Just say "142" to cheer Rob up!

For the past year Rob has been working on a large National Institutes of Health grant (called an F31 National Research Service Award) to fund his Dissertation work. These grants are highly competitive, with only about 8% of them getting funded (most of which go to big research Universities). The grants go through an extensive review process where they are assigned a priority score. The scores range from 100-500 with lower numbers being the best proposals. Typically ratings from 150-200 are considered "excellent"; however, they are seldom funded. Grants from 100-150 are considered "outstanding"; these grants have a good chance of getting funded. So on to the exciting news, Rob got his priority score last Thursday, it was 142. This means he has a very good chance of being funded. The grant consists of a stipend (around $2,000 / month), full tuition and fee payment, money to travel to conferences, money to purchase items needed for his education (books, computers, etc.), and money to support his research. All together it amounts to about $70,000.00. Plus, if he gets it, he gets to stay in school one more year. Although I'm not sure if this is a good thing (staying in school one more year), it does mean he won't have to leave on internship without us next year, so that's a definite plus. Keep your fingers crossed for him/us.

Adriana

Here's a couple pictures of my silly girl. She decided she wanted to wear headbands. Please excuse her filthiness. It was nice enough for the kids to play outside at daycare and she definitely is not one to fuss about getting dirty.

Justus' 3 year check up

I took Justus to the Dr. yesterday for his 3 year old check up. So at 3 years 2 months he was 40.2 lbs and almost 41 inches tall. He was in the 95th percentile for both. He is doing great and he can switch to a booster seat in the car if we so wish. Love You Justus!

Catch Up

Wow, it's been a long time since I've actually posted anything about my family. Back in January I had my Preliminary exam and then 2 weeks after it I had my interview, but I did just fine. I'm so happy with my Program! My classes keep me very busy and I also supervise undergrads who volunteer to help with our research.

For Valentine's Day this year, Rob surprised me with a gift for each sense. Taste - Better than Sex cake; Smell- candle; Hearing - IPOD; Sight - roses; Touch - a gift certificate for a massage. I absolutely loved it all!! Thanks so much Honey!!



My advisor took a trip to London & Taiwan for the research we're working on. While she was gone I got to play "Professor" for one of her classes, ha! What's really cool is that she got to meet with Richard Bowlby, John Bowlby's son. John Bowlby is notable for his interest in child development and his pioneering work in attachment theory (this is what I study.) She also brought me back some goodies! Thanks Dr. N.

I recently was awarded a $300 Educational Psychology Grant to use toward my trip to Canada in August. Yay!!


Here's a pic of the kids up on their pedestals! Oreo cookies too!


Last week was Spring Break for Dantae, Rob and I. At the end of it we took a trip to the Hills for Rob's Grandpa Bob's 80th Birthday party. It was nice to see some of our friends while we were out there.

Here are some pics with Grandma Georgia.




On the way home we stopped for a short break and took a picture by the Missouri River. Guess this is our new family portrait. :D

I apologize for this post not being put together too well, but I'm a busy woman these days! Love to you all!

Life is a Marathon, so double tie your shoes!

Life is a marathon. There’s some up hill, some down hill, sudden curves and sneaky speed bumps, all calculated to bring out the best or worst in us. But being fit is the key to navigating the course, and getting fit is part of the fun. Fitness of mind and body is our right and our obligation, the pursuit of happiness lies in the courage to live, the patience to persist, and the tenacity to “take it on”.