Jessie~Springville H.S.~Class of 2009

Well y'all, Jessie done got herself gradyouated. We's real, real proud of her. Here are some pitcher's from the pert near craziest pitcher takin shindig I evah done seen. 

Graduating + Bestest Friends=Good Times

Kristen Graduates Part Deux

Commencement took place in the Centrum Arena in Cedar City

on May 2, 2009.

Graduates

Mom is VERY excited.

President Monson was the keynote speaker.

I love this shot for some reason.

Maybe it's because you can tell it is actually him.

Jake, Kristen and Wes. (Jessie had to work, darn it.)

Looking ahead.

The proud parents of a very deserving girl.

Kristen with friends, Lynne and Miju

Yeah!!! I am an official graduate. A real life graduate! Ready to enter the real world! 

Good bye house. It was a great 2 1/2 years we shared.

Kristen Graduates Part Une

Nursing Pinning Ceremony-May 1, 2009

Southern Utah University

YEAH!!!!

Being "pinned" as a Nurse is a tradition that goes back many years. 

Signifies something.

Who cares...it's just cool.

Pinning Ceremony took place in Hogwarts!  Wes loved this room.

It kept him entertained.

Kristen in slideshow. I can't believe I got that shot. 

Kristen being PINNED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The students gathered together for a group photo op and only the really pushy parents were able to get a decent shot before the group broke up. Notice I am not a pushy parent in this instance. Dang. But Kristen is there in the middle. ;-0

Kristen with some Nursing friends; 

Kristal, Holly, Kristen, Cammie, Crystal

(They are happeeeeeeee...gee I wonder why?)

Family Photo.

Kristen and Ashley

Kristen and Dad.

Prom 2009

Springville High School Prom 2009

Prep Work. A lot of prep work. Some sweet girls!

Here she is! 

It was the BLUE dress, can you tell? 

Isn't she lovely?

Are you talking to your computer right now?

Dance. Twirl. Dance.

The knees of a hard core long boarder. 

Thank goodness for the long dress.

Just because I love this picture. 

Check out those earrings.

I took about 60 billion zillion pictures (you who have the delight of cross-referencing us on facebook are already aware of this) and it is super hard to pick which ones to post.

They are a cutie-patootie couple if I do say so myself.

Springville High School Promenade.

I can't even tell you beautiful this was. Springville High is a giant school with small town school spirit. The promenade and dance were held at the Provo Courthouse. It stopped snaining, Yes I said snaining, just in time for the unveiling of the Seniors. 

I am wiping a tear away right now...

This picture has Wes in it...and the sunset...and Jess and Frank look very interested in whatever that girl is saying. In fact I would say Wes looks enthralled.

Pictures on the lawn in front of the courthouse.

And finally Mom and Dad (his too) left the prommer's alone.

Yeah, I just invented the word prommers. 

These are seriously good kids. When I read and hear about some Proms and how they are all about drinking, etc. etc., my heart melts with gratefulness over what these kids are all about and how good they are.

Oh, to be 17 again.

Jess should really fill in here all about Prom, but I know they had a wonderful time. 

(Perhaps she will add an update)

Jessie=Dance

That is what it was. Jessie+hours of hard work=Dance. She started down the typical dance path at age 3 with the normal jazz/tap/ballet combo. She loved it from the start. She danced for 14 years; the last few years her life were almost entirely comprised of dance, mostly ballet, nearly every day of the week. And this was almost entirely what Jessie wanted. Over the years, I had many moms ask me how I made Jessie to go dance class. I never did have to make her go to dance though; she just loved it and worked tremendously hard at it. Over the years it was a joy to watch her progress and to watch her dance. Although this may seem odd, among my fondest memories of those many years of dance was driving her to lessons, most especially over the last few years. 

There comes a point when a person has to make the choice and you ask yourself: is your passion still your passion? Is this going to be your passion for the rest of your life? Jessie gave up a lot of things for dance and there is life to be had outside of it. And while dance itself may be beautiful, behind the scenes it is less so. And after so many years of intense work you can simply burn out. Last summer she made the hardest decision she has had to make. After a lot of tears and discussion, she realized that she wanted to live a "normal" teenage life and explore the other areas of talents she possesses. And although it has been very difficult for her, (and me), I know she made the right decision. It's been just as enjoyable to see her live a "normal" life.  

These pictures are from the Grand Prix Competition in February 2008. Above is from her Contemporary Piece; the bottom her Ballet Variation. 

I think she is beautiful. Inside and Out.

Oh how the years go by

Seems just like yesterday:

                                                                           

Yet now...                                                      

What can I say? The years truly do fly by. If life is one eternal circle; will we circle back to the future? While I wouldn't want to relive pregnancy, I do envision living the best moments over. Wrapping them tight in their blankets, holding them close and kissing them over and over. The funny things they said that often made more sense than reality.  First steps, first words, first days of school,  I think I wished a lot their growing up years away and I want to grab it all back now and really savor it.  18 years is not long enough for each one of them to be all mine.  All I can hope for is that they will all want to move back in when they are finished with school. It is all part of my diabolical plan. Gosh, I love them.

(family photo by Lyndi Bone Photography; check out the link over there, on the right)

ps. will someone please tell me why this is underlined and how to get rid of it?

8 is great!

Happy Birthday to Wes! 

Wes, you are so funny, smart, sweet, clever, thoughtful, and you bring so much joy to our lives.

When you were born you made our family feel complete. 

Sorry you had to be sick today...but It was fun to share our big hug at exactly 12:55 p.m.!