Being a homeschooled student Skylar was able to graduated with his Education Degree from Linn Benton Community College (LBCC) this week. He had practice earlier in the day and in the evening it was the ceremony. Skylar was nervous, but he did a fantastic job and we are all so proud of him. He has been focusing on his next steps after graduating from the Rain Valley Red Snails homeschool classroom, and now graduating from LBCC he is focused on attending LBCC to further is education. He would like to attend Arizona State University, but Jeff and I are hoping he will stay more at home and possibly attend University of Oregon, or Oregon State University. That decision will come later, but for right now we are proud of how far he has come. He is focused on a Paleontology or Oceanography degree. Whatever path he takes, Jeff and I are so proud of him and we are his biggest fans no matter what he chooses.
About two weeks before his Linn Benton Community College graduation, I placed graduation signs in the yard to display how proud we are of Skylar and his accomplishments. We can not express how proud we are with just yard signs, but at least everyone driving/walking by knows how much we are.
His transcript and diploma came a few days before his cap and gown came. The excitement he felt was incredible! I was so happy to see him happy.
We went to the graduation practice earlier in the day of June 13, and Skylar was able to wear his graduation hat while he learned where he needed to go and where he was going to sit.
After practice we went home and he changed into his dress clothes and gown. We took a few pictures in front of the house next to the school bell. He was starting to get a little nervous as we got closer to the time.
We got back on the campus about an hour before the ceremony. One this Jeff and I wanted to do was find a good seat so we could take a lot of pictures.
Skylar was right in the front, so we were able to see him almost immediately when the procession started.
He had a smile on his face the whole walk through to his chair.
We are so proud of you, Skylar!
Skylar's friend Mar that he met in one of his classes. She is a wonderful person and we love her.
We had a great time, and we are so proud of every single person that got a degree or diploma the same time Skylar did, even the dog go his own degree.
We were also thrilled that we were able to get his 2024 tassel charms from the same place we got his 2022 tassel charms from. It always makes me feel good to support small businesses, and to keep being returning customers. They did a wonderful job on his 2022 tassel charms, so we were pleased with the 2024 ones, as well.
Skylar got a lot of LBCC swag, too. It was fun sorting through all of it with him. He gave a lot of it away, but we kept a few things for ourselves.
I sorted through the picture proofs from the professional photographer that took pictures the day of the graduation. They were up on the website today and I ordered all of them, as well as a few wallets, and larger prints for my parents. I can't help but tear up a little looking at them. I am just beaming with pride at his success.
Skylar asked for a weight bench for his graduation gift. We got him a small one to see how he likes them. Of course, he loved it and has been using every day for a week since it came in. Looks like we will have to invest in a better one now. For now, this one isn't bad at all. We ordered it from Amazon and it's actually easy to assemble and even easier to use.
Portland Fleet Week took place this weekend during the Portland Rose Festival. There were U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and Royal Canadian Navy ships that were parked along the river front. We didn't tour any of the ships, but we did get an up close and personal view of all of them. We even listened to a Navy Captain give information about their route from Portland and through the Columbia River. All of the ships were parked along the Tom McCall Waterfront Park, and a small festival with art and food trucks was also flanked along with the ships. We spend the day walking along the river front, enjoying the festivities and walked along some of the streets in Portland. We love Portland so much and this is just one more great thing Portland has to offer.
Putting out our vintage American flags in observance of Flag Day on June 14. President Biden proclaimed June 14, 2024, to be Flag Day, and the week of June 9, 2024, to be Flag Week this year.
2. These roses.
We were on our way home and saw these roses in the middle of one of the streets here in our city. I couldn't just let them lay there and get smashed into the pavement, so we got out and rescued them. They are now sitting on our table giving us a bit of joy each day. When their time is done, I have plans to dry them and put them in our foraging wreath.
3. These flowers.
I have been consistent with getting fresh flowers each week. It has really changed my mood seeing flowers around the house, especially on days that are harder than others.
4. These towels.
Mighty Nest this month was a paper towel alternative. These Marley Monsters Unpaper Towels were perfect timing for our household. We have been making the switch from single-use products and I am eager to start using these paper towel alternatives. I also added all cotton tea towels to this month's order and Full Circle is a go-to for us on a lot of cleaning and household items. I love the color of these towels and can't wait to use them through the summer months.
5. This sign.
I picked this sign up recently during a trip to Goodwill. I was looking for a glass planter that got cracked and came upon it. It was thrown onto a shelf with random other items and was begging to come home with me. I can't decide if I want to leave it as it is, or give it a new face. I love the idea of this sign hanging on the entrance to a garden, or backyard gate. Right now it sits inside, but maybe one day it will grace a new place where quiet is the key upon entering a secret garden, or lovely place.
One last thing:
I recently came across this Civil War Voices quiz deck and had my brother in mind. After looking through the deck, I decided to keep it for myself. It has quite a lot of information and definitely a study tool in learning about the civil war. With the way the country is going, it's nice to brush up on history. Hopefully, history does not repeat itself.
Positive affirmations this week:
If no one has told you lately, or maybe you haven't even told yourself, I'm proud of you. You should be proud of you, too. We are all doing the best we can in life and every once in awhile it's nice and necessary to let yourself know that you are proud of who you are, the choices you've made, the words you've said, and the path you are on. If you haven't been the best version of yourself lately, there's always tomorrow to make those changes. Keep in mind, too, that the only person you should be in competition with each day is yourself. If today wasn't that best version, then be in competition with that version tomorrow and be better.
(To see more positive ways to overcome anxiety and mental health, visit The Color of my Anxiety)
Life at a "Swell's" pace is a lifestyle and travel blog chronicling the life and travels while living in Oregon's beautiful Willamette Valley. It is mostly written by Shelly HW. Click the image to learn more»
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