My mom, the college graduate!

It was almost two weeks ago now.  (I'm so behind blogging.)  We went down to Corpus Christi to see my mom graduate from college.  I'm incredibly proud of her accomplishment!  It took her 20 years to reach her goal, taking one class at a time.  Finally, she has her diploma in hand.  On Saturday May 14, we went to see her walk across the stage in her cap and gown.  We tried to come up with something cute to put on her cap.  She decided on XX to represent the 20 years of study.

 This is my favorite of the day!  Jim was wishing her good luck before she went in to join the other graduates.  It shows her extreme joy that she wore all day on her face.

 She and Jim afterward.  She's wearing her honor cord for her Cum Laud status.

Later, we went to my Aunt Charlotte and Uncle John's house to enjoy a meal and celebrate my mom's success.  Lots of family and friends were there.  After the meal, we gathered to watch Mom open some gifts.  The kids sat on Aunt Jane's lap for a time.  June's laying a big smooch on John in this photo.

The kids had trouble sitting still and often volunteered to help Mom with her gifts.  Here Mom is opening the gift a bunch of us family members gave her.  I'm sure she's wondering why we gave her some travel sized toiletries.

But after she read our card, she understood that we were sending her and Jim on a trip of her choosing to celebrate her graduation.  She's just needs to decide when and where.  (And Mom, if you are reading, your travel agents are waiting for your call!  That's me and Jimmy!)

My cousin Chrissy brought her new puppy Buckley.  JHP wasn't so keen on him since he's all puppy, jumping, playing, and generally moving too fast for John's taste.  But at this moment Buckley was enjoying a rest, and John was at ease enough to approach him and even pet him.  But as soon as Buckley started moving again and approached, John's fear returned.

My mom and her sisters, Charlotte (c) and Betty (r).  They were just about as proud as I was to see their older sister graduate.  The Vidaurri girls - all of them college grads!

-EBP-