After 7 LONG years, Ben has GRADUATED! He is now a "Master of Divinity"! Wow! He also graduated summa cum laude.... I'm so proud.... It has actually been almost two weeks - he graduated on June 2nd. He's been working full-time and going to school (usually 2 classes per quarter) for almost as long as we've been married. There have been times of stress and strain on all of us at times but we've come through mostly unscathed. I don't think it has really hit us that he is done though because Ben usually takes the beautiful Minnesota summers off to spend with the family and rest. It will probably hit us when he doesn't have to go back in the fall. Yea!!
Since about year 4 for this 7-year journey, Ben and I have been discussing the bash that we would throw when it was all over. However, I know Ben and I know what he does when it comes to celebrating his accomplishments. He completely caboshes it!! I also knew that it would be so special to him to have people celebrate his accomplishment though. So, last fall, I started planning his surprise graduation party. I figured if he didn't know anything about it, he couldn't stop it!! I sent out invites to family and close friends across the nation and waited to see who would be able to make it. I was amazed at the response! I knew that not everyone would be able to travel to be here but many people came. And most of those that couldn't come sent a note of congratulations. I was so pysched that so many people wanted to be a part of Ben's celebration! The party went wonderfully and Ben was very surprised! Most of my family came (6 of the 7 extended family members that I have) and Ben's parents and sister came. Ben also had two close friends from college come, Jessica and Stacy. It was great to see everyone and Ben was so honored.
I didn't think I could pull it off at times for a couple of reasons: 1. I don't keep ANYTHING from Ben! He is my sounding board, my ranting partner, my favorite person to talk to! That was HARD! 2. So many people knew about the party that I thought someone would slip. There were a few things that were mentioned that I had to de-fuse but for the most part everyone did a great job of keeping the secret! Thank you everyone!!
Ben will most likely be getting his Ph.D. at some point. However, for now, he will be taking some much needed time for himself and his family. I can't wait until fall rolls around and he finally feels free of the non-stop grind of homework. I'm sure that the next step will be here before we know it though. We are relying on God to show us the next step of his plan and I'm looking forward to seeing it come together!
Since about year 4 for this 7-year journey, Ben and I have been discussing the bash that we would throw when it was all over. However, I know Ben and I know what he does when it comes to celebrating his accomplishments. He completely caboshes it!! I also knew that it would be so special to him to have people celebrate his accomplishment though. So, last fall, I started planning his surprise graduation party. I figured if he didn't know anything about it, he couldn't stop it!! I sent out invites to family and close friends across the nation and waited to see who would be able to make it. I was amazed at the response! I knew that not everyone would be able to travel to be here but many people came. And most of those that couldn't come sent a note of congratulations. I was so pysched that so many people wanted to be a part of Ben's celebration! The party went wonderfully and Ben was very surprised! Most of my family came (6 of the 7 extended family members that I have) and Ben's parents and sister came. Ben also had two close friends from college come, Jessica and Stacy. It was great to see everyone and Ben was so honored.
I didn't think I could pull it off at times for a couple of reasons: 1. I don't keep ANYTHING from Ben! He is my sounding board, my ranting partner, my favorite person to talk to! That was HARD! 2. So many people knew about the party that I thought someone would slip. There were a few things that were mentioned that I had to de-fuse but for the most part everyone did a great job of keeping the secret! Thank you everyone!!
Ben will most likely be getting his Ph.D. at some point. However, for now, he will be taking some much needed time for himself and his family. I can't wait until fall rolls around and he finally feels free of the non-stop grind of homework. I'm sure that the next step will be here before we know it though. We are relying on God to show us the next step of his plan and I'm looking forward to seeing it come together!
One benefit of having family here was that they got to spend time with the kids. Madelyn and Greyson had a blast being spoiled by all the grandparents and aunts and uncles. It was awesome seeing them interacting with extended family. God is good....
The week after graduation, we decided to take the whole week off from work and hang around the house. I have to say, that week of vacation is close to the best week of vacation we've ever had! Who knew using vacation to stay home would be so good! We work on a couple of projects around the house, slept some, had an indoor picnic in front of the fireplace (it was 56 deg that day), and just in general had a great time! It is definitely something we will do again!
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