Congratulations, Amanda!

I am super proud of my precious Manda! She is officially a high school graduate!

Amanda's last day of school was on Wednesday, May 25.

She graduated on Thursday, May 26, from Oakmont High School. The ceremony was truly beautiful! It was held in the high school's outdoor quad which is fairly intimate and very tranquil.

(pictures coming ..... blogger was being difficult!)

On Saturday, May 28 we hosted a graduation party so we could celebrate with our family and friends.

Let the countdown begin!

In just a few short days, my precious daughter will graduate from high school!

I am extremely proud of this young lady who God blessed my husband and I with. She is kind, intelligent, funny, caring, unique, shy, and truly one of the nicest people I have ever met. (Yes, there is maternal pride there, but there is also nothing but the truth in that statement.)

Kindergarten seemingly happened just a few short weeks ago. Third grade a week after that, sixth grade and then junior high wre all just last week. Only the day before yesterday Amanda was a freshman in high school ..... and now, this week in the time that it takes to blink, Manda will be a high school graduate.

Her road through life has never been easy, but it has been full of grace, love and laughter. Manda is shy by nature and (there is always one) is the kid who never really "fit" with the "in" crowd and became the target of bullying. Amanda herself over-came the bullying .... she just one day decided that those who weren't kind to her needed her forgiveness and for someone to believe in them. Not that she told them that. She just kept a smile on her face and concentrated on being the person SHE wanted to be.

Yes, I am a proud mom. She never let me fight her battles, but always allowed me to comfort her. She never allows me to hold a grudge, but always allows me to share a conversation about what she would do different.

When her classmates would tease her about being a good student, she would just smile and thank them.

Now, we have reached the end of the road. There have been bumps, twists, and turns. There have been happy days and days where happiness has been elusive. But through it all .... Manda has been a young lady to be proud of.

Celebrating her graduation this week is not just a celebration of her graduating from high school, but a celebration of who Amanda Christine is.

Congratulations sweet girl! Mom and Dad are EXTREMELY proud of you! You are a wonderful example of a life lived as Christ would have us live. Enjoy each and every moment of this week. You have worked hard to reach this point. The next stage of your life is just around the bend. I only hope it doesn't happen in a blink! (But I know it will!)

Love and hugs,
Mom

Because She Does... from Shelby Osmond

I'd like to direct your attention to a blog that I find to be UPLIFTING, FORTIFYING and INSPIRATIONAL.

This blog is written by a young, vibrant woman who I have come to admire from her posts. I do not "know" her in the true sense of the word; I have never met her, but I am frequently touched by what she shares.

Shelby Osmond is wise beyond her years. We can all relate to her posts. She posts about everyday life. There is no pretentiousness. She is a real person who speaks from her heart. And, her heart is very evident in EVERY post.

Some days her posts are about items she has crafted; some are about cool ways that she and her husband have found to give each other meaningful gifts. Some posts are light-hearted, but through ALL of her post shines her love of life, Our Savior and her appreciation for those she is surrounded by.

Today's post is about her sister Shae. If this post does not touch your heart and remind you to always, always, always relate to other people with love and an open mind and heart .... then, I hope it inspires you in another way.

I hope that you hear the voice of our Heavenly Father in those quiet moments of your life and that you know how YOU are loved unconditionally as a perfect creation of our maker.

May God bless you. May His light shine like a radiant beacon through you that others may know the joy of Him through you.

Thank you Shelby for giving me inspiration when you didn't know I needed it, and for allowing me to share your blog with others.

Too funny not to share!

I have to admit to having several favorite blogs that I LOVE to read.

One of my FAVORITES is Tanya at SUNDAY BAKER. Reading her blog is like sitting down with your best friend; catching up on conversation and watching all your favorite cooking, craft and life shows. You know your going to have a great time, laugh out loud and pick up a great recipe or household tip. And, we all know that time with our best friends is precious, no matter how it is spent.

If you don't already follow Tanya; I urge you to click on over and enjoy.

While reading Tanya's blog today I laughed so hard I was sure I was going to pee. (Yes, I did just post that for the world to read!) Since I can not stop giggling, I decided that I needed to CASE her blog post and post it here.

Thank you Tanya for the laughter!

One day I met a sweet gentleman and fell in love.
When it became apparent that we would marry, I made the supreme sacrifice and
gave up beans.

Some months later, on my birthday, my car broke down on
the way home from work. Since I lived in the countryside I called my
husband and told him that I would be late because I had to walk home.


On my way, I passed by a small diner and the smell of baked beans was
more than I could stand. With miles to walk, I figured that I would walk
off any ill effects by the time I reached home, so I stopped at the diner
and before I knew it, I had consumed three large orders of baked beans.


All the way home, I made sure that I released all the gas.Upon my
arrival, my husband seemed excited to see me and exclaimed
delightedly:

'Darling I have a surprise for dinner tonight.'

He then blindfolded me and led me to my chair at the dinner table. I took a seat
and just as he was about to remove my blindfold, the telephone rang. He
made me promise not to touch the blindfold until he returned and went to
answer the call.

The baked beans I had consumed were still affecting me
and the pressure was becoming most unbearable, so while my husband was
out of the room I seized the opportunity, shifted my weight to one leg
and let one go.

It was not only loud, but it smelled like a fertilizer
truck running over a skunk in front of a pulpwood mill. I took my
napkin from my lap and fanned the air around me vigorously.Then, shifting
to the other cheek, I ripped off three more.

The stink was worse than cooked cabbage.Keeping my ears carefully tuned to the conversation in the other room, I went on like this for another few minutes. The pleasure was indescribable.


When eventually the telephone farewells signaled
the end of my freedom, I quickly fanned the air a few more times with my
napkin, placed it on my lap and folded my hands back on it feeling very
relieved and pleased with myself.

My face must have been the picture of innocence when my husband returned,apologizing for taking so long. He asked me if I had peeked through the blindfold, and I assured him I had not.

At this point, he removed the blindfold, and twelve dinner guests
seated around the table chorused: 'Happy Birthday!'

I fainted.

Now tell me who is laughing? Come on! You know you are!!!!!

Bittersweet milestones!

Manda's Senior Ball is this weekend!

Oh my goodness she is super excited and I have to admit; I am excited for her.

But, each of these precious milestones is a step closer to graduation and a step closer to me needing an entire box of Kleenex.

Wasn't it just yesterday she started school?