Wednesday, May 30, 2012

We did it, yeah!


Sean and I had the Dora the Explorer song running through our heads all weekend long – We did it, we did it, we did it, yeah! We really did do it – we got a kid through high school and got him graduated. Thirty family members came to help us celebrate and we had a great weekend of remembering little Michael and thinking about what lies ahead for the graduate.

As you may know, I was quite concerned that I would be a waterworks factory during the actual graduation ceremony. I am more than happy to report that I made it through without crying and actually smiled for a picture. Don’t get me wrong; I totally teared up during the slide show – when the picture of Michael and Amy in the Jeep flashed on the screen, red hot tears streamed down my cheeks. But when the time came for me to hand him his diploma, I got it together and did not shed a single tear. I think some people lost a lot of money on that one.

We had family members from all over join us to see the kid get his diploma. I’m pretty sure Michael had the largest cheering section. All the in-laws get along. My family enjoyed visiting with Sean’s family, and the cousins had a great time together. A blessing for sure. Many, many thanks to everyone who came to be with us - what a memory you helped us make.

Graduation was the last on a long list of things I had to do this spring: the musical, spring formal, senior trip, graduation. Check, check, check, check. I almost don't know what to do with myself. I'm sure if I walk in the laundry room I'll figure something out, but I'll think about that tomorrow. 

Today, I'll finalize his transcript and send it off to the college. He'll write some thank you notes, and I'm sure we'll all reminisce about the weekend. And I'll try to ignore that fact that he leaves for college in 86 days. Not that anyone's counting.

Michael with our seat-savers - we took up 2 1/2 rows.
This was taken just after we handed him his diploma. And it looks like I'm wearing white hose. Lovely.
After the ceremony, we had a hard time getting to Michael in the very crowded hallway, so we went outside and took a picture with him looking out the window. This is not even the whole crew!

Sean's dad (seated) with his brothers and sister. Such a fun group!



Of course, we all ended up in the driveway. For a family of car lovers, this was inevitable.

My side

The cousins
Sean's side

More of Sean's side

Our side!








5 comments:

  1. Congrats on successfully homeschooling a graduate!!! So, how does that work as far as graduation? Since he is homeschooled, was there an actual ceremony with other homeschooled seniors?

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  2. Cathy - we had an actual ceremony with the group of kids he's done school with through high school. It was a special time for sure!

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  3. Hurray!
    Good job on keeping the tear spigot mostly closed :)
    It was the trip home from dropping them off at college that was toughest. After leaving Tina in Florida I cried the entire flight back to Michigan. I'm sure my seat mate wondered what kind of psychotic woman she was sitting next to. hahaha
    How fun that so many of the family could come for the festivities!

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  4. The dress you ended up with looked great! Glad everything went well and that you can "relax" a little now. :)

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  5. Wow -- look how LONG your hair is! Congrats to you all, and hope you have a great summer together, too. (I'm so not looking forward to doing that myself. . . the graduating, that is.)

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