Graduating

As if life hasn't already been full of coming changes and new chapters, Will graduated high school. He also turned 18 on the same day. All I can say is, it's a good thing I've had a lot to keep my mind occupied and busy because if I stewed on this for too long I'd be in crisis mode. 

But this is what we do as parents and this is one of many goals we want for our kids. So the list of my parenting bucket list continues to see items checked off: 

• turn 18
• graduate high school
• drive
• grow in grace
• girlfriend who loves Jesus
• prom
• gets a job

The Luther Prep experience has been one heck of a ride. What a gift God has allowed us to provide for our son! Will's class made an all time record of Prep's 150 years - there are 40 young men that have planned to attend Martin Luther College in the fall for the pastoral ministry track!

With our current shortage of pastors to congregations in need, what a blessing this is! These guys still have 8 more years of study ahead of them to get there but we are grateful for their desire to serve the Kingdom in this way. 

My parents and Wayne's mom were able to attend the graduation. Jeff, Steph, and Sophie were also there to represent the Halldo clan.

Receiving his diploma

With Grandma Fran

Will and Auntie Steph have a special bond;)

Cousins

Will with Oma and Opa

Will and Jessica

The guys

Love these two!!

Uncle Jeff and Auntie Steph

Will and Eric - his roommate for next year

We went in on a party in town with a couple families. We headed over to the Irish pub following the service and outdoor pictures and spent the afternoon eating and visiting with friends and family and friends that are like family ... 

Janine and I have been friends since our own Prep days almost 30 (gasp!) years ago. Our boys graduated together and it was so fun to share the party. 

Senior Year - MLPS 

Good friends pick up where you left off! 

We spent our last night in Watertown for probably a few years before we're back for Z. 

Meanwhile .... this happened.

Oh, yeah. Remember the whole moving thing?

We left for Wisconsin on Monday. The house went live on Wednesday. This meant that before leaving on our trip the house had to be show ready.

I already like to have a fairly clean house to come home to from vacations so the concept is not new to me. But show ready?!! Like all my bathrooms have to be clean at the same time? It was a little stressful.

While we were gone we were getting email notifications of anywhere from 2-4 showings a day and were very thankful we weren't home only to be routinely displaced. There was even one day that there were two inspections done. Offers were being held until we got back home. So the following Tuesday we sat down with the realtor to look at what we got - and we got 9 offers!!!

It was amazing and the offer we accepted went above and beyond what we had even dared to pray for. With the sale of our home it means another puzzle piece in place for our move. 

With the time we have left here Wayne and I are both working until the end of June. I'm so sad to leave such a wonderful and supportive cliental. But it gives us both a chance to do what we love to do, work hard and (we pray) end well. I'm a purging maniac and after we get through this weekend's graduation open house (oh yeah, did I mention that?), furniture and large items we're not taking with us will be hopefully walking out the door. 

This month will be full of last various dr's appointments, field trips, a violin recital, spelling bee, and homeschool track meet. We're working on our Ottawa bucket list which strangely enough has quite a few restaurants on it. We have tickets to see our first football game here! 

Montreal smoked meat poutine

We've started our "last time" moments which is weird. And we also just finished watching the first season of King of the Hill for some reconnaissance work in preparation of our move;)

We may not be graduating from here the same way Will graduated from high school. There are similar feelings though attached to the changes coming and the uncertainty of the future, but the excitement that comes with that. 

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 8:38,39