It's Official!

Saturday morning at Ben's graduation ceremony in downtown Chicago. Ben is getting ready to walk across the stag and receive his diploma.

It is official! Ben receives his diploma. The ceremony was great. We arrived about an hour before it began to get a good seat, and we did. We were about 10 rows from the front, right behind the graduates. I wrestled with a restless and sleepy 1 year old who decided to wake up at 5:30 am. I know people were thinking, "I hope that kid falls asleep soon!" About 1/2 hour into the ceremony he finally gave in and fell asleep on my lap. The speeches were all really great and inspirational, there was one student who gave a talk and I cried almost the whole time. Parker slept until I started taking pictures of Ben, in which I cut off his head in most of the pictures, trying not to wake Parker up. Dad got some great pictures though.
After the ceremony we gathered in the hall and took some quick pictures then headed to lunch. We did not make it to Cheesecake Factory....so sad! but, had a wonderful lunch at Miller's Pub which was right across the street.
This is about the best picture we got of Parker all day! Ben's brother and dad drove down for the day to see Ben graduate. We were very thankful that they decided to come and support Ben. We know it was a long drive but, it is something he will remember forever. He even said, "I am so happy they decided to drive down, it was wonderful seeing them as I walked across the stage to receive my diploma."Another cute family picture...except the little one playing with dad's tie!!

Ben-

I am so proud of you!! You have worked so hard for so long, juggling school, work, and trying to make time for Parker and your sometimes inpatient wife. You did it though!! All of your hard work has paid off and we are so proud of you!! I am so glad we decided to take this trip to Chicago together and participate in this AWESOME event together as family. I know all of your hard work will pay off, as you look for a career at a job that you love. Thank you for being an example to me, I do not know how you did it. You had a lot of determination and patience and you got through it. You are an example to your son, who will not remember this day but, will always know how hard his dad worked to provide a better life for him and his mom. You are the best! Congratulations!!

We love you so much!

Cindy and Parker