Mallory's Graduation Pictures Arrived!

I was really looking forward to receiving this picture. First, of course, it is Mallory's graduation picture with her family!! Secondly, our family has grown by two since the last graduation family picture. Lauren, Tyler's wife, and Cooper, Derek and Amy's firstborn son and our first grandchild, brings our numbers to 11 now!! Third, I requested Derek be allowed to stand his full stature and not be told to "bend at the knees" like the last photographer did at Tyler's graduation family pic. This is the way God made him and the picture is perfect with Derek a head above all the rest. And last of all, a little nostalgia for moms with big families, Trey served as an usher at Mal's graduation and is wearing the suit Tyler wore when he served as an usher at Derek's graduation. The suit was given to us by Isaiah Peter's mom 10 years ago!! I think Drew will not be able to wear it to Trey's graduation in 4 years, but we'll get it on him between now and then for sure!!




Mallory had a wonderful weekend celebrating her graduation. Grandparents, aunts and uncles, her new nephew, cousins, and many friends helped make the day special for Mallory. I wish I had taken more pics of everyone with her, but things moved quickly and I'm not sure if we got that done. I'll check with Mallory and add some pics later on if we can.

The photographer paused extra long and ended up getting Dale and I both in the process of shutting our eyes! For those of you who were there, I told the photographer from the stage that I thought I shut my eyes......he just motioned for us to exit the stage. Mallory looks great!!







Again, I ask myself, where did the time go? I still remember this beautiful baby girl with an ocean wave of hair on top of her tiny head. Mallory was our smallest baby at 7 lbs. 13 1/2 oz. Derek was 9 when she was born and Tyler was 6. The boys carried her everywhere and she has spent her life in their shadows. And people wonder why she has visited the hospital more than any of our children and had more cuts on her face and bruises on her body, and surgery on her ACL February of this year. Her big brothers have been her greatest inspiration next to God. Despite all the injuries, she has grown into a young woman that God is using for His glory. That is my greatest hope for Mallory. Her name means "Counselor" and that was my prayer for her when she was given the name. May the Holy Spirit, who is our Counselor, guide and use Mallory to help many see Jesus for who He truly is, and see their need for Him to lead their lives. Amen.


Yet to come, Aunt Mallory and Cooper and Aunt Mikiah and Cooper!! Keep checking!