Reminiscing a bit more..........

Hannah's graduation weekend was just fantastic. You know how occasionally an event turns out just perfect. You think in your head and pray for the event to be wonderful and special, but then when it happens it is just AMAZING. This was "that" event. Not that everything went just as planned or without glitches, but it was just so special. God blessed us all over the place and we are thankful. The highlights of the weekend were: Hannah's nurse pinning ceremony Friday and our whole family gathering for it. It was so fun ......all of us (Alden and I, Courtney, Pat, Rebekah, Joshua and Bailey), Phill and Christy, Brittany and Andrea, Steve and of course Hannah) meeting at the 1st event of the weekend...........the excitement was high and the weather was gorgeous. Harrisonbury, where JMU is located, is nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains. The scenery is awesome. This ceremony was so special ~ well planned and fun to be a part of Hannah's nursing program (about 60 people). Speakers, songs, candlelighting ceremony with the nurse's pledge and of course the pinning ceremony. They showed a video of the girls throughout the last two years. It was fantastic. Refreshments finished the time and we were able to visit.

Our kids ~ we're proud and we love you all so much.

Hannah with some of her nieces and nephews who love her SO much.


Sisters ~ special sisters
That night we all went out to dinner ~ we were able to just talk and laugh and simply get caught up with everyone. A very special night indeed.

The next morning we were up bright and early to get our seats at the stadium for the graduation. We met up with Dorian's two sisters, Susan and Kim, Richard and Heather (who were so KIND to join us for the day!) We had been concerned about the weather as a bad storm was forecast. It was a BEAUTIFUL day.............sunny, with a breeze. Thank you God ~ we know it was YOU who took that storm away. We did LOTS of sitting and listening and waiting....and we all did GREAT. Good job kiddos.

Richmond crew arriving ~ welcome Susan, Kim and Heather

Hi Richard and Alden

All of us waiting for the ceremonies to begin!

Courtney and Kim

Christy and Bailey

Heather, Brittany and Rebekah

Phillip and Joshua

After the full ceremony and diploma ceremonies, we headed over to Hannah's house for the celebration with her 4 housemates and families. We had a great time with good food and great people.

Ahhhhh.....a special day. We love you Hannah.

After the party, we headed up to the mountains where we were staying, got into comfortable clothes, ate Chick-Fil-A, curled up on the couches, and talked and laughed and reminisced. Oh what a GREAT time.

Hannah ~ the honoree!

Hannah ~ College Graduate: Congratulations

Hannah graduated from James Madison University yesterday ~ May 3. We are so happy for her. What a great two days of celebrating: nurse pinning, full college ceremony, diploma ceremony, family gathered for fun events ~ formal and relaxed around a table or family room, and a wonderful celebration with Hannah and her four housemates and all our families. Wow....absolutely a wonderful time together. We love you Hannah!

Congratulations Hannah! Your hard work paid off. We love you!

More to come tomorrow!

Birthday Celebrations This Weekend ~ Happy Birthday Pat and Susan

What a fun weekend we had celebrating special people in our life!

Saturday was Pat's birthday ~ their family celebrated by going to a local baseball game. They had a great time together. We had already celebrated with their family a few weeks ago. :) We are blessed to have Pat as a son-in-law ~ he is a most incredible husband, father, friend, and son. We love you Pat! We pray God's blessing on your year ahead.

Alden and I went down to Richmond to celebrate Susan's birthday (Dorian's sister) ~ we had a great lunch together with Susan and Richard. Afterwards we met up with Kim (Dorian's sister) and her daughter, Heather, for ice cream at Cold Stone! We even got to see Derek (nephew) and Rachel and their girls for a brief few minutes. It is always GREAT to connect with family. We love being close enough to "drop by". Happy Birthday Susan!

This is quite a story ~ this is Richard's new car! Yep, a Corvette. The incredible part of this story....is he found this car on the lot.....it is his Dad's very car! His dad had this car in the 70's for a few years then sold it. Now.............years later................Richard finds it. He bought it! Isn't that too cool? Enjoy it Richard ~ no doubt you will. :) We're happy for you.

San Diego Trip

Preparations are being made for Hannah's college graduation ~ yes, you read that right. Hannah is about to graduate from JMU May 3rd! Where have the years gone? Some of you are aware of her dream to start out this adult life....as a nurse....in San Diego, CA! We, her family, are behind her all the way....to adventure a bit in life. Hannah and I (Dorian) just got back from a trip out WEST.....yep, to San Diego. Hannah interviewed at two different hospitals and we spent some time checking out the city ~ what a fantastic city! We loved our time there. Hannah is waiting now for results of the interviews..........to see if she has her first nursing job. It is all in the Lord's hands and we claim that and wait to see what His perfect plan is for her. Her biggest desire is to be where where He wants her to be. Enjoy the pictures below of our trip. :)

Professional Hannah off to interviews

Two favorite hospitals, above and below

Hannah readying herself for the interview

Mom and daughter having some fun!

Dinner following last interview ~ on the harbor

La Jolla

Pacific Ocean on Coronado

Hannah visiting with a friend from Virginia

The famous statue!

Sunset Cliff

What a great few days ~ San Diego here I come?

Happy Birthday Courtney

Today is Courtney's birthday ~ we celebrate you Courtney. What a blessing this girl is to so many people. The Cassada family has been "down" with the stomach flu for two weeks and they are so thankful to be healthy. Yesterday, Courtney, Joshua, Bailey, Hannah and I had lunch together to celebrate her birthday. What a fun time we had! Courtney, may God bless your year ahead.

We love you Courtney! Enjoy your day.

Cherry Blossoms

One of the many reasons we love living in our nation's capital is SPRING! We love each of the seasons this area provides. This time of year the Cherry Blossoms are gorgeous. We make an annual trip downtown to see the beautiful array around the Tidal Basin. Enjoy! Thank you God for your incredible creation.