"Ahhh!" (*sigh*) Finished!

Rachel Marie Didyk, RN
(or at least as soon as I pass my boards, which should be easy after that last final! :) But no more school - PTL.)

I successfully completed my schooling with an amazingly difficult final on December 13, and participated in our class pinning ceremony on December 15. First, let me say thank you:
Thank you, God, for helping through these last two years and especially the last few months...I couldn't have done it without the strength, love and support He provided through my family and friends. Thank you Andy for putting up with me and loving and supporting me through this time. Thank you, Mama and Anna Leigh for basically moving in with us over the past 3 months and doing all the cooking, cleaning, and baby care. Thank you Daddy for 'lending' your wife and daughter to us during this challenging time. Thank you to all our family and friends who have encouraged me and prayed for me/us as I finished school. Thank you to my instructors and classmates for your understanding, helpfulness and encouragement. I could not have made it without you. God has truly blessed us with a wonderful support network for which we are extremely grateful.

Our class had a ceremony on Friday night, where each graduating nurse was "pinned" by their family members. It was wonderful to have my Hubby and Son, Daddy, Mama and Anna there to celebrate with me (and many others there in spirit).















Christopher celebrates as Daddy puts Mommy's pin on her jacket.


I was also greatly honored to be nominated and chosen by my professors to receive the "110% Award." Each semester it is given to a graduate nurse who has gone above and beyond to overcome a major personal struggle in order to complete nursing school.






















Here's my little reason why I was given the award. Thanks, Christopher.






















When they showed up at the ceremony, Babu, Nana and Aunt Anna surprised Daddy and Mommy by dressing Christopher in a suit to help Mommy celebrate. Along with Daddy, they were "crowd control" to help keep him from getting sick since he wasn't really supposed to be out in a public place like that yet. It was really special to have him up on stage with me when I was pinned.















A very happy family...no more school. Now I can be a "stay-at-home-mom" (After a few days of being a "stay-at-home-dad" during my last week of school, Andy decided that was fine with him...he'll go to work instead.)















My girls: Angie (blue), Ashley (purple) and Annie (green) are wonderful friends. They have been such a blessing as we've all 'suffered' through nursing school, especially the last few months. Thank you, Ladies. I love you all.






















And finally, our son in his new suit:

Christopher S. Didyk, "The Godfather"