GRADUATION 2017

And then, after one of the most emotional and trying weeks I've had, it was GRADUATION for my sweet boy. I put all of the other stress and pain aside and celebrated HIM! I'm so proud of him and his accomplishments!! He had the best year, his report card was the best it's been since Freshman Year. He is happy and full of life. He still complained about going to school, but he went and he did what he needed to do. I'm SO PROUD of him!!

A few hours before the ceremony, they moved us inside because of the threat of thunderstorms and a huge storm. It was SO hot outside and it was probably better that we were inside in the AC.

The madrigal choir sang the Stars Spangled Banner and it was AWESOME!! I wish I had recorded it!

The A Capella Choir sang Depart in Peace and the Alma Mater, they were both great also!

There was one speaker. The district had one speaker. And then the graduates walked....over 600 of them in about 30 minutes. The entire ceremony was 1 hour and 15 minutes. It was PERFECT!!

And just like that, we have a GRADUATE!!!

Tanner and Shannon

And then I turned around and saw the most beautiful Angel Rays shining from heaven. Oh mamma, you were here with me. You were at graduation and you were with me while I celebrated my boy. I know dad wanted to come so bad. I just felt like after everything that had happened that Ryan needed him  more than I did this weekend. I'm so grateful that you were with me.

I took Shannon and Tanner to Olive Garden for dinner and dessert to celebrate! And then I came home to get ready for his party.

The next day was his party. I spent all day getting ready and decorating. He had such a good turn out. SO many friends came to congratulate him. Bill and Karri even drove from Pennsylvania to celebrate with him. It was a wonderful day to celebrate his accomplishments!!

I love you bud, I am so proud of you.

Benjamin, Stephen and Tanner

After the party, Stephen took Tanner and Shannon to dinner and Bill and Karri and I went to Portillos.... you can't come to Chicago and not have a Chicago dog! Right Bill?

I LOVE you for coming to celebrate my boy. I love that you would jump in your car and come be with us. I love that I felt like a little piece of mamma was with me today. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Junior Year {I don't know how that's possible!!}

First day of Junior Year, only one more first day of High School! {Love this boy and so grateful he's having a better start this year!}

August is over....how?

Time is just flying. I can't believe August is over, summer is over and school has started. It was a fun, full summer for us and we were more than ready for the routine of school...{although I'm pretty sure we will never be ready for seminary at 5:45am}. Thank goodness my hubby functions at that time in the morning!!

I started the month out running a 10K with my friend Kelly {it was right in the middle of our half marathon training and we needed to run 11 miles today}. We ran it on Saturday morning, August 2nd, while Tanner and Jason were still at scout camp. The race was pretty good, I finished in 1:16:00. Kelly got 3rd place in her age group. She did great!!

After the race, we went to Water Fall Glen and ran another 6.30 miles {Kelly ran 6.9}. I did it in 1:20:34...so I ran 12.5 miles in 2:36:34...my best run ever!

In the middle of August, Tanner and I went to the Albanese Candy Factory and the Indiana Dunes with a group of moms from the ward. {this might be the last time I can convince Tanner to go without bringing along some friends}. He decided he didn't want to get in the water and he read a book the entire time we were there. {I didn't get in the water either, it was WAY too cold}. We had a great day relaxing on the beach and listening to the waves.

We found out our friends are moving to Colorado {totally unexpected} and they were giving away some of their yard stuff....and we were lucky enough to get some of it. I love how our patio looks now! So CUTE!!

We also got a new roof on our building....they made a HUGE mess, but I guess it's nice that we didn't have to pay anything out of pocket and now we have a nice new roof. {it's included in our home owners association monthly dues}. Also, that tree is no longer there {my picture tree}....I'm sad it's gone, but as you can see it's mostly dead.

and FINALLY.....SCHOOL STARTED!!!!! I can't believe Tanner is a Sophomore. He's growing up so fast. He is smart and funny and a wonderful kid {most of the time}.