Graduation

I am late in writing this post because I was waiting to get pictures from my family and also because I knew that writing this post would make me very emotional. Unfortunately, all the pictures in this post are from my dad's phone, so they are not the best quality. Anyway, graduation was August 11-12. My parents drove the 11 hours down her just to watch me walk. I am so grateful they did. We had a great weekend together.

This picture is of me standing in line waiting for my name to be read by the announcer.

Receiving my "fake" diploma. My real diploma will be here in 3-6 weeks.

After the ceremony, with my cute little family.

I just love my boys! :)

Ever since I was a little girl, I have dreamed about coming to BYU. I was certain I wanted to come here after I spend a week on campus for EFY when I was 16. Attending BYU has been one of the greatest blessings in my life. I have made some amazing friends and had some amazing experiences, secular and spiritual, that have changed my life. I didn't always love school, or my major, but I am so grateful I stuck it out. I love BYU campus. I love my professors, friends, roommates, classes, and devotionals. Attending this university has changed my life. I have learned many life lessons and skills.

During my senior year, I learned the most important lessons of all. The summer before my senior year started, I found out I was pregnant. It was definitely a surprise, and one that I had mixed feelings about. I loved my little man the moment I knew about him, but I was scared about how I was going to finish school and meet the goals I had set for myself. I knew that I needed to hurry and graduate so that I could focus on being a mother. I was sad to admit to myself that I needed to postpone my dream of getting my RN, but I knew it was the right thing to do.

My senior year was hard. I took Anatomy that fall and suffered through morning sickness in the cadaver lab. I think my TA asked if I was okay just about every week. I couldn't even stand the entire lab, let alone pay attention as he pointed out 100 new terms every week.

Winter semester was worse. Microbiology, physics, chemistry and Humanities. I was a full-time student and due mid-semester. I was tired all the time and my body hurt all the time. I worried about being able to pass all my classes. I worried about our finances. I worked up until the day before Braxton was born, but I didn't know how we could afford for me to not work for two months. In January, Heavenly Father answered my prayers. I received a $2000 dollar grant from my college. The money we would miss out on by me not working was more than made up for by that grant.

Braxton was born on February 22nd, the Tuesday after Presidents' Weekend. I missed four days of class and was back on campus the following Monday. After my mom left, Braxton came to class with me every day. I walked to class with him in a sling and came home after every class to feed him. I took naps everyday after class. I was exhausted. I was struggling to keep up in my classes. My GPA took a big hit that semester. It was then that I created my new motto: Just Pass.

Spring Term. Back to work. Eight credits. Class at 8:00 am. Every morning. Baby that wakes up at 1 am and 4 am to eat. Wake up at 6:30 to get ready for class and feed baby. This was the low point of my senior year. I have never been so emotionally, spiritually, mentally and physically tired. Some good things did happen this term though... My sister moved down to Provo and babysat twice a week so that I could go to my labs. I was promoted at work and got a raise. Somehow I passed my classes. My entire life was school, work, and baby. I had no time for anything else.

Summer Term. Took 8.5 credits. My sister moved home, but my sister-in-law Holly babysat twice a week to help out. This term was easier and I loved my classes. Braxton began sleeping through the night. I felt so much better! I did well in all of my classes. I no longer had to rely on "Just Pass."

So what did I learn this past year? Lots of things... Sometimes Heavenly Father's plan and your plan aren't the same. Even if your plan is good and has righteous goals, His plan might be different. But following His plan will make you happier than you ever thought possible.

Sometimes Heavenly Father gives you trials, not to test you or to try you, but to show you just how tough you really are. This year I learned that I can do hard things. Things that I never thought possible. Not many people can say that they took full-time classes, worked part-time, and had a kid. I can do hard things.

The lessons that I learned at BYU are things that many people already know. However, I don't think that I could have learned these things or that they wouldn't have had such an impact on my life if I hadn't learned them here at BYU. I am so grateful for the faithful tithe payers for allowing me this opportunity. I am grateful for my grandparents and parents for the financial support and prayers. I am grateful to my awesome sisters Kelsey and Holly for babysitting Braxton so that I could go to class. I literally would not have been able to graduate without them. I am grateful for my friends and roommates that have helped make my years at BYU so memorable. I am grateful for my husband and his patience, his understanding, and his love. He has always been there when I needed him. His shoulders have caught many tears and his hands have been placed on my head many times. He is the person that knows first-hand how difficult this past year has been because he has experienced it with me. Finally, I am grateful for my Heavenly Father. I am grateful for the peace He has sent me. I am grateful for the beautiful baby that He saw fit to send to our family. I am grateful for his faith in me that I can do hard things.