PHinisheD

This is Dr. Meg!!!!! This morning at 9am, I began my dissertation defense and at 11am, I was a PhD! How magical is that? IT FEELS WONDERFUL TO BE FINISHED!!!!!!! And now for my Oscarish acceptance speech - Thank you to my wonderful husband for doing "Single Dad Saturdays and Sundays" over the last few months so I could lock myself in the study to run analyses, analyze data and write, write, write, and write. To James, I love you so much it's ridiculous. As Daddy said tonight at dinner, "You're Mommy's little motivator."

But Dad was really referring to himself (as typed by Doug - this is his first blog sentence!!!!)

Today after the defense, one of my committee members, who is also the Graduate Program Director, told me that only 50% of students who make it to ABD actually get their PhDs and finish. When I started out, there were only 7 of us in the program and I know 2 had dropped out before getting their masters. He told me this path is really about perseverance. Hearing that made me feel very proud of myself and again, quite lucky to have such a supportive husband and family and friends to continue to motivate me and encourage me to make it to the end.

Dad took James to school this morning and sent Mom this photo of him climbing the bridge in class.

Here's a self-portrait of one ecstatic Mama post the defense

And, the boys after dinner tonight. Yes, Doug made reservations at our favorite Italian place and yes, James is wearing a snow suit. It was 20 degrees sans the windchill today people! Gotta keep that child warm!

Anyway, I'm off to the couch for a nice glass of wine with Doug to celebrate being finished with school and to celebrate having NOTHING to do!!!!!!

LOVE YOU ALL!!!!