You know that song about 99 bottles of root beer on the wall
You remember....take one down pass it around 98,97..........54,53,52...................19,18,17.................6,5,4,
Have you ever made it all the way to one?

Well, I can't help humming that song a little today as I knock one thing at a time off my list. Final reflection (check), Lesson Plans for Technology (check) - and so forth. I have some late nights ahead before finals on Tuesday, but I am finishing strong. (Charles has been such a good example).

Last night Sue and Michael came over. It was reminiscent of ETBU days when my house was full of people studying. In those days when Sue got tired of studying she would say, "well, I'm going to Wendy's - anybody want anything?" Then she would bring back spicy chicken sandwiches and fries and cokes. I would always try to have plenty of caffeine, chips and candy snacks available. Last night, knowing that this would be the last time we were all gathered around a table of books and laptops - Sue brought Wendy's all the way from the big A. It was a little cold, but it brought tears to my eyes. I set up a little mini bar with M&Ms and various other candy, chips, coffee, popcorn, cookies, etc.

It has been a long road. Charles has seen many sunrises - 2 this week in fact. Today he turns in his last big assignment for his Masters work. Next week he will take his finals, and on the 10th he will walk the stage. He has been humming the graduation song for months now - encouraging himself toward this prize - this finish!

8 years ago - May 1st, 2000 Charles started at LP. He was in "the pit". It was HOT (well over 100 degrees as he was under a 450 degree press!) It was dirty. He shoveled in the pit for twelve hours with just a lunch break and a coke to keep him going. It was that pit that Charles committed to getting out of. Of course he moved up within the company quickly - he is an incredibly hard worker and his positive attitude moves people. But in 2002 after Charles nearly lost his finger in that saw mill, we made the choice to cut his income in half and head to Marshall to ETBU! God has directed every step of this journey. From the moment we surrendered our lives to him - He has moved us - and we are thankful for every step (even the tough ones). I look back at the three years at ETBU when our annual income tax never listed over $11,500 for the year. I look back at Charles taking Greek and Hebrew and waiting tables - then loading the kids on his back for a horsie ride around the house. I look back at all the nights that he came to bed and I sleepily looked at the 3:00 on the clock by the bed.

He has made it! We are here! It is so exciting to be on top of this mountain! Now, you remember the bear that went over the mountain don't you? What did he do when he got to the top of the mountain??? He saw another mountain! Strap on your climbing boots - Phd will come - and I promise you - he will climb, he will work hard, and with God's help - he will climb that next mountain!