Johnie, COLLEGE GRADUATION!

When I was growing up I so often heard "time flies".  When I was in my teens it couldn't go by fast enough, I was ready to move on in life.  Then at 18, just a couple of months after graduating high school- Nick and I married, he was 19.  

Then came jobs, and a little home.  Just before I turned 20, a beautiful baby girl filled our hearts and our arms.  Before she turned 3, her little brother made his grand appearance.  And time marched on.  The days were long.  Babies, work, housework, diapers, bottles, runny noses, temper tantrums- sloppy kisses, hugs, "Mommy I wuv you."  

Then came the big move.  325 miles from all of our family.  To a little farmhouse in Pauline. We just about didn't make it.  Homesick. Missed my Dad.  Missed home.  Then surprise!  Baby #3, a little boy, made the family complete.

We buckled down.  We gotta make this work.  Homesick or not.  
Learned the lesson- HOME is my husband.  Wherever he is, home is.  

Next thing you know- they are all three in school.  Lovely little school a mile down the road.  

Then Jesus said, "Starla, you are not complete or whole without Me."
I said, "Jesus, I need you.  Would you make me complete?"
The greatest journey of my life.  OUR life changed in one year, 2000.

A marvelous journey.  Wonderful church families.  Growing in grace.  A family who loves Jesus. 

A little girl who loved carrying all kinds of bags around outside bossing her little brothers around.  Barefoot, and sassy.  

A little boy who dressed like Batman and got stuck on words.

Another little boy who loved to laugh and ended up with all the cuts and bumps- who adored being Robin to his big brother's Batman.  

Listening over and over to the thump of that basketball and the whirl of the rim.  

Always always always in church.  Youth group, our whole families favorite time.
Connie and Beas, thank You, Jesus.    

Years and years- miles and miles traveling 325 miles to Rheber, Ky- then back to Pauline, SC.  Family, sleeping on floors,- and couches.  To our lovely little home filled with family, friends, youth, peace, Jesus, food.  

22.5 years of school.

And time flies.  3 kindergarten graduations.  3 elementary school graduations.  10th anniversary.  
3 middle school graduations.  15th anniversary.  
3 high school graduations.  20th anniversary. 
1st college graduation.  A marriage.  We gain a son-in-love.  25th anniversary.
2nd college graduation, boy that boy of ours makes us proud!  
A grandson joins the family!  Rejoice! 
And in just 7 months, our 30th anniversary.

But before that...

Baby #3, the surprise, graduates college. Where did time go?

Yes, that's right.  
Johnie graduates college. 

Our third and final college graduation at University of South Carolina Upstate.  Talk about time flying and a huge lump in your throat.  Tears wanting to spill over for the quickness of the years and the immense thankfulness of this celebration.  

Johnie, we are so proud of you.  You are loyal.  You are consistent.  You are dedicated.  You love your family.  You love your church family.  You love Jesus.  What a pleasure it has been to watch you grow and mature- in all ways.  

Happy Graduation Day!