For those of you who hung around here circa 1999-2003 may remember that during that era, my daughter Jenna was in high school and a complete rebellious mess.

We nicknamed her the Tornado.

She was a brilliant student in school, but was bored and started acting the fool, drinking like a fish and ended up on the verge of expulsion from high school. I bailed her out of jail a few times at 3am.  She totaled a car and just about wrecked my whole family.

My how times have changed.

This coming Sunday, she will graduate from Marquette University with her Master's degree in Nursing and after taking her board exams in July, will be starting August 1 as a Nurse Practitioner on a epilepsy/head trauma department at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.

I am in awe of her accomplishments the past 8 years and am so very proud of her every single day. She has really challenged herself and now has her dream job.

Ironically, about a week ago in the grocery store, I ran into a local circuit court judge who recognized me and asked me "Whatever happened to that daughter of yours that was in my court room facing expulsion and promised me I would never see her in this courtroom again?"

After I told him, he said "Tell her I am proud of her. It's nice to see that sometimes kids who end up in trouble like her, actually straighten up and fly right!"

She smiled and laughed last night when I shared that with her.

I'd be a fool if I did not take a moment to thank all of you here that stood by me and listened when I needed an ear or made me laugh when I thought she couldn't get into any more trouble.

Especially you Jen Meyers. Without your love and support AND being there when she had a question about nursing school essays, grad school essays or NP interviews, she wouldn't be where she is today.

Love and thanks to you all.

The proud papa.

David, that's so good to hear. Congrats to your "little tornado." She's very lucky to have a supportive daddy that stuck by her even in her toughest times.

oh Davers.. I so remember those days when the tornado was blowing through….  I used to think to myself.. "man.. what would I do if I were in his shoes"  Little did I know that I would have many challenges with my own "Tornado" and still do to this day….

congrats to the nwe Nurse Practitioner!!!

*High fives*

Congrats, David. I know you stood by her throughout. :)

Wow! That's fantastic!

I'm as proud of her as I can be without actually being related to her.

Absolutely the largest congrats to you all, David!  Isn't there some saying about how after the storm blows through, the rainbow shines & makes everything seem so much better?

You've all been through so much, and you definitely have a right to be bursting with pride --- because of all of your kids.  You're a phenomenal dad, and I envy your kids for having you in their life! 

Hugs .....

Congrats David…I can only imagine how proud you all muist be!

Ha!  Check this out.  She is all grown up.

http://www.chw.org/Applications/PPF/Nav/0/DocID/20004/CredentialingID/5390/PhysHomePage.asp

Hellloooooo Nurse!