It's finally happening--- Graduation

Well first off, my sister is simply fabulous! She is so talented and was willing to help her sister with graduation announcements even though it is her busiest time of year...

On April 20th after much prayer and preparation I passed my comprehensive graduate exam. I thought for a minute that I will slip into psychosis due to the extreme anxiety.
But, my God is so good! After spending some time in prayer and worship
he helped me breathe and perform on the test to my full ability.
I never felt such relief as when I left that testing center knowing "I'm going to graduate..."
I think the song "walking on sunshine" might describe how I felt at that moment-
I cannot imagine my years of college without the constant love and support from my friends and family. You have been my lifeline through the struggles and cheer squad during the times of triumph~ I can't even begin to express my feelings as this time has finally come.
I am so excited to see what God has for me in this next step!

Graduate School and Such...

It seems like I have been waiting for this day for a long time...
Completed college with my Bachelors degree and went straight back for my Masters-
Now my time as a "Student" is rapidly ending...

I have been praying to make it to this day for "awhile" now and the fact that its right around the corner is just too hard to comprehend. Lord willing in the middle of May I will be forced into adulthood with no more excuses for flaws in behavior. I know that technically I've been an adult for almost 7 years now; however, the student role that I've identified with for these years carries with it a sense of youth. As a "student" you are learning, growing, exploring, making mistakes, making discoveries, in need of assistance and maybe even not fully responsible...
In Kindergarten you may get in trouble for dumping glitter on the floor, but others don't look at you like you should know better. They tell you what you did wrong and how to correct it; as a college student its much the same way. I am entering a point in my life where no one is going to look on me caringly and say "let me show you" -I am now expected to know better-
Let me say that do not purposefully go around "dumping glitter on the floor" just because I can; but it is a security to fall back on. I feel that by leaving my student identity certain things will now be expected of me... for one example: At family gatherings relatives will ask "Are you married?", I confidently respond that I am a college student and all is understood. The student identity is not expected to be married and have kids, (you can have them, its just not required)

I guess I am just going to miss thinking of myself as a "student"
I am not however going to miss school, at least not for awhile ;)

Holidays and Hawaii

The Holidays came and went in a wondrous blur filled with laughter, pesky brothers,

smelly pups, song writing, and puzzles!

I did not focus so much on tradition or schedules this year and felt at peace more than ever before. I got to spend an early morning just me and mom and some evenings chatting with sisters.

Not to mention the ever full cup of coffee that was continuously in my hand.

There is just something about someone else fixing your coffee
it is SO good-- Maybe its that secret ingredient of love they add ;)

So back at work and getting in the swing of things--- But only for a few days because early Thursday morning me and three friends will be flying out to Hawaii for a much belated graduation celebration trip! I left Moose & Maggie with Grandmommy (my mom) after New Years and will go to pick them after we land back in Texas. Being away from Moose has been harder than I thought; although knowing they taken care of makes the late nights at work more tolerable.

For those who would like to know my flight schedule:

We fly out of Austin at 8:10am on Thursday, January 7th.
We land in Honolulu at 2:15pm (Hawaii time) after a one hour layover in Los Angeles

*Hawaii time is 4 hours behind Texas time*
Therefore if you call me at noon it will only be 8am for me

Looking at the AT&T map I should have cell coverage most of the time I'm over there.
I'd love to talk to you so feel free to call or text me but please no 8am calls
(it'll just be 4am for me) hee-hee

On the 7th we will stay the night at the Island Colony Hotel in Honolulu. We plan to see Waikiki beach and Pearl harbor before hopping over to the island of Kauai where we will stay for the remainder of our trip...
After a week on the beach we will fly out from Honolulu at 6:05pm on Friday the 15th and land back in Austin at 10:13am, Saturday the 16^th...
I look forward to telling you all about it!
Aloha!