My son, the graduate!

Words can't even begin to express how I feel inside as I think about the last 18 years with my son. I am more than proud of him, I am overwhelmed with joy that he has chosen the better things in life and knows the peace that comes from living a life for Christ.

I've watched him grow from a small kid who was quiet and a bit shy, to a young man who lives his life in such a way that it speaks volumes to those who are around him. The one thing I read over and over and over in letters from his friends was that he shines for Christ, that he lives for Jesus, that he cares about others, and everything was encouraging to read and know that he had truly been a light in this dark world in his school. How ironic is this...my children have been in public schools most of their lives (only one year in private school while we lived in Germany), and I am so excited because my son will get to graduate inside a huge church! I think it's so cool...What better place could there be to get to graduate as a believer!!!

Eighteen years of my life I've poured my heart into raising him, and tomorrow I will watch him walk across the stage and receive his high school diploma...child rearing for one of four is over...he is a man! He must make decisions on his own...some of which I know will be difficult, but I have complete confidence in him! For example, yesterday when he was given $250 instead of $25 at the bank and, after realizing it, took it back and let them know they had made a mistake. Boy was the teller happy to see him!!! She didn't even realize she had done that, but later that evening she would have! He came home with a mug full of candy and said to his younger brothers, "This is what I got for $250.00." Also informing them that someone got to keep their job today! To God be the glory...

I never in my wildest dreams really thought this day would come so quickly. I guess you never REALLY think about your kids growing up and becoming adults...you just sort of know it in the back of your mind, but it just doesn't "hit home", if that makes any sense at all. I guess we keep it tucked so far back in our mind that when the time comes to make that transition in life it sort of catches us a little off guard. I know the "hitting home" is happening to his dad and me, and I just thank God that, even though we don't know what the future holds, we know who holds the future!

Son,
As you graduate I pray God's richest blessings on your life! You are my hero today! I love you! Thank you for making being a mom so special and for all the years of wonderful memories...As I look back over your childhood I can honestly say it has been WONDERFUL!!!
All my love,
Mom

Four Generations

My daughter, myself, my mom, & my grandmother...

Though I didn't get to spend Mother's Day with my mom, I loved that I was able to spend the day before with her. My mom said she hasn't spent Mother's Day with her mom since I was little and I know it was very special to her to get to do that this year.

Thanks for the laughs!

My Daughter & Me

I love her so much, and I love having the relationship we do.

My mom & Me

I love you!

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Thanks for loving me!

Thanks to his grandparents, my son got to drive a "dream car" to prom. He was so excited! He said he felt like James Bond, as he headed out of the driveway to pick up his date.

Thanks, Granny and Pops!!!

Shall I cry now or later? My first child off to prom...

God is so good! It was a wonderful day!

Celebrating

In just a few hours, my husband will walk across the stage to receive his Master's of Divinity, something he has worked hard and waited years for. It seems a little unreal to him still, but I pray as he grabs his diploma a silent voice will remind him of how much he is loved and how precious it is to have spent so many years studying and learning God's word and experiencing His awesomeness as he dove into the scriptures, preached to professors and peers, learned from others, took on new things in life, was challenged to grow and learn and not just get an education, and so much more. As we sat with our children last night and celebrated the moment, I sensed his gratefulness and humility about it all. I know he doesn't always say what he is thinking about, but I knew it hadn't really sunk in yet -- what this day would mean to him -- but I pray in that very moment he will truly realize all that has happened in his life over the last 6 years, and that peace and joy and a sense of God's presence will overcome him.

Isn't he handsome...

My son, Senior 2006.

His sister loves photography so she took his senior pictures for him. We have probably 50 awesome pictures. This is just one of the many I love. We laughed, ran around all over the place, took tons of pictures, and had so much fun doing this together! I'll cherish this day forever!

When we arrived at the train tracks down the road, my son said, "Wouldn't it be cool if a train came by and I could get a picture with it coming down the tracks?!" Not even a minute later did we hear it coming and ran for the tracks!