4 down, 3 to go!

I can't even begin to believe that my 4th child, my oldest boy, my baby Danny has graduated from high school. He is now an APA alumni and the festivities leading up to last Friday night were so fun and memorable for him and our family as well.

We had his luau on Saturday the 22nd of May, he along with his girlfriend Emily and cousins Clark and Grantie had a joint celebration with 200 of their closest family and friends! What a grand celebration it was and the night was so much fun with all the kids dancing, singing and playing! The food was awesome and the beautiful flowers and plants made the hall feel like we were on a tropical isle! Thanks Snow and Frankie and Creative Gardens of Winterville (2527567788) for making that happen.

My sister Loni, Emily's mom Vickey and I organized all the food and might I just say we did pretty good. BBQ, teriyaki chicken and beef, long rice, lupulu, rice, potatoes, fruit and toss salad, baked beans, coleslaw and an amazing assortment of desserts made for some fat and happy luau goers!

The show was fun and we had some great entertainers, some of them on stage for the first time ever! I'm so proud of all of you, especially Emily who joined the girls in a sweet hula called, "Sway it hula girl"! She was great.
Danny also performed with his cousins and did the haka and of course they were a true crowd pleaser!

The baccalaureate exercises were the Sunday before at a local church in Kinston and it was a very nice ceremony with Emily giving the benediction. We took lots of pictures with my Mom after wards and it was great that she came to that because, she got to watch the boys march in their cap and gown. She left for Pgh. on Thursday before their commencement exercises at school, so I am grateful she was there for that night.



Last Thursday was the Senior Awards Night and after a nice catered dinner for all of us they gave away awards and scholarships to very deserving students. Danny received an athletic letter award which was so nicely framed along, with a senior class picture and one of him, Dan and I at a Senior night last Feb. The night was complete to me because his acting Headmaster gave him some sweet words of encouragement about his mission and future plans. His football coach also thanked me for letting Danny attend the school and then told me what as awesome leader Danny was for the team this year and that he loves my boy...yes, I cried!

Friday night was his commencement and the whole Nock and Jones families were there. The Anderson's also came and so did Trent, Lauren and Andrew. We had a great crowd and as the kids walked in one by one, of course Danny had to do a little fresh prince of Bel Air move as he came in and pointed to us and winked! Emily received a character award which was a plaque and a monetary gift so I was so proud of that too! When the time came for each student to receive their diploma, their names were called by Mr. Pollock and then their diplomas were given to them by a faculty member and they posed then for a picture. Then the girls would get a hug and kiss from Mr. Pollock and the boys got a handshake. When it was time for Danny to get his diploma he posed with a crazy, yippee kinda attitude, to which the crowd just cracks up, and then when he goes to Mr. Pollock whose hand is extended for a handshake, Danny shakes his head no and points to his cheek. Mr. Pollock then kisses him on the cheek and everyone just starts cracking up even more! Mr. Pollock turns to all of us and says, "Oh what I do for these kids"! Afterwards we put his gardenia leis on him, made by Grandma Tilini and then about 10 candy leis which Jaz made! I was so proud of my son and I thank Heavenly Father everyday for blessing me with him.

Last night, Danny graduated from seminary, he has gone through 4 years and studied the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price. He should be ready and well prepared to preach the gospel now. I am very proud of my son and I know that he will be a great missionary and that he will work hard. He has learned the value of hard work on the football field and in the classroom, he has developed a deep love for the gospel and his testimony has grown because of seminary, YM and his family and friends!

So, Dan and I are now proud parents to 4 HS graduates...4 down, 3 to go!