all the times we had together

Lately I've been of the mind set that I don't need to explain myself. And I find for the majority of decisions I make that is the case, however, I would like to give a brief explanation of my lack of blogging for the past several months:

Monday through Wednesday School from 8am until 5pm. Thursday through Saturday (most weeks) Internship from 8am until 5pm (on occasion, 9:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays). Every other waking moment: studying my @$$ off.

So forgive my absence, I'm baaaaack (don't worry, I said that out loud while I wrote, it a particularly creepy voice)

It's kind of incredible how I feel today. I honestly had no idea how much it meant to me that. Until last night when my friend Jewels stood up and gave her commencement speech on behalf of all us IPP-er's. I feel pretty darn good about myself, about all of us! We did it! We graduated the Interpreter Preparation Program! :)

School was really hard for me. The IPP was my THIRD program in school, I guess I just couldn't figure out what I wanted to do. And after a year break from everything, it was REALLY difficult to go back.

I am so grateful for Taylor and how much support and encouragement he has given me. I'm so grateful that he taught me the importance of education. I'm so grateful for his love and that every step of the way he believed in me.

I'm grateful for my class mates Bethany, Libby, Jewels, Doug, Consuelo, Kerry, Sara, Jen, Tina, and Tuesday for all the support, venting sessions, and kind words of encouragement throughout the IPP and Deaf studies programs the last few years!4

I'm grateful for Vicki, Windy, Michelle, Kay, and Deb for giving such productive and beneficial feedback, for always telling us how good we really are, and for being such amazing teacher's. Sure, there are amazing interpreters out there, but not everyone can TEACH interpreting. And just like that lady that none of us know how for political reasons(??) spoke at our graduation said, we really did have the best teacher's in the UNIVERSE! Thank you guys so much!

I'm grateful for my second mom and forever friend Loni Hatch so inspiring me to learn ASL in high school. I know you don't think you did much, but you SO did. I love you so much and am so grateful that you are in my life, and part of my forever family!

I'm grateful for my mentor, for all the interpreter's who let me observe them work, for all the volunteer experience I've had, for my calling at church which had made all the difference, and for my Heavenly Father and all the blessings he has poured out over me. I would not be where I am today with him and his love. 

I feel so good, and so proud of myself for not giving up when things got really difficult mid-semester. I'm proud of everything I've done, and everything all my IPP friends have done! We rock! :)

Also, anyone who has photos please EMAIL them to me! and I will do that same! :)

This is just a snippet of the photos that were taken, and yes I will be adding more :)

oh, and its probably about time I learn how to edit photos without picnik, since it's gone (sad day)...any tips?

{no, we aren't twins, but after seeing this picture, I'm pretty sure we could be!}

{Riley got his mission call on graduation day! Milwaukee Wisconsin! I'm so proud of you Riley!}