The Biochemist, by Degree

Sunday, May 10.

Danny graduated today.  I couldn't have asked for a better Mother's Day gift.

He was allowed four tickets to the ceremony, so Fernando (who just made it home the night before in Arctek Purple--read the back story here) and I, along with my dad and mom, made the trip downtown Chicago with Danny.

Since seating was general admission, we texted Danny our location as soon as we were seated, and we got a good look at him--and he at us!

Cheryl Underwood--host of CBS' The Talk--was the commencement speaker.

Mortarboards sported a variety of messages, including this humorous one...

Danny isn't sure if he'll graduate magna cum laude or cum laude, but the school gave him the bronze tassel for cum laude.  He'll know in a few weeks what his final grade is, and that'll be the determination.

My baby walking the stage!

Afterwards, Harrison Street was closed as thousands of graduates and parents flooded the area.  I held up my camera and shot to get the below image of the chaos.

We finally found Danny, then took the standard posed shots.  :)

Well, Danny, you did it.  You worked your tail off, knuckled down, and finished the task before you.  Dad and I are so blessed to be your parents, and are so thankful the Lord decided to bless us with you.

You are an amazing young man!


Back to life,
Christine

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A Golden Gift at Christmas -- Part Two

You can read about the first part of our Christmas Day celebration here.

After our white elephant gift exchange, and after we had additional sustenance to make it through the rest of our afternoon, we had our parents sit on their couch, and presented them with a long-overdue gift.

Dad was being goofy, as usual.

I mentioned that my parents' 50th wedding anniversary occurred in June.  We weren't able to celebrate it together, since they had just sold their house and were living in their Lake Bonaparte home until their new house was built here.  There were only one or two occasions for our whole family to get together, so the date for presenting this gift ended up getting pushed back until Christmas.

We put together a memory book for them, spanning their early years of life, their years together, their wedding, and all the memories since.  We asked, and many family and friends sent us pictures and words and thoughts and stories, and we included all of that in the book.  I love the below picture best, with the family gathered around, laughing as they took a stroll down Memory Lane.

Though it's late, we wish you a Happy Golden Anniversary, Dad and Mom!


Back to life,
Christine

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Truckload

There were a few more items left over from helping my parents move in to their new home.  The guys dedicated an afternoon to getting those items from our house to theirs.

Ping-Pong table top, sawhorses, wheelbarrow, grill--outdoor items that don't pack nicely and neatly into a rectangular space.  Danny, The Organizer, helped get as much as they could in one load.

Danny also helped his dad secure the items for transport.  He's really good with logistics.  :)

He's also good at fitting into awkward spaces to secure the tie-downs.  :)


Back to life,
Christine

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This Is Not Our Stuff!

The day had finally come!  We were so excited, and not just for us.

This is not our stuff!

We had stored a garage full of stuff for my parents as they sold their house and waited while a new one was built.  And the day was here--moving day.  They had already had their moving/storage company come on a Thursday, and we were ready for an all-day Friday and all-day Saturday moving event for the remaining items that were stored at our house.

Getting the truck ready for loading.

Fat wood!

Housewarming gift.

The sky threatened rain, so Danny thoughtfully got the truck bed covered.  He got creative with tying the tarp down after we searched but couldn't find the real tie-downs.

My parents' new place!

Huh?!?

I was so focused on unwrapping each kitchen item, that I simply tossed the packing paper aside.  Here's what it looked like after just two (large) boxes.

Mom had to get into her bedroom...

Later, Joseph kindly and diligently folded it all.

We had a good start on the kitchen.

Day Two.

Saturday--Fernando was involved this time.  The guys quickly went to work getting the truck, and the Suburban, loaded with everything.  We loaded a lot of the rest of the stuff from the garage, and we also loaded everything from the basement.

No time for pictures at my parents' house--my brothers and sister-in-law were also there, and we spent all afternoon unpacking, moving, eating pizza, coughing (Char and I were both sick), and unpacking some more.  And playing.  :)

We didn't know what this thing was, so my brothers and I decided to try it out as a tandem walker.

We thought my parents should try it, too, but they didn't quite know what direction to go in.

Really, it's the base for a Ping-Pong table.  Why they have a Ping-Pong table still, I'm not sure.  But we had fun with it, anyway.


Back to life,
Christine

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