Officially a Master!

Dear Familia,

I cannot believe it's been two years since I first started at HKS. Side note: in October we will have been back from Peace Corps for three years, crazy. Time is moving at warp speed these days. Seriously.

The official graduation picture

I originally didn't want to even go to graduation. I wanted to either spend more time in AZ or head back to DC to prepare for the summer visit from the kids. Even after I decided to go, I really didn't want anyone to travel to Cambridge for the ceremony. Luckily, it worked out to bring a few of the girls back with me when I came from AZ. I am VERY happy that Zane and three of the girls were with me to celebrate. It was super emotional for me to look back and see them cheering me on as I received my diploma.

Walking through JFK Park after the ceremony

A big thank you to all of the family and friends, and especially my husband, that have loved me and helped me throughout the past two years. I know that I was perma-stressed, but I am so thankful for the experience. Now it's time to find a job! Will keep you all posted.

Love,
Jem

PHX to BOS

Dear Familia,

We have officially started our summer trip. First stop: Boston! Kiki, Abbi, Madi and I left to the airport at 3:30 am AZ time. Not fun. We had a layover in Houston before arriving at Logan Airport around 4 pm. This was Abbi and Madi's first flight (Madi flew when she was three, but obviously doesn't remember) and they were a little nervous in the air. But it all worked out and we arrived safely.

From the iPad: At Sky Harbor waiting to board

We had to make a quick pitstop at Harvard Health Services when we arrived because I had a major allergic reaction. We were in and out within 30 minutes prescription in hand and itching relieved. By the time we got to my apartment and had dinner the girls were exhausted. They ended up falling asleep by 8:30 pm and not waking up until after 9 am the next day.

These lovely hives were all over my body!

The girls especially loved riding the train. AZ is not known for their public transportation so the T was a grand adventure for everyone. It was probably good for them to have exposure to a system a little less hectic than DC's before we get there in a couple of weeks.

Alewife Station

Next stop: DC! We are all very excited.

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

Busy Weekend!

Kiki's "house" the clear winner of the night!

Kiki getting ready to take care of business.

Dear Familia,

What a whirlwind of a weekend! First up, right after work on Friday, I picked up the older three girls and we headed to church for the "In His Name" retreat before Confirmation this coming Tuesday. I gave a talk on John 3:30 (He must increase; I must decrease) which I think went well. Thanks Steven for all your help with that. It was also a retreat to shed some light on homelessness in America so we spent a bit of time constructing cardboard box "houses" that we slept in for the night. We had to leave the retreat early Saturday morning because we had Kiki's basketball tournament at noon. They lost by 3 in a fierce battle in the semi-finals. Alysha and I had to leave that early to meet up with Auntie Lucy to head to Miami for Sorrin's dance recital. Unfortunately Sorrin was in tears because she was so exhausted from a full day of dancing that I didn't get any cute pictures with her after the dance, but we had a lot of fun! Today we went to Church and then had practice for Confirmation. I also finally got to talk with my friend Brian who is currently in Afghanistan doing secret squirrel stuff. Him and I are probably getting married around the same time so we were both excited to chat about our big plans. It was a great weekend :)

Up this week? Full on MOH mode to tie up some loose ends for Alysha's big day!

Paz,

Jem