Graduation Day

Time seems to be rolling by faster and faster these days.  I remember when my kids were young,  time seemed to stand still.  We had 4 kids in 7 years so it seemed like I could never keep up with the diapers, snotty noses, throw up sessions, teething, potty training, laundry and dishes.  

Unfortunately, I didn't really stop to enjoy them more often.  I admit it, I was not really the "get down and play with them" kind of mommy.   I figured that as long as they were playing nice, that was my time to "get something done".  I did take them on lots of road trips and daily adventures to museums, libraries, parks, and such, but when we were home, I'd get my stuff done while they played. Frankly, those years are kind of a blur.  It's a good thing I was pretty good at taking photos or I might not remember it at all. 

For me, time really sped up when Sarah got into middle school (6th grade).  I remember the day she started at her new school in Mesquite.  We moved there in September, shortly after school started.  Amanda was in 4th grade, Jeffrey was in 2nd grade and Becca was still at home.   From that point on, time was in warp speed.  Between concerts, games, homework, swim team, girls camps, scout camps, driving lessons, etc, life got very busy for us.  I blinked and Sarah was graduating from high school. 

This is Amanda on the huge screen when she walked out

Amanda and Jayci

More friends...

Celin and Amanda

Now, it seems that I just blinked again and Amanda has graduated!  This parenting thing is a funny business.  When they get to be teenagers, they can be really fun and easier in some aspects and way more difficult in other ways.   I actually enjoy them more now than I did when they were small.  Weird, I know.  They require less physically but tons more mentally!  You have to be at the top of your game when dealing with teenagers or they will eat you alive and spit out your bones!   They think they are smarter, wiser, and way more capable then you, so one must stay several steps ahead of them or at least "brainwash" them into thinking that they aren't now and never will be smarter than you.  It also helps to have a very large husband who will stand behind you and puts them in their place!  Fear is a wonderful thing!!   Oh and by the way, I'm still dealing with laundry up to my ears and dishes to the ceiling!  Now it's just more annoying because I have full sized people around that should be helping more.  Some things never change!

Amanda's graduation was very good...long, but good.  She had 494 fellow graduates!!  It was held at the UVU Events Center so it held tons of people.  She graduated with High Honors which means that she carried anywhere between a  3.70 -3.99 GPA throughout her time there.  She held hers at 3.85 while taking college courses.  Okay, I admit it.  She is smarter... but not wiser then me!!   She will be heading to BYU Provo in the fall and then who knows from there.  She has dreams of going to law school so we'll see.

It was a wonderful family day.  Of course we wished that more family could have joined us but we understand that life has it's limits and we can't always be where we want to be.  

So now we have two graduated from high school and two to go.   I'm gonna try not to BLINK!