came her way. She even took care of things when a skunk came into our backyard and was trapped by McGwire. She has been my biggest cheerleader and my inspiration to work harder.

Then there was Mary. I am kind of lucky I do not have a sister because she may have been jealous of Mary. She has taken care of my kids and me. She even drove to Jenee's school and gave her medicine when I could not get there. Cole is just as comfortable at her house as he is at ours. Maybe more since she got that pool! She is also the one who told me that I did not have to get all A's to be successful. Mostly she just loved me and my family. What more could a girl want from a friend?

There are so many more people including, co-workers, people at the Y, my professors (Hey Sean!), people at church, etc.

I wish that I had something more profound to say. This was supposed to be a lighthearted post! Mostly, I just want to say thanks for caring for me and about me.