PhD: check!

WE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The day we have been anticipating for the last 3 years (or more) has come and gone! Keith passed his dissertation defense without any strings attached. The presentation part was open to the public so I went. It was really hard for me to stay in my seat and clap politely instead of whooping and hollering. After that everyone except for his committe members left and he spent the next three hours answering any questions they thought he should know the answer to. Then he called to say he had passed without any "as long as you fix this on your dissertation" attached to it.
I am sooooooo very excited to be able to spend more time together as a family and as a couple. For the last few months the norm was Keith got home from work, greeted us briefly, went to work in the office, came out for dinner and usually would play with the kids for awhile before we got them ready for bed. After which he went back to working in the office until some where between 1 or 3am. That was not everyday, but that is how it went most days. So can you see why I am so thrilled that we are done?

Keith with his committee. I am not going to try to give the names of they three other guys in the picture, but the lovely lady in green is his wonderful adviser who has been a gem with all that has been thrown at us. His whole committee has been. [Keith's addition. From left to right: Paul Murphy, Keith (obviously), Ross Whetten, Gina Brown-Guedira, and Spencer Muse]

To celebrate we went out to dinner with my mom (who came into town a few days earlier for the soul purpose to fly back with me and the kids to prevent major seizures again). It still seems a bit surreal. I am in Washington now with my family and will go visit Keith's parents after that and then fly to Fargo ND. Keith is taking a road trip with his brother Shawn and will get to Fargo in about a week. It is crazy how after planning so long for something it happens in what seems like a blink of an eye. So here we go!

P.S. I know we have said this before, but it can't really be said enough; we would not be here with out all the friends and family who helped us. We truly would not have done this by this time without all the prayers, fasting, visits by family, friends and ward members who helped me when I needed it most and allowed Keith to go to work with the peace of mind that I would be okay. For all the meals, babysitting, calls, texts, offers to help, and support in general, we thank you. Most of all, I thank Heavenly Father for sending his angels, on earth and in heaven, when we needed them.