June 22, 2011 3:31 PM
Jonny and Maddy - Loudoun Valley High graduation
Saturday was a beautiful and monumental day as Tripp and I saw our 8th and 8th children graduate from high school. Because we didn't have enough to keep us busy with nine children, we adopted three more, so really we have 9 - count 'em: 9! more years to go.
If you think I look tired, you're probably right:
We amused ourselves by taking pictures before the graduation, which was held outdoors. Perfect weather - overcast, so not too hot.
Maddy lamented because the only people who could come and see the graduation were her dad, mom and big sis Sophia. Samantha (mother of 6 herself) was in the throes of preparing for her church's VBS, Josh was taking care of Hattie, Ben is in Rochester, NY preparing for grad school, Matt and Zach were in London. We got a babysitter for Jesse, Daniel and Justin since they would not appreciate watching speeches and 550 graduates cross the stage as their names were called.
Anyway, it was funny to see all the big families we know who were graduating their first and who had droves of people there. As I explained to Maddy, part of the cross of being the youngest is that everyone is grown up and busy with their grown up affairs. I know they would have come if they could. But this year just didn't work out.
Here are their names: Madeleine Marie Curtis and Jonathan Martin Curtis.
And here they are on the program as Maddy and Jony were honored to be asked to sing the National Anthem together. Not a dry eye in the house. OUr flip camera is lost so I couldn't film, but hoping someone else did.
Here they are filng in - not the official processional, but getting ready to line up. Jonny, as usual, acting as mayor:
We were too far away to take pictures of the event, but I want to share the most remarkable thing that happened:
The young woman who was Valedictorian was introduced with a host of incredible accomplishments and a GPA of 4.8. She obviously could have had her pick of schools, but it was announced that she would be attending Liberty University to major in Electrical Engineering. I turned to Tripp and said, "This is one devout Christian - I wonder if she will say anything about that in her address?"
But even I was surprised that she bypassed vagueness for something substantial. After saying we were blessed to live a country where we . . . .and blessed to live in a country where men and women in uniform risked their lives in foreign lands to protect freedom (paraphrase), she said "And we're blessed to live in a country where we have the freedom to choose Jesus Christ as Our Lord and Savior."
Wahooooo!!!! This is why we live in Virginia!!!!!! Truly the land of the free and the home of the brave. Where we still grant students freedom of speech.
And here are my sweet Irish twins - Maddy was born 54 weeks after Jonny and it was the best thing that could have happened for both of them. I know Jonny will miss her terribly when she leaves for college next year. . .
So glad my children love each other:
Jonny and Maddy with her best friend Laura - a wonderful blessing for Maddy this year as she is also a musician/singer and a devout Catholic from a very conservative family. Their contrasting looks make it very interesting:
In the car on the way to lunch:
At the Cheescake Factory (which is also where we took Sophia three years ago when she graduated):
Maddy picks up her car from school - the last time it will be in the LVHS parking lot. She's selling it before she goes to Catholic U:
Nine kids graduated from high school. Oh, my.
Comments
I especially love your photo with Tripp. That blouse looks lovely, soft and feminine and highlights that side of you.
Posted by: Judy | June 22, 2011 5:59 PM
Congratulations to the graduates and to Mom & Dad! Great pics!
Posted by: a Mac and a Mug O' Joe | June 23, 2011 8:02 AM
Congrats Jonny & Maddy!! Great pictures!! Barb, you & Tripp look wonderful:) So happy for you both!
Posted by: Eileen | June 23, 2011 9:56 AM
Congratulations!!!
Posted by: Sarah | June 23, 2011 12:32 PM
Congratulations and best wishes for Maddy and Jonny as they move on to the next stages of their lives.
Posted by: Diane | June 23, 2011 2:16 PM
Congratulations to all! I have graduated four (one this year) and have three more to go! Thanks for sharing this with us, Barbara. Love the pictures!!!!
Posted by: Kathy | June 23, 2011 2:28 PM
Congrats to all of you! Love, love, love the photo of Johnny jumping next to Maddy. So very cute!
Ouida Gabriel
Posted by: Ouida Gabriel | June 23, 2011 7:26 PM
Marvelous pix of a memorable celebration of an abundantly blessed family I'm just beginning to know!! You-all look WONDERFUL "blessin' the Lord with all your souls and all that is within you" and "blessin' Him for all your benefits!"
Posted by: Leona Choy | June 25, 2011 3:41 PM
