One Down, Three to Go

We had what Mike and I called a "parental payday" this past week as we got to see Karen get her bachelor's degree in nursing from BYU.  The last time she attended a BYU graduation, she was underneath my gown, in utero and ready to make her appearance in less than three months.  Needless to say, time has flown, and she is now a grown-up, articulate capable woman who will be a great nurse.  I'm excited to watch her and Andrew as they move forward to the next phase of their lives--JOBS (we hope!).

We were doubly excited that Andrew and Karen got to walk together in Karen's convocation.  That's right:  Andrew was getting his master's, and he wanted to walk with Karen in the nursing convocation and be awarded his master's there.  Now if that's not love, I don't know what is.  I am amazed at how quickly I have come to love Andrew like a son.  I certainly don't feel the same accomplishment of having raised him, but I do love him just like a son and feel so proud of him.  I'll have to admit to getting more than a little teary when I watched the two of them walk in together.  Can't imagine how I'll feel when the last of my kids (and or kids-in-law) makes the trek down the graduation aisle.  One down, three to go. . .

We also got to see Rachel while we were in Utah and even got to bring her home with us.  She is just here for a week because she starts her job at Aspen Grove on May 4th, but we are grateful to have her home for even a short while.  She is busily working away on a couple of independent study classes she needs to get into the accounting program, but we steal her away for some fun every once in a while.  She is so close with both of her brothers, and it is fun to hear the three of them laughing and having fun together (even if it does make me miss Karen and Andrew a little more than usual).

Matt had fun at prom and all of the other activities on Saturday.  Since Matt is on Student Council, Mike (and Adam) got to help with set-up in the morning.  Mike also got to go back that night and help pour water and check tuxedo jackets in and out of the coat check.  I probably should have been there too, but I had just gotten back into town a couple of hours before and was exhausted.  (Mike came back on Friday night.)

I've learned that there are times as a parent when you see your kids growing up and your breath just gets taken away.  How in the world did my little baby boy grow up to be this handsome young man so quickly?!  He will leave me too soon, and I'll still be trying to catch my breath.  However, I am grateful for the whole maturing process and feel privileged that I've been able to watch two of my children leave the nest and succeed and suspect that Matt will enjoy the next phase of his life as well.  I'm just glad he still has his senior year here at home.

On a less philosophical note, it's always fun to see the boys get cleaned up and into tuxes and the girls all glammed up in their evening wear.  Matt and his date went with a big group, and they were quite an attractive bunch, if I may be so bold as to brag a little.  The boys' transformation always stuns me the most because these are kids that Matt plays soccer with and goofs off with regularly.  The soccer kids look dramatically different when they're not all sweaty and grass-stained.  Seriously, sometimes I have to look twice to make sure I know whom I'm looking at.

Last, here is one final picture of the group to enjoy.  They are a smart-looking bunch, no?