For my 18th birthday (20 years ago) my mom made me a purple dress. As I opened the brown grocery bag (that our gifts were always wrapped in) I couldn't figure out WHAT would be made out of such an odd fabric. It was a DRESS. I laughed out loud. That was my reaction. It just spilled out of me. I tried it on though, and I loved it. It fit me like a glove and I felt great in it. I ended up wearing it for my engagement photo's...two weeks later ;)
So as Katrina's graduation drew near I too wanted her to have a new dress. An odd floral dress. I went to Walmart the week before Seminary Graduation and picked up some fabric that looked like her. The fact that our Walmart only had about three options was actually very helpful. I used the pattern I had made her Preference dress from since I knew it would fit her and that she liked it. I sewed like the wind.
When I was done Ava helped me put it on the dress form in her room. Ava added Suzy Kim's head for dramatization.
That night both Mallerie and Katrina checked in when they came home. Matt and I were in our room. I waited and wondered if Kat would come up after seeing her dress. Instead Mallerie peeked her head in, "The hall door to my room is locked." I said, "Just use the little screw driver and unlock it." She said, "It never works for me mom." I said, "You just have to jam it in even though it doesn't seem like it will fit and then jiggle it." She said, "I know it won't work for me will you just come do it?" I got myself together and went down to fiddle with the door. The screw driver would not go in. Mallerie copied my speech, "You just have to jam it in even though it doesn't seem like it will fit and then jiggle it." I laughed out loud at the way she said it but it also gave me the determination to get that door open! I did. Phew. Then I went over to Katrina's locked door and tapped "What do you think?" I heard back, "This is the cutest dress I have ever seen, I'm putting it on right now."
She came out and spun and twirled and I fiddled with where I would need to take it in more. It was adorable and sweet on her. She thanked me profusely. She especially loved the fabric, she said it reminded her of Granny. Bingo!
I told her that I loved her and I wanted her to have something special to wear that I had made. Mallerie watched on with a content smile on her face. It was a sweet moment that I cherish. In fact I smiled myself to sleep that night.
Seminary Graduation was the following Sunday. That morning the Goulding's made a last minute decision to come out to Utah to get a new van. We learned of their coming before church and they were here moments after church ended. The girl's came to the graduation. Our Stake President gave the exact advice I would give Katrina and the youth, which is to have worthy goals but don't plan out your life. Otherwise, you won't be open to the Lord's plan, should it be different than yours. And it usually is!
Since it was such a pretty day, afterwards Sadie and I and some of the kids walked across the street to Floyd Holdaway's gravesite. Back at the house the Geertsen's and Taylor's joined us for an impromptu feast. Sometimes those are the best kind.
Romney and Katrina are the first on my side to Graduate. This is new stuff! I am sure 30 kids later it will be very old stuff, but for now, it's new stuff!
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| Class of 2014 |
Sadie brought huge pans of enchiladas from someone in her ward. Just a couple weeks before she had undergone and emergency appendectomy and though she had a long recovery ahead we were glad to see her up and walking.
The following Wednesday was Wasatch High School Graduation at the Event's Center in Heber City, otherwise known as the Pony Palace. In fact, until this event, Katrina thought it WAS called the Pony Palace.
I had to ask what Katrina's golden rope meant. "I graduated with High Honor's Mom." Proud? Yes.
With a class of close to 400 the seating filled up fast. I wanted to enjoy the moment rather than save seats and keep checking my phone. My parents got there moments before it started and luckily found seats right behind us. However, Katrina never could locate us in the crowd no matter how loud we cheered :(
That place heated up fast and had to be 90 degree's in no time. Katrina said the view of the crowd was of everyone fanning themselves with the programs. It wasn't until they opened the sides to the arena that it cooled a bit. The boys were good sports I must say, getting them to sit through Seminary Graduation had been a challenge enough. I let them go sit down on the floor by the open doors.
I was verklempt as I knew I would be when Katrina walked out to take her seat and also when her name was read, "Katrina Lucy Bocanegra daughter of Matt and Abby Bocanegra."
The air felt great outside but finding each other afterwards seemed impossible! All the graduates gathered out on the front lawn plus all their guests. We wandered asking people along the way if they had seen Katrina. After being pointed in every direction we finally met up. I told Mallerie, "Now we know, for your graduation we need to set a meeting place ahead of time." She said, "No, I like just wandering around till we find each other." Mallerie...
By then we were separated from my parents but were able to eventually find them as well for a photo.
Katrina even let me hold the diploma. Time is an interesting thing I have learned.
Then she took photos with her and her goofy friends.
Besties!
These cute kids were guests on the radio show!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMnVcMQbbtg&sns=fb
And her goofy sis. I love that they got two years together at WHS.
Katrina chose California Pizza Kitchen in Orem as her choice for an after party. All her freinds spent time with their families before the all-night party at the rec center.
Lindsey came and was a great dinner guest as always; delightful to dine with. She even showed up in floral and bearing gifts (I like Callie's cat eyes in the van.)
It was a much anticipated day on my end and especially on Katrina's end. Don't we all remember that awesome feeling of graduating!? I feel blessed to have seen her through from Kindy to her Senior Year.
She made it!
