Aaron's Doctoral Graduation

I know this blog is supposed to be focused on the kids, and I promise it will be, but I wanted to post a few pictures of Aaron's Doctoral Graduation on Friday, May 1st at George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon. We traveled from Pullman with the kids to attend this event, and were joined by family from both my side and Aaron's side.

It felt like a reunion of sorts because Aaron got to reconnect with his colleagues/friends AND his mentors and professors, after being away on internship for almost a year.

The ceremony itself allowed time for each of the doctoral graduates to receive their hoods, then the new "doctors" had a chance to talk. Aaron sweetly and intentionally thanked every single family member and friend who had come for the ceremony--he spoke of the ways he was shaped by his program, by the experiences, and by all he has learned. It provided a chance for those of us who companioned Aaron through this season to get a sense for the caliber of the program, professors and support network.

Aaron's doctoral hooding was a very significant event for us--it marks the culmination of FIVE years of study and practice, and a very successful academic program for Aaron.

And what's next for the Russells, you may ask? These are the things we hope for:

• A successful completion of Aaron's doctoral internship, which ends July 31st.
• A move to the west side, preferably somewhere between Seattle and Portland
• A job for Aaron where he can begin to develop his professional skills as a clinical psychologist
• A house (yes, we HOPE to buy one soon)
• A place to be where we can stay for a LONG time
  

Many thanks to all of you for your support of our family during the past five years: for praying for us, asking questions, feeding us, playing with our kids, giving us jobs, places to stay during transitions, and being enthusiastic about this amazing academic journey Aaron started on. It has almost come to completion, and we are thankful.