California Graduation

What a fun weekend it was! Landed in Burbank, CA on Wednesday evening and we were picked up by the lovely Molly Pearce. We had a relaxing night hanging out at the Pearce's and watching LA Galaxy soccer. Thursday we got to sleep in a little. Then headed to Master's to pick up my grad gown and say a few hellos. It was so much fun to see friends and be back on campus. Sweet Naomi allowed us to borrow her car for the rest of the weekend! What a blessing she is. Thanks Nay!!

I got to see my basketball girls which was so fun! Erica, Lauren, Brooke, and Annie - who I found out is moving to Idaho after she gets married this summer! Wahoo! (closer to me!) I also got to graduate with Jenna Reed! She's moving up here! Only a few minutes away! YAAAAYYYYY!!!! Also got to see my coaches, Dan and Johnny.

After a few hours on campus, we headed down to L.A. with Wil Pearce and Janie Roy to a concert. Aaron's old college roommate, David Zimmer was playing with Angel Taylor. It was really very fun actually. They were my favorite. The second band = not so good. The final band was Green River Ordinance, I'd never heard of them, but they were good! My high light was that David Cook was there! SWEET!







Brett Zamroz flew in that same night so we met up with him and Molly at In & Out at 1:00 am in Santa Clarita. It ended up being a late night, but heck - when else do we get to stay up till 3 am with old friends!? Ha ha! We were pooped!

Friday I had to get up early to get to Graduation practice! It was pretty fun, just anticipating the ceremony. After practice we got to visit with Robert, Brigitte and Jewel Short. That was probably one of my favorite events of the weekend! Jewel is adorable. Brigitte seemed to easily fit the role of "Mom" and Robert was a very proud dad. They are so happy! God has blessed us with their friendship. We love you Shorts!

Then we were off to one of my favorite restaurants: Stone Fire! We were so excited to meet up with our friends, Kevin and Lisa Derr, who are going to have their baby any day! Little Ellie is soon to make her appearance! It was so fun to catch up with them and see Lisa's big baby belly!

After that, home to take a nap! Then up and getting ready for Graduation. Graduation was such a great experience. Praise the Lord for allowing me complete my education at the best college ever =) What a place... It will always be near and dear to my heart because of how God used it to transform my life! It was bittersweet, knowing it was the final piece to my years at Master's... and yet feeling the accomplishment of something many people thought I wouldn't do! God is so good! It was one of my most challenging years... but the Lord brought me through! Thank you Jesus! Friends and pictures and parties followed. Seeing the Kane and Maly families were definitely a highlight... Aaron and I will never forget how they ministered to us!

My parents weren't able to make it down for graduation. But my momma surprised me with my beautiful lei!! It was big and smelled fantastic! I couldn't wear it during the ceremony but I put it on right after for pictures. Purple is the best! Thanks mom for the special surprise! I love you!

God works in awesome ways... Through college, Aaron and I's best friends were Ryan Zamroz and Stacy Nanninga. They are now married and living in Australia (where Ryan plays professional basketball.) Their families became our families. This weekend we were staying with the Pearce's who became good friends when Aaron made the switch to Music in school. This past year, Ryan's brother Brett began dating Molly Pearce. God is so good! This brought our two best groups of friends together for graduation. Aaron and I got to spend my graduation weekend/party with our best friends and our best families. We were so excited that the Nanninga's came out to see us! It was the best taste of what we knew to be Master's. One piece, however, was missing... Ryan and Stacy. God had different plans for them at that moment... and we were so sad. God knew all along that Ryan and Stacy weren't going to be able to celebrate with Brett and I.... but because of that, He allowed Brett and I to graduate at the same time - to bring our families together - to have a little piece of Ryan and Stacy with us. It was another bittersweet experience. Praise the Lord for His perfect plans.
I miss you Ryan and Stacy! I am eagerly awaiting the day of our next meeting! I love you!

Aw now for some California SUN! Finally off to get a little Beach time! The Pearce family and the Zamroz family headed to Santa Monica to rent bikes for the afternoon. It's so relaxing and you can see a lot in a little amount of time! Aaron got sun burnt =) I however, use sunscreen! (I love you Aaron!) Anyway... it was super fun and my sister, Danielle, got to join us! I haven't seen her for a long time. She's as beautiful and tan as always. I hate her... just kidding. I envy her. Ha ha... just kidding again... sort of.

Saturday concluded with another relaxing evening at the Pearce's after we returned Naomi's car. We packed up for our early flight home and said our goodbye's. Heading back to REALITY! Aaron still has a job... and I still have school. In the words of Pooh, "Oh bother..."


Thanks Again Molly and the rest of the Pearce family for hosting us! We had such a great time. We are truly grateful! I love you Molly!