The Graduate

This week has been Josh's special week. On Monday he finished his last day working at the worst call center on the face of the planet (well, that was my opinion when I worked there). We celebrated by opening his graduation present from my parents. Dad had asked me to pick up a Dremel tool for him at Home Depot. I had no idea what it was or what it looked like. I had to call Dad up and ask him what color the box was. He picked out the tool with the most "stuff" and asked if I thought Josh would like it. I had no idea. All I could say was, "Well, I wouldn't like it."
But from Josh's reactions, I think it's pretty obvious that he's very excited about owning his first power tool. He really likes revving up the motor.

On Tuesday we took our last final. We'd taken Human Biology together this semester. Josh rocked it and I...survived. After the test, we celebrated the last day of school by going to get milkshakes at the Malt Shoppe with Grant and Jill.

Wednesday morning Josh's parents came down from Midway to pick out a graduation gift with him. The poor boy had been pining over a mountain bike for months. He went to several local bike shops, spent hours online researching what he wanted out of a bike, and frequently called his biking buddy back home to get his opinion. I feel it's safe to say that the boy personified "lust" and "covetous". But Josh didn't know that his parents had already purchased a bike for him two months ago. They'd ordered a nicer bike than the ones he'd been drooling over. So when the four of us drove over to Mad Dog Cycles and they wheeled out his bike, Josh was confused and shocked. And then confused. And then really excited. Then ecstatic. And then shocked again.

Should I bother to share that he's been in a bad mood most of the week because it's been cold and rainy out here? Or should I admit that he's kept the bike next to his bed and greets it every time he walks in the room? I probably shouldn't. But I can say that I have a very relieved, satisfied, happy man now that he has his dream bike.

On Thursday, Josh and I grabbed a treat at the mall and then saw the movie "Oceans" to celebrate Earth Day. The movie was beautiful! Josh kept wiggling in his seat, getting excited over all the incredible animals we were watching. My favorite parts involved the crab war, the Spanish Dancer slug (no, it was beautiful and really cool), and the blanket octopus. Josh liked the bird missiles, the dolphins, and the whales. He said that the movie made him more excited for his marine biology research trip on the Oregon Coast. Having the opportunity to study marine biology is fulfilling a childhood dream for that boy. I'm so happy that he'll get to go for seven weeks this summer.

After the movie we threw on our nice clothes and drove to the Marriott Center for BYU's Commencement ceremony. I may or may not have gotten a little teary-eyed when he proudly walked into the arena in his cap and gown. That morning he'd given me the "I couldn't have done this without you" speech. "Yeah yeah...", I thought but he said, "No really. If we hadn't gotten married and you hadn't quit school and worked full time I would not have been able to dedicate so much time to my studies and gotten straight A's this semester, and done so well these past few semesters." Well, nothing like those kinds of words to ruin a girl's fresh makeup.

Elder Todd Christofferson was the Commencement speaker. My favorite piece of advice that he gave was: "If you have the Holy Ghost with you, you won't make a wrong choice without first being warned." Sound advice for a large group of graduates who have a million choices to make in the next few months.

The Relieved Couple

The Original Haycock Family

Pa and Lucia Lee

Pa and Mayma Haycock

The Fishermen

Friday marked the final day of long graduation ceremonies. The Convocation ceremony was in the Marriott Center again (and boy was it loooong). We cheered loud and hard for our boy as he walked across the stage. CONGRATULATIONS, JOSH! You did it!

McKell finding Pa with her handy binoculars

Despite the rain after the ceremony, we celebrated with a family barbecue at the cabin in Midway. The highlight of the dinner was Josh's cake. It was a happy, happy day!