Graduation Pictures

My in-laws took some great pictures of graduation.

Later when I have a moment to breathe, I promise to catch up and share all the special details.

For now, I'm currently up late packing for our move to Arizona.

The movers are coming in just a few hours.

I can't believe that it's finally happening.

What's even crazier is that we'll be going from 30 degree Utah weather to 90 degree Arizona weather!

It might just be a shock for the first few days! 

I'm sad to be leaving my family and amazing friends.

However, it will definitely be an adventure with my wonderful husband.

I'm still in awe that I made it to graduation!

It took me long enough, with a 2 1/2 year break.

Some of that time was used to work in order to go Brazil, then most of it was used being in Brazil 

and then I took a semester off because of the miscarriage. 

Still, me graduate college?

Never thought it would happen.

But it did.

Believe you can and you're halfway there.

~Theodore Roosevelt

Kevin's World - Huellas

While I was a missionary in Mexico, I spoke with a former missionary who remembered very little from his time as a missionary. I was surprised to say the least that he did not seem to remember the people he had known and the places he had been as a missionary. I mentioned that situation to a member of our congregation when she invited us over to eat, and she told me something that I will always remember. "Some people leave huellas (footprints) in the places they live. Others don't. If you don't leave huellas in an area, it won't leave huellas in you, and you will neither remember nor be remembered."

Fast forward a few years to graduation yesterday. At the commencement ceremony, Mitch Albom shared the secret to immortality. If you make a difference in people's lives, your voice lives on in them. "Giving is the key to living," he reiterated. He told the story of spending his Tuesdays with Morrie, made famous in his memoir. He spoke of how Morrie's voice lives on in him and the other students that Morrie taught. Albom told us that if you make a difference in people's lives, they will remember you, and your voice will live on in them. If you become so preoccupied by money, power and looks that you don't take time to be with people, then your voice will die with you.

As Lisa and I move to a new area, it will be a chance to leave our huellas in a new place. We will miss and remember the friends that we have left, because there are many who have left their huellas in our lives. However, with each new day and with each new circumstance, we have the privilege of being able to touch someone else's life for the better. Thanks to everyone who has touched our lives and shaped our journey. Joy is found in being with people, because things can never truly make us happy.

Joyful Moments-Graduation

Today is the big day!

We're so happy to be graduating!!!

Picture is by Justin Hackworth.
Announcement design by Danyelle Matthews.

Definitely Priceless Moment after paying all that tuition!

On the day of my last test,

we headed off to Zupas for some fondue to celebrate!

We are finally DONE!

"I think marriage is a very important thing to do, and you're missing a hell of a lot if you don't try it."

~Tuesdays with Morrie

by Mitch Albom

On a side note, Mitch Albom is speaking at our commencement!

He's one of my favorite authors, for sure.

We're so happy to be graduating together.

It's always better together! 

What's your Joyful Moment? 

Last week I loved these tulips from Life-N-Reflection.

I love the simplicity.

Please join us in finding JOY!

I will blog about my Joyful Moment every Friday,

where you'll be able to link up your blog as well,

until the following Monday.
Here's the little details:1. take a picture that brings you JOY2. blog about that Joyful Moments, include our button (on the right) or simply link back to this blog3. link up your post below4. visit other Joyful Bloggers and leave JOYful comments!

Just thinkin' away

{source}

{source}

The big day for when we move to Arizona is coming close.

I can't believe that we're almost there, we've talked about it so much

over the past few months.

With things ending in Utah for us, I've been asked the question by others,

"Now what?"

I never thought much about it myself.

Yes, Kevin will have a great job and I'm very proud of him.

But lately I can't get it out of my head, "Now what?"

"What was Lisa born to do?"

I read about how C. Jane was born to write,

that NieNie was born to be a mom,

how Lyndsay was born to design,

how April was born to create,

but Lisa? 

Who knows. 

Although, those fabulous women have paved the way and are great examples!

However last night,

I was given a great reminder how far I've come.

A chapter finished, a new chapter is soon to begin.

Kevin was sweet enough to pick these up last night from Danyelle in the rain,

giving me extra time to study.

I just love them.

He's an engineer.

She's a writer and photographer,

He loves radios,

She loves cameras,

They're graduating together.

They love being together.

It's always better together.

If anything, I have an amazing husband by my side.

I'll figure out what I'm going to do when I grow-up someday.

Kevin always brings me JOY!


just a few more days until our little giveaway ends here

Embrace the Camera Day-hoping

Dears,

I've been coming and going quite a lot this week as you can tell. It's been quite exhausting and 

I'm hoping for a relaxing weekend!

In the car just about to leave for dinner at Kevin's parents home.

It's time to recharge my batteries.

But in the meantime, even with everything that is going on at school, I have some fun things coming up this weekend just in time for Lovers Day.

Plus a giveaway.

And by the way, I'm so excited to share this with you!

It's finally happening and only three months away. 

{even though it seems a lot longer than that}

But it's soon, right?

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.
~Helen Keller