Life Before Arizona (B.A.): Gradu-freaking-ation!

It's time to get back in the blogging saddle. There are still lots of boxes to be unpacked, doctors to be found, and projects to be checked off the list. But the house is functional (meaning the kitchen and bathrooms are at least 80% unpacked and organized, the beds are made, the livingroom is 95% set up, and most of our clothes are hanging in the closet) and a whole lot of life has happened in the last month or so that needs to be documented. So here goes! We'll start with "life B.A."(Before Arizona) because it really feels like we left one life and started an entirely new one down here. Kind of exciting, kind of really strange. Then we'll hit "life I.A." (In Arizona) and then we'll hopefully be caught up to life "currently".

GRADUATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There really aren't enough exclamation marks for that phrase. I think this picture pretty much says it all. We are just a little excited. After 11 years, many pushed off planned graduation dates, 2 degrees, a mission, a lay-off, marriage, a few moves, 2 kids, starting a business, cancer, and just a whole lot of "life", Eric is DONE with school. DONE!!!!!!! Sing it with me now - Done, dah, dah, dah, Done!!!!!  Almost 11 years after he first walked into the doors at BYU, he finished. It was certainly longer than either of us ever expected when we sat down as bright eyed newlyweds and made all our plans and schemes for our very neat, well planned life together. I'm kind of glad I didn't have the plan in front of me then of how the path to graduation would actually go. It would have scared the pants off of me. :) But, I truly believe that the Lord can make something more beautiful of our lives than we ever could conceive of for ourselves, if we let Him. And He has for us. It has been extremely challenging, but we've seen His hand guiding and providing and strengthening us along the way and it has turned out beautifully. More so than we could have imagined. I'm so grateful for all that we've experienced along the way. And I'm so grateful that the formal school chapter is DONE! :) I am so unbelievably proud of what Eric has accomplished in spite of the tremendous odds against us. He has worked SO hard - supporting a family and completing his Master's degree (not to mention all the other stuff I listed above - haha). Way to go, Babe! You did it!!!

Eric turned in the official copy of his Master's Project and finished his last final on Tuesday. We were deep in packing, cleaning, making phone calls and tying up loose ends all the way up until Commencement on Thursday. Things weren't even close to being finished, but we paused, showered, and made our way over to the Marriott Center. My SIL, Amy, had taken our girls (for pretty much the whole week - bless her) and so I was able to sit quietly and really soak in the Commencement Exercises. Best. Idea. Ever. :)

The Master - all dressed up and ready to go.

His finery from the back - I think it's so nifty!

Eric is somewhere in the general vicinity of that arrow.

 Eric's sister, Julie, graduated with her bachelor's in Elementary Education, as well!

I am one proud wife!!

Pondering with all that cute knowledge he has now. :)

We took some more time out of the moving madness to go to Convocation on Friday (where Eric actually walked and had his name read), this time with Elena and Lily in tow.

Walking and getting his name read

Officially graduated or officially being a creeper? ;) He looks like some sort of dark lord or ring wraith, no?

That's better. Officially graduated! Such a fine looking Master. :)

And then came some jumping pictures for good measure. 

The graduates

More jumping - there was much to celebrate.

So proud of daddy!

And here's what we look like on the other end of those 11 years. 

Amy and Julie showing off their respective accomplishments of the moment :)

Eric and his parents

The whole crew who came for graduation.

Eric's diploma came in the mail yesterday. We officially have a Master of Science. It feels amazing and surreal to be where we are. We've been anticipating it for so long. Every Friday afternoon that rolls around, Eric and I both feel this wonderful sense of freedom mixed with giddiness. It is the weekend and we're free - no projects, no papers, no homework, no tests to study for - NOTHING! It is the best feeling! Welcome to the rest of our lives. :)

And let's say it a few more times because I don't think it can be said enough - he's done, he's done, he's done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We made it!! HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)