Graduation, Anniversary, Father's Day, OH MY!

This past weekend was non-stop action packed and a whole lot of fun! Friday was Derrek's high school graduation and I have to say that out of my three boys that have graduated, Derrek's was by far the best.

Derrek, making one last stop in front of the knight.
The ceremony was short and sweet and the music, speeches and skits were actually decent!!! And to top it off, we had great seats!
(I am NOT that short, I just happen to be standing in a hole. HONEST)

Saturday, Mike and I celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary by working hard all day on the house and then going out for dinner that evening using our Anthony's Gift Certificates from Randy and Connie.
Thanks you guys, dinner was great!

Father's Day was spent going to church, which was awesome.
I loved all the music and the talks were fantastic.
A sister in my ward was cute and changed Proverbs 31: 10-31 to go like this;
"Proverb of a Virtuous Man" by Annie Bonner
Who can find a virtuous man? For his price is far above diamonds.
He protecteth his house from enemies and shieldeth his family from harm. By the work of his hands he provideth bread and shelter.
He honoreth the priesthood and blesseth those who are in need.
He seeketh after wisdom and teacheth it to the young.
He learneth patience, and practiceth it every day.
He serveth in the church, yea he willingly serveth in the Boy Scouts and Cub scouts.
He helpeth his neighbor to move on Saturday morning, and often lendeth his truck to the elders.
He buildeth a good deck and fixeth a leaking faucet.
On cold nights he createth a raging fire.
He barbequeth, he moweth, he maintaineth the car.
He knoweth what to do when a tire goes flat, or when the computer screen turns blue.
He encorageth women.
He offereth to them his thanks.
He showeth kindness to his sisters, and is the pride of his mother’s heart.
He dependeth upon his wife, and for this she loveth him more.
He maketh his wife to feel beautiful, even when she is sleep-deprived, unshowered, and smelleth like baby vomit.
Many of his dreams he putteth off, for the good of those who need him.
In all things he standeth for righteousness, and all may safely trust in him.
He will hold the line. He will go the distance.
Whatsoever he sows, his children will reap.
His family for generations will praise his good name.
After church we all came home and celebrated Mike. The kids gave him cute musical cards,
(Mike groovin' to one of his Father's Day cards.)
I made him a yummy barbecue dinner with teriyaki chicken, fruit and vegetable kabobs and sticky rice on the side and Kendal made brownies.


Mike also got the movie Click and some patriotic Cd's full of Sousa marches.

Mike and Taylor, ridiculously good looking.

Prom

Derrek and Hanna had a great time at Prom the other night. Hanna came over at 6 PM and I took some pictures. Derrek wore a black tuxedo with a lavender vest and purple tie. He looked so sharp!

Hanna wore a lavender dress that had black netting over the top. she wore her hair and makeup very simple, but she looked beautiful as always.

When we had ordered their flowers for the dance, it was right after Derrek and Hanna had been Knighted so the florist said she would make their flowers extra special and she did! She used white roses and a purple calla lily to match their outfits. Derrek's boutonniere even had a lily too. She also sprayed everything that gave the flowers a silver sheen. So pretty! Derrek and Hanna had dinner reservations at the new Anthony's Waterfront Restaurant by the ferry terminal. they said the food was great. Derrek had steak and Hanna had halibut. Then they drove to the Kitsap Golf and Country Club where the dance was. They got pictures out of the way first and then had an enjoyable evening dancing and hanging out with friends. I'm glad they had a wonderful time!

A Knight to Remember

I had the privileged of attending the Knighting Ceremony at Bremerton High since Derrek was nominated along with 29 other worthy students by their peers and teachers. I have to say this was the most fun I've ever had at any type of ceremony my kids were involved in and the most interesting. At the beginning on the stage were 13 high back chairs.

Then the Knight appeared, shining armour and all, where he then walked across the stage to his chair. On the floor in front of him was a velvet pillow. Then Mr. Smith went to the podium and introduced all 30 of the nominees where they were sitting closest to the isle and stood in place as he read their name so everyone could applaud for them and then the nominees sat down.

Then the fun began! Mr. Smith exclaims, "Drum roll please!" and out came the junior class officers dressed in royal blue graduation robes and they start running crazily throughout the auditorium, back and forth, no one knows when or where they will stop and then BAM, one of them grabs a nominee, (it's kind of scary because it totally takes the nominee by surprise!) the drum roll stops and everyone starts screaming and clapping and the newest Knight then goes up to the stage, kneels in front of the Knight on the velvet pillow. The Knight in shining armour then takes out his sword and taps the newest knight on each shoulder and then they rise and take their place in a chair on the stage. This goes on until all thirteen Knights are chosen. Derrek and Hanna were talking to each other when BAM, an officer grabs Derrek!!! He was shocked, I was shocked, the audience was shocked but totally excited and screaming!

A few students later and then Hanna was chosen too and once again I'm screaming with the audience! It was so much fun!!!!

From here on out, the Knights of the class of 2007's picture will grace the wall of Bremerton High School forever! This has been a tradition for over 50 years and each year the students chosen represent the epitome of what being a Knight is all about. I'm so proud of Derrek! Congratulations son!!!

Derrek's done it again!!!!

With graduation right around the corner, awards and scholarships are being given and Derrek is right in the middle of it. With the total amount of scholarships and awards, Derrek's first year at the UW is paid for including tuition, room, board and books! This is such a blessing for our family and we couldn't be more thrilled for our son! Derrek has finals this week, Senior Prom on Saturday and graduation on the 15th. It's been a fun ride! As I mailed out announcements, I couldn't help but feel a little sad that it's almost over. Derrek's been so much fun and I can't help but be proud of all he's done.
Congratulations Derrek on a job well done!

(This is the write up of what I sent along with his graduation announcements, but then like a dummy I didn't order enough, so the last picture shows the one I had to make and then I ended up having to cut them down to fit in the envelopes! Ugh!!! Live and learn!)

Derrek’s four years at Bremerton High school have been filled with academic excellence as he has been a fixture on the honor roll. In May, Derrek was nominated to be “Knighted” by students and teachers at Bremerton High School. This honor goes to the top five percent of students in his class for outstanding community service, academics, school leadership and athletics.

This past year at Bremerton High, Derrek was voted Key Club President and Leo Club Treasurer. Through these organizations he worked tirelessly alongside Kiwanis Club and Lions Club serving the community. Some of his volunteer work included; the Armed Forces Day Pancake Breakfast, a teddy bear drive for Holly Ridge Children’s Center, Blackberry Festival Scholarship fundraising, the White Canes drive for the Society for the Blind and Harrison Memorial Hospital’s Festival of Trees. However, Derrek’s most rewarding experiences have come through tutoring disadvantaged children Tuesday afternoons at Naval Avenue Elementary. Serving the community has given Derrek wonderful opportunities and been rewarding in many ways. Some of these clubs have generously shown their appreciation by awarding Derrek with college scholarships.

Outside of academics, Derrek has been successful running for the high school’s varsity cross country team, lettering all three years. In addition, Derrek was voted “Most Inspirational Athlete” by his coach and team mates. This award is traditionally given to seniors, but he proved to be an inspiration to his team every year he ran.

Derrek was accepted to the University of Washington and will begin taking pre-med core subjects in the fall towards becoming a doctor.

Double the fun!!!

I am a Nanny for the cutest and sweetest little girls, Sophia and Amelia! They are so much fun and a year old this month!! I feel that being a Nanny is the greatest 'work' I could be doing. I was so grateful to be a Nanny again after working for the Griesers.

They were the most fantastic family and I was so sad they outgrew me, but here I am, taking care of these precious little ones and having a blast doing it! I'm one lucky girl!

Kendal's time to shine!

This last month has been exciting for Kendal. She was voted as an ASB officer as Inter-high Representative. She's really excited about serving the student body next year.

She was also voted as Key Club Vice President and Leo Club Secretary. She's been involved with these clubs for a while and is excited to be following in her brother Derrek's footsteps.

Kendal also finished strong this year in tennis. She earned a Varsity Letter playing doubles and Kendal won the "Coach's Award" for working so hard. She and her partner went to Regionals and became the spoilers as they knocked the number one doubles seed from going to state!!! Kendal and Courtney placed third in the Olympic League, not bad for only playing together for three weeks!

And if all this weren't enough, Kendal was awarded in a school assembly yesterday the Spanish 2 Department Award! Way to go Kendal!!!!