An End and A New Beginning

Last Friday was a big day! I not only started my 23rd year of life, but I also graduated from BYU. For a short little freshman who started 5 years ago at BYU-Idaho, I would say I've come a long way since then. I have traveled the world (okay flew to Romania with a 1 day layover in Vienna), lived in 2 different states, moved 8 times, and only failed 1 class in the procces. While I didn't graduate with honors, or scholarships to get me through school, I succeeded despite my own doubts and fears along the way. I am grateful to the many family and friends who have been part of these last 5 years. It was definitely a busy and fun two-day celebration. Thursday was the huge commencement with all graduates at the Marriott Center. I ended up running into an old friend of mine from my home stake in California who was also graduating. I hadn't seen her in 2 years so it was fun to sit next to her during the ceremony and catch up as we are both recently married, graduating, and plan on supporting our husbands as they finish their schooling in the future.

Friday was the day where they actually called my name. For one last hurrah, I had may name announced as first, maiden name, and then Littlefield. Just for kicks, and also so any professors who remembered that strange name might remember me and be surprised that I actually did graduate.
Another treat for graduation was that my mother in law flew down for a week and came to graduation. Being she was also my Laurel advisor at church (16-18 year olds), she has also been part of my college education, mostly via her son. =) Mark's sister Jamie also came despite her busy schedule with teaching. I credit her for my acceptance to BYU as she helped me edit and refine my application essay. Talk about some serious pressure to graduate and be successful!

After graduation, we went to eat at the yummy Olive Garden. We went up to American Fork and lucked out that despite there being 24 of us, they seated us immediately, and had great service. It's sometimes hard in my family to have such a big group all be content with their food, but as far as I know, everyone was happy with what they got and there weren't any problems. Thank you Olive Garden! You have certainly acquired me as a customer if we're ever up in that direction for food!
As if we weren't stuffed enough from bread sticks and food, we went up to my sister's house where my brother in law had made me THE MOST EPIC birthday/graduation cake. It was a Wizard of Oz themed cake with fondant frosting. The ruby slipper made out of white chocolate.

Inside he had made multiple layers different colors of the rainbow: red, yellow, purple, pink, green etc. Eric and Shelene had been talking about how epic this cake was going to be, but I had not expected anything this awesome. My brother in law is very talented. Maybe I'm biased, but I'd say this one was the best cake he's done that I have seen. I admit the castle cake my grandma made for my 9th birthday was cool, but I'd say this takes the cake (excuse the pun! THANKS ERIC!! It was awesome!

This leads us to the beginning of a new adventure. We will be moving in 3 weeks for my new job as a hall advisor. We are excited but still a little nervous of course. We're also desperately trying to sell our contract so if anyone knows of someone who needs a great 1 bedroom apartment, let us know! It's a great complex with great neighbors! We will miss these real walls as we move back to cinderblock....