The Graduate

Emily B. 8th Grade Graduate

 

Well it's official one summer left & Emily will be in high school!  WOW! It's truly mind blowing how fast the time flew by..... BUT I could not be more proud of the young lady she is becoming.   Her last day of school was June 16th.  Her graduation was that night.  Her grandma, bless her heart,  traveled all the way from New Mexico to come to New Jersey to see her graduate.  With a little pit stop in Ohio to see her other grandkids too.  I was really happy we all got to see her & Emily really loved that Grandma made the trip.  It was a wonderful night,  with one exception it was so HOT in the school's gym where the ceremony was taking place.  Her middle school doesn't have air conditioning & it was seriously sweltering in there.  It was kind of funny seeing so many people using their "programs" as fans!!! It looked like a southern church in the heat of summer with all those "fans" going.  We also didn't have great seats so we couldn't see the ceremony so well.   Emily received several awards earlier in the day.  She got a language arts award.  She got a presidential award, & she made honor roll!!! WOW! You go girl...  Her 4th marking period grades were 100,98 & 92!  She really brought up her language arts grade & that made me so proud!!!!!  Anyway just wanted to jump on here & write a little something about this very special night & accomplishment for Emily.  My favorite part of the night was when all the kids sang, "Unwritten".  In case you don't know the song,  here are the lyrics.  I love that song & the kids did an incredible job with it.

I am unwritten
Can't read my mind
I'm undefined
I'm just beginning
The pen's in my hand
Ending unplanned

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

Oh, oh, oh

I break tradition
Sometimes my tries are outside the lines
We've been conditioned to not make mistakes
But I can't live that way

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
The rest is still unwritten
The rest is still unwritten

Oh, yeah, yeah

Songwriters
BRISEBOIS, DANIELLE/BEDINGFIELD, NATASHA/RODRIGUES, WAYNE

Published by
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

It was just an incredible night.  I was pretty amazed that I was able to get through the entire ceremony with out a tear.  I think it had a lot to do with the fact that I couldn't see Emily so well.   I'm now planning on "sleeping over" for seats at her high school graduation.  Lesson learned!!! ;) So very proud of you Emily!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

Emily...a stylist? Who knew?

So Emily is going to her first "semi-formal" dance tonight.  It's her 8th grade dance.  She picked out this really pretty cobalt blue dress, that is very modest (If you knew Emily this would not surprise you,  while some teenagers push the "sexy" thing,  we have a rule stickler so if the school says no this or no that... Emily wouldn't ever think about breaking the rules, even for a dance... we are LUCKY!  LOL! ) but the dress looks so beautiful on her!!    I was quite impressed because at the store I wasn't sure about it but she was like oh, this is the one I want. & you know what?   She was totally right, it's so perfect for her, she tried it on in the store.. but last night when she did her little dress "rehearsal" ... with her shoes, & stockings.  She looked SO beautiful!  I couldn't believe how "grown up" she looked too.   I hope she has a great time tonight.  We haven't been given a lot of information about the dance.  Emily said the school said it wasn't "Prom" & that people shouldn't treat it as such.  I didn't know exactly what that meant.  I mean I know it doesn't cost $100 to go to & no one will probably show up in limos but I had a sneaky suspicion that the girls would get dressy dressed up.  IF Emily had it her way,  she would have showed up in jeans...lol. So I suggested to Emily that maybe she should text a friend to find out what they are going to wear. (Plus.. I figured it was a good way for Emily to have what we call "a friend moment"  since Emily needs a little help in that department)   So she texted her friend Reilly.  She's a wonderful girl &  has always been a good friend to Emily.   Reilly's wearing a dress & yes it's fancy... lol. But the best part...They ended up having a text conversation & Reilly even asked Emily to come over maybe for pictures before the dance.  YES!!!  I was like, "see Emily the kids want to be your friends, it just takes reaching out & making efforts" She was smiling from ear to ear after their "conversation".  It made me so happy to see Emily happy like that too.   Anyway... as easy as the dress was to get, the shoes were another thing.  We recently found out that Emily's feet are actually two different sizes.  One foot is a 2 & the other is a 2 1/2 ... yes that size two.  Like the size that most 8 years old wear.  Whatever... she just has teeny tiny feet.  But it does make it more difficult to shop for.   Then again we can look at it in a positive light... her shoes generally cost less.  ;)   But because dressy shoes have to really fit well.  We were having a real hard time finding anything that would work.  When we were at the mall, we went to the store "The Shoe Dept" to see, & while they had plenty of options.  The size 3's were swimming on her & the size 2's were a bit tight.  We ended up going with a "sandal" type shoe that was a wedge high heel. Again, I wasn't sure and initially didn't like it but it looks great w. the dress & the silver goes really really well with the cobalt blue.  again, I was wrong.. LOL! Emily is going to be thrilled with this blog, as I keep admitting that I was wrong & she was RIGHT... lol.   Anyway.   for my part I've been trying to learn how to French braid her hair.  Just to do a little something special with her hair for the dance.... well what I've learned is that French braiding hair is hard.  I must have watched 50 youtube videos on how to do it, & while I get the concept, the "actual" doing it is another thing.. basically it looks like crap.. think birds nest.. lol.  I'm blaming it on the fact I never had one of those "Barbie heads" when I was a little girl.  You know the one's I'm talking about?  The big heads with hair that you could style.  Never had one... & while I never was a girly girl really.   I kind of did always want one of them.  lol   We'll see.... I did actually managed to do a side "French braid" on me that looked pretty good... so I'll see how it goes tonight (I'm not expecting much).   If not I'll just use a straightener on it & call it a day...lol.  Anyway... it's an exciting day!!! Fingers crossed she has a great, super funtastic time!  :)

For Emily

So Emily will be graduating 8th grade soon.  She came in from school the other day & said, "so it's official (she likes grand statements)... there are only 11 school days left til the end of the school year!" (9 as of today) WOW!  It blows my mind how fast the time goes.  If you are reading this and you're having a hard busy day running after your toddler,  take a breath, take a moment & just enjoy.  Mark it down.  Ask them silly questions & listen to their silly answers.  It's going to go by soooo fast.  They will grow into amazing people & each chapter of their childhood will be filled with amazing moments.  BUT It just goes by so fast.... super fast.  I love the quote that goes something like this,  "Parenting... The days may be long but the years are quick"  It's so true.  So Emily as this school year is ending & your next chapter about to begin, remember you are capable of so much & that I love you.  I have loved every moment with you,  you make me so very proud of the person, you are becoming & I can't wait to witness the amazing moments of your life that have yet to come.  You are the bestest kiddo.  I love you!!!!  -Mommy

Cooper day 5

OMG CUTENESS!!!!!!!! #BorderCollie