Matthew's Graduation!

The next graduation we celebrated was Matthew's!

He kept a high GPA throughout his three year program while holding down two part time jobs!

Sweet little Lizzy at her Uncle Matthew's graduation ceremony.

 

Because of Marc's new position we got VIP seating at the graduation.  We felt like dorks sitting down so close, but it did allow a front row seat to watch Matt graduate!

Proud of this kid!  He earned several different things in the aviation field.  (Not sure exactly what all they were... but I know he has his Associates in Aviation Science and Maintenance Technology.  He just got accepted into a four year program and will be getting a B.S.in Aviation Management and Logistics.  All that to say... he plans to work with the federal government doing airplane stuff. :)

After graduation we went for a late night pizza dinner!  The little ones were so good!

Glad that grandpa got to celebrate with us!

 

 Macheus is Elizabeth's best pal!

Well.... two graduations down and one to go!  It has been a slammed spring and June is just as busy!

~Goodnight

Madeline's High School Graduation

The last Saturday of April we celebrated Madeline's high school graduation.  I am very behind posting on here because we have literally had something every week since!

 

We had a private graduation ceremony with a few close friends and family.  We did the same thing when McKenzie graduated.  (Matthew opted for a trip instead! :)

I couldn't have pulled it off without  my sweet McKenzie!  We used a small local church to host it.  She and I went on Thursday and unloaded our stuff and then spent all day Friday getting ready!  I hired someone to make the cake, a dear friend "Aunt Donna" made her famous wedding cookies, and the rest of the food was on us! McKenzie and Mariah spent the entire Saturday morning putting sandwiches together.  I love my girls!!!

 

McKenzie is always so thoughtful to get meaningful things for her sisters since my mom has died.  It was very sad thinking back to McKenzie's graduation when she had my mom there to celebrate with us.

This table was set up to show some of Madeline's accomplishments.  Some of her published articles were displayed and her piano trophies where she competed in festivals.

She has been an amazing student!  She not only finished high school but she graduated the same spring with her Associates in Journalism!  She has kept a very high GPA and was in the Phi Theta Kappa honor society for her academics. All of this and she has managed part time work with a local newspaper, taught private piano lessons, and has been my right arm at home!  Most of all though... I am proud of what a Godly young lady she has grown up to be.  She has such a sweet spirit about her!

The pastor from the church we have been attending did a wonderful job as the speaker! 

 

 Marc spoke for a few minutes after that and presented her with her diploma.

McKenzie talked a little about her piano accomplishments and introduced the piece she would be playing.

She did a beautiful job!

Madeline with her cousin Carrington.  They are only five months apart!

So thankful that my dad is still here to see my kids grow up!

I was thankful for the old friends that showed up to celebrate with us.  It meant a lot that they all traveled a distance to come.

 

Thankful.....

Taking a break to open her gifts from McKenzie.

A very tired daddy with a van full of tired little boys.... loading up the loot! :)

 

Thankful for the sweet memories that were made.... now it's on to her college graduation coming up next week!

Strawberry pickin'

 

 

 

This and that....

Life is crazy right now with all of the end of the school year things going on.  This little project had been hanging over my head for months, so I finally decided to get it done!

 

This old buffet was a piece an old friend was trying to get rid of many years ago.  I rode with my mom to look at it and we laughed so hard when she paid the guy $50 for it!  It isn't in perfect condition, but I do love the way it looks!

 

I don't like dark wood.  I have painted with linen chalk paint and I recently did a light gray on another antique cabinet that I have.  I decided to do this one in charcoal.  It is darker than I anticipated, but our dining room is the lightest room in the house.

I was happy with the way it turned out.  I just emptied the contents, which was stuff I had been trying to sell.  I hauled it all away to be donated. (FREEDOM!)  I have cleaned out and cleaned out! I am getting so close to where I want to be with minimizing our belongings!  I have dishes that were my mom's that I plan on putting in the bottom.  I'm trying to get as much as possible out of my attic and storage room. 

 Myles has lost several teeth lately.  I love his messy little smile! :)  I know it won't last long, and he will be a big boy before I know it!  I try to soak up every little age!

These two little fellows have always been so close.  I have so many pictures of them that look just like this one.  I hope they will always love each other like this!

 

I spent last weekend cleaning out my dad's storage unit! (yes, in the midst of trying to get my own house cleaned out! I am sick of "stuff"!)  We came across this picture of Mariah when she was little.  I had posted it on my blog many years ago and my mom thought it was so funny that she printed it and framed it for my dad.  Macheus found it and was horrified.  He said, "He (he only uses masculine pronouns.)  is so rude.  He is saying bad words."  He was so serious... it made me laugh.

Well, it is late and I need to get in bed!  We have been busy getting ready for Madeline's graduation this weekend and I have a lot to do tomorrow!

~Goodnight