HE PASSED!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, so I'm about a year-and-a-half behind on my posts. I really do apologize and have every intention of catching up some day - course with the baby almost here that might take awhile yet.

At any rate, there are lots of reasons why I haven't posted (last year because it was just a horrible year) and this year because it's been a wonderful, but incredibly busy year. Not only are we pregnant (after trying for so long) but I'm still working here and there on photography and Eric was studying for Level 2 of the CFA (the hardest level), dare I say, AGAIN.

Yes, this is the third year he has taken it but all his hard work has paid off!!!!

HE PASSED!!!!!!

We just found out this morning and it's a good thing he did because if he didn't, we were going to drop the whole thing (not to mention all the time and heartache we've put into this certification for the last five years).

For those of you who are thinking, "Wow, it took him 3 times to pass this level, what's so great about that?" should know that it is an EXTREMELY difficult certification. Professionals who have masters degrees and who've been working in the field for a long time don't pass. When Eric took it this time, he was sitting between someone who had taken that level 3 times already, and the other had taken it 4 times already. It consists of memorizing (and knowing how to work up) hundreds of complex financial formulas so yeah, it's a big deal.

I am SO RELIEVED and SO PROUD of him! I knew he could do it and he has such dedication and determination. All of this is self-study and he has always been able to put other things aside and make this a priority - studying about 20 hrs. a week six months out of the year with a not-always-so-supportive wife.

The next step is level 3 next June which should be a breeze (fingers crossed) now that he has passed level 2 and he will be a fully-certified CFA! It will be the equivelent to, or better than a masters degree. After that, we've been looking into a full-time MBA program or we might just take a rest for awhile :) We'll see. But for now, we couldn't be happier! WAY TO GO BABE!!!!