2 Years Later

I am happy and also very proud to say that I completed my master's program tonight! I felt the need to document this occasion on our blog because so much has happened to our family in the last two years. I have had to endure the rigor of reading multiple chapters every week and writing reflections, typing multiple papers, and completing projects. However, my family has given up a lot in order for me to be able to accomplish my goal of earning my master's degree.

It all began when Macalan was just 11 months old. Kyle began the weekly routine of picking him up from daycare and having a "guys" night while I attended my classes. It was only two weeks into my program that I discovered I was pregnant with Sutton. I remember crying tears of joy and fear when I found this out because I couldn't imagine having two kids under the age of 2, working full time, and going to school. I even called my advisor and asked if I should drop out. She simply said, "people get married, get divorced, and have babies while in these cohort programs." After hearing that I decided I would tough it out.

Nine months later my Sutton Button was born! I was able to take one class off so I could just be home with my boys and adjust to a life with two kids. Eight weeks later I jumped back in and took classes through the summer to make up for the one I took off. Kyle also had to adjust to being home one night a week with both boys, as well as taking care of them on his own while I was frantically trying to get something completed for class.

Through all of this though I feel like my kids have been the ones to sacrifice the most. Their needs at times had to be put on the back burner so that I could finish a project or paper. Many times Macalan has said to me "Mommy put your 'puter away." This was always so hard to hear and made me feel so guilty. Sutton has never known anything different. I have been juggling a lot since the day he was born and I wish I could give him back more of my time.

However, now I am so happy to be able to say that all of the sacrifice and lack of time is done! I am looking forward to having more time with my kids and less to worry about. I'm having a hard time believing that I am actually finished. Having all these things to do had just become a way of life over the last two years so it will be a little strange being able to just come home each night and play with the boys. My weekends will no longer include homework!

I will end this blog post with a big THANK YOU to my family. There is no way I could have done this without their support. I am such a lucky wife and mom to have such a supportive and loving family!

I am including a picture of my favorite little guys who make me so happy everyday and who have given up a lot over the past 2 years.