| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| levisgrammy |
Posted - Jun 19 2015 : 4:52:01 PM
Just wondering how the graduation went? I've missed seeing you here or maybe I've just missed seeing some of your posts? Anyway, I hope you have some fun memories from the graduation!
~Denise~
Farmgirl Sister #43
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
http://www.torisgram.etsy.com |
| 6 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| levisgrammy |
Posted - Jun 20 2015 : 6:31:41 PM
Oh Nini I am so happy for you and him! Congratulations to him! I know what it is to home school the children and the pride we feel when we see them accomplish so many wonderful things.
That is awesome about Diocese and him getting his license. Hoping you all enjoy every minute of his party. I am amazed everyday at what God has done in the lives of my children and I am so blessed by it. I am sure you see the same in your own.
See you when you get back here!
~Denise~
Farmgirl Sister #43
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
http://www.torisgram.etsy.com |
| Song Sparrow |
Posted - Jun 20 2015 : 6:24:48 PM
Oh Nini your description of the graduation ceremony brought tears to my eyes! It sounds like your son has a good, solid plan for his future. Congratulations on raising such a fine young man! I'm sorry to hear your husband has not been well, and will keep all of you in my prayers. In the midst of all you have to do, please remember to take care of yourself!
Happy Day!
Peace in our hearts, peace in the world
Amy (Sister#6098) www.danaherandcloud.com
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| Killarney |
Posted - Jun 20 2015 : 10:41:37 AM
 To your Son! Nini! I enjoyed your catching up news!
Farmgirl Hugs! Connie
Imagine....#3392 |
| Red Tractor Girl |
Posted - Jun 20 2015 : 10:34:43 AM
HI Nini, so excited to hear all about the wonderful things happening with your son's graduation!! A big congratulations to him and you and your hubby!! Hope you have a perfect party day to celebrate too!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014 |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Jun 20 2015 : 07:13:30 AM
Hi girls! I'm here! I'm here! 'Just crazy busy here preparing for our son's graduation party tomorrow afternoon! :) Thank you SO much for thinking of me, though! I'll be posting regularly again, very soon! I miss all of you, too! :)
The graduation ceremony was WONDERFUL. We belong to a big accredited homeschooling association where the kids work hard to earn a bona fide Pennsylvania High School Diploma. (The parents choose the curriculum, the students meet very stringent criteria to graduate.). The association puts on two graduation ceremonies - one here in western PA, the other over on the eastern side of the state. Our ceremony was small, with about fifteen graduates, but extremely moving and inspiring. Our private evaluator was the guest speaker, which was completely unexpected. She gave a moving address: "You find what you look for...", stressing the importance of trusting God and keeping the faith, no matter what comes, because by so doing, your path will lead you to where you should be, and to Whom you belong. She also discussed the amazing progress she has seen and wonderful accomplishments the students have achieved, and stressed that this is only the beginning: all the hard work and dedication they have put into their high school education has well prepared them to face whatever challenges come in life. She encouraged those who have already chosen which path to follow not to be hesitant to take chances and try new things. She also encouraged those who still don't quite know what paths lie ahead to remain confident and keep moving forward; they WILL find their way. I won't get into everything she said, but I will tell you that she brought down the house through her love, her concern and caring for the students, her encouragement and her faith. She even used our son as an example, without using his name. Our ears tingled as we heard her words. It's one thing to believe in your child in your heart, but it's entirely something else to hear someone else recognize your child for the wonderful person he is, for his gifts and for his bright future ahead. Be still my heart! Afterwards, she came up to me and said, "I was talking about Sam, you know." I knew. I became very choked up and gave her the warmest hug ever. We could NEVER have accomplished all we did without her. God bless those who wholeheartedly invest their time in encouraging our children and us, as parents - Amen? AMEN! She made us promise to keep in touch because our son is one of her favorites. Of course we will. This woman has been there since Kindergarten, always advising, always encouraging, always caring and always kind. It would be weird not having her share in the excitement of his future!
And oh my gosh - the students are amazing! Quite a few showcased their talents. We were entertained with moving ballet and vocal performances, by talented composer-pianists... There was even one young man who already plays in a professional symphony orchestra! His violin performance brought tears to my eyes! We also learned two amazing stories of two of the students who overcame serious challenges with very little hope for the future. Both are now moving on to much bigger and better things than any doctor could have have ever conceived BECAUSE their parents were able to homeschool them and give them the time and attention they so desperately needed. And all of the kids give their glory to God and their deepest respect and gratitude to their loving parents. Such gifted, gifted GOOD young people. God surely must be smiling down upon His children! :)
I had been so concerned that I'd be a blubbering fool when it came time to hand my son his diploma and move his tassel (I've been weepy and teary-eyed for months! LOL!), but I didn't even shed a tear. I was just so happy for him, told him how proud I am of him, and gave him a big old mama bear hug. He got all choked up and teary-eyed, though. That is, of course, until my husband, who is only two-thirds his height, stopped everything to run over to get a chair, climb up on it, tell our son how much he loves him, then give him a big old papa bear hug. EVERYONE else was clapping and in stitches over the unexpected scene, but that was when I started to cry. 'One for everyone's memory book, indeed! :)
Unfortunately, something happened with my camera and we only got a handful of pictures. There is a good bit on video, so once we figure out how, we should be able to take still shots from it for the photo album! Thank goodness!!!
The day after the ceremony, my son did confide in me that he now had one regret. After meeting all those great kids with whom he had so much in common, he wished he had listed to my encouragement to join in some of the activities the association had offered over the years. He now understood why I felt so strongly about it, as I did. It would've been great to have people to talk to who were sharing in the homeschool experience; people who understood, people with whom he could've commiserated and celebrated. He was thrilled, though, to have walked away from the event with two new friends. They have all gotten to know each other very well in such a short time. It's just amazing how quickly they have clicked! It's as if they have known each other all their lives. One will even be attending his party tomorrow! How cool is that?!
Since graduation it has been a whirlwind of activity. Many of you don't know, but my husband isn't well, so there have been lots of appointments and testing and issues with which to deal. Every day has been a whirlwind of important phone calls, house cleaning, laundry, working on the garden, other unrelated appointments, and errands for the upcoming party. I've been getting up at 4:45 a.m. with the guys to get them off to work, and then MY day begins. And even though they're both neatly tucked in bed by 10:00, I'm still working into the wee hours to accomplish my tasks. I'm not complaining at all, I just want you to know where I've been so you don't worry. It may be a little crazy-hectic right now, but it's ALL GOOD! :) I have to say, though, that I am SO glad that the party is tomorrow. Once that is done, I plan to take an entire day to sleep in and take care of me! <Not sure how that works, exactly, but I do need a nap, believe me! LOL!> ;)
In HIS days since, my son FINALLY obtained his drivers license (WOO HOO!!!), he has returned to work full-time for the summer, and he was notified he is receiving an award from our Diocese next month, which was an unexpected surprise. He'll also soon be earning his third degree with the Knights of Columbus, and before we know it, he'll be starting college in August. He is working toward a double major, planning to earn his A.S. in HVAC as well as in Engineering. He plans to transfer to a four-year college after obtaining his A.S. degrees to obtain his Bachelors in Engineering, so he plans to put away as much summer employment money as possible. (After taking a homeschool course by Dave Ramsey, he is EXTREMELY committed to remaining debt free, so he is going to do whatever he can to pay his way and avoid student loans.) His thought with college is that the HVAC degree will well prepare him for working in the field (as will his continuing on the job education which began three summers ago!), and his knowledge and understanding in that area will greatly prepare him for what he wants to go on to do with Engineering. And with HVAC, he will always have a trade to fall back on - after all, wherever there are cold winters, people will need heat; wherever there is heat in the summer, people will need cooling. :) The young man has a plan, which is pretty great. BUT, Mom keeps telling him not to limit himself. Once he gets into college, his entire world will be open to new experiences... If he wants to explore other options, now is the time. All we really want is for him to be happy in whatever field he chooses, and to be sure he chooses well! :)
So, that's it in a nutshell, girls... 'Just busy, busy, busy that's all. I'll be back in the swing soon, and SO looking forward to hearing all about what's been happening in YOUR worlds these last few weeks! I think of you all so often, and check in on the Farm whenever I have a moment. I just haven't really had time to post. Please know I'm keeping everyone in my prayers and the mere thought of "coming home to MJF to roost with my sisters" for the summer is bringing be smiles and warm fuzzies to my heart!
Talk with you soon! Love you!
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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| Song Sparrow |
Posted - Jun 20 2015 : 04:15:37 AM
Me too! Would love to hear all about it!
Happy Day!
Peace in our hearts, peace in the world
Amy (Sister#6098) www.danaherandcloud.com
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