Sara Craddock, M.S. CF-SLP!!!

Finally, I can officially say that I have my Master's degree in Communication Disorders, and shall henceforth be referred to as Mrs. Sara Craddock, M.S. CF-SLP. Wow. While I really never could have guessed that I would be an alumni of UT Dallas, I am so grateful for my time there. It's been two really great years learning to do what I really love. Leaving ACU was so unsure. Leaving a familiar town with all my friends where Brandon and I had grown so comfortable. Not going to Nashville to be close to family, but moving to Dallas with no friends or knowledge of what life would be like. I was so ready to be engaged (shoutout, Jess) but would be living with family friends I'd never met. And I had no idea what to expect out of Grad school. But things turned out to be better than I ever could have imagined.

UT Dallas was really the perfect place for me. I got to go to classes with the friends I knew from ACU, and we got so much closer. I had such good experiences though, learning how to best help individuals with communication disorders. My first semester, I adored the little toddler who I motivated to communicate with me. I also worked in a public school and in a private practice with supervisors who were such great mentors. Some of the best experiences were at Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation and a swallowing clinic last semester, where I learned how to work with adults and with babies who had trouble swallowing. My very favorite was my internship at the hospital. I had great supervisors who gave me enough responsibility to really help some patients. I realized very quickly that it was my passion, and I'm so excited about my upcoming job where I will work to patients with similar needs. It's weird to think that I'm done with school forever. Something like 20 years of schooling and it's finally over. I'm so excited that I'll never ever ever have to take a test or write a paper again. I am so lucky to have had such great teachers and experiences in my life. But I finally feel like an adult, even though I know the new job will take some getting used to.

My sister, Jessi's graduation from nursing school was on Friday. I was sad I didn't get to be there to see her graduate. My dad just barely got to make it to Dallas on Friday night in time to see me graduate early Saturday morning. I was so glad he came. My parents have always been such advocates for a good education, and I'm so lucky that I'll get to work doing something I'm passionate about. Here are som pictures from this weekend...


See, there I am!


Walking across the stage!!


How I survived Grad School: Brianne, Cortney, and Becca.


My wonderful hubby. Look at that smile-- he's a little excited to about to have a second income in the family :)


My sweet Dad- Thanks for coming all the way to Dallas!


The GORGEOUS flowers Brandon's parents sent me. So pretty!

Of course it rained all weekend. But I guess that's good luck for me. It rained at ACU graduation and the morning of our wedding, so it just somehow felt right. But maybe it'll get sunny this week. Hope everyone had a great weekend!