Derek Graduation 2007

Hail to the graduate!
Looking great and feeling fit!
Oh, so proud and full of it!
This day belongs to you.

You've are a lovely friend and son.
In fact, I wouldn't have another.
In fact, I can't--I'm too old hun.
But better? There are few.

So go along and have some fun,
Learn some new things on the run,
And should you meet some special one,
Keep me in your heart, too.

That being Said 

I AM A GRADUATE!!!!

The Present from Mom and Dad

(when our daughter graduated she received 700 dollars in a box inside a box inside a bow well you get the idea..this year its our son and here is his grad gift these are clues that he found leading to the next clue which lead to his gift I cried. Normal for me. 

(Derek reading His first clue to where his grad gift is at it says.....)

#1)Dear Derek

 You have no idea of all the tears and heartache we have shed as you grew and worked your way through school.  Both John and I are so very proud of you. You made it.  You are now on your way. And as parents we will continue to support and encourage you to not only succeed but to achieve more. 

 I have cried Derek more then once. Tears of pride…

 The first time..was your birth

Derek finding clue number 2 in His baby book it says.......

 #2)You were born Oct 1 at midnight on the dot. They let me pick.  I chose the 1^st so that you would always remember that my kids, you, are number 1.  I looked into your chubby little face and you crinkled up your nose and let out a scream. I swear you cried the first two years of your life.

But it didn’t matter, I loved you, and was so proud of you…all your accomplishments big or small stand out in my memory

 I remember when you lost your first tooth……

above - a trip to the china cabinet to get his first tooth

below - reading the next clue.....

it says.....

 You first tooth… you came running into the house all excited and so proud, blood was dripping from your mouth and you were proudly holding your tooth.  Grinning from ear to ear, I hugged you and we talked about the tooth fairy and making tooth tea. I was so proud of you, my son…..

And you continued to grow and your heart grew and kindness, caring, love. It all grew with you. So many memories

 The pop tab…………..

 above - the pop tabs were easy to find they hang proudly on my bedroom wall.

Above - reading the next clue which says....

  Do you know how much I cherish that memory? How many times I told that story? How many pop tabs I have given out? Pride. Yes great pride in my son.  You were then and still are my world. And my pride in your grew.  With  each passing day with all the changes and all the moves my pride in your grew and along with that John, your dad. He brags do you know that? He brags about our wedding day and going to the museum….

Derek a little stumped over this clue. He thought the titanic. I guess his artwork and the award and trip to the museum to see it hanging on the wall meant alot to us. We remembered we have the original picture and the award ,...

above -- finally it clues in and He goes to where his artwork has sat for five years. My memories of my pride for my son

this clue says......

John and I would have gladly dropped the entire wedding to see you and your work at the museum. We both bragged about how our son made our wedding day even more special. How we were so proud of you. Your dad proud as a peacock. He may not always say it to you but everyone else hears it and on our wedding the world knew not only were we getting married but we were honoring our son, and all these things we keep, the teeth, the baby book, the pop tabs the picture. Your dad and I keep these things, because we are proud proud of our son…

 And this year we celebrate your graduation…………..

above the note was under his grad picture (on the wall in the background)

He looks a little disappointed no money yet?? I said read it again and He did and realized the money was still behind His grad picture.

 Derek realizing that yes He has his gift, the grin on his face says it all. 

this note says.....and contains his gift .....

Our grad. You made it. Brings tears to my eyes. Your dad and I are so proud of our son, he did it. He passed all the test he did the work he stuck it out and He succeeded. The rewards of this will be numerous to you, Derek.  We know it was hard, we know how hard it was to get to this point, but you did it and we are so proud.

This gift is nothing, a few hundred dollars and it will be gone way too quickly, but know Derek, know always know that we love you and we are very proud of what you have accomplished and Dad and I look forward to celebrating all your future accomplishments with you.

 Congratulations on making it!

counting his loot and showing off...:)

The ceremony is next week so yes there will be yet another mushy post from an over loving mother. 

We are both so proud of Him

Onto the Decorating His Car!!!!

              Be Sure to have Your speakers on!!