It Is Finished!

You have NO idea how long I have waited to be able to put up that blog title! Finally, graduation came yesterday at 10 am. We woke up bright and early to begin our beautiful day! Graduation was incredible. Earlier is the week, the idea of me getting my hard earned degree hit me in spirts. On my way down the steps and into the huge gym filled with hundreds of people is when it REALLY hit me yesterday. I admit...there were tears. A different type of tear that people don't really get often. A silent, happy, grinning from ear to ear type of tear. Know what I'm talking about? They are special! Once I had "arrived" in my spot to sing the National Anthem, I noticed my family. All of them. Standing up waving and so proud. And the tears flowed even more. The people that mean so much to me were all there standing, proud, for me. It was such a special moment for me to see my husband, mother, dad, brother, sister, nephew, aunt, andrea, steve, andrew, luke, jenny, suz, holly, and sam all there to celebrate with me. It was at the very moment that I thanked God for blessing me with all of them and their support for me in my life. It was a proud moment. I was proud of each of them. For being able to be there wife, daughter, sister, daughter-in-law, neice, and friend. I sang the national anthem with the symphonic band. Let's back up a bit....I have sang in gyms before, but not LARGE gym's if you would even classify the Dunn center a LARGE gym, but probably larger. Anyways, the night before, I was a bit uneasy and nervous about singing because I didn't know what to expect. Once I entered and was ready, I wasn't nervous, as usual. It was the most INCREDIBLE singing experience I have ever had. Singing for that many people was truly--speechless. I was honored to be asked to sing it and honored to sing it with my fellow classmates in the symphonic band. I was honored. Once I "arrived" back to my seat with the tears flowing, it was time to really begin! I was now waiting--(obviously me in the PINK sparkly hat!)minutes away from what I had worked so extrememly hard for. Once my name was called, it was the most beautiful my name has ever sounded (well second most--first is when John said it to me in our wedding vows) It was a honorable moment receiving my diploma. My diploma. (Shaking our Presiden't hand. I was so pumped mom got this on the jumbo tran!)After it was all said and done--there were pictures. And then John and I were off to get ready for our party!
My family came over to bring some stuff and help us set up. We originally set up in the garage praying, literally, that the rain would stop. Just one hour before our party the sun shined so brightly above our new home. We switched the party on the concrete as orginally planned! It was beautiful and perfect, just as we asked. It never rained all night! So many of our family and friends came out to celebrate my graduation and our new home. It was truly a blessed night together! (My parents gave me this ring--real? yes!) We are so thankful for each and every one of the guests that we had in our home. I wouldn't be where I am TODAY if it weren't for each of them and their prayers, love, and support. John and I are so BLESSED to be loved and encouraged by each of them. We are truly HONORED to be called your family, or friend.

It was the PERFECT day.