It takes a village

I've never in my life begun something that I couldn't quite imagine finishing.  I began high school and college knowing I would finish it.  I began my master's program knowing I would finish it.  I began marriage and my family believing that I would get where I wanted to go -- I could imagine married life and being a mom, I mean.  But even now, after my first year, I have a hard time imagining getting my PhD, the diploma and the graduation, and being the other "Dr. Self" in the house.  But it seems, slowly but surely, that's where I'm headed.

The spring semester is over, and I am now done with the first year of my PhD program (I am currently in a Maymester class, but it's only nine sessions and we're 2/3 done already).  I have to present a first-year project in the fall to be officially promoted to second-year status, but for all intents and purposes, I am 1/5 done with my degree.  The last few weeks in particular were really crazy, and I definitely called in some help in the form of my mother, who came and kept Emmeline on the days I didn't have a sitter and even stayed an extra day on the weekend to give me a few more hours to analyze data and write (plus help Wes landscape in our lawn).

I don't know that it takes a village to raise children, but I would definitely say that it took a village to get me through this year.  So here, in no particular order, is my list of those who helped me make it through this first year:

• Wes, who not only thinks I can do this but also understands what I'm studying and is interested in it, even talks to me about my research.  Plus, he makes the money that pays for the babysitter who frees me up to go to class and do my homework ("in the house that Jack built");
• Hailey, said babysitter who was here three days a week so that I could do homework, sometimes sleep, sometimes run errands, and go to class.  She is friendly, reliable, and loves on Emme the way I would if I were with her.  Plus, she does diapers;
• Ollie and Emme, whose mere existence makes the work I'm doing seem more worthwhile.  Seems strange to say that kids would make the work that keeps me away from them more worthwhile, but it's that sense of a complete life and the knowledge that I want their educational experience to be more meaningful that makes it such.  Plus, they give good bedtime kisses and hugs;
• My mom, who traveled up when I went to a conference in New Orleans, who traveled up when I gave birth (three times -- I mean, she traveled up three times, not that I gave birth three times), and who traveled up when I needed extra time at the end of the semester to get work done.  Plus, she bakes;
• My sister, without whom I would probably not have a research project (upon which I will not further expound, since it could breach confidentiality for my participants).  Plus, she just rocks generally;
• My friend Rachel, who is Oliver's other mother here locally.  She talks with me, loves on my babies, shares her puppies with Oliver, and makes me laugh.  Plus, she stayed with the kids so that I could go to campus to print my 200-page qualitative methods project the night before it was due.

I'm sure there are more, and I'll probably come back in and add more when I think of them.  But for now, here's to you, my village people.  My three A's this semester are dedicated to you and all you have done.  (But remember, we're not done yet.  Four years to go...).