Pomp and Circumstance

5 years ago we were living in California. Jake's job was going pretty good and things weren't too bad. Jake was playing with the idea of taking a few community college classes just to learn new things and perhaps further his education a bit. One day I got this overwhelming feeling and shared it with Jake. Why don't you go back to school full time? He also knew right away this was the direction we needed to go. Shortly after this conversation things at his work started turing for the worse. They were reorganizing the company and letting a lot of people go. Jake's boss assured him his job was safe. But we knew this was the time to get out. There was a lot of talk within our Stake about BYU-Idaho and furthering education. Jake applied for the computer science program and was accepted to start right away. We quickly put in our 30 days notice and jumped in with both feet for a new adventure. 3 1/2 years later on July 23, 2014 we came to this day:

I thought this was really funny where Jake put the tickets so they wouldn't get lost:

Thank you to our family for your love, well wishes and physical presence.

mom and dad Stevens, Grandpa Stevens, Hailey and her kids and my mom and dad were able to join us for the celebration.

We started out the evening by eating at one of the few good places in town, The Mandarin.
Jake was dropped off at the school since he was supposed to be there early. Hailey and I left all 7 kids with our friends Anna and Kyle (what troopers!)
 First there was commencement where the General Young Woman president Bonnie Oscarson was the main speaker. She taught us to "do good and be good, but if you have to choose, be good." She spoke of the lifelong process of refining, repentance, and line-upon-line learning that comes as individuals follow the Savior's invitation to become perfect. "Small decisions that we make at critical junctures in our lives can set the tone for a lifetime. A person who is striving to 'be good' thinks about the cumulative effect of his small daily decisions." she also said, "The greatest joy you will experience in your lives will come from establishing righteous families, keeping the commandments of the Lord, and unselfishly serving those around you."
In addition to Sister Oscarson, Elder Paul V. Johnson of the Seventy and the Commissioner of the Church Educational System and BYU-I's president, Kim B. Clark, spoke, honoring the 1,728 students recognized for earning degrees.

Thankfully we didn't have to sit through the reading of 1,728 names. Each department met in different buildings on campus and had their own program.
I ran back home to get Kaleb, Alexander, and Breahna. They were excited to see their dad walk.
This is Jake's row of buddies that he graduated with, except the 2 confused guys on the end :-)

 Thank you Jake for your example to not only me but especially the kids. Anything is possible.

Jake met a lifelong friend over these last 3 years.
Thank you Adam for your friendship! (and for helping Jake pass his classes) 

Go out into the world and do well. But more importantly, go out into the world and do good

Now we can look back on our life and say, "I can't believe you did that" instead of, "I wish we had done that"

The past 3 1/2 years have gone by slow and fast all at the same time. I am proud of you my dear husband. You put in a lot of hard work and devotion and especially a lot of longs days and stress to reach this day. I know it has not been easy to get through it but we did it! 

Now he just has to get through 500 hours of internship then we really truly are done. Woop! Woop!