Graduation Celebration

Our last month or so has been a whirlwind of events, but definitely worth it. After 4 crazy years of dental school (not to mention 5 years of undergrads...I just love Brett's long school track at ASU) he is finally a full-fledged dentist. Just prior to graduation he had been busy studying and thank goodness found out that he had passed all of his clinical, licensing and state exams. I am so proud of him and all of his hard work.

So, a couple weeks ago we got to do some major celebrating. It all started off with a brunch/Awards ceremony where a few students were awarded special honors. No one knew a head of time if they were receiving an award or not, so it was really fun to find out that Brett had been given an award from the Academy of Oral Maxial Facial Surgeons for "Excellence in Cranial Facial Pain Management"...in other words he's one great oral surgeon...what an honor!

That night we had a blast at the Founders Ball held at the Phoenician Resort. We got to get all dressed up and had a fun night of eating, dancing and socializing. My mom watched our kids, so Brett and I could even stay at the resort that night...so fun! The next morning we had a fun breakfast there at the resort restaurant with Brett's dental buddy, Jimmy, and his wife, Crystal.

Saturday, June 11th, was the actual graduation ceremony held at the Mesa Arts Theatre. We had so many family and friends come to support our dental graduate. I hadn't really been emotional about his graduation until he came walking down the theatre in his cap and gown and I just kept thinking "Wow, we are finally done...this is it!" When Brett and I were dating he told me that his goal was to become a dentist. We knew the road that we would have to take to get there and now I just can't believe we made it...9 years later and I can honestly say it has flown by.

That evening we had a little graduation party for Brett at his parent's house. I am so mad I didn't get any pics from that night, but it we had so much fun with all our friends and family that came and the Mexican food, fruit, dessert could not have been better. I can't even begin to express my love and thanks to everyone who made this journey with us. There is no way we could have done it without all the love and support we received. Thanks to both of our parents for continually giving unconditionally as they have always done...I hope Brett and I can be even half the parents they have been. Thanks to siblings and friends for being such great supporters and laughing, stressing, crying right along with us. It's been one heck of a ride and now I'm glad to say that we can shut the book on that chapter of our life.

Now, we are all moved settled into our new home in Payson and anxiously awaiting for Brett's official dental license to come, so he can start working. The kids are going to have to get used to saying "Have a good day at work, Dad!" instead of saying "school"...oh, that sounds so good.