Wow.  Last night's graduation party for Irene and Jeanette (Jeffferson HS graduates!) definitely beat all others we have had in the past.  We combined it with our two nieces: Jodi Moore, who graduated from Monroe High, and Mollee Chowen, who graduated from Canton High.  We figured "same family, 4 girls, let's just combine and just to go big with it"...so, of course, we did.  Wow again...

The new barn was completed just in time...on Friday night, we were literally wiping the construction dust.  It's brand-spanking-new.  Jeff Langton and his team did such a beautiful job on it.  My Jeff is thrilled at how cool everything turned out.  He's got his dream barn.

There were at least 75 kids running around, playing on the swingset, jumping on the trampoline (ours is ground level for safety), playing with the alpacas, playing volleyball, etc.  They were all having so much fun.  It's so nice to have a party where families can come together and bring their kids.  Thankfully, no one got hurt.

I think I counted about a dozen babies...they were everywhere!  It's been a long time since we've had little little ones around here.  What a joy....and to top it off, my friend Tina Cook showed up to tell me  that she is finally expecting....TWINS!!!!  YEAH!!

Last night, some of my old friends were able to get to know some of my new friends.  I was watching it all from the band.  Of course, my fellas played.  We don't miss each other's parties.  Family does that for family.  And, of course, we were our usual awesome selves..ha.  I love those guys.  Tony had to bust out because he was going back to Ann Arbor for a Chapman Stick convention with the top stick players in the country.  I'm looking forward to hearing how that went.

Sr. Jannita has been a special tutor for my Russian children and a friend to me for years.  I was so touched that she came to celebrate.  She gave me a big hug and said...."you did well, Lori.  These girls will be fine..."
Our current tutor is Jeff's sister, Peggy...who is making amazing progress with Dennis.  Peggy and Sr. Jannita had a chance to meet and talk...they really hit it off.  Their backgrounds are so similar...both have spent years teaching on Native American reservations.

Jeff's brother Neil came all the way from Chicago.  He always makes me laugh.   It was just so great to see so many people...my sisters' friends and their in-laws...what big fun it was.  Everyone had a blast...and we had just enough of everything.  The only food left is part of the pork from the pig....everything else...CONSUMED!  But no one left hungry.  Thanks to all of my neighbors who brought vegetables from their gardens, and thanks to Heidi Adams, who brought deviled eggs, and home made canned pickles and peppers that everyone RAVED about.  Thanks, Aunt Lois and Uncle Paul, for helping cut up the pig.  It seemed like everyone just chipped in and helped out last night.  How blessed we are to have so many good people around us.

I was able to get one picture with JJ and Irene while we were still looking "fresh" before the band started.  It was so crazy, I didn't get as many photos as I wanted.  I will post all the pics on the family section of the site soon.

The thing that most everyone was saying to me last night was this.  "Your girls are so polite...they hugged me when I came in and talked with me, they thanked me...So many kids don't communicate anymore.  It's so nice to see..."   I heard that statement at least 10 times, I'm not kidding. 

I am amazed by Irene and Jeanette.  They came to this country at 13 and 14 years old.  They could not speak the language.  Now, they seem to be the exception over many teens.  They overcame such a struggle in their early lives.  Now, they are making positive choices for thier lives.  They are such beautiful young women.  They amaze me, they truly do.

Last night, we celebrated their huge accomplishment.  In my heart, I know how much they have worked, and I know that they have turned out to be strong women.   I thank God that they decided to embrace our famly and our morality, when they could have chosen something else.   They so deserved to have a huge celebration!  and HUGE it was....Can't wait for them to open their other gift  from us today...they will need it for college, as they are going to Monroe Community in a couple weeks....they'll be thrilled.

time for more coffee, and to take a look at the state of the barn...yikes.