Graduate school...

This week I finally started graduate school. Like, for realsies this time.

Last year I took classes as a non-degree seeking student, which essentially means that I decided late (like, almost 6 months late) to go back to school and missed the application deadline. Rather than wait a full year to start, I was allowed to take two classes before I was actually in the program. Yea me.

Anywho, last January I applied for and was accepted into a Higher Education and Student Affairs program in the College of Education. I'll be in the "higher education" portion of the program and will focus more on administration that student affairs.

My classes cover topics like finances, policies, student development, organizational theories, diversity initiatives, assessment...

I know... super exciting. Right?

And yes, I'm terrified. And already exhausted.

But, hopefully, in 2-3 years I'll look back at this decision and be like, yes, that was completely and totally genius of me to go to graduate school. Good job, Angie.

2015: The Real Deal

2014: The First(ish) Day

We walked the walk...

Last Saturday Team Ryan participated in the 2015 Mississippi Valley Walk for Apraxia. The money we raised will fund CASANA's (Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America) programs like iPads for children who need it to communicate, parent and speech therapist workshops, research, and a program to assist families in need with speech therapy costs.

We were completely humbled by the amount of support we received from our friends and family for this event, and cannot thank everyone enough for their generosity and words of encouragement. Some of Ryan's most favorite people (his daycare provider and her husband) walked with Team Ryan. As did my parents, Jake's aunt and cousin, and Izzy the dog.

I have to admit that, although I was a bit nervous about what to expect, I was more baffled by the very thought of showing up to the event in the first place.

How did we end up here?
Why are we here?
Aren't these walks supposed to be for kids with disorders?
Surely we don't belong here?

But we did belong there. And we needed to be there.

And that was hard to take in. And it still is.

Non-walking members of Team Ryan.

The 4-legged member of Team Ryan

Walking members of Team Ryan

Perfect day for a walk along the Mississippi River

We closed the walk. :)

The Fire Department was on hand to show their support,
and let kids take a tour of their truck.

The post-walk cookie break.

The post-walk play time

Summer vacation...

A few weeks ago I received an email reminding me that summer is about to end. But, have no fear, it claimed... we can still benefit from one final sizzling hot summer deal before the sunscreen is tucked away for good. Jake and I took the bait, and booked a weekend trip at a local resort that houses an indoor water park and shares parking space with a museum and aquarium.

We didn't tell the kids where we were going, and they were super excited when they woke up from their naps and realized where the car was parked. 

The Mississippi River-
right next to our hotel

Me and the kiddos.
Two kids both looking at the camera is overrated anyway.

On the other side of the tank was a
pretty amazing (camera shy) octopus

Rachel building her boat.

Ryan's boat.

LARGE American Alligator.
Big. Really big.

Looking at turtles and stuff.

Looking at...
The bottom of this water display with her nose? Not sure.

My little girl and a BIG fish.

The Water Park!

Rachel climbing up to the slide

Rachel coming down from the slide

Ryan and daddy.
I went on the slides too, but we don't really need to see pictures of that.

Ryan wearing daddy's hat.
Hanging out with his Jill.

The trip was fun and the kids were unusually good. Jake and I ditched our diets and pigged out on pizza. So all in all, it was a great summer weekend get-away.