Graduation!!

"Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass."  

Psalm 37:5 

 

First things first, I apologize for my tardiness in getting this post up for your viewing!  Things have been pretty busy over here on the farm but I'm back...for now :).

I had the wonderful privilege of being able to graduate with one of my best friends- my sister!  Kimber and I have shared so many memories together over the years and it's been a blessing doing school with her over the years!

We were able to get ready at our grandparents house, which was about 15 minutes from the place where the ceremony was being held.  Alexis, my wonderful sister, took pictures of us while we got ready.

Don't ask ;)...

My lovely sister!!

About 9 months ago we found some beautiful, modest dresses online which my generous grandparents bought for us as our graduation gift.  After getting our make-up on we slipped into our "princess gowns".  They fit perfectly and we loved them!

After getting things situated and decorated we headed to the Richmond Convention Center for the graduation!

Virginia has one of the best graduation ceremony's available for homeschool grads.  Thanks to the hard work of HEAV (Home Educators Association of Virginia) we were able to participate along with 196 others.

My sister is 2nd from the left (blonde hair) and I'm right behind her.

 After our 2 hour long rehearsal we graduates got to know each other a little better while waiting for the actual ceremony to start.  Finally, it was time to enter the ball room.

My sister and I are somewhere in the sea of blue and white :)

 This picture do not give full justice to just how big this room is.  I think it could hold about 20,000 people!

"Greatness- no excuses" was the title of the address given to us graduates by Rick Boyer.  He challenged us to be "Josiahs" in today's society; to stand up for the truth and to be great for the Lord....no excuses.

Having a last name that starts with a "W" means we were (almost literally) very last.  But we had a fun time getting to know the people in our row.  It's so neat to see that many homeschool graduates at the same time.  After listening and participating in 2 hours of clapping it was finally our turn to receive our diplomas from our wonderful parents.  Unfortunately I don't have any pictures but I do have one of us after the ceremony.

L-R: Mamma, Kimber, Myself, Daddy

My kind Paw-Paw and Na-Naw allowed us to host our graduation party at their house since our house is sort-of a mess right now due to the new kitchen addition in progress :). 

FOOD!!!

 We all enjoyed the fresh fruit, veggies, chips, pasta salad, gold-fish (what...I like goldfish :), and pizza.  We enjoyed wonderful fellowship with friends and family while eating.

My friend Kelly and I

Then we had cake...mmm!

Home-made ice-cream cake.  Delicious!

  

After cake we had present time.  Everyone was very generous in the presents they gave to us!

The last gift we opened was from mamma and daddy.  Inside a cardboard box was a beautifully engraved photo album with a card that informed us that we were to fill this album with pictures from our trip to Colombia!  That's right, sometime this fall daddy is taking us to visit our Compassion children in Colombia.  We're looking forward to it!

Saying "thank you" to papa-bear!

A hug for our beautiful mamma!

After all the presents were opened and "thank you's" were said Kimber and I stood up and read our letters to mamma and daddy.  We really wanted to do something special to thank them for all the time and energy they invested in not just our education but also our lives.  I have attached a video of both speeches for you to view below (see next post).  It was a tear-jerker but I'm so glad we did it!

While some of the adults finished cleaning up the rest of us gathered in my grandparents living room to watch a slide-show that we made of our growing up years. 

 

Watching.

 Finally, after a long and exciting day it was time to say "good-bye".  

June 9th, 2012 will forever be a memory that I will look back upon with pleasure.  Everything went exceptionally well and it was so special to celebrate our special day with family and friends that we love!

Well, there's my graduation story...do you have one?

Learning to delight in Jesus,

Hannah

P.S.- You can view some of our graduation pictures HERE.