Princesses, Coffee, School, and Surgery

To highlight the events of the past month, I will break it down:

1. Over the fourth of July weekend, we spent several days in Texas with the

 Collins family. It was great to relax with the family and eat massive amounts of homemade vanilla ice cream, cherry pie (Chris's favorite), and Chick-fil-A. However, spending quality time with Princess Ava, our 2 year old niece, was definitely the highlight of the trip.  At this juncture in "little girl-hood," she is obsessed with all things pink, fluffy, and princess-y. She even dreams about castles and crowns. One of the best moments occurred just as we were saying goodbye. She walked around to everyone in the room, kissed their hand, and said, "Goodbye Princess Kristy," Goodbye Princess Chris," etc. When she kissed her mom's hand, she said, "Goodbye your majesty!"  

2. Very exciting news: In July, I (Kristy) officially wrapped up my first year of doctoral studies! While on one hand, the year flew by, the other hand is exhausted from paper-writing and researching. I had a two week session of class intensives at APU a few weeks ago, and left with with a fresh start to a new year, packed with homework assignments, project proposals, and research ideas. On the same note, a proposal/project that I had written was accepted for presentation at the Association for the Study of Higher Ed conference in Florida this year!

As Chris and I continue to embark upon the adventures of academe together, we are amazed at our incredible compatibility. There is no doubt in our mind that we truly make each other better, in every way. In fact, this month we commenced our first project together as researchers. In brief, we are looking at the differences in spiritual development among students of varying racial backgrounds. So far, it is fascinating! 

3. While I wrapped up class at APU, Chris visited Michigan State University (a land grant institution) to conduct one of the last portions of his dissertation research. MSU, Texas A&M, and the University of Rwanda have forged a fascinating partnership centered around the PEARL project: The Partnership for Enhancing Agriculture in Rwanda through Linkages. In an effort to rebuild Rwanda from the aftermath of the war and genocide of 1994, the project paired experts from each of the three universities with rural Rwandan communities in an effort to generate income through agricultural product development - which in this case, is coffee! Chris was able to tour the facilities in Michigan that roast and process the fair-trade coffee that was produced in Rwanda. We have already started planning a trip to Africa for next summer! (To learn more about this gourmet fair-trade coffee, click here.)

4. Last but certainly not least, we embarked upon yet another adventure this past week...gum graft surgery. For various reasons, I need gum grafts on almost all of my teeth - and last Friday, I had my first of FIVE oral surgeries. To say that I was freaked out about the surgery would be an understatement - I can't tell you how many nights leading up to the surgery Chris had to calm me down! Well, as with most things, the whole process was not nearly as bad as we had anticipated. In fact, it has been a great bonding experience for us. While I always knew Chris was a wonderful caregiver, he was/is truly incredible. He cooked, prepared, and food-processed a variety of dishes, he brought my frozen yogurt nearly every day, he switched my ice-packs, rubbed my back, brought me my meds, bought me new shoes and clothes (that all fit!), and told me I was the most beautiful girl in the world - even though I was bruised and swollen like a quasi-feminine Frankenstein!  True love...that is all I have to say!