A Moment or Two to Brag

*Warning, this is MY story, as I recall from 2 months ago and might not be completely accurate as I am a sleep-deprived mom of 4.*

As we were driving to Texas this summer, Andy got an interesting phone call from the Law School.  It was Lauri Thorpe, one of the Asst. Deans of the Law School.  She explained to Andy that the Board of Trustees for the University of Akron wanted to get to know the students better.  The Honors College asked each College to select one student they felt represented their school that would be honored at a Board of Trustees meeting.  So, the Dean's Office at the law school asked around for suggestions.  Andy's name came up several times, so Dean Belsky approved that and would Andy please write up an autobiography and submit it.  OKAY!  Honestly, writing that was really fun!  It was *neat* (for lack of a better word) to see how much has been accomplished in the last 11 1/2 years we have been married.  The only experience on that autobiography that I wasn't a support to was Andy's 2 year mission to Puerto Rico, although I did pray for many missionaries at the time he was serving.  ;)

So, as August 3rd was approaching, Andy told me he wanted the kids to come - all of his family was welcome.  I admit, I was a bit hesitant to bring 4 children to a serious meeting (and even more nervous when we were actually there as they listed the agenda for the meeting!), especially as the meeting was scheduled during Mitchell's naptime.  However, we are family and support one another, so I got the kids ready and we headed out!  (I'm sure there had to have been a few bored board members who were entertained by our antics as we were seated in the special seats on the side of the room instead of the rows in the back.)

Andy did great in his few minutes of presenting to the Board, although he did get a little bit choked up when talking about his fabulous wife (or maybe not.)  ;)  That is the top picture.  Just above this is Andy with Luis Proenza, the President of the University.

From Left to Right: Joe Rich, one of two Student Board of Trustees members (who also happens to work with Andy, but that had no bearing on this honor, I promise!), President Proenza, Andy, Ben, Emily, Me (who didn't know we were going to be taking pictures or I wouldn't have thrown my hair into a braid), Annie, Mitchell, Ann Brennan (Chair of the Board), and Wayne Watkins (Andy's boss at the University of Akron Research Foundation and who he wants to be when he grows up).

Joe, Dean Thorpe (who we all completely love.  She was such a gem when we came to visit the school 2 years ago.  She remembered everything about Andy and has always been a friendly face around campus.  She's also a HUGE lift to my self-esteem each time I talk with her!), Dean Belsky (who completely convinced us that Akron was the place for us on our Campus Visit; Love him!), and you know the rest. 

It was a great honor and very humbling as well, to both of us.  I love the picture of Andy with Pres. Proenza - you can just see the top of Ben's head looking up at them.  That is why we are here!!!