Ansley's Fabulous Graduation Party!

Thanks to the wonderful Welsh Family for hosting a fabulous graduation party in honor of their daughter, Ansley, who will be graduating IA high school next week!  I'm starting to really understand how fast time and life goes by.  Below is a pic that Ansley and I took together years ago, and now, as shown in the above pic, is this same fine young woman who is about to graduate high school.  Very proud of her!  

Below:  Blast from the past!

BELOW:  Back to modern times at the graduation party!  :-)

Above:  Jessie H. adding a little humor to the pictures(on purpose); below, his beautiful inside and out new bride, Ariel, chats.  They are just a wonderful and loving couple.  I am so thrilled that Jessie and Ariel have just moved pretty much a little further down on the same street from us.  They are a special couple, and it's not b/c they moved so close to us.....though that could have double meaning when you think about it.....(special that they are brave enough to have moved so close.....not what I meant LOL!  )  :-)

Really like this pic of Jessie B. and Deborah S.

The niece classically rocking out a cute pose.  :-)

Sophia making friends with Sherry and Sherry's jewelry too.  :-)!

Mr. C. Hilliker and Melinda B's handsome and beautiful smiles.

 BELOW:  Our Gracious Host!

As usual, The Welsh Family classically rocked out the decor and food!  It was all truly fit for royalty!

The rest of the Brown's.  :-)

Mrs. H helping Gladys keep everything stocked.

BELOW:  The girls!  These gals have been friends for almost all of their lives.  I think that's great!  Erica A. is also graduating IA high school this year, and Ashlynn will be graduating next year!  So very proud of all of these gals to have worked hard to be where they are at now!  They are super smart, respectful, outgoing, friendly, and most importantly God fearing young ladies.

BELOW:  A flashback blast from the past!  Ashlynn and Erica years ago at a slumber party at my place back in the day!  True BFF's!  :-)

BELOW:  Back to modern times at the graduation party.

 Behold the food!  :-)  That's Alexander S. "presenting it."  :-)

Ahhh, what a lovely smile Sarah I had.

Our Lovely Hostess with the Mostess!

Finally caught Sandra G. on camera.  That's a rarity.  :-)

Gianni smiles.

  
Gladys' pics during Ansley's grad party

BELOW:  Another blast from the past flashback photo!
I didn't want to be a bother in trying to get an updated family portrait of the Welsh family all together yesterday during the graduation party since they were hosting all of us, but here is an old flashback pic from years ago of their beautiful family.  We're appreciative to have been included on this special gathering for their daughter, and just super proud of Ansley and all of the graduates, and hope my mom, Gladys, and all of the mother's and their families had a great Mother's Day too!  We did!  Looking forward to AC and IA graduation next week!

(Brief mothers day pics on blog as well)

A Niece Imitating Her Aunt

Kids are fun!  Sophia decided to tell me, in the third form, how I act.  The cheese part made me laugh.  She has a paparazzi Aunt!

Mothers Day Pics

 We had a lovely Mother's Day in my home.  My dad bought her an ivy plant and jewelry, my brother and sister in law gave her pearls and a fern, and I gave her a gift card to get whatever she desires; and my mom deserves that special treat.  She has and is an amazing mom.  Though in poor health now, she still is amazing.  She's always been there for us, and been one of our number one cheerleaders in life, and she really has set a good example for me in doing her best to keep a close relationship with God in prayer in study.  I admire that so much.  We're at the age now where we realize we don't know how long either parent has left in this physical life, so you treasure the moments while they are still there, and then look forward to an even brighter future knowing you have to work hard to obtain that; but as the saying goes, action is always louder than words.

A Few Recital Pics

A few pics from the recital my piano instructor hosted that she was so kind to snap while I played.  She shot video too, but she told me not to hold my breathe on quick timing in receiving it.  LOL  Thanks to God, I'm 100% sure of that, I did really well.....was super nervous as it's the first time I've been on stage behind the piano performing in over a decade, and I felt like I needed to represent well on that campus, but everything is possible with God's help and it went smoothly.  It's a good feeling to have that one behind me, now getting ready for the big one in piano summer lessons.  It's hard work, but it seems to be producing fruit, so we'll keep the vine watered.  :-)  Raising the quality is what it's all about so God can use that, if He wants that anyway.  Anyway, just an update for friends interested.  :-)  Right now, I'm pretty much early advanced.  I still have a long ways to go to be the super advanced pianist that is my goal.  For the first time in my life, I can play a song with feeling and emotion, and not just play the notes on the page dry.  This is something huge that I've overcome, but still a lot more learning to go to be at the upmost quality that God would be pleased with.