Graduation Pictures

Just a few more pictures for the family that couldn't come. The graduation was inside a very large Methodist church in downtown Fort Worth. It was very pretty inside.

Keith and the Dean.
Class photo.
Group shot. From left to right Keith's dad, Wayne, Michael, Jason, and Keith's Mom, Lorraine. All we needed was one more, but he is busy with finals.
Another good one of Keith where he doesn't look like he has a black eye, LOL!
Too bad I cut off Keith's head. Arg!

Keith Bowers, J. D.

Today

Today is such a big day I want to record my feelings. One day I will look back and this day will seem like a distant memory, but today it is what we have been gearing up for basically our whole marriage. It marks the end of one stage, and the beginning of another. I can't believe Keith is graduating. Starting in January he will be taking a BAR prep class, and that will be another stage in our lives, a blissfully short one, thank goodness. He will study, study, study like he has never studied before for 2 months. It seems crazy to me that by Natalie's birthday it will all be over and out of our hands.

I woke up with nervous stomach. As far back as I can remember I get giant butterflies in my stomach every time something new or different is about to happen. Today is no exception. I told Keith and he said he has them too! I think the fact that we are leaving our safety net of being "students" and heading out into the real world is getting to both Keith and I. I am so excited for what the future holds, hopefully good things!

Gah! Have I mentioned that Keith is GRADUATING today! From LAW SCHOOL?!? It's crazy that one of us had a dream, and is getting to complete it! One day it will be my turn to go back to school and get another degree, one that I can actually put to use! But today it is Keith's day. He did it!

More visitors!

Keith's brother Jason and his Mom are here now. The house is filled to the brim! Lorraine made the kids these capes and matching shirts and Natalie has been waiting forEVER for hers to come.

Brady's is Batman on one side and Superman on the other, with matching T shirts.
This one pretty much speaks for itself.
Jason teaching Brady how to "fly".
He stood like that until we told him he could put his arms down. He was being so sweet!
Da da da DAAA! Princess Natalie has arrived! She loves her crown and wand.
Thanks Grandma Lorraine!

Visitors

Keith's family members are starting to arrive! Yay! Keith's dad Wayne came in this morning and Brady is already breaking him in with wrestling, catch, cars and all other manner of fun activities. The kids don't get to see extended family very often so they know how special it is when someone visits.

Traditions

Christmas is a time of traditions. And I feel like every year I want to start more and more. One of my favorite Christmas activities is a newer tradition that I have gotten to participate in for the last 4 years. Our annual Relief Society ornament exchange! I have to say it is always so much fun. First you have the days leading up to the event where you search high and low for just the right ornament. One that at least ONE person will like, one that will be stolen (hopefully multiple times), and one that will go home with someone who loves it. Or maybe that is just what I do, not that I am competitive at all. No. Not me.

Anywho, I always have a blast. And last night was no exception. I got to sing lots and lots and LOTS of Christmas carols. I listened to a beautiful new song I had never heard before and LOVE. And I got to have lots of good conversations with some ladies whom I have never really gotten to talk to before or haven't gotten to talk to enough! So it is a un-traditional tradition, but it is one of my favorites. What are some of your favorite un-traditional traditions? I love learning new ideas!

I took five of these silver jingle bells as my ornament, and I loved them so much I got 2 for my own tree!
I came home with this peace sign that I love. I wasn't seeing anything I liked until this one. At one point I had a very, very nice Willow Tree nativity scene ornament, but I am really trying to collect ornaments for when I get to have just a color themed tree, and this one was perfect! My first choice!

Funny Things Kids Say

One of Brady's favorite sayings: "That's a good i-quesadilla."

One down...

...one to go. Keith passed the first of his two final law tests, the MPRE. Also known as the ethics test. So yay! We can all rest assured that Keith will be an ethical lawyer. We are all breathing a collective sigh of happiness over here! One step closer.

Have I mentioned how PROUD of Keith I am? Because I am. So very, very proud!

O Christmas Tree

This year we were stuck using our scrawny fake tree from last year due to the fact that, well, real trees cost money! LOL! Next year, I am putting my foot down and we are getting a real one. I had never ever had a fake tree until I got married. It was always real at both my parents houses and I miss the smell, and the mess, and the chore of watering the tree, and the mess...

Though it is scrawny I think this is the prettiest tree we have ever had. I finally put on some of my teal/blue/silver ornaments that I have been saving up for when we have a plain color themed tree. I didn't think they would look good mixed with all my snowmen and the handmade ones, but we like it. It is homey and I love love to sit in the living room at night with the tree lit whenever I get the chance.

Two of my favorite ornaments. One old and one new. I love Target Christmas clearance! That is where I got all of my glass ball ornaments, and my beads!
The only thing is I wish our topper lit up. It is so hard to find just the right one, this one will do for now, I love the squigly silvery wires, but I want one that glows!

Pictures

I have had some moments I had to capture in time floating around on my camera. Some things are just too fun to forget.

Brady is the typical boy. He loves tools, trucks, and storing things in his pockets.
Here was his haul the other night. All in the same pocket!
This is what happens around dinner time when you have been playing with the "big boys" all afternoon!
My friend from work had a birthday party for her son at the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas. It was really unexpectedly cool. The kids had a blast playing on all the airplane stuff, especially this one that they were able to get in and "fly". They also have a bounce house, a movie theater where they play Jay Jay, a tower they can climb up on. Lots of fun stuff.
This girl. She cracks me up. She isn't reading quite yet, but she loves to "read" all the time. Even when eating, she gets that from Keith and I, reading whenever we can steal a second!