Graduation Party!!

Dreams do Come True!!

It's amazing to think that this day has come! After 2 years and 4 months I have finally (unofficially - because I haven't received my diplomas) graduated!!! The above picture is from graduation ceremonies for the College of Social Work in May 200. They were kind enough to let me "walk" with my cohort, even though I still had two more semesters. That was my first fake graduation.

I took my last final on Monday, December 8. I also turned in my final two papers that day so when I finished my final at 7:30pm, I walked off campus with no further academic responsibilities. That, was a good feeling. So I called Shiree to tell her that I was done and she told me that she and Alex were waiting for me to come home and have dinner. (Amidst the stress of finishing papers and studying for finals I forgot to eat) I was a little surprised to hear that they were waiting for me. But when I got home, I was even more surprised!!!

That's right!! Shiree bought me some A&W Root Beer!! For those of you that have read my profile, you'll understand how much root beer means to me. That could have capped off the perfect night! Thanks Honey!!

BUT...

That wasn't all. Shiree had gotten me some graduation gifts.

As you can tell, that's a blanket that Shiree made (and I didn't even know about it). One side has Weber State stuff (ie old WSU shirts and purple and white fleece) and the other side is University of Utah Fleece. It looks really cool!! If you look in the bottom right corner you'll see a license plate cover that says: "Alumni - University of Utah." That's right, I am a Utah Alum!!! Thanks Honey!!

Now I thought that was it, BUT....

For those of you who have better eyesight than me, you are looking at Ben & Jerry's "Americone Dream" Ice Cream (and yes, that is Stephen Colbert on the container). I would have been happy to just see an ice cream container with Stephen Colbert on it, but the ice cream is actually good. I think it may have surpassed even Cookies 'n Cream on my all-time favorite list (and that is saying something). For those of you that have not tried it, you should, and for those who have, well, you know what I'm talking about.

Overall, it was a great graduation party!! I am happy to be done. But I think Shiree is even happier than I am about it. She gets to have a husband again. It's been a good 2 1/2 years of graduate school and I have enjoyed it. All the ups and downs, the learning experiences and the challenges. But I'm glad to be moving on. Look out real world, here I come!!

And of course, Alex wants to be just like Daddy!!

37 Odd Things About Me

So Shiree sent me this email and I am violently opposed to sending out emails like this to people. So I figured I'd put it on my blog. Yeah for Blogs!!

Here you go!

1. Do you like blue cheese dressing? depends on what I am eating it with. On a salad, never. With other entrees, yes.
2. Have you ever smoked? not cigarettes no. But I have burned my eyebrows, my hair, and my nose hairs (that is a funny story)...so yes I have "smoked" before.
3. Do you own a gun? nope.
4. What flavor Kool-Aid was your favorite? anything red (Cherry, Strawberry, Fruit Punch, etc)
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Only if they call me to schedule the appointment out of the blue.
6. What do you think of hot dogs? They're not very talkative, but they're fun to eat.
7. Favorite Christmas movie? All of them. My top three could be (in no particular order) "Grinch who Stole Christmas" - animated; "It's a Wonderful Life;" and Original Christmas movies (not the remakes) -- I guess I just don't like the remake of "Miracle on 34th Street."
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? milk
9. Can you do pushups? Yes.
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My wedding ring/band (I don't wear rings because I'm a guy)
11. Favorite hobby? blogging?? J/K playing sports, watching sports,
12. Do you have A.D.D.? No...it's really more of an anxiety disorder due to school
13. Do you wear glasses/contacts? Yes.
14. Middle name? Jon
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? I can't believe my teacher hasn't noticed that I stopped paying attention in class, How am I going to finish my homework by Monday?, My leg hurts.
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? water, milk, apple juice
17. Current worry: getting homework done on time to graduate
18. Current hate right now? The Social Work Clinical exam people
19. Favorite place to be? at home with my family
20. Do you like Beef Jerky? Gol durn, 'course I do.
21. Where would you like to go? Scotland
22. Name three people who will complete this: That's not fair because only 2 people actually read my blog.
23. Do you own slippers? No.
24. What shirt are you wearing? A green button-up shirt that I borrowed my Dad and still haven't returned.
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? I don't think so.
26. Can you whistle? Yes, but it will give me away and my teacher will make me pay attention in class.
27. Favorite color? Purple and Red (Go Wildcats!! Go Utes!!)
28. Would you be a pirate? Only if someone else found the buried treasure for me.
29. What songs do you sing in the shower? You wouldn't recognize them because I just make them up.
30. Favorite girl's Name? Shiree, Callie, Ellie (picking up a pattern...)
31. Favorite boy's name? Boy
32. What's in your pocket right now? My keys, my wallet, a pencil, a little pocket notebook
33. Last thing that made you laugh? Remembering that time I burned my nose hairs.
34. What vehicle do you drive? Chevy Prizm
35. Worst injury you've ever had? It's a tie between broken hand in junior high and knee injury in high school. Both related to football. Hmmm....
36. Do you love where you live? Yes--except for the small space, but I can't wait to get a new place and start loving that one.
37. How many TVs do you have in your home? 1

Tribute to an Apostle

A great man has graduated from this life and entered the eternal realm. I don't know why the passing of Elder Joseph Bitner Wirthlin has affected me more than the passing of President Hinckley or President Faust. I guess that I have come to love Elder Wirthlin even more recently. I always had a hard time paying attention when Elder Wirthlin spoke in General Conference because he was never as eloquent as Elder Neal Maxwell or a great story teller like President Monson or as charismatic as Elder Jeffrey Holland. But every time I would read his talks in the Ensign when it came out after Conference, I was blown away at how powerful they were. Though, in my opinion, he was not a great public speaker, his talks always made me think and ponder about my own testimony. One of the first talks I remember by him was one about testimony where he stated that a testimony is "knowledge buttressed by divine personal confirmation by the Holy Ghost." Of course, everyone will remember forever his final General Conference address, "Come What May, and Love It." I think it important to remember that he lived what he taught and he provided an example for us to follow.

Thank you Elder Wirthlin for living a Christlike Life that I can emulate!!