So, this year has not panned out as expected, to say the least. But despite the storms and craziness, there have been silver linings and rainbows. (See what I did there?😁) So, despite the challenges, I am very proud of my family's flexibility, determination, hard work, and pure grit to finish out this school year virtually - and with flying colors too! (Straight A's people. Woot, woot!)
These pictures were actually taken on the way up to Montgomery, Alabama - ONE LAST TIME! - for Chris to turn in his books and clear out his apartment. Also, since the military is on a travel ban until June 30, we used this little excursion as a double for a quick anniversary getaway. 20 YEARS PEOPLE! Funny to think about how on our honeymoon, Chris had to leave me for a day to go sign in to Fort Campbell, our first duty station together, and then come back so we could "look for a house" and finish our honeymoon. I guess it should be no surprise that we spent our 20th anniversary cleaning out a one-bedroom apartment that Chris had been living in as a geo-bachelor for 9 months during a pandemic and military lockdown. Ah, the more things change, the more they stay the same . . . Sure do love this guy though. So glad that we're going through this craziness together. Here's to 20 more!
We did actually get to go out for a nice dinner on the bay though. And the Key Lime pie was delicious!!
The Air War College Graduation was conducted virtually, and we watched it from the privacy of our own living room.
Super Proud of Chris and all his hard work. 3rd Master's degree - Wowsers!!
Chris finished up a few weeks before the other kids, but they were plugging away and a few fun end-of-the-year things happened. First off, we were able to pick up Kylie's school supplies and get pictures with her teachers. They really did a great job helping us navigate all this virtual stuff. So, so grateful for their help.
Inside the supplies were all of Kylie's artwork that she had worked on and would have been part of the "Evening of the Arts."
Kylie's teachers also put together a collage of pictures from the year for the kids to have as a memento. So sweet!
And hooray! Kylie's yearbook came in the mail, which was super cool.
We were also able to get Kate's yearbook. It says, "The Future is Coming Into Focus", except the focus is just an imprint. Anywho, Kate was way excited to be featured in the yearbook for her awesome '80s costume! Oh yeah!
We were also proud of Kate for her High Honors award and all her hard work. Way to go kiddo!
Lise was able to turn in her textbooks, and she was pretty happy about that. Her yearbook also came, and she scored a couple of sweet pictures.
And even though we technically still had one week of school left, to kick off summer we did our traditional day at the beach with friends. Tons of fun, but of course certain kiddos got way burned. And it was really hard to stay motivated that last week of school, let me tell you. We were all ready to go into full-blown summer mode!
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| This is Kate with a cooling rag strapped to her burnt forehead. |
And finally, this award arrived inviting Chris and I (and Aly) to the Niceville High Honors Assembly (in April), along with Aly's medal for graduating Magna Cum Laude. Oh, the irony! Of all the things people told Aly she was going to miss by graduating early - prom, graduation, etc. - NONE OF IT HAPPENED! Who would have thunk?!? Too crazy!! I also was able to pick up Aly's diploma from the highschool. Congratulations on Graduating Aly! 😉
I don't think Aly feels too bad about missing (or not missing), anything though. She's too busy hiking, being a college student, taking road trips, catching up with friends (these are our close friends from Kentucky. Aly babysat their boys.), and making new ones. One thing that military life has taught us, and I hope my children always remember, is that no matter what curveballs life throws at you, the best you can do is try to go with the flow and enjoy the ride. Despite the challenges, there is also a lot of good, and good people, to be found everywhere.
