I have been remiss in posting an update. This week has been a blur! You know how it seems that once you get to a quarter tank of gas, then getting to empty seems to go faster? Or when your phone is on 25% power, then all of a sudden it’s dead? That’s kind of how I feel this week. I’ve been running on full, go, go, go, and then once I got home and sat down, my power drained out. 🙂

Anyway, I have great things to report! My dissertation defense was a success!! The presentation lasted a half-hour or so, and then they asked me several questions and gave a few suggestions on the written draft that they had received beforehand. Most of the recommendations are structural and relatively minor, so my plan is to send out the hopefully-final-draft this weekend. Then, I have to format it to the graduate school’s specifications, pay the binding fees and whatnot, then get ready to go back on May 10 for graduation!!

I bought the regalia online and used the free ship-to-site option for the bookstore, then just picked it up while I was on campus. It’s so pretty! I can’t wait for the graduation ceremony, when the kids and my parents will go back to Georgia with me for the big day. I also bought some hats for the boys, which they dutifully wore so that I could snap a photo. (No. 4 got bumped by one of his brothers in the posing process and refused to smile anymore, but oh, well.)

Today was my first day back at work (got home yesterday afternoon, not long before the kids got home from school). It has been a delightful day filled with congratulations, hugs, high-fives … and flowers! 🙂  I work with some really sweet people.