Can you believe it? It really happened!

Nigel actually graduated! We're actually done! This is so exciting for us, well, me. I feel like the pressure's off, I can relax a little, and now I get to enjoy my life :) Not that I hated it, but it's been a long, difficult road and I'm so glad that he'll be home more. It was a great ceremony - well, kind of long, but still really good. The ceremony started with us all going outside to watch the troopers do a marching drill, which I thought was great. Nigel got a "solo" because he was carrying the Oregon State Police flag. I love watching that kind of stuff, it was like Coast Guard bootcamp graduation :) Then, we moved inside for the "inspection" which was really more for show. Then, the actual graduation ceremony started with a few speeches, some awards and then the presentation of the certificates. The big picture in the collage is of Nigel and the Superintendent of Oregon State Police. He handed out all of the certificates. It was so exciting to sit there and know that at the end of that ceremony, we got to leave DPSST academy FOR GOOD!!! Thank you to everyone who came and supported Nigel - Mom and Dad Huffman, Mom and Dad Schnackenberg, Marly, Erika & Jude, and Jesse. I know Nigel was thrilled to have you all there. We finished up the day with a lunch at Applebee's and then we were headed home! Congratulations, Nigel! You are awesome, in my book, and I can't wait to see what you are going to accomplish in this job that you've been dreaming of for so many years. I love you and love that you're doing exactly what you want to do with your life :)



He's sure a handsome trooper, don't ya think?

Remember, if you want to see the pictures in the collage bigger, just click on the collage. Also - just a little note - my best friend Amy gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl on Friday, March 6th. She had a record delivery - she made it to the hospital only 8 short minutes before Miss Sophia Grace Hetrick was born :) Congratulations, Amy, Ian, Clint and Alivia! And welcome to the world, Sophia Grace. We can't wait to meet you :)