Jazz Girls...

The girls have been taking Jazz all year and had their recital last week-end. There is so much work that goes into putting on these recitals it is amazing- not to mention the fact that the lessons are on base therefore much less expensive then anywhere off base. Their teacher is wonderful and the girls love her:)

I was the backstage mom again and boy did I get an earful of some of the drama involved with the parents- seriously it was absurd!! I finally told the gal who was telling me all this stuff that after some of the things I've been through this drama is completely unnecessary and that we are so lucky to have this service on base we should help to make it as pleasant as possible. One thing I am grateful for is that after all the trials we have had I appreciate things so much more and stuff that used to drive me insane I now see as unimportant. Ken says it's good to be old:)

I agree although I wouldn't classify us as old!! Ken wasn't able to go to the recital because of work- the girls were pretty bummed. Marah even had a talk with Grandma and let her know she was in charge of getting them flowers since dad usually does it but he had to work- for some reason I found this quite funny.

Graduation...

The long awaited day finally arrived...Hayden's graduation. It has been a long year!! He set a goal at the beginning of the year to not only graduate a year early but also as valedictorian. He made it!! I am so happy for him- he worked long and hard to achieve this goal and it was down to the wire. I am grateful he was able to learn the lesson that hard work really does pay off.

All year he said if he was valedictorian that he wouldn't give the speech but, of course, he did. He did a great job and true to Hayden form it was full of humor:) I love his school and was so impressed with all the graduates. One thing about going to a small school is the closeness that develops between the students and teachers. The care and respect that everyone had for each other was evident in the ceremony. It was beautiful and personal for each graduate.

They have a rose ceremony where each of the graduates gives a rose and a hug to the two people who helped them achieve their goals. All of the kids hugged one or more of the teachers and Hayden came down in the audience and gave me a great hug and a dozen roses. It was magnificent:) I felt extra special because the school forgot to buy the roses but Hayden bought me a dozen so I was the only one who got flowers.

Jack thought he was hilarious when he asked if Ken and I could take a picture together with the roses and pretend we were married. I reminded him that we actually are married but we'd be happy to take the picture:)

I tried to stay present in every moment of tonight and just soak it all in. I am so grateful for the family and children I have been blessed with- I am so grateful for the good in life.