Another Graduate

"Good, we got our usual seats," I said as we entered Portal Q and sat in rows 29 and 30. We saved 18 seats. The Marriott Center was already filling up and it was an hour and a half before Commencement began. The woman behind me asked, "How many times have you been here for this?" I told her that since 2003 we've had someone graduate each year except one. And a few of those years we've had more than one graduate. 

Three daughters, two with advanced degrees, three sons-in-law, one with an advanced degree. It adds up. 

This year is Randy's turn. A Masters of Music in piano performance. 

Randy--so happy to be done

Diane, Debra, Jonathan (yes, that's his little two-week old head peeking out of the pack in front of Debra), Debra, Randy, and Madeleine

I had to include this picture. It's the only picture I have with all eight of my grandchildren in it.
Front row: Elizabeth (3), Rachel (3), Diane (2), Madeleine (4), Matthew (5), Austin (6)
Back row: Bruce holding Andrew (6 months), Joseph, Audrey, Beth, Me, Ray, Debra with Jonathan in the pack, Randy, Grandma Jody and Grandpa Ray

The graduate and family are off to conquer the world. Unfortunately that means they're moving away. The good news is they're moving to the Seattle area--a place I love to visit to see my sister and friends that are already there. Now I have even more reason to go. 

They're moving in 10 days. What are they thinking? A new baby, a two year old, and a four year old. 

It can be done. Ray and I did it once with a two week old baby and a two year old. Then another time with an eight-month-in-utero baby, a two year old and a four year old. It's not easy, but it can be done.

Meanwhile, don't expect many posts in the days to come. I'll be busy helping them pack up, then we're helping them drive to Seattle. We're going to squeeze in every last minute with them that we can.