Last Days at my Grad Assistantship...!

It has been three very good years at the National Survey of Student Engagement, where my graduate assistantship has been located, but Wednesday, July 18, was my last day! It felt weird to clear out papers, books, and other nicknacks that had gathered during my three years at the Survey. It is time to move on (and no, I presently have no idea what I'm moving on TO...trusting God for that!!). Working at NSSE was a great experience - I especially enjoyed working with many wonderful people, including faculty, staff, and fellow students. Here are a few, as I said my final goodbyes.

Pizza at Mother Bear's with Malika (from Kazakstan) and Javier (from Spain). Malika is a year ahead of me in the program and worked down the hall at NSSE. Gemma likes her a lot, too!

I've had a wonderful supervisor in Shimon Sarraf, Assistant Director of Survey Operations and Client Services for NSSE. Here we are, celebrating with a lunch at Samira's (Afghanistan) Restaurant during my final week.

Alison is one of NSSE's full-time research analysts and was a consistent encouragement to me. We worked on several projects together, including a paper we presented at a conference in Charlotte last year, 'Student Engagement and Global Awareness.'

Brian McGowan - a good friend, NSSE colleague, and fellow Higher Education student in my cohort.

Alex McCormick is the NSSE Director and my academic advisor. He played a central role in my IU experience and I am indebted to him for many hours of listening, advice, and encouragement.

Another good friend and cohort member, Eddie Cole, who also worked at NSSE with me.

Tom Nelson Laird directs the Faculty Survey of Student Engagement, a partner survey to NSSE. He has been a great sounding board regarding my dissertation topic and helped me to think through important theoretical issues.

One of our favorite places in Btown

...is the downtown Farmer's Market! And now that local PEACHES are in season, I got particularly excited by our last visit. On this Saturday morning a few weeks ago, we even got up early enough to eat our breakfast there. We've always been tempted by the variety of food stands, in addition to all the farm stands, and finally we caved and tried a few goodies (cinnamon pastry; toasted sandwich with egg, sausage & cheese; bacon/leek quiche; and coffee). 

Wait, what am I saying? We have a toddler. Of course we are up early! In fact, of late Gemma has finally started sleeping until 7 AM regularly (it was 6 AM for the longest time) and we are occasionally experiencing the joys of waking up before her for a few quiet minutes. Needless to say, a family breakfast "out" is a nice treat/reward.

This photo is deceptive as it looks like the market is pretty quiet. Not the case: it's always very crowded.

This farm stands offers lamb; other farms also have beef, chicken, pork, bison and eggs.

going through the "2nds" to find a good deal on peaches

who can't love beets when they look this gorgeous?! Boil them, slice thinly & dress with a vinaigrette - yum.

On the way home, a quick stop at the library - another one of our favorite places!

Mud Party

It was a pool party-turned-mud party, yes. But it was also a cook-out with friends from church - 6 couples and 13 children under age 5. What else can you expect but dripping children, toys all over the house and yard, and good juicy brats? The weather has been very hot recently so by the end of the evening, we were all inside the house instead. Good times! This is what summer is all about!

Lilah, Gemma and Makenna (all born within 3 months)

Lilah happily (really) playing in the mud pit made by the older kids

Gemma helping Tenley get her pacifier back

"There we go!"

 

Andrew, man of the house, working the grill

Kevin and Wes (and Jul with belly in the center...)

Jordan and Holly

Sarah and Justin

How many children can you spot in this picture? And yes, there's only one boy...

 

Erin and Wes with Tommy (Andrew & Leah's son)

Sorry, no pics of Jim! He was behind the camera.

"Good job, Gemma!" 22 months old

Another new, frequent saying for Gemma (referring to herself): "Good job, Gemma!" 

And upon what occasions? Here are a few - 

• helping put the clothes in the laundry
• "make-a porridge" - stirring her bowl of porridge every day for breakfast  
• cleaning up toys (not always a given)
• "Good job _____, Gemma"; as in, "Good job licking" [ice cream cone on 4th of July] and "Good job waving" [flag at the parade]
• drinking successfully out of her tea cup without spilling
• watering the plants or shutting the door or throwing away trash...I mean, really, every small act of learning deserves congratulations!! That certainly is a good reminder for parents, to provide encouragement to their child.

This saying can be accompanied by one of her other favorite sentences: "Gemma take a turn now." Referring to doing any of those helpful actions, or when she wants to buckle her own seat belt or ride on a certain toy at the park.

Gemma and her best bud Emma (we tried to photograph them "high 5-ing" but it was tricky)

Look, Auntie Rachel, I like it! (her first experience with grenadilla/passion fruit)

cheering on Euro Cup (after asking to be half-swaddled up in a blanket)

doing a numbers puzzle from Nonna

learning to throw!

And naturally Gemma's most frequent site of helpfulness is in the kitchen - she asks for her apron and stool and wants to be involved with whatever cutting or stirring is going on. Usually that means she gets to have taster bites of whatever is being prepared. Thus she has ended up tasting and liking a lot of foods! And mom and dad are learning to be patient as we let her participate. Now to get her to wash the dishes...

the big kicker

Yep, this one is a KICKER for sure! At all times of day and quite a bit at night. This was taken a week ago at 22 weeks; now we're at 23 weeks and still all of July...August...September...October...to go. Wow, he's definitely gearing up to be as active as his big sister.

Oh, and name suggestions now being taken! Must work well with our last name...