Graduation

This post is a long time coming, but I'm finally getting around to it....

Last weekend was Matt's graduation. A day we thought would never get here. When Matt started his master's Harrison was only 3 weeks old. At that time it was hard to think that our little guy would be 2 1/2 when he finished and it seemed like the road stretched forever in front of us. And it hasn't been an easy road much of the time, but Matt has given 100% ALL the time and it paid off.

He graduated with a 4.0! All those late, LATE nights and Saturdays spend working all day were worth it to achieve this. And, did I mention that he did this while working on National Boards, teaching full time, teaching a summer class, raising 2 kids, doing afterschool tutoring and, oh yes, driving a bus part of the time! Whew. I think we're finally breathing again at our house. :)

I am so proud of him for doing this! He has been such an example of perseverence for our family and has taught our children the value of hard work. And, all this hard work also earned him a cool gift from his cool wife -- a new phone with internet, texting, tv, the works! :)

Graduation day was so exciting for us! I haven't been back to campus in such a long time and it's changed so much. It was fun to be back where we first met and thinking about all the fun we had there. Harding really is such a special place.

Here's Matt getting ready to walk in.
Graduation was really good, I thought. One reason is was so nice for us was this:

and this:

Harrison fell asleep about 10 minutes in and slept until about 10 minutes from the end. I couldn't have planned it any better and it was nice to be able to listen and enjoy it.

Here's Matt getting his diploma. He was practically the LAST person to walk across the stage. I took Madeleine up close with me when I took pictures and she ran under the ropes and gave Matt the BIGGEST hug when she saw him! It was sooooo sweet. I wanted her to see this. I thought it was important for her to understand what her daddy had been working for all those times he was gone to class and that this is a big deal. I really believe that in her own way she got that and was proud of him too. However, she kept asking me if he won a prize. When I told her "no" she was pretty upset at first and kept insisting that he HAD won a prize. Maybe she's right -- maybe in a way he did.

After graduation....time for pictures!

Matt with his parents

Matt's family

Matt, Harrison and Madeleine

Oh, so relieved!!!

I took this picture obviously not thinking about the reflection. I just thought they looked so sweet in these outfits!

Our family with Harrison tired of pictures!

The night after graduation we had a fancy dinner with all our family at my parents house. Here's Madeleine ready to eat. She even helped set the table.

We were thankful that Matt's Uncle Ben and Aunt Pat were able to come down from Searcy to join us for dinner, too!

Matt with his parents and Uncle Jerry -- who came all the way from Texas just to be there!

My two babies being silly at the end of the night!

I didn't take any pictures of Mother's day. I think we were all pictured out! But we had a great day....I got to be with my mom and have my babies with me. That's all I really needed. Although the cool new phone & ATL gift card were a great bonus!