"I'm officially a high school graduate"

On Saturday we celebrated my high school graduation with my close friends and family.  It was a wonderful evening!  Here are the pictures to prove it.

I knew some homeschoolers who were participating in the graduation ceremony at the North Carolina NCHE Conference this year, but I decided that I wanted to make my graduation celebration a little more personal instead of the traditional cap and gown ceremony.  Mom and I had talked about this last year and I’m glad I ended up just having a backyard party.

I had been planning the party for a few weeks prior to this weekend, but this past week, I had lots of help from Katie, grandma, Aunt Kim and Cindy.  I’m so thankful for each of them.  They made it all come together so nicely and it was just like I had pictured it in my head. 

             

I had seen a few of my friends, that graduated a few years ago, make scrapbooks of their graduation party and they had each of the guests sign (or write messages for the graduate) on some of the pages.  As soon as I saw this idea, I put it down on the list of things I wanted to include at my own party.  I’m so glad I did this in the end.  It was so sweet to read all of the messages everyone wrote afterwards.  I have some amazing friends and family.     Another idea I saw (this time on Pinterest) was a fabric banner to add color to the tables.  I had some leftover scrap fabric from some recent projects in my sewing room, so I made two banners of my own one afternoon to brighten up the food and drink tables outside.  I loved how they turned out!

        

Little details…

          

The party colors ended up being: aqua blue, green, yellow, pink, and orange.

Many of our neighbors even let us borrow any chairs, tables, and even a few canopies from their storage sheds for the party!  We have great neighbors, to say the least.

            

Several friends from Word of Life and family from out of town started to arrive shortly after 5:00, so we all sat around in our living room and watched a short slideshow I put together of my homeschool years and when I was little…{Left to right: Veronica, yours truly, Conner, and Andrew}

          

Delicious food just waiting to be eaten by all the hungry guests.  ;)

      

     

Have I mentioned that Rebecca is awesome and super gorgeous?  Because she is…and I love her a lot.  Man, I’m going to miss her when she leaves for STC in a few weeks. 

 

I absolutely love all of these pictures with my Daddy.  It was such a special moment when he gave me my diploma.  I couldn’t help but wish Mom was there too, though.  I like to think she was smiling down at me as she watched all the hard work she put into my education come to a close.  Honestly, I can’t believe I’m finished with all my homeschooling years.  It’s a really strange feeling to be all the way finished, but also, extremely exciting.  I’m going to miss it…

After he presented my diploma and said a few words, we spent the rest of the afternoon visiting and eating the food we had prepared with all of our family and friends...

             

  I found these cute yellow heels at American Eagle for only $15.00 a few weeks ago while shopping with Katie and realized that they matched the sundress I was going to wear for graduation after we got home.  I was so excited!  I’m afraid I didn’t last in them for very long, though…

Maybe thirty minutes. 

               

My Aunt Cathy and Uncle Allen even came up from South Carolina for the party!  It was so good to see them.

{Mrs. Becky and Moriah}

                                      

As you can see, we did a lot of talking and laughing throughout the evening.  It was great. 

  

Erin (far left) and Chelsea (middle) were also able to drop in for a little while!  Aren’t they gorgeous?

  

Another special family:  the Cortright’s!!  They’re amazing.

   

              

Aunt Debbie and Uncle Greg (left) and (right) Uncle Bobby and Aunt Kim

Anna!!  I love her so much.

                              

It was such a memorable night!  I’m very thankful so many people were able to come and celebrate this huge milestone with me!  Thank you all for making it so special!