Graduation: San Diego, CA 5/24/08

Josh and Sara picked up Megan and Molly from the airport the night before and they all spent the night and Josh’s house. The morning of graduation we ran into the kids – at where else? – Windmill Farms, of course! Ned and I were getting the trays of food for the party and the kids were foraging for breakfast. Eventually, Marc & Sean (Josh’s Dad and step-mom), Nana & Popy, the sisters, Josh & Sara and Ned and I all met up at Josh’s house. Aunt Linda was hung-up in a car rental line at the airport. It was a bit like herding kittens getting to the ceremonies, but we finally managed to all sit together! We really had too much fun catching up with each other while passing kettle corn, trail mix, pretzels and other snacks around as we listened to the speeches and over 2000 names being called! (Yes, we were the family doing “the wave” and various Josh & Sara cheers in the stands.) We also kept calling Josh on his cell phone – making sure we were “keeping in touch.” Still, the moment his name was called and he walked across the stage I have to admit that my eyes swelled up and it was an emotional moment… As on cue, when we exited the arena (where it had been raining on and off most of the day), the clouds had parted, the sun was shining and it turned into a perfectly gorgeous afternoon. After lots of picture taking, we all headed back to Josh’s and fired up the barbeque for a fun party in his backyard! Sara’s family joined us and we had a really great time getting to know everyone. There were bio-parents & step-parents, grandparents, aunts & uncles and siblings. We were also celebrating my dad’s 75th birthday and Ned & my 4th anniversary – all happening on the 24th! Sara’s grandmother (a really sweet and adorable woman who we all fell in love with) was celebrating her 93rd birthday on Monday. That evening, when everyone had left, and it was just Ned & I and the kids (Josh, Megan, Molly, Sara & Sara’s sister Katie), Josh thought it would be fun to play a game of poker. For several hours Josh patiently and tactfully taught 5 women how to play Texas Hold’em. I had to admire his perseverance and good nature as the “girls” were not quite doing things in the true competitive spirit of poker. Josh was battling against things like, “I knew I had a good hand, but I didn’t want to bet against my sister” or “what do you mean I not supposed to look at your cards when you folded, I was curious.” When Ned and I finally headed back to the campsite after a very long day, we found a sweet handmade card from Molly wishing us a great trip across the US and celebrating our anniversary. I was also holding Josh’s graduation cap where he wrote me a very touching note. We are truly blessed to have such a beautiful family.