Call Me Dr. Bob!

Tiffany Sappington Nelson’s husband and Charlene’s favorite son-in-law - the amazing Bob Nelson - was officially recognized as Dr. Robert Nelson on Thursday, March 8 after successfully defending his doctoral dissertation at the University of Southern California (USC).

His milestone accomplishment coincided with our visit in Fresno on our way to see Kris in Sonoma, so together with Charlene, Tiffany, Tyson, their spouses and children – a total of 14 family members – we enjoyed a celebratory dinner at Fresno’s Olive Garden ... which kept the servers busy and made the company accountant smile!!!

Thinking back over Bob’s life, we wonder if he sees what we see? He has accomplished so much in his nearly 5 decades and has experienced so many amazing changes in his life to bring him to this point in time, including:

* For more than a decade, Bob and Tiff had only 3 sons (Ben, Josh and Phillip).  Now they have 7 kids since adopting Destinie (5), Abby (almost 4), Ashton and Sawyer (Abby's identical 2-year-old twin brothers) in quick succession over a period of about 3 years.
* When Bob and Tiffany first met, he was not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but luckily she saw his potential – as a husband, father and Church leader. They have now been sealed in the temple as a couple and recently Abby and her twin brothers were adopted, joining Destinie, and all have now knelt across the temple alter to become members of the Nelson “forever” family.
* Bob started as an elementary school teacher making “peanuts” and over not-so-many-years his career has brought him to the position of Superintendent of the Fresno School District (with a big paycheck) – the 4^th largest school district in California and second poorest in the nation (only schools in Appalachia are poorer).

Dr. Bob … you are incredible and one-of-a-kind and we have enjoyed watching as your life unfolded. Who, I wonder, will play you in the movie?