Relationships: One of Life's Greatest Blessing

My family and friends bring meaning to my life. They share my joys and sorrows. These past few weeks have re-emphasized this to me. From wedding plans, to promotions, to graduations...without our family and friends, the joy is not the same. I often talk about the plates I spin and juggling the plates so that one doesn't fall. For six years, I've been spinning a platter along with the plates, the doctoral platter. I'm so glad that I no longer have to spin it. I look forward to working harder on cultivating the relationships that bring great meaning to my life.

Life is a Roller Coaster Ride--Hold on!

Six years ago, a close friend called and asked me to consider being his partner in a doctoral program. He had heard that Georgia State University wanted to provide an advanced degree program (PhD in Educational Policy Studies) for the greater north Georgia area through the formation of a co-hort. My husband reminded me that the following year our daughter would be graduating from high school. Because she is our only child, he explained that I needed to begin to think of something to keep me entertained so that I would not suffer so badly from "empty nest". After a family meeting, we decided that I would begin the journey towards obtaining a PhD. In one of my first classes they introduced the possibility of studying abroad the following summer. After lots of conversation, we decided it was the perfect time for us....it would coincide with the year our daughter graduated from college. What better graduation gift could we give her than a chance to spend time in England? Plans were made. June 2006, our family would go to England.

Our family and closest friends have told us that we stretch the limits, sometimes a little too much. During the spring of 2006, Danny was offered a new job. We put our house on the market, we started packing, and I started looking for a job. I found a job. Our daughter graduated from high school. I packed my office, and the following Friday I moved everything to the new office. On Saturday, I boarded a plane for England.

A couple of weeks later, Danny and Aubree joined me in England. We had several days together as a family, then, I flew home to begin my summer classes. Lucky for me, my husband and daughter packed almost the entire house while I was in England! My husband and daughter stayed in England a few more days to enjoy some special daddy/daughter time. The following Wednesday, the movers arrived at our house to load the truck. They spent two days loading all of our worldly possessions and then on Friday, they drove across the state to our new home. On Saturday, all of our boxes were unloaded. On Sunday, the very next day, we took our only daugher to college. The very next day, we started new jobs. We worked all day, unpacked our boxes on weekends and evenings, and all the while, I was a full-time doctoral student, taking three classes every semester.

Life has not slowed down yet! We are still on the roller coaster....just coming around a very sharp curve and up and down a hill. In May 2009, our daughter graduated from college. She completed her B.S. degree in three years, with a double major. She moved home because of the economy and found a job nearby. In October, my husband helped her boyfriend move to Alaska. On the way to Alaska, the boyfriend asked my husband if he could marry our daughter. During Thanksgiving, while visiting the boyfriend in Alaska, she was engaged. She interviewed for jobs while visiting and as luck would have it, she was offered a position. After careful consideration, she decided to resign her position and in December, she moved to Alaska.

Last week my husband was offered a new position. This week I'm finishing my disseration. Next week our daughter comes home to put the finishing touches on her wedding plans. Stretching the limits......once more....the ride continues!

Thankful Heart

This afternoon my husband was named Superintendent of a school system. He has been in education for many years, but the last ten years, he's specifically prepared himself for this role. He is an honest man. He is a fair man. He truly believes in making decisions based on what is right for children, not simply for adults. If you don't want to know the truth, don't ask him what he thinks, because he's going to lay it on the line for you. I believe that the economic hardships we are facing will take extraordinary leadership in our schools and state....and he is an extraordinary leader. I'm so proud of him! I'm thankful for the board of education that voted unanimously for him today. I know that he will work his heart out for this district...for these children. It is with a very thankful heart that I write this post tonight!