Friday, May 13, 2011

Graduation

One of the major stresses in our life is finally over, though Ball State is trying to keep it there (but more on that later), because we finally finished college! This is mostly going to be a bragging post so sit down and buckle up because there is quite a lot to brag about!


First not only did we complete school we did it:

While being married...While being pregnant...While having a newborn and infant...While family was out having fun without us...

****image not found**** hmm... for some strange reason I don't have any pictures...

While having a jobs...

With Honors...
Phil was summa cum laude and Kim was cum laude
And the crown jewel of our graduation mortar broad...
WITHOUT ANY DEBT!

We do not have any student loans, no credit card debt or bills, no car loans or mortgages. Nothing!

It is possible, though definitely not the most enjoyable thing in the world. We did it and had a baby, paid our bills and worked our tails off for it. Part of it was the fact that Phil can charm a committee for scholarship, part of it is being married and no longer on our parent's taxes, part work, and part having investments and working through high school and most of it was a blessing of paying our tithing. My parents did not pay for any of my actual school things the first year they did pay for my room and board but that is it. They did take us out for celebratory dinners and vacations to help relieve stress which was amazing. Phil's parents helped him buy a laptop by lending him money, but we paid it back last year. We also have about the tightest belts possible, we spend about $30 a month on groceries, we have a cheap apartment, we bike whenever and where ever we can, we go out on free or cheap dates and find neighbors willing to babysit for free (Thanks Ryan and Betty Jo).

All in all it is possible to graduate from college debt free, it's hard don't get me wrong, but I'd do it again because we have grown so much more through the toughest of times and become stronger because of it, as a family and individuals.




On a grumpier note:
Ball State just doesn't want me to leave. The other day I went to check my grades and my semester did not exist under my grades section, my transcripts or my dapr! I also had a class from last semester listed as incomplete. I about died, but instead I emailed my professor and my adviser, both of which were out of town. Luckily my professor fixed it once blackboard was available again and my adviser's general reply email told to who to contact with immediate concerns. Right now everything looks right and hopefully I'm get my diploma soon! So really it has a happy ending too!




3 comments:

The Byards said...

Yay! You guys are awesome! And you need to let us know how you live on $30 a month in groceries...

Also, have you heard about when we get diplomas? I haven't heard a thing!

JACKIE said...

Excellent post! ***image not available** (smiling mom)

Betty Jo said...

diplomas will come in about a month or so....if I remember correctly :)