Graduation Season

Graduation Season has come and gone. It was oh so bittersweet.

Trav and I are so proud of our graduates.

All of our kiddos and grandbabies all drove down to Goodwell, Ok. To watch our Twin Fellas walk across that stage. They both received their Bachelor’s Degrees in Accounting. We hollered and cheered loudly for them.

Trav and I both got emotional when they called their names to stand up for being the first college graduates of the family.  After the ceremony we were greeted by many of their friends,  professors, a cop, and the president of the college. Over and Over we were told how wonderful our Twin Fellas are. We were given praise after praise about our parenting and how respectful, smart, kind and funny our guys are. We walked away from that ceremony on cloud nine and just beaming with pride.  We could tell that they represented the Hammett name well in the Panhandle. The last four years we all made some sacrifices so they could get this college education, and to see it all pay off in the end is quite the reward.

The good Lord provided every step of the way. And we are so thankful.

We celebrated that evening and then we started packing them up and the next morning we brought them back home to Texas where they were missed so much.

Our fellas started their big people jobs that Monday morning. Aaron is working for a nice company downtown Fort Worth, and he loves it so much. He is thriving and really enjoying that paycheck.

Cam is working for a company in Denton, and he too loves what he does every day and he is growing and learning and is also enjoying that paycheck. They both are working for companies who treat their employees well and have many great benefits from working there.

Trav and I are so thankful for the favor over our Fellas Lives and excited to see all they will accomplish.

Than Our Baby girl graduated from High School. It was such a bittersweet day. When they called her name everyone screamed and hollered. We are so thankful for everyone who was there to rejoice with us on this big occasion in our lives. Jazzy Graduated number 7 in her class, and she earned some scholarships and many other accomplishments that she worked so hard for. 

We all came back to the house and had a celebration where we were blessed with so many family and friends who stopped by to take a picture with our Jazz and be a blessing to her. Trav and I were blown away at how many people came by. One after another kept showing up, and it really blessed our socks off to see how loved our baby girl is. Jazz received enough gift cards and gifts that she was able to buy everything for her dorm room and splurge on some other items and still save to help with tuition. 

That following Sunday we loaded up and took our Jazz on a graduation cruise. We went to Galveston to get on the boat and we stopped in Costa Maya and Cozumel. We had a wonderful time, and enjoyed seeing our Jazzy relax and have lots of fun. She worked so hard the last four years and she deserved to celebrate her accomplishments.

We also were excited that Trav’s  sisters and their hubbies joined us. We all had a wonderful time and made some great memories.

Our Jazz was asked to be a part of the premier program at her college and so that means she starts around 6 weeks before the rest of the freshmen start.

Again I say bittersweet.

But I know she is so excited to start this next season in her life.

So ready or not this is happening..

Trav and I are so thankful for the season of raising kiddos in our little town. All four have attended Boyd from the time they were in kindergarten to Seniors. We made some wonderful friendships, some that are still going strong and some that have dwindled down. But if I am being honest, we have no regrets because we have made some awesome memories with so many. And I only hope that we left a lasting impression in their lives. Seasons come and go and change for so many. Interest change and we lose touch, I have seen it happen so many times. But it is all good. I want to take the time to say Thank you. To the many who have listened, prayed or cheered us on while we raised our little family in Boyd. They say it takes a village, and we had a great one for sure.

As we start this new season in our lives, I am excited to see who will be doing life with us. 

I have to admit, we are pretty fun to be around..😆

And it so happens that we have a lot of free time on our hands.. lol

The College Years With Our Twin Fellas...

Around four years ago I wrote a blog that started with...

Mommas warned me that when you drop your babies off at college, that you cry all the way home.

Our drive was a little over 6 hours. 

 I knew I would be sad, but there is no way I would cry that long. 

Boy was I wrong…

College Drop Off Day

Over the last four years I remember that day like it was yesterday. I remember the heartache that I felt, like something was missing. I honestly felt like I could not catch my breath. My chest literally ached for days..

The first year was really hard, I cried any time I got off the phone with them. 

I cried harder each time they came home to visit and had to go back.

This was all new to me. I was not used to being without them. 

As a young mommy at 17 when these twin fellas came into my life, they were my everything.

It was a big adjustment for us. 

The second year, I feel like I was finally adjusting. We made some visits which helped me to see they had a great support system at their new home away from home. 

Trav and I tried our best to go and cheer them on while they ran Cross Country at the Collegiate Level. Those were some great memories that were made.

The third and fourth year came with more responsibilities for them as they got internships and joined the PBL. We did not get to see them as much.

This Momma is so thankful for Social media and video calls and texting. It really helped bring me peace to see those handsome faces.

But most of all, I am so thankful with how GOOD Aaron and Cameron have been to me.

They knew I was struggling, so they gave that extra effort to show me love.

 They made an online video the first year for Mother’s Day. You can watch that here. 

https://www.facebook.com/aaron.hammett.9/videos/vb.100001252101505/1160913097293749/?type=3

Because they knew it was the first one without them. 
They would video call on some Sundays just to chat and tell us how things were going.

 They would message me on FB thru out the day when they needed advice or to vent.

Anytime they accomplished a goal I was the first to be told because they knew how proud and happy we would be for them.                                                                        

 There were times they would call me to thank me for being such a hard arse on them thru out their lives. Because they met people who did not have the support they had and they could tell the difference that it made. They said I held the bar high, which showed them that I believed they were capable of being the best of the best. 

These guys have achieved so many exciting goals in their life                        .  

They have great relationships with their professors, which I am so thankful for those people who took them in and were there to encourage them like Mrs Harris and Tito. 
They also made lifetime friendships, a couple of guys who actually moved to Texas and who we consider family now. 

The have competed in Accounting Events with their PBL and competed well, so well that they have some fancy trophies and titles of National Champions. What?! 

They have made sacrifices and had to keep their grades up to keep their academic scholarships going each year, and worked to pay for that college education. 

They have experienced some disappointment and heartache which I feel helped them grow in their faith walk with Jesus. Them being away has helped me grow in my faith walk too, I feel that I have a clearer understanding of how powerful a mommas prayers can be.

I could go on and on about how proud we are of these guys. But I want them to know how thankful their dad and I are of them for the hard work the last four years.

And I feel I need to thank the many family and friends who have been praying with us and who were a text away when I needed them. Thank you for your faithfulness to my family.

We are so excited to go to OPSU next week as our family cheers them on as they walk across that stage and receive that diploma.

And even more thrilled to pack them up and bring them home. 
Finally! 
Whoohoo They Did It!

Congratulations Aaron and Cameron! 

We love you both so much and are so very proud! 

                                                             

                                              😥(insert sad music here)

Jazzy at her Kindergarten Graduation

Now a moment of silence for this Itty Bitty Baby Girl.. I just have no idea how I am going to let this one go.. I have no worries or fear about how this one will do away at college. She has been ready since she was about four.. But this Momma is gonna be really sad not to have my mini me here by my side each day.. Keep us in your prayers.  

Trav better be thankful that our Ciera brought this sweet baby into our lives, or I would be packing my bags too..😜

Say It Is Not So.. 18?!!

2019 is here, and to say it came in a blink of an eye is an understatement.

You see,.. Today 18 years ago I gave birth to the sweetest baby girl..

For 18 years we have gotten to be by her side, cheering her on and directing traffic as she has grown into this beauty.

For once in my life I am a little speechless. 
And my heart is aching a bit.(Okay A Lot)

I look over the last 18 years and am having all kinds of emotions...

Emotional~ because my sweet baby is not a baby anymore. She grew into such a lovely, feisty young woman who can be stubborn with a mean streak like her daddy. Yet precious, fun-loving and patient like her mommy. (sarcasm)

Joyful~ because this last year she has met some goals that she has worked so hard for. From being a Life Guard this last summer and training and making it to Regionals with her XC Team. We got to be there every step of the way.. She even got to leave campus to attend some college classes and is working hard towards her Nursing Career. And of course got accepted into the College she wanted.

Sad~ because well she is my baby… Need I say more? This is it.. She will graduate in just 5 months, and leave for college in 8 months. I am so thankful for Social Media/ Face Time. 

Terrified~ Well again, she is my baby and she is leaving me.. Moving to the other side of the world (okay only 4 hours) And I can’t go with her (trav frowns upon that idea).

I cannot be there to make sure she takes care of herself. (which I know she can) Or to just be there and keep her safe and away from people who may not have good intentions with her heart and kind spirit.

Blessed~ because the bond that this little girl and I have is absolutely amazing. We annoy each other thru out the day with silly memes and sarcastic texts. Or just to check on each other. Jazz has been good to Trav and I, we overlook the hormonal moments (even though they are pretty scary,.😊) because she is and has always been a sweet girl. Never rebelled against our rules, no partying or talking smack to us and always informed us of where she is going with who, what and how long. Excels in school and all her teachers love her.

Lonely~ Because for the last 22 years of my life, I have always had babies to take care of. From having Ci when I married Trav, to the twins arriving and then of course our Jazzy. I don’t know life with Trav without kids. I joked to Trav that I needed to write a blog titled “oops I forgot to make friends and hobbies the last 22 years of my life”. Now don't get me wrong, I have some sweet friends in my life, I just have not been a very devoted friend to them because I allowed my babies to consume my life. But I do not regret that too much. I love being a momma, it is my greatest Joy. But this means  there will be no more practices and games or school events to watch my babies participate in. And my Jazzy is my little BFF, we do so much together and I know Trav will not want to fill all those spots.

Excited~ Well, because Jazzy is going to college to fulfill the desires of her heart that God gave her at such a young age. To be the light in people’s life during the most precious time of a person’s life. To be a Labor and Delivery Nurse. I am filled with complete excitement that this girl has goals in her life and that I know she will do above and beyond that. She gets to get away and meet new people and make new friendships and grow as a person in this new season. A fresh start.. A New Season..

Thankful~ Because we serve an awesome God and I know the plans he has for my Jazzy. That he is going to be there with her every step of the way. That he will protect and guide her steps, and that I can trust in him and be at peace like I have with all 4 of my babies.

Proud~ last but not least. Sigh.. Oh how proud this little girl makes me. Jazzy the last 18 years you have given us so much to be proud of. Your passion for life and people speaks measures about your heart. Your devotion to people who don’t deserve you in their lives also speaks measures about your heart. You have smiled thru some tough things in life, but like always your joy came with the morning. I wish I could take credit for that, but that was all God. Don't ever doubt your worth. Never allow anyone to break your spirit. Or let anyone convince you that you cannot meet all your goals.

Whoohoo Jazzy, you are finally 18.. I know you are so excited about this day. 

SO many things on your to do list. Even though one of those is gonna hurt us both 😜

But please give me a moment to let it all sink in a bit. 

As you can see your Momma's mind and heart are all over the place. 

I will eventually embrace this new season. 

Eventually being the key word there.
Good thing we booked that Cruise, this Momma is gonna need it.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl.

May all your hopes and dreams come true.

May 18 be the year you start to see all your hard work begin to pay off.

Love Always

Momma