Chaser Graduates from Virginia Tech

I have recently been reading a lot of articles and on blogs how people who "have made the decision to be childless" are much happier people than those of us with children.  (Note... made the decision to be childless, not childless for circumstances out of their control).  While some days I would tend to agree with that, on most days I just feel sad about the direction of the world.  Childless people may have more free time, more money and go on more vacations but they have never been able to feel the pure joy of watching your child truly succeed.  They have never watched their children struggle and work and in the end succeed in something they have wanted so badly.  That is pure joy!  Joy that no amount of money, vacations or anything else can meet.  It was we parents call a "pay day."

Chase officially graduated from Virginia Tech on May 18th with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.  On May 17th he participated in the Universities commencement and on May 18th the College of Engineering had their ceremony.   I will never forget walking into Lane Stadium and seeing all those graduates walk in.  Truly overwhelming!!

 The graduates at Lane Stadium

 Jordan, Grandma and Grandpa waiting for Graduation to start.

 Tay and Mitchell

 Chase put a fake chicken wing on his graduation hat so we could pick him out of the crowd.  Funny!!  The Hokie's theme is "Go Invent the Future."  Love it!  

 All of my cute kids after Graduation

 My Mom and Dad traveled with us to Virginia!  So fun to have them there!

 Seriously, my two of my favorite men in the world!

 Chaser after the main commencement.  What an incredible kid!

On Saturday the College of Engineering had their graduation.  Chase received his diploma there.  He has worked SO hard, it was truly delightful to see him get his diploma.  At the College of Engineering graduation one of the speakers said, "You are not just an engineer you are a Virginia Tech Engineer."  

Here are a few photos after the College of Engineering commencement.

 How handsome are these two?

 I love my sweet boy!

 Grandma and Grandpa

Diploma in hand!!

Chase lived with the same 3 boys all 4 years of college!  They lived in 3 different places.  Their freshman year they had to live in the dorms (sickest elevator I have ever been on).  Their Sophomore and Junior years they lived in an apartment together and their Senior year they rented a house together.   When Jeff and I or just Jeff would visit we would always spend time with these kids and they are great kids!

 Chase and Thomas

Dan and Chase (what are they doing?)

Chase's 4th room mate was named Eddie and he and his family were awesome!  He will be graduating after Fall Semester so we missed them that day.  Here is a photo of the house they lived in their Senior year.

It is actually under construction right now as they are making it a duplex!

Congrats to Chase for working so hard and completing such a big accomplishment!  It was an incredible event to watch.  I met Chase when he was 15 and he has grown in my heart ever since.  They fall of his Freshman year when he left us to go to College I cried for days.  Jeff and I went out to parent's day that year and I cried for days again when we left.  In Chase's 4 year at school Jeff visited Chase 6 times and I made it 3 times, I would never change those memories.  After Chase's graduation we all went on vacation together (check out upcoming posts) when we left to fly home and Chase got on the train to go back to Virginia it was my hardest good bye yet.  Because this time there is no "summer break"  no "Christmas break" or "Spring Break" to look forward too.  Chase will get a job and my months at a time with him have come to an end.  Graduation was a rite of passage and although he has lived on his own for many year he always came "home" to us.  Although he will still some "home" our time will be more limited.  Selfishly, I hate that.  But as a Mother I am so proud of him, the "adult" he has become and the "future he will invent."  I love you Chaser and am SO proud of you!  Pure joy that day, that is what I felt!

Jordan's Science Fair

Every year the 3rd grade does a Science Fair.  It is really a fun event.  This year Jord was all ready to participate.  She LOVED every minute of it.  Her project was called "bubbling up."  Through a process she essentially made carbonated water (sort of).  Anyway, it was a great day!

 Jord made a poster at home where we took pictures of each step of her project

 Jord on her way out the door.  She had a grundle of stuff but wanted to ride the bus.  She said "Reagan and Samantha could help her better than me."

 All set up and ready to go!!!

 John and Matt checking our Jordan's project.  I LOVE this picture

Look at sweet Reagan.  She is looking so interested!

 Jord's friend Catelynn

 Cute Rylee Turnbow

 Love this cute girl, Olivia Malm

Avery Robbins,  Jordan has the best friends!

I can't believe my sweet Jordan is growing up so fast.  She was insistent on doing this all on her own!  Love that girl!!

Best Day Ever!

April 27th was quite possibly the best day ever!  It was on this day at 2:15 that Jeff and I were sealed in the Logan Temple surrounded by most of our favorite people (our kids, nieces and nephews were not in the temple.  It was an overwhelmingly wonderful day filled with so many great memories and emotions.  It is a day a LONG time in the making.  From the first time I met Jeff I knew he was going to change my life forever.  I just had no idea the magnitude of that change.  He is the perfect person for me.

Jeff and I were able to be sealed by our neighbor Jackie Orton.  He is an incredible man whom I have known for nearly 10 years and Jeff has known for about 2.  He gave us some great advice and it meant even more coming from someone who we knew, really knew us.  But my favorite part about Brother Orton sealing is us that now EVERY time I see him I am reminded of the special covenants we made that day!

 We had a photographer take photos but have not got them back yet so here is our best amateur try.  There is A LOT of photos so feel free to skip.

 Jeff and I after the sealing outside the temple.

We had so many wonderful people there to support us.  When I looked around the Sealing I was pretty sure I was in Heaven!  Here is a list of everyone who attended our sealing.  Again, its long so feel free to SKIP!

Several of my cousins came:  Abby, Shera, Katie, Michon, Collin, Brent, Amy and Trish.

My cousin Jen was also there but she is more like a Sister than a cousin.  

Several of my Aunts/Uncles came:  Julie and Wendee.  My Aunt Carolyn and Uncle Steve were there as well, more like parents than Aunt/Uncle.

Jeff had several friends come:  Clay and Lisa Broadbent who have been friends for 20+ years.  Jeff also worked for Clay for several years at Reminderband/Ifrogz.  Jenell and Blake Murri who traveled all the way from Idaho Falls.  They are great friends to both of us and I was so excited they were there.  Scott and Jenae Huskinson who are more like family.  They are the most incredible friends in the world and some of my favorite people EVER!  

Jeff's sweet sister DiannaMarie came from Idaho Falls and his brother Bob and Sister Jackie came from Murray.  We were so excited they were all there. 

One of my oldest and best friends Jen Rouelle came to support us.  Love her! 

So many of our wonderful friends from Wellsville were there.  It will be easier for me to put them in a list:)

Spencer and Jenny Robbins:  Neighbors and Jenny and I serve together in the R.S.  Their kids are friends with our kids and we LOVE them dearly.

Juanita Malm:  Best Friend Ever!!  Supportive in every way possible!

Paula Murray:  Relief Society President who I have been serving with.  Such a wonderful dedicated lady.

Ingrid Wall:  I have been serving with her in the Relief Society Presidency and she is one of the most wonderful ladies I know!

Carolyn Orton:  Carolyn's husband was our Sealer and it was so great to have her there.  They are truly some of the greatest examples ever.

Bishop and Heather Brown:  Heather has been a great friend of mine for many years!

Ben and Molly Leishman:  Ben is in our Bishopric and Molly has been a great friend for many years.  Loved having them there.

Lannis and Carl Sorenson:  Lannis is one of my closest friends in the world.  We go to Women's Conference every year and she is one of the most supportive people I know!  

President and Laurie Tippets:  Wow!  No words for these two.  President Tippets was my Bishop when I got divorced and words can't express the love and support I have felt from this man and his wife!

Matt and Kim Turnbow:  These two people are some of the most real and wonderful people I know.  Kim tended Jordie from the time she was 6 weeks old until she went to 1st grade.  They have blessed mine and Jordan's life beyond words!We truly are indebted so these two awesome people!  

Everyone one of my Brothers, Brother in laws, Sisters and Sister in laws were there! Wow!!  I have the best family ever!  My Brother are always fun and supportive.  Shea and Adam have mowed my lawn, fixed my house and done everything possible to help me when I was single.  Kim and Jill are the best friends EVER!  What a blessing to life day to day with these two incredible ladies!  Jill spent many of her years as a single college girl helping me with my kids.  Kim lives across the street from me and as we speak Jord is over at Kim's having a sleep over.  Raising kids with Kim and Jill is an incredible blessing.

Mom and Dad:  Best people ever!  They have been the most supportive and patient parents in the world!  

All of these people are people who have loved and supported both Jeff and I.   People we are humbled and blessed to have in our lives.

Jeff and I were also blessed to have all of our kids (except Chase) and nieces and nephews there when we came out of the temple.  Just an incredible day!  Here are a few of the many photos:

 Juanita, Sicily, Olivia and Ella

 Sweet Jordie

 Tay, Hunter and Mitchy

 Tay and I

 President and Laurie Tippets, Jeff and I

 Bob and Jackie

 Everyone

 MaeMae

 Kim, Mom, Jodi, Jill, Tonia

 Kids minus Kyso who wanted nothing to do with the camera

 Tay and Kinncko... So sweet!

 My sweet Fam

The babies sideways..  I decided not to fix the photo!  They never do anything traditional!

After the temple my parents had an incredible dinner for everyone at their house.  It was so nice to spend time with all of our families and friends!

 Jill did the decorations and they were darling! 

 Not sure how to explain that???

 Aunt Wendee, Trish, Amee

 Kinnick (up at the table like a big boy), Ry, Shea, Ryker, Lance and Uncle Steve

 Seriously?  Look at all that food!

 Katie, Brent, Brooks, Collin and Michon

 Jen, Ian and Baby Leah

 Jen and I and our kids who refused to look at the camera

 Scott, Taesha, Clay, Lisa and Jeff

Kim and Mom

Thanks to everyone for their love and support.  I feel like this special day was made possible by so many people! Thank you to Jeff for being my forever love.  I am overwhelmed by the good man that he is.  I am not near the person he is and feel blessed to spend eternity with him!!