LA Tech Distinguished Alum

While Ross and I were in Colorado skiing, I found out I was nominated and selected to be Louisiana Tech University's 2014 College of Engineering and Science Industrial Engineering Distinguished Alum. I was stunned! I've been fortunate enough to go to the event where the distinguished alums are honored for the last several years as member of both the Industrial Engineering Advisory Board and the Engineering and Science Foundation board. The people selected for this honor are always amazing individuals, and I certainly felt humbled to be considered one of their equals. As I sat at the event listening to the description of each of the individuals selected in their fields, I wanted to slip under the table because I didn't believe I fit the bill! When they got to my name and started describing my accomplishments, I leaned over to Ross, laughed, and told him they make me sound really good!

After receiving the award, I got to say a few words. For me, it was an opportunity to let my families, my blood relatives and my LA Tech family, know just how much they have been a part of my successes and that the success I consider to be the greatest is that I have been able to carry forward the caring leadership they demonstrated to me.

Even now as I sit here recalling the event, I realize how much everyone in that room has contributed to making me who I am today. My parents poured everything they could into developing me and preparing me for the world. My professors not only taught me technical knowledge, but also team and leadership skills, as well as genuine care and passion for whatever I do. My husband and my friends taught me loyalty, support, grace, and accountability. My board member peers shared their wisdom and insights and encouraged me each step of the way. I think I am most grateful these relationships are nowhere near ending! I look forward to a lifetime of growth in these relationships, and I look forward to seeing who I continue to become with their love and support.

Here are a few pics of me receiving the award and of my closest relatives and friends.

Eco-Marathon 2013

Shell's Eco-Marathon was in Houston a few weeks ago, and we attended to show our support for Louisiana Tech again this year! The event took place over four days, and I got to be there for parts of all four! Ross and I attended a reception Thursday night with the Louisiana Tech Engineering and Science Foundation (ESF) and the LA Tech team. On Friday, ESF had our board meeting and participated in the opening ceremonies for the event. Then the fun really began on Saturday when the competition started! Jackson and Audrey were beyond excited to see our friends, The Tims, over the weekend, and they had a blast cheering for the LA Tech cars! We all wore our Tech blue to show our support...

We couldn't have asked for better weather! It was gorgeous and not too hot!

The event takes place around Houston's Discovery Green, so we made our way across the track to let the kids play in the park for a while. Jackson and Audrey quickly took to the stage to give us a performance. I was pretty impressed with their moves! Carter had some good moves too, but he was being a little camera shy.

The playground was lots of fun, and Jackson showed us how strong and brave he is by tackling some of the tougher equipment. There were also lots of exhibits along the paths. The two favorites were a spinning wheel where the kids all won some coupons for gas savings, which the adults happily took, and the hands-on robotic demo. Jackson helped Audrey get a good look at it before taking a turn at driving it around.

All of that was lots of fun, but we were really there to cheer on the LA Tech team! Here are some pics of the beautiful cars they made and raced in an effort to get the most miles per gallon! Of course, the top pic with the kids in it is not one of the LA Tech cars...it's a Nascar race car!

We enjoyed some time in "the pit" and playing around inside the convention center too. The size of the competition grew quite a bit this year, and they also included more kid-friendly activities. Audrey liked the dance floor where your moves would help charge cell phones, etc. Jackson liked the paper airplanes and build-your-own saltwater-powered eco-car. I loved getting to spend some time with our LA Tech friends!

The LA Tech team did a great job again this year, and we were glad to get to be a part of it! There are more pictures from the weekend in the album

Spring in Ruston

Two weekends ago, we made our way to Ruston for our annual Spring trip. We have gone every year for more years than I can count now to support some form of advisory board meetings for Louisiana Tech University's College of Engineering and Science, and this year was no exception. While we were there we got to spend some time with family and friends, and I got a few pictures of the kiddos playing around in my grandparents' backyard.

The magnolia trees were in bloom, and Audrey thought they were pretty...so is she!

I've often told people how sweet Jackson and Audrey are to each other most of the time. They generally share well and play fun games together. Like any siblings they have their moments, but I was able to catch a few of their sweeter moments from the day.

I have no idea what was in his hands, but he was excited to share it with Audrey. I can just hear Jackson's sweet voice in these pictures, "Hey, Audrey! I have something for you. It's in my hands. Look and see what it is." Then after she discovers it saying, "Yay, Audrey! See...I told you it was cool."

In the past, Jackson has taken the wagon apart for Audrey to climb in and out, but this time Audrey wanted to do it by herself and was so proud of her accomplishment!

Of course, no visit is ever complete without some time in the swing, especially with GG! They both enjoyed telling her their stories, and she listened so patiently.

Jackson wouldn't stop talking long enough for me to take his picture, but Audrey was all grins for the camera at this point in the day.

Here's some proof that my kiddos aren't always all smiles though. We see these faces and many other pitiful ones fairly often. They're still pretty cute though!

As always, there are more pictures in the album

Eco-Marathon

Shell's Eco-Marathon has taken place in Houston for the last three years, and Louisiana Tech University has had a strong presence in the competition since it began in the Americas. It is a fun competition where high school and college students race "prototype" and "urban" vehicles to see who can get the best gas mileage. LA Tech has won multiple categories over the years, and we've even contributed by helping them win the spirit award! We gather on a balcony of the George R. Brown Convention Center in our Tech Blue every year to cheer them on, and this year was no exception!

This year's LA Tech team was full of new faces since many of the team members last year were seniors that have graduated. Some of them returned to cheer the team on as well. They raced three vehicles this year. A new urban vehicle, the urban car from last year, and a new prototype vehicle. True to their reputation, each car had a sleek design.

Here are the students working on getting the new urban ready for the race! This vehicle has to perform more like the cars we drive each day with stops and starts throughout the race.

The prototype vehicle is strictly designed and driven to see how many MPG it can get (i.e. no stops required).

This year the LA Tech Engineering and Science Foundation, which I am on the board for, held one of their meetings in conjunction with this event, and Shell gave us first-class treatment. We were given the VIP treatment during the opening ceremonies and given a special tour of the event on Friday. Ross, the kids, and I typically come to the race on Saturday, so being there for two days gave me some extra insight into the fun and challenges these teams face and the support team that keeps them going. The safety inspections were rigorous and resulted in several last-minute modifications for the team, but their faculty advisers, which includes our good friend, Heath, were right there to give them tips and advice and to help them out in any way. They were also well taken care of by the LA Tech family, which includes staff, alumni, friends, and family. Not only were they there to cheer them on, but they were there to run errands and supply sweet treats like this adorable cake!

Here are some pics of Ross, Jackson, and Audrey enjoying the event both from the balcony and in "the pit".

In the afternoon we decided to take a break from the heat. We headed across the track to Discovery Green where the kiddos played on the splash pad. Both kids loved running around in the spray! I left my camera at the convention center, but I snapped a few shots with my phone.

It was definitely a fun-filled day! Both kids were exhausted since we had them power through their normal nap times, but they were amazingly well behaved and made lots of new friends. However, both did crash for a little while at different times. This may be the first time Audrey has slept in my arms since she was a tiny baby...I cherished the moment!

The race continues tomorrow, so we're wishing the team much luck as they finish it out. I know the students have learned a ton from the experience...such an amazing opportunity!

As always, there are more pictures in the album.

LA Tech Homecoming

We made our annual trip back to Ruston for engineering advisory board meetings and LA Tech's homecoming. This is the first year I haven't had to go to any meetings, so I enjoyed some extra time with friends and family! Here are some pictures of Jackson and Audrey playing in my grandparents' backyard. Jackson enjoyed pushing us on the swing and pulling Audrey around. He was quite the gentleman. He would pull one of the sides off of the wagon to make it easier for Audrey to climb in and out. They were too cute playing together!

G.G (Great Grandmother) spent some time swinging with us too, and I just love this picture. Can you tell they are related? I think they look so much alike!

We missed the homecoming tailgating since the kiddos needed naps, but we did make it to the game again this year. They loved it! I didn't take any pictures at the game, but there are some more of the kiddos playing in the backyard in the album.

LA Tech Homecoming 2010

This picture sums up the weekend well...Louisiana Tech pride and joy!

LA Tech's Homecoming weekend always brings fun, friends, and family together, and this year was no exception. Some of our visits were short, but we were grateful for the little time we got with everyone. We spent most of the weekend with Heath, Barbara, Carter, and my cousin, Meg...some of my favorite people in the world! I wish we all lived closer!

Ross had mechanical engineering advisory council meetings Friday and Saturday. This was my first year in a long time not to be part of the industrial engineering advisory council meetings. It felt a little strange not to be there hearing all about what's going on and meeting with the students, but I really enjoyed the extra time.

Jackson and Carter are so much fun together. We spent a lot of time doing puzzles, swinging, collecting rocks, and drawing with sidewalk chalk.

My mom and Dad came over Friday afternoon and got to visit with all of the kids for a while.

Saturday was the homecoming game. It was the first football game either Jackson or Audrey has been to in person. Both of them were a fan. Audrey soaked up all the attention she was getting from some young girls sitting behind us, and Jackson got to dance to the band music and play with a group of friends his age while watching the game from time to time.

By half time the kiddos were hungry and tired, so we left the guys there to finish cheering on the Bulldogs to victory while Barbara, Meg, the kids, and I made our way to our favorite local pizza place, Johnny's. After dinner and putting the kids to bed, we had a long, wonderful evening of visiting and debating and trying to solve the world's problems. It was a perfect end to a perfect weekend!

Here are a couple more pictures of our adorable kids. ;-) There are a few more in the album too.

Party! Party! Party!

We've been busy partying on the weekends, but unfortunately, we have no pictures to show for it! It turns out with two kids, neither of us usually has our hands free to take a picture...we'll work on that!

The weekend after our trip to Florida for the shuttle launch we celebrated Jace's 1st birthday at one of our favorite parks in the area. Jackson, of course, spent almost the entire time on the swings. However, he did stop for some cake, which has become one of his favorite foods. It was at Jace's birthday party that I discovered Jackson knows the words to the "Happy Birthday" song. There have been several birthdays in his class at day care, so I'm guessing he learned it there! Jace was adorable, and did a great job destroying his "smash" cake.

The next weekend we made our way to The Woodlands for the Reece's crawfish boil. Here we got to catch up with the Reece and Bryan families...great friends from LA Tech. Mason and Jackson quickly became buds on the moonwalk while we enjoyed some yummy food. After the moonwalk, they discovered the ice chests and had fun feeling how cold the ice was. They also spent some time perched on watermelons and taking care of Audrey. We only wish they lived closer because we know Mason and Jackson could be best buds!

We spent the rest of Memorial Day Weekend at our neighborhood pool. Jackson was a little hesitant to get in the water on Sunday, but by Monday we were having to talk to him about not jumping in the pool! I think I see swim lessons in our future! Audrey loved the water too. Ross was bouncing her around in the water when she decided to laugh for the very first time!

The Tuesday after Memorial Day was my first day back to work and Audrey's first day of day care. It was an overwhelming adjustment for both of us. I had a lot to catch up on at work on top of the separation anxiety. Fortunately, overwhelming also means busy, so I didn't have much time to think about how much I missed her until I got home. She seemed to know she was in a different place with people she didn't know and didn't sleep well during the days all week. When we got home Tuesday evening she gave me the biggest, sweetest smile and then relaxed and fell asleep in my arms...very bittersweet. Each day got a little easier for both of us, and we made the most of every moment we had together as a family.

Last weekend Jackson's friend, Cooper, celebrated his birthday. Several of their friends from day care were there, and it was SO much fun to watch them play. They had a baby pool set up in the backyard, which was perfect since it was so hot. The kiddos had fun jumping and flipping in the pool...making me a little nervous since they'd stay underwater for a few seconds. We really enjoyed getting to know some of the other parents better and hope this opens the door for some new play dates!

Audrey was a perfect angel through all of the parties. She and Jackson are both growing and changing so quickly and are so much fun. Here is a some picture of Audrey from a couple of weeks ago. There are a few more in the album too.

LA Tech Advisory Board Weekend

Thursday we made our way to Ruston, LA and spent the afternoon and evening with my grandparents. We had a great time playing, eating, and visiting. We even got to hear the story of how my grandparents started dating. It was classic and hilarious! I'll just say it involved a yearbook and leave it at that. :-)

Friday Ross and I both had advisory board meetings for our respective engineering disciplines. This was my last meeting on the board, which was a little bitter sweet. We're not exactly sure how long I've been on the industrial engineering board, but we know it's been at least 6 years. I'm happy to report that I have seen improvement in the program over that time!

Jackson and Audrey played at the Tims' house all day Friday, and apparently Jackson and Carter did a little babysitting...too cute!

Saturday, Barbara and Carter came over to my grandparents' house to play while the guys finished up their meetings that morning. When they were done, they took care of the kiddos for a while so Barbara and I could pamper ourselves a little by getting pedicures. We returned to discover both boys had refused their naps and were still playing hard. They had SO much fun together and were so sweet with Audrey.

My parents drove over to visit and have dinner that evening and were greeted with one of Jackson's signature hugs.

We had a great time visiting with everyone and hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day! There are a few more pictures in the album if you're interested.

Eco-Car Marathon Weekend

This weekend was the Shell Eco-Car Marathon, which happened to be in Houston this year. Our friend, Heath, was one of the faculty advisors for Louisiana Tech's team. They entered 3 cars in this year's competition, a prototype vehicle and two urban cars. Barbara and Carter stayed with us for the weekend, and we managed to get all the kiddos downtown for some of the events Saturday afternoon. They had a blast! Here are some pictures of the cars and everyone cheering them on.

This is LA Tech's prototype vehicle. The competition is based on miles per gallon. This prototype car got up to 786 mpg, which placed 10th in the competition.

These are the urban cars. The red car was actually built and competed in last year's race, and the blue car was designed and built this year. The red car got up to around 150 mpg, and the blue car got up to 251 mpg, which placed 2nd in the competition and won the design innovation award! We're very proud of them!

There was also a spirit award, which LA Tech won hands down. There was a lot of Tech blue around, as well as a lot of bulldog barking going on.

Jackson LOVED the cars. As they went around the track he would say, "another car" and cheer and clap. He and Carter stayed up late last night to watch the urban cars run, which they would tell you was well worth it!

The boys had lots of fun the rest of the weekend too. They did everything from playing the piano to reading books to building towers to hunting easter eggs. We had so much fun with Barbara and Carter here. We wish we could see them more often!

Of course, there are more pictures in the album, but here's one last shot of our amazing friends at the competition!