Ross graduates from MPA

Mr. Grow lines 'em up Sabbath morning

Class President and Class Pastor introducing the speaker

Why I love Mount Pisgah Academy - what a view!

Parent Recognition

All the visiting dignitaries
L to R: Stanley, Ross, Valeri, Robin, Nanna, Gramma, Papaw, and Ryan

Look who's marching in as a faculty member!

Here he comes...

Up there with the mucky mucks

Mr Anderson got a golf ball from each Senior and this club

Graduated!

Stephanie and Rosa (her roommate)

All in red...

Ross's graduation present: his parent's Honda Accord


Eating Mexican afterwards

Ross really seems fond of this gift...

This is it!

On Tuesday when I went to work, the Clinical Education department had planned a surprise party for me! I've been working doing Diabetes Education for about 7 months now and they are my second Memorial family. Sue, my immediate boss, got this cake, but she thought it was so hideous she complained and got it for free! Apparently, they don't know how to make something for a wedding and a graduation together... we think those things on the top left are supposed to be bells but I won't mention what we nurses thought they looked like...

Later that evening, we had Ryan's cousin Zach over for pizza and cream sodas.

Then it was time to pack Ryan up and move him out of his last bachelor pad.

And now most of his stuff is in my house! Now all we have to do is get married and complete the transition from YOURS and MINE to OURS. Wow... so here we go...

Last shower

Several of us threw a shower for Carrie at Mary Jane's house at 2:30 after my graduation. Thanks to all of you who helped, especially since I was so busy that day! A special thanks to Connie Hunt who jumped right in and did so much to make the tables beautiful and help get things set up!

The Ryan's watching sports on TV in the basement

Waiting to welcome guests

The bride getting some of her favorite cookies made by MOM!

A quiz about Carrie and Ryan - these are Carrie's answers!
Mary Jane won, Stephanie was second, and Connie Hunt was third (she's an avid blog reader!)




Lori and Ethan





Kelli remembered that Ryan loves animal crackers!







Grandma Rilea and Carrie's Mom survey the gravy boat



Hollie makes the rehearsal bouquet. Tulle is the bow of choice this year d/t our BB&B registries.







Carrie's mom got Ryan his own "hypoallergenic" Siamese cat

Most of the ladies including family, classmates, old family friends, neighbors, old bosses, work colleagues...

The Youngest Nursing Professor in Town

Walking in, Carrie took a chance and panned with me, it paid off!

The graduating class of 2008, seated before you

The very colorful diversity keynote speaker

Adam Littell

Cousin-in-law-to-be Zach McDonald

Mr. and Mrs. Glass (my organ teacher) waiting to play the postlude

Dr. Swafford read my name

Ta da!!!
My nursing professors are all on the front row.

Dad captures the atmosphere of friends and family from near and far

One last time before we get hitched.

Another thing checked off the list. June is just around the corner.

Jaclynn (left) was getting her MSN when I was in my AS and she student taught one of my classes. This year and last year I taught 3 of hers! Dr. Barbara James (right) is the dean of the School of Nursing and a wonderful mentor to me. She is like the "Mom"/cheerleader for all of the MSN Nurse Educators.




Carrie's gotta get the look sometime...








Card from Mary Jane and Randy

The fun begins

Sabbath morning

Nursing dedication: watching all the "little" graduate nurses come in. 4 years ago, that was me!

Getting my medallion to wear at graduation

Some people who've helped me along the way. Dorinda (left) is one of the first people I oriented to the world of nursing. We continue to carpool to work when we can. She lives with Kristy (right) who graduated with me in AS and worked with me on my floor until she became an FNP a couple of years ago. Kristy has been a cheerleader through all of this! Dorinda is starting her master's this fall so hopefully Kristy and I will be able to pass on the torch of becoming a Master's Nurse.

Saturday night it was time for a little fun: Uno Attack! Carrie's brother Grant, Carrie's mom Cheri, and Adam joined the usual crowd


Carrie is nervous
How many will it spit out?







Two of the dads, the other one was behind a camera.

You might want to click on this one to see it bigger, this is quite a funny picture

You can't really tell, but Stephanie is learning to juggle... sort of... with four juggling balls thrown back and forth. They got pretty good. Adam does this with his brother all the time, apparently, every chemistry teacher must know how to juggle.

I guess it was meant to be!