Skip to main content

My niece Jessica graduates from college

We took a quick road trip this weekend to attend my niece's graduation from a small university in Weatherford, Oklahoma, that seemed like a high school stadium, the perfect down-home campus for Jessica, who is now officially an elementary school teacher. Congratulations Jessica! We're proud of you.

Here's my sister, Tracy, Lindsey, my mom, and Aunt Joanna. As you can see, it was quite windy, which helped cut down on the heat. There were a few tornadoes in Oklahoma over the weekend, but fortunately not where we were.
Here's my dad, Jessica's boyfriend, Dustin, her sister, Aubrey, and her dad, Jimmy.

Check out their ferocious mascot, an 18-inch high bulldog! The bulldog sat obediently by a handler almost the entire ceremony, out in the middle of the football field.

Here's where the ceremony of the entire graduating class of Southwestern Oklahoma State University took place, with graduates from each college on campus, starting at 10 am and ending just past noon. Jimmy estimated that we sat through about 700 names being read. We drove to Tracy and Jimmy's house for a small gathering afterwards for hamburgers, hot dogs, bratwurst, chips, sodas, and a delicious cake. Kelly took a ton of pictures, which I'll add later. But for now, here's what came from my camera. What a nice weekend and made it home safely last night.

Comments

Summer Adams said…
Graduating college is a HUGE accomplishment and a HUGE sacrifice to go. Congrats to her! I'm so lucky Josh graduated. I only have some college done and I really want to finish. I'm glad so many young people are getting their education these days. She'll never regret it :) And Kelly, you are such a cute aunt for going and supporting. You really ARE there for all your family members. You're a good person and extremely supportive and loving of others. I love that about you.
Callisto said…
Good job to Jessica! It's so great that she's all grown up and graduated. I remember playing toy horses together and riding bikes when we were kids... Wow. This makes me excited to graduate college myself! Of course, that won't be for quite a while, but I'll get there eventually, after the mission. I want you to know that I look up to you so much for serving a mission! You're a great role model for me.
looks like a beautiful day!! graduating is the best. walking across the stage to accept your diploma is one of my favorite memories. glad you were there to experience and share it with your niece.
Conni said…
Looks fun! We missed you Sunday. :)
Lonna said…
How exciting to be there for such a huge event of her life. I love that you and Kelly both brought your cameras.

You know that it had to be windy, just because it was an outdoor ceremony. I am glad that you were safe from the tornado problems, and that you made it home alright.

welcome back.
Julie V. said…
Yea Jessica! I am so proud of my darling niece. It's fun to see the pictures of the family. That is so great you guys drove up for the day to support Jessica.
Maryanne said…
I can't believe it! Jessica was a BABY when we moved to Oklahoma (wasn't that just last year?!) I think I'm old. How fun that you all could go to her graduation.

Popular posts from this blog

Book of Mormon Stories Pool Party!

Hopefully this title, Book of Mormon Stories Pool Party , does not sound irreverent, because as an Activity Days leader, I felt compelled to come up with a fun end-of-the-summer event that is also uplifting, and after all, who doesn't love a splash in the pool on a hot day in August?  My current church calling, or official role that I volunteer for, allows me to plan two activities each month for girls ages 8 to 11, that will encourage them to learn and live the gospel, serve others, and use the talents Heavenly Father has given them, to learn to do many good things.  This year's seminary course of study for high school students is The Book of Mormon, and since I am a huge fan of this inspired book of scripture, I came up with this idea to have each girl show up to my house with a written summary of one of her favorite stories from within its many pages, and share it with the rest of the girls, while outside in our swimsuits near our backyard swimming pool!  As each girl shares

Our new daughter!

This picture was taken at church a few days ago while Kelly was on his way to the US for work this week. We have some wonderful news to share.  We are adopting 7-year-old Yeh Min Yu, who has been in our home off and on the last couple of months.  There's a lot that goes into making this official, dealing with US Homeland Security to arrange for her immigration visa, Taiwan courts and Chinese documents, getting a home study done by a licensed, qualified person, applying for a passport.  You have no idea.  I'll be glad when it's all done, but I couldn't wait to share this bit of joy with everyone.  We will name her Hannah to go on her new US birth certificate.  She's excited and nervous to go to America with us.  She can say more than 100 words in English so far.  Some of her favorite things to say are "small dog, butterfly, apple, pig."  She says it more like pig-uh.  We love her and feel this is one of the reasons we came to Taiwan.  Who would have thoug

Elder Larson to return from Thailand soon

Soon is relative, I suppose. Our son has been away from home more than a year and a half as he has been volunteering as a full-time missionary in the Thailand Bangkok Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since September 14, 2016. He will be home in four months and is working so hard, knowing his time there is winding down. He has been assigned to train Elder Ben Meyer, from Sydney, Australia, as they serve in Ubon, Thailand. Christopher has been there since November. We are very proud of his dedication and hard work. This week in Thailand, the new prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, with his wife, Wendy Nelson, along with one of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, and his wife, Patricia Holland, will be on their world ministering tour and be where our son is. The Church members and missionaries in Thailand are very excited and happy for this special visit! I can't wait to hear how it goes, and I look forward to pictures and stories to come.