WOOHOOO!!!!!

I did it! I am officially a Certified Restorer (TM) by the Restoration Industry Association!!!! I received my notification today. I am the 5th person in the state of MN who has earned it and the first female! I am also the 10th female in the WORLD who has earned this! There are around 500 people world-wide who are certified, most of them in the US. This is the news I was waiting for since I took the class in June in Washington, D.C. I did procrastinate in getting my paper done, so this is wonderful news for me! This is the highest certification in the restoration industry and is widely respected by our peer companies, insurance companies, and court systems. I am honored to be a part of such an esteemed group! My dad is also a CR so we have 2 in the family!

The instructor said that my formal restoration report was "excellent." I get to start using my designation now but I will miss the formal induction ceremony since it's the middle of March and baby will be between 2 and 4 weeks old. Did I mention that the induction ceremony is at the national convention and this year it's in Palm Springs? Ya, as great as it would be to be there and see my national peers and formally receive this among other CR's I cannot imagine traveling with such a new baby, nor can I imagine *wanting* to travel so soon after giving birth! I am just so happy! All that stressing and studying was worth it. Of course, the additional knowledge I have and the experience is beyond words.