2013: The Year of the Graduate

Dear Familia,

Wow, what a year for us! We had 4 graduates :) So proud of the commitment to education we have in our family.

These two both graduated from high school. Now they are off to conquer both coasts.
Nina in San Fran and Cassi in NYC!

Auntie D graduated with TWO associates degrees after raising 5 amazing children and a bunch of grandchildren.
Such an inspiration :)

Love,
Jem

Graduating from the Campus of Champions

Dear Familia,

A big CONGRATULATIONS to my little sister Cassi for graduating from Mountain View High School. Like her big sister (Class of 2002), she is now a Toro for Life! She graduated at the top of her class and is now off to conquer NYC. Can't wait to see how this girl changes the world.

Sisters

The Elite 8

With our Mama

With the Aunties and Cousins

Love,
Jem

Confirmation

horrible camera phone picture, but it works

Dear Familia,

Tonight Cassi, Kiki, and Abbi celebrated their Confirmation. Bishop Olmstead, head of the Phoenix diocese, presided over the lovely Mass in their honor. He gave a fabulous homily talking about 3 reasons what made Pope John Paul II, or any person for that matter, great. I will work my hardest to remember and incorporate these things into my daily life.

1. He was a good friend

2. He was a good family member

2. He was good at forgiving

Did you know that JPII was beatified (the first step to becoming a Saint) on the same day Osama Bin Laden was killed. That is mind blowing! How different could two people really be??

Paz,

Jem