Graduation #3

Sunday was a big day for our family, namely Angel.  Though he had previously graduated from Ricks College with an Associates degree and Auburn University with a Bachelors degree, he was never able to walk in the Commencement ceremony due to competing in Track & Field nationals.  I mentioned a couple posts ago how he finished school for his apprenticeship at the shipyard. But when we got the information in the mail he was strictly opposed to walking in graduation because he didn't view this degree as a "big deal."  I told him that it IS indeed a big deal, that he did more studying for his classes {like Applied Physics} and exams this time around than he ever did with the 1st or 2nd degree, that he graduated with one of the highest GPA's in his class earning a spot on the Dean's list, and most importantly that his kids were not around to see him graduate before and that it would be a HUGE impression on them to see their dad accomplish something of this magnitude. In other words, "YOU'RE WALKING IN GRADUATION!"

and needless to say, He conceded....

So Sunday was a big day.  The kids were so excited when the graduates started walking in and had so much fun waiting and looking for Angel as he came down the aisle.  Though they didn't recognize the pomp and circumstance being played by the band, they definitely recognized the importance of the occasion.  The excitement faded, however, as the ceremony progressed.  To their credit, it's been a while since I'VE attended a graduation and I don't remember them being that long! {that's code for: boring}  The excitement returned though, when Angel went up to get his diploma and then all the graduates marched out.

   

Receiving his diploma.....

   

Marching out with the graduates...

It was a little chaotic trying to find him in the mass of red-robed graduates {very where's waldo?-ish} but eventually we found each other and it was so cute to see the kids say "Good job Dad!"  And just so you don't think I'm an obnoxious, controlling wife, Angel DID tell me after we left graduation that he was glad I "encouraged" him to walk. He said he didn't realize how actually going through the ceremony would make him feel what an accomplishment it was, not just for this last degree, but for the other two as well. {See! Do I know my husband or do I know my husband?}

Afterwards we went to my mom's for a get-together. We had some good friends, the O'shields, over to help us celebrate (he's actually the reason Angel has his job at the shipyard!)  The kids all had a blast playing outside together. 

And Angel was excited when he opened the Sounders Jersey he'd been eyeing for a while now. Good friends, Good food {Baby-back ribs, cornonthecob, potatoes, shrimp-ka-bobs, fruit}....what more could you ask for?  Oh yeah, chocolate cake :-)

HOORAY FOR ANGEL!!!  YOU DID IT!!