Graduation TIme

We celebrated a graduation on Saturday!  Mike finished his master's degree.  I am so proud of him!   He did it in a little less than two years while working full time.  It wasn't always easy, but now it's finished.


This was us before the ceremony.  He looks so happy.  This picture really lets me know I need to stay serious about my exercising.  Gotta get rid or at least reduce that double chin of mine.


Since he was a graduate student, he got to sit on the front row.  He never did see me during the ceremony, but I was able to get pictures with the big zoom lens.  When you're one of the first in line, you have to sit a while and wait for the rest of the graduates to file in.  This gave lots of time for looking around and talking to neighbors/classmates.


Waiting in line to go across the stage.  I was thinking what a journey it has been to get to this point.  Then, in a blink of an eye it's all over.  While this journey is ending, we are beginning a new one.


Mike getting "hooded."  I don't know if that is the correct terminology, but they did put his hood on him.  The purple and grey were the school colors and the light blue is for the field of education.  We now have matching gowns.  That is the same thing I wore 8 years ago when I got my master's degree.  That is something we can show our children one day.


After the ceremony, I was able to snap this picture before the cap and gown came off.  It was hot that day.  It was a very nice commencement ceremony.  Not too long, but a celebration of the transition all the students were getting ready to make.  Commencement really means the beginning.  For us it's the beginning of the job search for a teaching job in Northwest Arkansas.  It's the beginning of a career for Mike.  It's the beginning of a new phase of life.


This is the picture I saw when I looked in mom's newspaper the next day.  Mike and a couple of others made the front page of the paper.  The president of the university asked all the graduates to write a thank-you note to someone who helped them during their time as a student.  They were busy writing when this was snapped.

What a blessing this graduation was!

Five Question Friday

The time has finally come!  Mike is graduating with his master's this weekend!  I am so proud of him and his hard work over the last couple of years.  I am heading down for his College of Education pinning ceremony today and graduation is in the morning.  Yay!  Hopefully, I'll have some pictures up later this weekend or early next week

Now for Five Question Friday with Mama M.


1. What did you wear to prom? Include a picture if possible.
The only reason I had easy access to a picture is because one of my friends posted some to Facebook.  I knew Facebook was good for something.  So here are some shots from junior prom in 1996.

I'm on the right.  I fell in love with the sequined top immediately.  You can't see the bottom, but it was flouncy chiffon that came above the knee.  I remember thinking I was cute and sassy that night.  The best thing about this picture is that it has two of my good friends in it.  We were rocking the red.

2. Would you rather be on the biggest loser or a food eating challenge?

I think a food eating challenge sounds so fun.  I would love to travel across the country/world trying different foods.  My waistline probably has a different idea.  Going on the Biggest Loser would be better for my health.  I'm pretty sure I would be miserable the whole time I was there, though.  I'm really sensitive and wouldn't like the trainers yelling at me.  However, everyone always looks so amazing at the end so that would be the nice part of it.  I would be really happy then so I guess the Biggest Loser it is.

3.  Favorite Sonic Drink?  Refreshing Summer drink?

Oh, how I love Sonic drinks.  The ice and cup that keeps everything cold for a really long time are the best.  My all-time favorite Sonic drink is Cherry Dr. Pepper.  I usually get a Cherry Diet Dr. Pepper or Cranberry Sprite Zero to save a few calories.  There's nothing better than getting your favorite drink at Happy Hour for half price.  My favorite summer time drink is homemade lemonade.

4. What was your first car, and what did you call it?

My first car was a 1994 Pontiac Grand Am.

It looked a lot like the one in this picture.  It had tinted windows.  I used some of my birthday money to buy a nicer radio for it that had a CD player.  I didn't really have a name for it, but I was so proud of this car when I got it.  I was so happy to have this car when I turned 16.  I'm sure I'll always be a little nostalgic about it since it was my first car.

5. What's one thing your child or spouse does that sends you over the edge?

I know this is going to sound so weird, but it drives me completely bonkers when Mike picks at his fingernails or toenails and it makes noise. He is a little OCD about his nails. If they are not perfectly even and smooth he will pick at them to get them that way. I am always bugging him to use the proper grooming tools, but he says they are not always available. But, that little clicking sound gets to me every time!