The Hubby's Graduation PART ONE... Boise State McNair Scholars Program

You know it's pretty sad when you have to look up your Sign In info to your blog... lol 

It appears It's been 13 months & a few days since I've "Officially Blogged!" 

I hope the tidbits in the noVae Newsletter counts for Something - because that's

where I was posting info. ;) 

Well, we are going on 2 weeks since The Hubby Graduated & it's been an adjustment. 

In a good way. 

I was afraid if I didn't blog about all this within days of the Graduation I would forget stuff.... 

nope.  - not the case for me - Just Looking through all the Pics. I took brings all those 

Feelings & Memories back as if it just happened yesterday! 
It kinda feels like looking at your Wedding pics. after you come back from your Honey Moon a week or 2 later.... It's still Fresh! I got teary eyed all over again... 

So want to start this Part One off with His Graduation - Recognition Reception in the Scholars Program he was part of for the last 3 years of his 5 years.  The McNair Scholars Program is such an Amazing Program!  ---->  I got this from the Boise State McNair Scholars site page

The Boise State McNair Scholars Program serves students from groups underrepresented in graduate education and first generation college students from low-income backgrounds, preparing them for graduate studies through scholarly enrichment, exposure to research, and other academic experiences and opportunities. The program collaborates with Faculty Mentors to prepare McNair Scholars to successfully pursue a Ph.D. and careers in university teaching and research.  You can read more HERE 

They are basically taught How to do Undergrad Work while still 

attending there regular classes, etc.

They do Research Papers alongside with a Staff Professor, attend Conferences, present their Research & eventually get it Published. 

There is an Interview Process that you have to do - they just don't let anyone in this 

Program.  It's a 2 yr. Program but some Scholars, such as Tom, went 3 years. 

He could have Graduated about 3 years ago but when he was 

introduced to this Program - He Just knew it was something he was supposed to do

So he extended one more year & then another last year when 

he realized he needed more Math after he found what he really wanted to Study 

the Year Prior.  (did you get all that...lol) 

He would like to Study in the Field of 

Cognitive Neuroscience

It's Fairly new & is Incredibly Difficult to get into Programs 

because it's not in most Universities. 

It's Basically the Study of Decision Making. 

I found a great site that explains more in depth HERE

Anyways... So FRIDAY, May 16th 2014 was a Big Day for us! 

He was Graduating with his Cohort!

The Cohort from last year was so Fun - We got to know them

pretty well & I know Tom really Connected with them & Friendships 

were made. Last year was really hard for Tom to attend the 

McNair Reception as everyone in his Cohort Graduated without Him. 

They were an Incredibly close group. 

Tom was one of the Last one's to Speak at this Reception... 

He put the Kleenex box in it's rightful place. 

\

He spoke for about 10 mins.  I loVe Listening to Him Speak... 

Like a Talk in Church or Teaching, he truly has a Gift of getting 

everyone's attention & touch their Souls with Every Word.

Needless to Say He made Everyone at our Table Tear up... 

Even his Dad. (Who like Never Cries!) 

Tom Giving the Program Coordinator - Helen- a Big Hug! 

She is Basically the "Mother" of Every Cohort. 

These Scholars Sacrifice so Much & Spend more time with each other 

than their Own Families.  She is a True Blessing to Everyone. 

There are No words for these next few pics... 

I tear up Every time I see them... (tearing up now) 

This little Boy is our Youngest (4 yrs) & all he's know is 

"Daddy going to School" 

Even though he was So Incredibly Bored at this Reception... 

This is what He did afterwards. 

I think deep down he knows His Daddy Accomplished something 

Pretty Big! 

A lot Of People have been Asking what all the Cords mean? 

I have to admit 

He was VERY COLORFUL & It just made me even more

Prouder!! (is that even a word? lol)

The Thick GOLD Cord = Graduate with Honors. 

So here is a little Story - Facts - 

2,307 students were eligible to receive 2,479 degrees and certificates of those, 529 were eligible for honors: The Hubby was One of those 529! - So Proud of Him! -Taco Bell Arena hosted a capacity crowd of 10,493, making it the largest Commencement in school history.

Boise State University - 2014!!!

The Red / White = APS (Association Psychology Society

Teal = 1st Generation College Student

This is something they Just Started This Year - I thought It was So Cool

& Hope other Universities Start doing this! It was Suggested by 

a First Generation Graduate Student Last Year!

Blue / Silver = Psi-Chi National Honor Society 

(He was President this last year!)

Gold / Black = Gamma Beta Phi National Honor Society 

Blue / White = McNair Scholar

On Top of All his Responsibilities, Goals, Homework, Meetings, & I'm 

sure I'm leaving more out... 

He was a Father to 4 kids & Husband & Shoulder to 

Cry On. 

I would be Lying if I told you it wasn't Hard. 

It Was one of the Hardest things I think we've 

ever endured Together! 

I would also be Lying if I didn't tell you there were 

times when Both of us, not at the same time, wanted 

to GIVE UP! 

The Business was & Is Growing & I'm 

running it All By My Self. 

(I know have Huge Helping Hands) 

But it was at those Times is when we pulled the other one 

up from the Dark & Dreary Ground & Told 

the Other - We've Come Way too Far to 

GIVE UP! 

We were both Living Separate Lives.

He had the School Life... I had the Business & House to Run during the 

day - taking kids to Dr's appts, picking meds, etc..

He would wake up with the kids in the Morning 

get them ready for School & take them. 

Because I would Be up Late the Nights Prior Working on 

the Stuff that didn't get done during the day. 

Remember - we still have a little one at Home. 

Being a working Mom from Home & Running a Business 

is NOT an Easy Task. -lol 

Most of our "Dates" were Grocery Shopping. 

(boring - but we made the Best of it! ;) 

I would take Him to School 

Pretty Much Every Day & Pick Him Up. 

(Did this for 3 Years) :) 

He was just like one of my Kids... 

I would sometimes pick him up from School after I 

picked up Everyone else. 

Sometimes he would Stay Super Late & work 

because He knew he wouldn't be able to get his Homework 

done at Home... way too many Distractions. 

Plus He is THE PARENT that Plays with the Kids.... 

I, on the other hand, am not. 

However, It is something I'm working on. 

Don't get me wrong.. I loVe my Kids & I loVe being with them! 

I've just never been one to just drop everything & Play.... 

I'm a Work - a - Holic. 

It's in my Blood or a Disease... It's one of my many 

trials I have here on this Earth that I'm trying to change. 

Ok, sorry, this post is starting to turn directions. 

I guess what I was wanting to accomplish with all this 

rambling is that it wasn't Easy But it was 

WORTH IT & we couldn't have done it 

without Each other & a Loving Heavenly Father. 

When we Obeyed .... 

We both become a Stronger Couple & Family.

We have been Truly Blessed. 

To Be Continued... 

(It won't take a Year... Promise) 

- xo