I hope everyone had a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving! I got back from Honduras on Saturday--a day early and just in time for my hubby's 40th birthday on Sunday. My Operation Smile mission was merely okay. It was fairly unorganized, I was bored a fair amount of the time, and the weather was miserable. I had packed for weather in the 70s and 80s per the Weather Channel and a cold front moved in instead. It was in the 50-60s and drizzly---a damp cold that seeped into my bones. Plus our sheets were cold and damp when we crawled into bed at night--ick! On the good side, 59 kids got surgery, I met some awesome people, and the food was wonderful. I was just very glad to get home after 2 weeks away. I've decided I am no doing another Op Smile mission until my kids are in college. It's just too much time away. Instead, DH and I are going to start taking them with us to Nicaragua every year and have them be a part of the missions experience that we do with our church.

Other news...I am officially Dr. Pamt. I defended my dissertation on November 5th and stayed up all night to finish the revisions and get everything into the grad school office. It feels SO good to be finished with school, not to mention that I got a huge raise at work for completing my degree. I am now an Asst Prof instead of an Instructor. My colleagues at the university had decorated my office when I came back and gave me a card and a generous gift certificate. I really like my co-workers. Here's a pic:



I hope to be around more now that I'm not dissertating anymore!

By Pamt on Friday, November 23, 2007 - 08:28 pm:

can't get my picture to upload

By Trina~moderator on Friday, November 23, 2007 - 09:41 pm:

Wow, it must feel great to finally have that Dr. Pam title after all that hard work!

By Brandy on Friday, November 23, 2007 - 11:25 pm:

congrats = )

By Sandysmom on Friday, November 23, 2007 - 11:40 pm:

Congratulations Dr.Pam!!!!!!!

A lady from our church recently came back from an Operation Smile mission. She's done it for several years now and it's always a rewarding experience for her.

By Dawnk777 on Saturday, November 24, 2007 - 12:27 am:

Congrats on the successful dissertation and that you got home from your trip safely!

Email me your picture. I'll post it for you!

d-klein at charter dot net

By Tsa on Saturday, November 24, 2007 - 12:59 am:

Way to go, Doc.

By Vicki on Saturday, November 24, 2007 - 07:57 am:

Congratulations. What a huge accomplishment!

By Dana on Saturday, November 24, 2007 - 08:20 am:

HUGH HIGH FIVES! That is so wonderful, Dr Pam, to have it all completed and now you get to reap the benefits of all that hard work. I'm so proud of you. Kinda neat since we got to know you thru all of this...like watching a child succeed in a big challange.

Welcome home!

By Ginny~moderator on Saturday, November 24, 2007 - 08:28 am:

Also, congratulations and high fives!!! And the new title and raise are nice too.

By Unschoolmom on Saturday, November 24, 2007 - 09:03 am:

Whoo hoo! Congrats Dr. Pam!

By Rayelle on Saturday, November 24, 2007 - 10:42 am:

Wow that is great! What is your doctorate in, I missed that before? I hope to get mine to, in psychology. First things first! Congrats!

By Tink on Saturday, November 24, 2007 - 11:07 am:

Congratulations, Dr. Pam! What a huge grin you must have on your face when you see the Dr. in front of your name. You've certainly earned it!

By Nicki on Saturday, November 24, 2007 - 01:00 pm:

Congratulations!

By Bobbie~moderatr on Sunday, November 25, 2007 - 06:40 am:

Wow, we have a DR on the board now. Mom's View is moving up in the world. LOL I am so very proud of you and a HUGE ^5!! You really have worked hard for this and it is an inspiration to the rest of us for sure.. Glad your trip went "well". I have seen Operation Smile on TLC and they do wonderful things in the lives of children, helping some of those kids has to be rough though.. Another ^5 and a HUGE HUG..

By Conni on Sunday, November 25, 2007 - 08:12 am:

Congratulations!!!!!!! It must feel wonderful!!! We are all so proud of you. Glad you made it home safely!

By Amecmom on Sunday, November 25, 2007 - 08:37 am:

Yeah, Dr. Pam!!! I am so proud of you and excited for all the new doors this Ph.D will open for you!
Ame