That weekend of June 11th was filled to the brim with searching and deliberating where to live in So Cal. We knew we had to be back in time for Tyler's graduation on Sunday the 12th, so we drove down and back as quickly as we could.
We finally signed a contract on Saturday night and hit the road back home at 9pm. Around 11pm, we stopped for me to take the wheel and get some rootbeers to keep us awake. Tyler drifted off, but I didn't mind the late driving shift. The roads get really empty after midnight! My mind was racing and processing all that I had just experienced in our new area.
Will the kids destroy the new home? Will they make new friends? Will there be any open spots for them at the neighborhood school? Did we make the right decision? How will Tyler's first year of work go? Those questions and many more plus my desire to see the kids again (and maybe the A&W too?) kept me wide awake for our 2:30am arrival back home.
We tip-toed into our apartment, and settled into the girls' bedroom at almost 3am. Around 4am, Annie woke up so ticked at me and said, "MOM!! Yo sleeping in ZEBWA's spot!!" (Apparently Zebra was her new toy Grandma got her from the zoo.) I was hoping to be welcomed a little bit more lovingly than that, but how can you get mad at a half-awake 3 year old?
We couldn't sleep in much past 7 because the kids were so excited to give Tyler his graduation presents. My mom and step-dad had the kids decorate the house with streamers and posters, and they kids could hardly contain their excitement that daddy was graduating... whatever that meant. :)
YES! A pez dispenser, a fishing game, and a ball/raquet catching game! But the best gift of all was the new XBOX 360 (+ Kinect) from Grandma & Grandpa Decker. Tyler was so surprised!
How could I forget their excitement to see their littlest sister again?
We quickly went to church, and then right after, we headed into San Francisco for Tyler's 1st graduation. Tyler really didn't want to go through the cap/gown graduation thing, but I was glad that I insisted he do it. I thought it was great for the kids to be a part of it all and to have them scream as Tyler walked across that stage.
Because they do the oral surgery grads last, he was THE last guy to walk. There was a nice big cheer when his name was called. I'm sure it had nothing to do with the fact that him walking across the stage signaled to the audience that the graduation ceremony was over.
There's my babe on the JUMBOTRON!!!
In addition to my mom & step-dad, my sweet sister and her family came to support Tyler. We got a great family photo:
And accidentally flashed some of San Francisco...
PART 2
The second graduation happened last Saturday night, the 25th. It was a special dinner recognizing the 3 graduating oral surgeons from their program:
(unfortunately he likes to take extreme close-ups--YIKES)
I got control of the camera and snapped a shot of these cuties:
Tyler had to give a speech:
and that was that! We are so excited he is finishing... TODAY!!!!!!
6 comments:
You guys did it! Thanks for the pictures - we wish we could have been there with you.
Congratulations to Tyler for all his hard work and for being so smart....and to Natalie for being an amazing wife and mother. Good luck in your adventures that are ahead.
Whooooo hooooo!! So so so excited for you guys to be onto the next stage. Good luck tonight and tomorrow!! Congrats Ty Guy and fam.
What an amazing accomplishment!! I bet you can't believe you're done! We'll have to chat - I would love to hear more about where specifically you're moving. Are you outta here soon? Too bad we didn't get together again.
Congratulations!! To ALL of you!
I am so excited for you guys! Congrats to ALL of you for graduating! :) A man's career really is a group effort. I know only too well the anxiety you were feeling as you drove home that night, and are probably still going through. I have no doubt you will thrive where you are planted my dear. I look forward to be inspired.
YIPPPEEE! So happy for your family. We are experiencing life changes in Houston right now too! Isen't it great to see that hard work pays off!! I am anxious too about where we will be going in the future and how my kids will be doing. Especially who we will come in contact in the future. You have always been a great example to many people. I specifically recall a video you made in high school b/c you couldn't come to the YW program. You have an amazing spirit, dedication, and a personality that inspires people to do good. I know your family will touch many lives. CONGRATS!
Congratulations, you guys! Has it really been four years since we all (ok "they" all) graduated from d. school? I'm so proud of you Nelsons for sticking it out for four more years of school. Glad you guys are closer now too. Where exactly will you be living now? Hope all the changes are going well so far!
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