So I Did A Thing

So I did a thing on May 12. Well actually I did a thing on March 7 but the ceremony was May 12. 

I graduated from college. Lamar University Class of 2023!

It's been something that I have been pursuing for a while. I have always thought about going back to college to finish my bachelor’s degree. I started college like the rest of my friends when I graduated high school, but life happened, and I stopped going for one reason or another. 

In December 2011 when my husband graduated with his master’s degree, I made the decision to go back to school. So, January 2012 I started the pursuit to finish my college degree. One of the perks of working where I do is that they pay for employees to take classes, but they limit how many they pay for. When I started it was only two classes a year, one in each long semester. I had a grant for a while which allowed me to take three classes a semester but that was only for a short time so back to one class a semester when the grant ended. 

I was determined to finish and only stopped for one semester in 2017 when Hurricane Harvey hit, and I had way too much on my plate to even think about school. But it was during that time, my place of employment changed their policy for employees to take classes, it went from 2 a year to 5 a year, two in the fall and spring and one in the summer. It was that change that made me even more determined to finish this degree. 

The road hasn’t always been easy. There were many late nights studying and writing papers. Missed weekends hanging out with friends, taking trips or summer vacations. Classes that frustrated me and classes that challenged me. Classes that I needed tutoring help from my husband just to get through it and classes that I just seemed to breeze through. 

Fast forward to current day, eleven years later and I finally graduated. It all seems so surreal to me. This day always seemed so far away, and yet here I am.

I graduated on March 7, 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in Applied Arts and Sciences, and a minor in Communications. I also graduated with Summa cum laude Latin honors. I did it all while working full time, raising a family, keeping up a household, and watching my boys participate in whatever sports they were involved in. 

This journey taught me to believe in myself and to never give up, no matter what life throws at you. It also reminded me that I like to learn. I'm so proud of myself for not giving up! 

 

I did it!

 

My sweet friend, who is a professor on campus was waiting to give me a big hug.
 

Reece had baseball and could not come to actual ceremony but it didn't stop me from going to the field to get a family picture.

My four best friends and my cousin. Sonya, Wendi, Beth, Misty. Lisa, my cousin wearing the solid green dress flew in from New York just to watch me walk across the stage.

All Things Riley

It has been a while. I have been so busy this year and it really has flown by. Riley, as you have known him as R2 since I started this blog has had a big year. 

So much has been happening that centers all around him.  He started his senior year of high school in August 2022. He turned 18 in January 2023. Riley had a great Varsity golf season and received the THSCA Academic All State award. We went on his senior trip in April to Branson, Missouri so he could play golf at Payne's Valley and Top of the Rock golf courses. His Rocket Engineering class built and launched their rocket successfully, this was a huge deal. This upcoming weekend is prom and he graduates next weekend. Oh and he took a job for the summer in Oklahoma. He leaves the day after graduation and does not come back until August. 

My mama heart can not take much more. 

 But here are a few pictures of how his year has gone. 

 

 

 

Riley, your dad and I are so proud of all that you have accomplished during your senior year of high school. We have loved having a front row seat to your life. We are excited about what the future holds for you. You have been our greatest adventure. We love you!

It's Been A Long While

It's been a long while since I've written anything here. The mundane happenings of everyday life did not seem noteworthy write about. Yet in the same breath, they are noteworthy. It is in the normal occurrences of each day that form core memories and moments in our lives.

Since I last wrote, I've experienced a multitude of those very memories and moments. While they are no longer documented here, they are documented in my heart forever. And if I'm being honest, they are on my cell phone camera roll too. 

As I look back over the pictures I am reminded of those special events that stamped a forever spot in my life. The moments that only happen once in a lifetime, the moments that make each day fold into the next and the moments of every mundane wrinkle of life.

 

I don't know about you but he's feeling 22

 He's 22! (All I can hear in my head is the song, 22 by Taylor Swift)  

Your dad and I are so proud of you. You have accomplished so much in your 22 years. Happy 22nd Birthday Reece!

 

 

 

Happy 17th Birthday R2

 I'm going to need time to slow down. How in the world are you 17? You are smart, funny, outdoorsy, passionate, caring, and I love everything about you. Happy 17th Birthday, R2!

Happy 21st Birthday

 Happy 21st birthday Reece! (aka R1) You have grown into such a remarkable man. Your drive and work ethic are helping you pursue your dreams and turning them into reality. Your dad and I have loved having a front row seat to your life. We love you and we are so extremely proud of you.

 

Sweet 16

 Happy 16th Birthday R2! 

 Not sure how sixteen years have flown by so fast, but they have. 

You keep your dad and I laughing everyday. 

 

You make us so proud with your work ethic.

You are always polite to others and lend a hand whenever possible. 

We hope your day is just as amazing as you are! 

We love you!

20 Years

Happy 20^th Birthday R1!

You have grown into a man right before my eyes. The years have past so quickly. 

When I look at you, I still see the 2yr old with a head full of curly hair running around in the front yard. 

I also see the 5yr old on the first day of kindergarten and the 10yrs old with braces. I see the 18yr old during his senior year of high school walking across the stage at graduation to receive his diploma and smiling at his accomplishment. 

But I also see the man you’ve become. The one who is half way through his junior year of college. I see the man working hard toward the goals he set for himself and not stopping till they have been achieved. 

I love having a front row seat to your life. You make me so proud. I’m honored God gave you to me. 

I love you and I hope year 20 is everything you want it to be and more!

15

 Happy 15th Birthday R1! You are the kid that makes me laugh everyday. Your dad and I love you and we hope your day is as wonderful and awesome as you are!

Happy 2020

It's been a hot minute since I wrote my last blog post back in October. Well maybe not a minute but it sure feels that way. 

Baseball season ended with my beloved Astros making it to World Series but losing to the Nationals in 7 games. It was heartbreaking to watch and to listen to Joe Buck's one sided announcing, if you want to even call it that. And even thought our ball club is being picked apart in the office season, I still love my 'Stros.

Then of course November hit and I got just a bit excited about the upcoming holiday season and put our Christmas trees up in the house the first weekend in November. The man cave tree took about 3 hours, the living room tree, it took a week. And now you know why the process begins when it does. R1 said our house looked bi-polar when you walked in, Fall decor still out and the Christmas trees up and decorated. 

We had family over for Thanksgiving and we ate to much and laughed a lot. Once Thanksgiving was over the parade of Christmas parties began. I told Hubs I really wanted to be in the moment of the holiday season/reason and be intentional with our time so even though we were invited to 5 parties, we only attended one. 

Next thing I knew it was Christmas break. See I told you a hot minute. 

Two glorious weeks of no school or schedule. We stayed up way to late, had a ton fun, and of course ate way to much again. I really enjoyed my time with family.

And now here it is January 2020. I was glad to see 2019 go and I'm hoping 2020 is full of blessing. 

Happy New Year!

Still My Favorite Team

Well my beloved Astros didn't win the World Series last night.  It was a heck of series and I loved watching them play.

But the only good thing about last nights game ending was that I no longer have to listen to Joe Buck!

On the bright side spring training starts in 103 days.

Take It Back 2019

My beloved Astros are going to the 2019 World Series!

 

TAKE IT BACK BOYS!