So much to blog about!

A few weeks ago, right before graduation, my Education department on campus held their annual award luncheon for the Education majors. Even though I graduated this past December, they included me in the awards ceremony for this Spring. I was VERY excited and surprised to receive the Student Teacher of the Year award. This is me with one of my all-tim-favorite-people Dr. Stephens. I imagine that she had a lot to do with recommending me for this honor. She has been very instrumental in my education here at LeTourneau and she has become a very dear friend as well.

Here is a shot of all the graduates for this year and our professors. Again, each and every one of these people have become and are so very special to me. I could not have finished school, while throwing in two babies, without the constant support and encouragement from these educators.

 

Here we are at the ceremony and luncheon. Afterwards, they all gathered around us and prayed for us, as they always do. I don't think I had fully grasped the uniqueness and the impact that attending a Christian University has made on me. All of the faculty, continued to press upon us the importance of exhibiting christ-like character wherever we are and especially in the classroom. 

Another of my favorite professors. This is Dr. Ames. 

Here are some of the girls that I am thankful to call friends. I am especially excited because each of them are engaged! It has been so fun talking about their upcoming weddings and plans for after graduation.

After the luncheon, Leah and I headed to the mall to run some errands. (aka, buy a new dress for graduation :)

I hardly ever have quarters in my wallet (since they all go to laundry) and I hardly ever stop to let the kids ride these rides; however, they were being very good and Tia Leah likes to spoil them, so here they are enjoying their rides. 

Ever since riding in this bus, Riley has been asking to ride in a REAL bus. I have a feeling her dreams will come true soon :)

And now for the main event. The big Kahuna. The climax to mine and Ryne's last 5ish years...

RYNE'S GRADUATION!!

I can't believe that I didn't get any pictures of our get together Friday night. Instead of going to the banquet Friday night, we opted to have a get together with our neighbors, and good friends, Tommy and Joyce. This is the only shot that we have from the night. I really need an entire post dedicated to these wonderful people. Tommy and Joyce have watched Riley and Samuel this past semester for two days a week. In that time Joyce has started to teach Riley to read, they have baked homemade bread together, built sod houses, played in the pool, helped with house cleaning (aka mopping the floor with socks on while skating in soapy water in the kitchen), and so much more. Tommy has played with and tickled the kids almost more than Ryne. 

So Friday night, both of our families got together and celebrated. Ryne and Tommy both graduated from the flight program and Joyce graduated this weekend from SFA.  Dinner was SO good and we really enjoyed the big get together. 

We love you guys!

 The next day we all headed up to the auditorium to get ready. One of my favorite things about our graduation ceremonies is that we sing hymns. It is one of my favorite things to hear hundreds of voices lifting up praise. Our auditorium is not only beautiful, but it beautifully captures the sounds of praise. Then the ceremony finally began.

I have to admit, it was about the time that names started to be called, that I began to tear up. I am so proud of Ryne and I am so proud of us, and all that we have accomplished together.

Then he walked across the stage...

And was photographed throwin' up his guns!  Yes. This photo made the FRONT page of the Sunday paper. I LOVE Ryne's sense of humor. As soon as he got back to his seat, he texted me to ask if I had seen him throw up his guns. Yes babe. I did. And so has everyone!! You're famous :) 

Afterwards, we tried our best to capture as many photos as we could. Here we both are with our DEAR friend Carlton. We love him so much and are thankful for the mentor and friend that he has been to us. 

And yes. He gave Ryner a kiss :)

Ryne and Grandma Bergren

I am so excited that Stephen, Rhea, Trent and Katelyn could be here that day. We love these guys so much and Ryne has known them for a long time. 

Ryne and his dad. He has been Ryne's #1 fan and such a big supporter to him. We love you Dr. B!

All of Ryne's family!

And us with my family! We are both so fortunate to be loved by so many. I was so excited to have my mom, dad, sisters, and grandmother there to celebrate with us.

GG, Aunt Debbie, and Uncle Jimmy were even able to make the trip. The kids love getting to spend time with them. I am thankful that we have family that is close enough that they can stay the night every once in a while. 

Me and my graduate!

Another great set of friends made the trip. I can't believe that we have so many great friends that we have known for so long. Thank you guys for making the long drive. We had such a great time with you guys. I can't believe how much we have all grown and changed since high school!

We snagged a quick shot of Ryne and a couple of his buddies!

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It was a great day!

Afterwards we headed out to our new house for a party. I was SO busy, I didn't get a single photo! I am so excited about us moving out there. There will be a post about that VERY soon. I couldn't believe how many people that little house could hold! We had mexican food and a great time! After the party, Ryne even had a chance to take a few people up in the plane for rides. We all were exhausted at the end of the day!

This great group of friends, were able to stay the night. We topped off our wonderful weekend with a night filled with catching up, kids playing, movies, games, lots of laughs (to say the least), and an all around good time. 

Thank you to everyone who celebrated with us. We had such a wonderful weekend. I am so proud of Ryne and so thankful for the hard worker that I have for a husband. We missed those of you who couldn't be here, but thank you for your love and support while Ryne and I finished school!

And last, but not least, the only down side to our wonderful day, was that we couldn't celebrate with my wonderful SIL Caitlin!! They were both celebrating graduation the same day so we couldn't be together. I am so excited for this new adventure that she is beginning as well. I am so sorry that we couldn't be there, but we love you and are SO proud of you Caitlin!

Shopping, surprise visits, and Air shows

My sisters, mom, aunt, grandma, and I had a GREAT girls day a few weekends back. We all met up in Tyler and shopped. I can hardly believe that my little sister will be getting married this Fall! I was so excited to enjoy talking about/beginning the planning for her big day!

We had another great surprise later that week. Our friend Brandon came to see us! Ryne and him have been friends since our freshman year in college. He is so wonderful. He brought Sam a new bug that grew in water.

He brought Riley a boat bank for them to paint together. 

They had so much fun. To make things even sweeter, he called us today to let us know that he is moving MUCH closer! We are so excited!

Then a couple of weeks later we headed to the Barksdale Air Show. We had a great time despite the chilling winds. 

 Well, that is all for now. We are in full swing getting ready to celebrate Ryne's graduation!!! More to come, very soon!

Easter

I can hardly believe how much the kids have grown since Easter last year. The weather was so nice today. I was glad that we got a few photos of us and the kids. 

Especially lately, I have been so thankful for Riley and the relationship that we have. I love her so much and enjoy the wonderful personality that she has. This morning she thanked me over and over for letter her wear  a pearl necklace of mine. She pranced around the living room and waited for her daddy to tell her how beautiful she was. It was a special moment for me and I am looking forward to many more moments like that. 

It is impressive to me how much Sam and Ryne are alike. I love seeing them together and how they like to play together. Sam is getting so big! It took Riley and I forever to get ready this morning, and Ryne and Sam took about 5 minutes and wrested together for the rest of the time :)

I am so thankful for the two men in my life!

On campus, they have an Easter Extraveganza. We went there last year with our friend so I was glad that we could do it again this year! It was crazy! There were parents that had laundry baskets trying to fill them up. I don't know if you can see the eggs in the background but there were hundreds! I told my kids that they could only get five and we struggled to get that many! On the flip side... I am thankful that our campus has activities that reach out to the community throughout the year. Afterwards they had burgers, hot dogs, face painting, and games for the kids and it was all free! 

     We had a great day today and a great weekend too. We are getting excited about Ryne graduating in just a few weeks, followed by us moving into our new house! Life sure is moving quickly around here but we are enjoying every bit of it!