Graduation

  Though I finished school over a month ago, my official graduation ceremony was this past Friday. On Wednesday, Gram and Pap traveled down and brought me a big surprise - Courtney, Cassie, and Dee Dee Bryant! They completely took me by surprise! I never suspected a thing! {and they had fun laughing at my gullibility!}

{playing Scattergories}

 It was great to have them here! I think it helped get my mind off the ceremony, and it was nice to have extra help getting the house ready for the reception!

{dipping pretzels in white chocolate and coating with sprinkles}

{we played a lot of volleyball while they were here. I think this picture was
actually taken a little after 7 on the morning they had to leave. Yes, we
were on a volleyball craze!}

{practicing a song we girls are going to sing together at their
church when we are up there on Mother's Day}

Getting the house ready...

I'm all for edible decorations!

{we had extra time before we had to leave for the church, so we took a couple pictures!}

At church, before the ceremony, we played a slideshow of pictures of my life since kindergarten. It really helped everyone feel relaxed and informal. {I actually didn't get nervous until Pomp and Circumstance started!}

The Ceremony:

{Pastor Webb, Pap, Dad}

{Mrs. Hutchins played for us}

Pastor Webb opened the ceremony and led  "Trust and Obey" as a congregational hymn. Pap prayed and gave a short charge (Well, it was supposed to be short, but he went over his six minutes! LOL).

{and of course, I had to give a speech}

{Nathan, Bethany, and Daniel sang "My Life, Lord, is Yours to Control"}

{Dad preached...}

{... and presented the diploma}

{All that trouble just for a piece of paper!! LOL}

The reception:

{Mom made the cake}

{thank you, Anna, for taking pictures!}

After most people finished eating, I opened my gifts. There were so many cards, we decided just to do gifts now and I could open cards later. I won't go through and list everything I was given, but I got some very special gifts that really surprised me.









Thank you to all those who made that night special for me!!