Days with the Dorans

I can't believe that Joey has graduated and before you know it will be off to celebrate his adventures in Kalamazoo! Everything has gone so quickly! He had a great turn-out and I ordered the perfect amount of food (well- too many salads but we sent one home with the Stewarts). I loved every second of the party and didn't sit down! It was funny because Nevada showed just as the party was ending (she read the invitation wrong and said had been waiting to come~ at the wrong time). It was so great to see so many people who I have treasured throughout my life and Joey's biggest supporters too! We had Highland House food and everything was perfect! I didn't even get outside but I guess there were quite a bit of people out there too. I didn't even think about taking pictures so was so thankful for the pictures my mom took! I am bummed we didn't get a family picture. We'll have to do that next year for Ali. You live and learn. Joey has always been my poor little gui...

My awesome team! Jill & Lisa The end of the year can never come soon enough. Because they are doing construction in our classrooms, I had to pack up EVERYTHING in boxes and label them so it was a LOT of work! So happy for summer! Me and Shane! He graduated from his program this year. He's a favorite. Me & Payton~ She came back to see me! Jill is retiring! She was my mentor when I started! Going to miss her! This firehose goes on part of the door so that it can't be open. The things we teachers have to do. Jill's husband cut these up for us~ not out district. ONE wall of boxes! I was spoiled as always! I love how they tuned into my love for pickles! I do love my job! Especially now that it's SUMMER!!!  

I have been an emotional wreck! I feel like I cry at the drop of the hat and half the time I can't even find the words to explain why! But my baby is graduating! Actually... he DID graduate and I am so very proud of him! The graduation ceremony was at EMU and we were thankful that my folks, Jeff's mom, BIL & SIL, and my brother and his family were all able to join us! It felt a little stressful getting there but that is kind of a day in the life (in OUR life!). We made it though and were were all excited to watch the commencement and cheer on our favorite grad! The fans! I spotted Joey right away in the sea of maroon and he had the biggest smile on his face! I felt like my heart was going to burst out of my chest with pride!! During the commencement they played, "Changed for Good" from Wicked that of course also had me reflecting on Andrew and Joey and this crazy path of life that we are on. I am just so crazy thankful and I know that sounds insane to say, but I a...

Life has been a whirlwind lately, and everything seems to be the Joey show (as it should around graduation) but we still have some cool things happening with the others! Sean had a game today and it's so much fun to watch him. Jeff calls him the disruptor because he always wants to STOP people from scoring- even more than he wants to score. The boy is a born defender!

I can hardly believe that I have a kid going to his senior prom already! Joey wasn't sure about asking anyone and I knew he was sooo nervous but he ended up asking his friend (and also a runner) to prom. Hannah looked SO pretty in her green dress and dare I say that Jonasen was as handsome as ever! They ended up doing their pictures at a park the kids grew up going to. I thought it was the strangest location but I shut up and show up. I was just impressed I showed up on time! We are in our last week of school and I have "Mock Camp" going on so I left a wee bit early just so I could get to pictures on time. Of course my mom was there too (and Ali). They were very cute in the exchange of flowers and it went so fast that we nearly missed a picture. Here are some of my favorite posed pictures from the day. This was in a big group but I liked it. It was hard to get pictures because there were SO many people! A small group that broke off from the big group for some pictures. Au...