Graduation Day! Brooke You Did It!!!

It's not every day that you graduate from high school!  Well today was the day for Brooke!  I am so very proud and happy for this fun, witty, generous, kind, focused, happy, loyal girl!  She has accomplished so much in her life!  She looked beautiful today and the day was just perfect in every single way!  We had ALL of our family here INCLUDING Todd!  He made the drive safely from Vegas and he and Megan drove straight to the stadium and met up with us before the graduation started.  It was a fun morning of getting ready as Allie Hart and CC Brooksby came over to get ready at our house.  It was fun hearing their excited chatter about the fun events ahead...  Abby Call came over later.  We got some pictures of cute Brooke in her gown and graduation dress, and then some of all of them together.  They were pretty excited! 

It was a beautiful graduation ceremony (long) with great speakers-- one was a young man that had suffered some injuries during high school that required extensive therapy and rehabilitation.  His speech was slow and a little bit slurred, but he was so inspiring and told of his struggle to graduate on time and also to never take anything for granted.  He encouraged the graduates to go after their dreams, but to also know that loss will come to everyone and to face each day with optimism.  His words meant so much more, because he's been through these hard things already!  I could've listened to him for another 10 minutes.  He got a standing ovation! 

In the picture of the graduates lining up on the floor of the stadium, Brooke is the only one with the white NHS stole on.  Then there is another row of graduates in the next picture and she is in the middle behind another girl with a white stole, and she's smiling big!  Brooke graduated with high honors in the top 5% if her class and participated in NHS.  These were recognitions noted on the graduation ceremony program.  The next 2 pictures are of the graduates leaving the stadium after the ceremony-- Brooke is smack dab in the middle of these, as well.  We took a bunch of fun family and friends pictures after the ceremony and had fun reveling in the excited emotion of freshly graduated seniors!  We saw Hannah Conway on our way out and got a picture with her too!  She's such a nice girl! 

The party at home was so much fun!  We had a fun time eating and visiting with all who came to wish Brooke well on her way into college!  There's something so hopeful about a newly graduated 18 year old!  I remember well that time in my life!  You just feel like you're on top of the world and can do an accomplish anything!  We went around after dinner and everybody got to share their favorite story-- funny or serious-- about Brooke.  Many were funny and lots were sweet memories that people shared but all of them had a common thread-- the kindness that Brooke exemplifies to others.  She has a very kind and loving heart and all who come into contact with her feel this from her!  Many wonderful things were said and we had such an enjoyable time visiting and honoring Brooke and all of her achievements and who she has become.  I'm so grateful for teachers, leaders, coaches and friends who have helped to teach, lead, guide and direct her on her path to who she has become now!

When all of the festivities of the day were over, and all the guests had left-- Brooke collapsed with exhaustion on the couch while we cleaned up from the party.  She hadn't felt well and had a bit of a headache, but never said a word about not feeling well all day!  I love this girl and am going to miss her so much.  At the same time, I'm super excited for her because I know she is going to contribute so much good to this world!  Go chase your dreams Brooke!  I love you!!!