Did you miss me?

I noticed when I logged in that I haven't posted anything since the end of January. As I'm sure you can imagine, I've had a few reasons.

My PhD dissertation was due last week. I've spent a lot of time buried in papers, old experiments and formatting requirements. I realize that a dissertation isn't supposed to be easy, but I think I may have had a few more distractions going on than most people do (I'll explain later). Anyway, I finished with the writing a couple weeks ago, and spent the last two weeks making the changes that my advisor suggested. The last few days were spent formatting the 194 page behemoth in the way that my advisor wanted. I seriously was having dreams about formatting the stupid thing! My dissertation was officially submitted last Thursday, and I am scheduled to defend it on Thursday, April 23. If all goes well, I will be Dr. Crouse that night ... if it doesn't then you will find me in a tear-filled drunken stupor somewhere (but I don't forsee that).

While I was working on my dissertation, the rest of my life kept getting a little crazier. My dad moved to Fargo, ND with his fiance just in time for massive flooding. Luckily he's ok and hasn't had any major troubles.

One of my 15 year old girls in youth group is pregnant. That has been beyond stressful for me. I have to walk a very fine line between my disapproval for the overall situation and being supportive of her decision to not have an abortion. It's a very complicated situation with an odd family dynamic at the root of it. I've cried many a tear over this girl.

Unfortunately, she isn't my only youth group problem. I have an 18 year old boy who is spending his weekends drinking. His parents don't trust him, and he's setting a bad example for his siblings. I've tried to counsel him, but it goes nowhere. The sad thing is that he's such a good, sweet kid. I think he's gotten caught up in playing a part to fit in and I don't think he knows a way out. Add in the typical 18 year old, ready to leave home angst and it's a powder keg waiting to explode!

My biggest stressor, by far, has been my grandma. She met with a surgeon to have a hernia repaired in February. Turns out it wasn't a hernia, but a massive tumor. She has breast cancer that has metastasized and caused the inside of her abdominal wall to be lined with tumors of varying size. She tried one chemo treatment, but she was too weak to deal with it. She's officially off of the chemo for good now. Her goal is to see my graduation in May and my brother's wedding in July. After seeing her yesterday, I'll be surprised if she makes July. It's going to be a bumpy few months.

In all of this turmoil that's been swirling around me lately, there have been a few bright spots. I have made some wonderful new friends that have given me something happier to focus on just when I needed it most. I'm sure I'll be mentioning them now and then in the future, but all I can say is they have been a Godsend during what has been the most stressful time of my life. Thanks guys! You rock!