Prom Pictures 2013

This year, the girls and I had to twist Will's arm to even consider going to prom.  He had decided not to go when the girl he asked was not able to attend.  But the females of the family pleaded with him not to miss this  right of passage known as your Senior Prom.

So he talked with one of his friends who was also dateless and they decided to go to prom in costume as...

Dumb and Dumber!  I was in Arkansas for Mom's surgery when they went to order their tuxedos.  Upon my return home, I was surprised to learn that their 'tuxedos' came from Party City!  Trust me, they look much better in the pictures than they did in person.

I even had to iron their hats!  As mortified as I was at first, upon seeing these pictures on prom night, I had to laugh because this is just soooo William!  Always making people laugh.  And looking pretty spiffy in his bright orange tux, if I (as his mother) do say so myself.

To get an idea of how flimsy these costumes were, check this out.

We made the Chippendale wanna-be's wear basketball shorts underneath the pants just in case they fell apart before they made it home.  And from what I hear, it was good thing we did.

The boys were the hit of the prom, spending most of their time on the dance floor and posing for pictures with people (including total strangers in CVS).  I even heard all about it at church the next day as parents asked if it was true that he went to prom in a bright orange tux.

It looks like they had a really good time...completely in character with their attire.

 (For some reason he reminds me of Mike Myers in 'The Cat In The Hat' in this photo.)

I am so glad that he changed his mind and decided to attend.  I truly believe that it will be a night he never forgets.  Plus, I have the pictures from last year when he went in a real tuxedo to display in the house.  Ha!

Senior Pictures

He did it! Saturday afternoon William became a Waller High School alum. Graduation ceremonies were held at Prairie View A&M and he strutted his stuff across that stage to receive his diploma.  We had lots of family in attendance, with even more family and friends joining us that evening for a celebratory fish fry.  I'll share actual graduation and party pictures later, but today I wanted you to see his official Senior Portraits.

This one is my favorite because it reminds me so much of Jim's Senior portrait.  See?

This is what my husband looked like when we met.  I never saw the striking similarity between him and William until the Senior pictures were printed.

Look at all that hair!

This was the longboard he got for Christmas.  Supposedly this will help him get around on campus more easily this fall.  (And just in case you are wondering, that is Will Ferrell on his t-shirt.)

His football pose.

Our budding chef getting ready for his future Food Network appearances.

This boy loves a flannel shirt!

And finally, the obligatory cap and gown photo.  The one from the school looked awkward with the cap on his head.

We are so proud of you, Will!  Your dad and I are looking forward to cheering you on from the sidelines as you begin this next chapter of your life.  We know that with hard work and dedication you will succeed in future endeavors.  As the Class of 2013 was encouraged at the ceremony -- discover what you love to do and find a way to get paid for it.  No amount of money in the world is a sufficient substitute for happiness.

We love you!
Mom & Dad

(Photos by the former Signature Studios in Cypress, TX, now operating as Southwest Imagemasters Photography)

Aren't You Glad You Stopped By?

I am having a melancholy day.

I awoke early this morning so that I could snap a photo of Will as he left for his last day of high school.  We sat at the table a few minutes before he left and shared our feelings about this momentous day.  His excitement tinged with a bit of worry about the future and moving out on his own.  My joy tinged with a bit of feeling old.  After all, Jim and I have had a child in school for the past 24 years...many of those years with three or more attending at once.  TWENTY FOUR calendar years have come and gone since Meagan started Kindergarten in 1989!

Will graciously went to my car and grabbed my camera so that I could take pictures of him smiling on the back steps as he made his way to his truck.  Then he drove off to face his last three finals: Algebra II, Government and Criminal Justice II.

I walked back into the kitchen and burst into tears.

Why?  I don't know.  I am having a mixed bag of emotions and can't really put my finger on any of them.

On the one hand I am so proud of him and looking forward to the next chapter in his life...as well as the next chapter in mine and Jim's lives with all adult children.

On the other hand, my baby has grown up and it is only a matter of time before he leaves home.  And then there is the whole "I no longer have children in school, only grandchildren" which make me feel really old!

I pulled myself together, started dinner in the crock pot and picked the vegetable garden.  Or so I thought, because as I was getting ready for work and telling Jim about my breakdown, I started crying again.  My poor husband really doesn't know what to do with me today.

I made it into work and was joyfully going about my day, looking forward to a fun night at the theater with Robin and Stacy tonight.  I stopped to download the picture of Will for this post when I discovered that my memory card was corrupted and I couldn't get the photo off of my camera.

More tears!

So that's my day!  Aren't you glad you stopped in to check on us?

I hope I can make it through dinner and the play tonight without bawling my eyes out.  Thankfully it is a comedy billed as 'uproariously funny'.  I am giving myself three to one odds that the meltdown will occur before the final act.  Any takers?