Pomp and Semper Altius!

My sister, Sarah, graduated this weekend so there was a lot of celebrating going on!

Sarah and her friends lining up, waiting for Graduation to start

Sarah & Pear

Sarah & Priscilla

Ana & Julia

Jackie & Ana

Sarah & Pear walking in the Graduation Procession

Sarah's school is divided between boys and girls, so awards and Validictorian speeches were done for the boys' side and then the girls'. There were several awards given to recognize the top students from each side with the highest GPA in Math, Science, etc.... There were also a couple of special awards that acknowledged the 'best all around' students. There were times when we all kind of teared up just in seeing how proud the parents were to see their children accepting their awards up there, being acknowledged by his/her teachers and classmates.

Next, it was time to give the "Semper Altius" award, which is Latin for "Always Higher". This is the motto on the school crest and something the school really emphasizes....always aiming higher, always improving, never giving up. They announced the recipient....SARAH GOULAS!!!!

We all looked at each other like, "Did they just say Sarah's name????" Then immediately jumped up, clapping, cheering, hugging each other! I can only imagine how proud my parents were because Sarah is not even my own child and I was BEAMING with pride! Of all the awards to get, to me this was top notch! To be recognized as someone who is always aiming higher and someone who never gives up?? AMAZING!

Of course, this is the bonk photo I got of her receiving her award. But, in all of the excitement, I almost forgot to get a picture at all! :)

Sarah (after the ceremony) posing with the school crest....SEMPER ALTIUS!

Graduation Procession....

Priscilla

JuliaAna

Jackie

Father AlfonseThe Graduates

The Proud ParentsSarah & I
Jay and his "baby girl"....all grown up! :)

Awww...Sarah and John smile for the camera

Behind the scenes....hahahah!

Sarah and her Besties

Mom and HER Besties :)

Aunt Donna & Nanna Moon (two of my aunts) flew in and surprised Sarah for Graduation

Sarah - We are so proud of you and the amazing young woman you are! We have seen you go through the good, the bad and the ugly and are, not suprised, but in awe of your transformation. I cannot begin to tell you how much I admire you and look up to you. Semper Altius is a perfect description of you and your attitude and accomplishments. It makes my heart smile to look at you and know that you now see yourself as the beautiful, smart, caring, sweet, funny, self-less and amazing person that we have always known you were. Congratulations, Sarah! We are so PROUD of you and love you VERY much!

Taylor's Gift

Taylor Storch was a classmate of my brother, John, and she passed away after a skiing accident while on a vacation with her family during Spring Break this year.

Last year, Taylor and John's class had designed a garden outside at the school, so it was decided that a tree would be planted there in Taylor's memory. Taylor's parents, who were customers of Jay, contacted him about planting the tree and possibly doing a mini 'face lift' to the garden. What started out as a simple tree planting evolved into the most amazing, peaceful and beautiful garden.

Taylor's tree


There was a plaque placed on a stone wall in the garden in memory of Taylor
When Taylor passed away, her parents made the decision to donate her organs, which in turn, ended up saving 7 lives, including a 1-year-old who received her heart. Since then, Taylor's parents have started a non-profit organization to promote organ donation.

On April 19th, Taylor's birthday, there was a dedication held at the school. It was so wonderful. Everyone showed up wearing purple and blue (Taylor's favorite colors).

The street was lined with purple and blue heart balloons

The entire 8th grade class, faculty, staff, family and friends, all wore these shirts in Taylor's honor. Truett and Emma had dentist appointments that morning, and when we walked into the office, the entire staff also had the shirts on.

It was so amazing to be able to be a part (even a small part) of something so beautiful. Jay and I wear our blue 'Taylor's Gift' bracelets and there is not a day that goes by that I don't think about her and her family.

To find out more about Taylor's Gift and organ donation, or to become an organ donor, please visit www.taylorsgift.org

He Is Risen!

Easter morning at our house was pretty low key, at least until the kids woke up and got into their Easter baskets. :)

It was fun watching the kids dig through their baskets and check out the goodies that the Easter Bunny had left. Truett, of course, knew to go straight for the candy....something that Emma seemed to have caught on to pretty quickly!

Emma enjoying an early Easter morning Peep

This pic was probably taken after a few handfuls of Easter candy and this is his 'hopped up on sugar' smile.

I thought I'd throw in a random picture of Nugget from Easter morning just to document his little life. :)

Emma in her Easter dress....the picture is not too clear, but it's the only one I got of her in her full outfit (of course!)

After Mass, we headed over to my mom's house for an Easter Egg hunt, the annual Goulas Family Egg Pocking Contest, and Easter dinner.

Emma & Nannie posing for the camera. This is the smile Emma gives when I say, "Show me your teeth."

Emma & LeeLa'

Truett & LeeLa'....this was during the Easter Egg Hunt at my mom's house. As you can see, Truett likes to snack on his findings along the way. I guess it helps him keep his energy up!

Emma & Uncle John

Awwwwwe....look at Sarah helping Emma - WRONG! Some of the eggs had money in them. Whenever Emma handed an egg to Sarah, she would shake it to to see if it had money in it. I think Sarah made a whopping $2.48. HAHAHAHHA!

Here are our beautiful eggs we decorated for the Egg Pocking Contest. Any thoughts on which of these glorious eggs would be this year's winning egg???

And the winner is........

Yes! Don't be fooled by this sweet face!

The egg hunts and candy are fun, but they will never overshadow the true reason we celebrate Easter. "He is not here. He is RISEN!" - Matthew 28:6

HAPPY EASTER!