[jeff]

I was getting requests for a thread like this – so here it is!

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS) | Another71 | NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE

[IwannaBaCPA]

I honestly doubt he reads my blog…he doesn't seem overly interested. I mean supportive and proud, yes, but when it comes to the details, no. Mine is totally not the jealous type…I told him if I ever had the chance with Gerard Butler, I wouldn't hesitate and he didn't care a bit 🙂 LOL!

Thanks for the reassurance! I feel like time is flying by and what I had planned at 18 for myself by 30 is not even close to what has happened, but I am guessing that happens to most people…

BEC: 79 - April 2011
FAR: 78 - May 2011
AUD: 81 - May 2012
REG: 79 - October 2012
Ethics: Passed - March 2013
I am finally DONE!

[hilaryh_88]

Doesn't it seem a little backward that women need to worry about having kids first due to age, etc. and then settle into a career later in life? It seems like we should be able to do the career first and kids when we're older. Darn that clock!

AUD - 82 Becker
BEC - 75 Becker
REG - 71, 82 Becker
FAR - 66,61,71,74,70 and #6 80!!!! FINALLY DONE!!! 9/20/12
Yaeger and Yaeger CRAM for the final battle!

[yankeeaccountant]

….And the dam is broken!!! Ya think this thread is a bit overdue?! I love that, seems like the women, who are needing a place to vent, rant, or just share are doing so. Kudos out to Allyson and KB24 for decoding my very own- morse- code -like cry for an ear. 🙂

One thing I will say: If being an accountant is belonging to a group of ladies such as yourselves–then I am honored, and I am in !!!! Truly amazed and humbled by what people have endured and continue to work through just to fulfill a dream. I loved reading everyone's story. Thanks for sharing, I know from my own experience, that it isn't always easy to do so.

The message was clear: perserverance! Thanks for reminding me of that today. I could use that on Saturday.

[kb24]

I got married at 21 and had my daughter at 29. She's now 24, not married or even dating, and a 3rd year med student, and my husband's fretting for grandchildren. He doesn't say anything to her, but he's mentioned it plenty of times to me. I think he's nuts–she's got plenty of time and way too much going on right now to even think about getting married or children. He says he wants to be young enough to enjoy grandchildren. We both look younger than our age and he's really active, but sometimes he talks like he's an old man. Sheesh!

@yankee – you're right. This thread is great, but I don't think Jeff had a clue what it would be like when he started it.

FAR 4/1/11 - 89
AUD 4/15/11 - 85
REG 4/29/11 - 80
BEC 5/13/11 - 85

[jeff]

The thread becomes whatever people want it to become 🙂

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS) | Another71 | NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE

[Anonymous]

I enjoy this forum and it is a big inspiration for me. Foremost I would like to thank my wife for her patience. We got married when I was 23. She was 21. It was a young age and I don't regret one second. At that time I was succesful doing HVAC. We bought our house.. Life was good.

In February of 2008 I popped a disk in my back. I thought was a torn muscle, but after two months I saw a specialist and my world came to a screeching halt. I started to lose feeling in my feet, I was told the next day I need surgery the following week and to come into the ER before then if any change. At the time I was finishing my BA in management, I finished that early. I still don't remember much from April to August. Returning to HVAC was not an option. We ended up losing the house and going through bankruptcy.

Finally Septemeber of 2009 I was cleared to be “re-educated.”. I finished my Masters in Dec 2010. Since then we had our first child in April. I am seeking a position. Right now I am Mr. Mom. I squeeze in studying during naps or mostly late at night. The key has been motivatation. I am hoping to eventually be a position for my wife to be home. So how I am feeling at the time is not as important as where I want to be.

My wife has gotten frustrated and felt left out, and I understand completely and we have scheduled non study time for just us. She has been behind me 100%. I could not ask for more. I love you babe.

[Anonymous]

Just to add, we've been together since 1999, and married since 2003.

[IwannaBaCPA]

@CPAawl: Glad things are turning around for you…I got married at 22 and yes young, but I wouldn't change a thing either…

We started dating in March 1998 and married in December 2005. It has been such a crazy journey, but I'm glad he has been at my side through it all. I am sure your wife can say the same of you. The planned “us” time is so important…Congrats on the little one too 🙂

Good luck with AUD! Btw, what did you do differently to pass REG in Q2?

BEC: 79 - April 2011
FAR: 78 - May 2011
AUD: 81 - May 2012
REG: 79 - October 2012
Ethics: Passed - March 2013
I am finally DONE!

[rmm91909]

@IwannaBaCPA: I am right there with you! 27 married and thinking I would have had atleast one baby right now. I feel bad because my husband is so ready to have kids. Four of his closest guy friend's wives/girlfriends are expecting and I feel a little pressure. I am starting to wonder if I would have the energy to study if I were to get pregnant?!

[IwannaBaCPA]

@rmm91909: I'm not so sure my hubby is ready and he is 31!! I do think we both thought we would be parents by now, but I am getting ready to start at a Big 4 in 2 months and I KNOW I won't have time for a little one quite yet…ALL of my friends have more than one child right now and I have baby fever so bad!! Accounting is ruining my life!!! J/K 🙂

BEC: 79 - April 2011
FAR: 78 - May 2011
AUD: 81 - May 2012
REG: 79 - October 2012
Ethics: Passed - March 2013
I am finally DONE!

[hilaryh_88]

rmm91909:

I'm in your exact boat. I'm 28 and figured I would have at least one child by now and then I got this hair-brained idea to get yet another degree and attempt to take the CPA exam. I know for me personally at least that I would not have any interest in studying if I was pregnant or had a newborn. I can barely find the motivation now other than I am so sick of having this test hanging over my head all of the time. When I first set up to take the exam I wasn't interested in having kids. Now, 18 months later and after one of my best friends had twin boys, I am looking forward to it but this crazy exam stands in the way.

AUD - 82 Becker
BEC - 75 Becker
REG - 71, 82 Becker
FAR - 66,61,71,74,70 and #6 80!!!! FINALLY DONE!!! 9/20/12
Yaeger and Yaeger CRAM for the final battle!

[rmm91909]

LOL yes the baby fever has set in in this household too! I feel as if I have been to babies r us every other weekend for friends and I find myself picking things out for my unborn child! O the joys of trying to become a CPA. One day we will have babies to ooooo and ahhh over :0)

[Anonymous]

@iwanna: I used Kaplan both times. I have mixed feelings. The only thing I did different was to add Ninja notes. I used them first for Bec then the retake. I found that Jeff's point of view reinforced all the topics from a slightly different angle. The first time I did bad on sims and corporate tax mcq. So reviewed all focused on weak areas. Did the review over two weeks.

[yankeeaccountant]

no sooner than I posted earlier after reading all the great stories about everyone's road to the cpa, I got home and then had to do a 180.

My father in law has Alzheimer's..and was having a melt down of sorts, so I let my husband finish the dinner I started and I headed over there for the first shift. Just knowing that someone is on the way makes him feel better. He has had problems with anxiety, which is common with this disease, so he needs a few minutes to calm down and relax. I really only sat down and talked with my in laws, really just a visit. But it makes all the difference. My husband and I did a tag team thing tonight, I left to pick up our youngest, and he came to sit for the second shift. Of course his parents love it when “their” baby come to see them. I laugh, because baby doesn't describe him. Yes, he is the youngest of six, but he is 6ft 4, and just turned 46. But their baby makes my father in law ( I call him gramps) happy. Gramps gets confused sometimes now and calls my husband his brother, sometimes, even Dad.

So, I got a two hour break from studying. Time well spent. Now I have to get back to it. But I can't help but think of serendipity. I think the stories I read today helped me to ride the wave tonight.

[Anonymous]

@yankee, you are a great woman. I really am blessed to have in-laws that are healthy and supportive, although they nap more than normal humans require :0 Are you nervous about your exam? I hope not. You have read the posts and know to expect the worst Saturday. You may be pleasantly surprised when you get questions on what you know.

@IwannaBaCPA, Gerard Butler is hot. I also think Andy Samberg is too. Back to Shark Week with my 10 year old.

On a side note… should I let my 10 year old watch “Jaws” (TV edited version)? I say no, but husband insists.

[Author]

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