She Did It! (Plus, how you can help a family in Oklahoma)

Before I post about graduation, I want to share this link.  This family used to live where I grew up, in a small, southwest Oklahoma town.  The dad of the little boy was in my class in elementary for a few years.  He and his family had moved to Oklahoma from Africa, where his parents were missionaries.  His dad was the church of Christ preacher in my little town.  If you would like to find out how to help this family who lost their middle son, Christopher, as well as their home, please click the link below.
http://www.trumbly.com/ross-danni-legg-family-tornado-relief-fund/

SHE DID IT!!  She graduated from high school!  So proud of our daughter, Lauren, on this wonderful accomplishment!

My husband was recently appointed to the school board so was proud to be able to present Lauren's diploma to her last night.

As Salutatorian, Lauren had the opportunity to speak in front of her classmates and hundreds of guests in attendance.  Being a communications major who enjoys public speaking, she was excited about writing and presenting her speech.  She used something her Uncle James had done at a wedding and took a picture of the audience before the speech.  It was a cute thing to do, but also kind of made her more at ease before beginning.

She wouldn't let her dad or I read it.  I'm glad she didn't because it was so exciting to hear it for the first time and be extremely impressed with her ability to write a thoughtful, interesting, and sometimes funny speech!  We're her parents, so biased, of course, but she really did a great job and has has lots of compliments.  (Yes, we're proud :).  Of course I admit it! As her parents, we should be!

I snapped this cute picture of Lauren and her best friend.  I love it!

And here they are posing with their Valedictorian and Salutatorian sashes and medals on after they moved their tassels and were officially graduates.

This is the "throwing the graduation cap in the air photo" but unfortunately, I didn't get a good picture!  Hopefully someone else did!

A family picture (minus several that missed it) of those who attended graduation.

Lauren and our high school secretary, who, sadly, will be moving this summer.  Lauren has been her aide for an hour every afternoon and truly loves this special lady.  We all do!  We'll all miss her, especially her boss - our high school principal!!

Here we are with Lauren.....

....and here she is with her three brothers.

Congratulations, Lauren, and the THS Class of 2013!  We're very proud of you!

Lauren's Graduation Party!

 

 Today our oldest graduates from high school!  While it seems like she's grown up fast, when I think back to when she was a baby, I realize it has been a while.

It's an exciting time for Lauren and for us, but a little bittersweet with the fact that our family will never again be the same. In fact, that's the thing that will make me cry if I dwell on it very long, so I'll move on to another thought!! :)

We're so proud of Lauren! Academically, she's been very successful.  In various organizations/sports, she's been successful.  But, most of all....we're proud of the young Christian woman she has become, and the example she has been to those around her.

Saturday we had a family party for her.....an extended family party.....with grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles, great-aunts and great-uncles, her immediate family, and friends.

Grammy (my mother-in-law) made the cute cake and my niece helped out with the heart on top.  We decorated all over the house and had lots of pictures and memorabilia set up around the house.

Italian food was on the menu.  This shows marinara-type sauce on the chicken parmesan, but if it had been my plate, it would have been the Alfredo sauce!  There was also beef lasagna.

Lots and lots of garlic bread sticks!  We had 216 of them!  Probably 50 - 75 too many!  We're used to feeding lots of teenagers, where there are never enough of the breadsticks! :)

See the money hanging around Lauren's neck??!  It was a money gift from several relatives, which was all taped together and put in a cute decorated Kleenex box.  She had to pull it out in a roll!  So very cute!!

We took lots of family pictures. So much fun!

This is an older picture of Lauren with her best friend from birth, Kalli, at their Kindergarten graduation.

Kalli moved away after 3rd grade and graduated last Friday.  So fun for them together for each other's graduation and parties!

Here we are - our whole family.  The boys weren't too excited about lots of pictures!  I'll share other family pictures.

Lauren with Grammy. 

Lauren with Grandma and Grandpa

Congratulations, Lauren! We love you!

Just In Case You Ever Wonder

To: Lauren....In honor of your graduation from high school.

I love you, Mom

Long, long ago God made a decision - a very important decision.  One that I'm really glad He made.

  He made the decision to make you. 

 The same hands that made the stars made you.  The same hands that made the canyons made you. 

 The same hands that made the trees and the moon and the sun made you.  That's why you are so special.   God made you. 

He made you in a very special way.

 

He made your eyes so they would twinkle.  He made your mouth so you could smile. He made your laugh so you could giggle.  

 God made you like no one else.  If you looked all over the world - in every city in every house - there would be no one else like you.  No one with your eyes, no one with your mouth, no one with your laugh.  You are very, very special.   

And since you are so special, God wanted to put you in just the right home. Where you would be warm when it's cold, where you'd be safe when you're afraid, where you'd have fun and learn about heaven.  So, after lots of looking for just the right family, God sent you to me. (Note from me:  To us)  And I'm so glad he did. 

I'll never forget the first time I saw you.  Your eyes were closed, your fingers were curled in two little fists, your cheeks were puffy and round.  I knew if my heart God had sent someone very wonderful for me to take care of.  Your first night with me I heard every sound you made: I heard you gurgle, I heard you sniff, I heard your little lips smack.  I heard you cry when you wanted to eat, and I fed you.  

You're bigger now and do more things.  You can walk and run.  You can play and talk.  You can eat and sing and look at books.  You're not a little baby any more. But as you grow and change, some things will stay the same.  I'll always love you.  I'll always hug you. I'll always be on your side.  And I want you to know that. just in case you ever wonder.  

Remember I'm here for you.  On dark nights when you hear noises in your closet, call me.  When you see monsters in the shadows, call me.   On hard days when kids are mean and don't treat you like they should, come to me. If your grades are bad and your teacher is mad, come to me.  'cause I love you.   And I always will, just in case you ever wonder.  

Most of all, I'll be here to teach you about God. He loves you.  He protects you. He and His angels are always watching over you.  And God wants me to make sure you know about heaven.  It's a wonderful place.  

There are no tears there.  No monsters.  No mean people.   You never have to say "goodbye" or "good night" or "I'm hungry".  You never get cold or sick or afraid.  In heaven you are so close to God that He will hug you, just like I hug you.  It's going to be wonderful.   I will be there too, I promise.  We will be there together, forever.   Remember that. just in case you ever wonder.

~Written by: Max Lucado~