Goodbyes & Graduation

Friday was my last day of school, and man, was I a wreck! Every year, without fail, I cry on the last day of school, as do quite a few of my students. We always sit in a circle during the last 20 minutes or so, and each child shares their favorite memory, and my TA and I share our favorite memory of each student. We got about 2.5 seconds into the sharing before my students were tossing me tissues! It's a beautiful moment, and I am always overwhelmed with how proud I feel of them and how much love is present in our classroom! One of the students who I have been working so hard with all year long just broke down sobbing in the corner of the room saying that she didn't want to leave. And that's when you know that you've done your job. You've made your mark and made a difference. That's why I love my job. I also love the fact that I got an email that afternoon from one of my girls saying, "It's only been an hour but I miss you already. I want to come back to 3rd grade." Priceless. Needless to say, it was a great year and a great last day!

Right after school, Kyle, my brother, his girlfriend, and I packed up to head for Warrenton, Virginia, for our baby cousin, Anna's, graduation from high school! We are a super tight-knit family, and because Anna is the baby of the family, she's got a special place in all of our hearts! She's the only cousin that I actually got to see grow up as opposed to growing up along-side of them. I'm so proud of the person that she's grown up to be-- so friendly, kind, caring, smart, hilarious, and all things good!

She's going to William & Mary in the fall where I know she will do great things and make tons of friends!

Her graduation was quite interesting...the principal was rather long-winded and not only recognized the students with noteworthy accomplishments (one of which was Anna!), but also gave a brief bio of every staff-member's graduating child and every twin in the senior class. Did I mention we were sweating our tushies off in the blazing sun? But, it got even better when they actually starting calling names for the seniors to walk and the sound went out. They kept calling names, none of which we could hear, while the crowd chanted "We can't hear" over and over. I was dying of laughter! Luckily, Anna was one of the first to walk, and we could hear her name and cheer for her as she did the awesome point and head-nod in perfect Anna fashion!

Kyle & Me...hiding in the shade!

My cousin Kathleen & her hubs, Eric!

My brother, Bryan, and his gf, Kelly!

We did sneak out a little early during the sound-debacle and headed back to start getting set-up for Anna's graduation party, which was so much fun!

The McLeod cousins (7 originals & 2 in-laws)

We love our baby cousin!

Anna and her bff, Rachel, at their graduation party!

It was such a fun day getting to celebrate Anna's awesome high-school career!

Anna, I could not be more proud of you! I have so many memories of us together, but when I think of you, I think of laughter! You are just too fun! You have such a gift of bringing laughter and happiness to everyone you encounter! I am so excited to see what big things God has in store for you in the next chapter of your life! May you always be as confident as you were when you busted open the curtains, proclaiming, "Hellooooooooo, Phoenix!"

Love,
Ra