Nick's Graduation (a.k.a. a HUGE Mother's Day party)

 The Cairney cousins' (minus Joey - baseball bat, Jack - basketball, and Drew - football) with the first official "Cairney cousin graduate"

 Kate, my silly girl, sporting her own version of a graduation cap made of rings

 Ben, Zach, Nick and Kate -- loving the smiles on these guys! I was teasing Ben how the white ring on Nick's t-shirt made him look like such an "angel" in this photo!

The kids enjoying some football in Uncle Brian and Aunt Suzy's backyard.

The oldest Cairney nephew, cousin, grandson,  officially known as Nicholas Stephan Cairney, graduated from high school on Mother's Day.   He is known as "Nick" to most of us, but is now among the ranks of high school alumni, forging on to exploring the world of college in a few months.  While celebrating Easter together we were chatting about this upcoming event, how excited I was to be part of it and just how much I love parties!!  In true Cairney man fashion, I was getting the vibe from him that he really was not into having a party, did not quite understand the need for the lengthy list of guests, food/beverage preparations, cake/dessert options, etc.,.,   I then suggested to him "Why don't we just call this a Mother's Day party, and then the pressure will be completely off of you as being the focus of the day". He smiled that amazing smile of his and just laughed, but for the weeks leading up to this blessed event, when any reference has been made, that is what I called it, and it was one of the BEST Mother's Day celebrations that I have ever been to.

 The morning began with celebrating Commencement Mass together.  After hearing Nick's teachers, priests, and class leaders speak about how those 58 young men had grown, established friendships, bonds and memories over the past 4 years together, it causes us to reflect on this as being such a time and sense of community for them all, that would keep them together forever as members of the class of 2012.  I could not help but think of my own graduation while sitting there, and how blessed I am with being from such a small community. There is just nothing like it. 
 After the ceremony we attended the luncheon at school, toured the campus, and then headed back to the house for a very fun afternoon of celebrating Mother's Day with an occasional graduation wish in there too!!  (-;
Nick, we are all so very excited for you as you begin this next journey in life -- you will LOVE college....what an amazing time in your life!!  As Dr. Seuss would say...." And will you succeed?? YES!!! You will, indeed! (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.) KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!!  So......be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea, you're off to Great Places!!! Today is your day Nick!! Your mountain is waiting. SO......get on your way!!!!!  May God continue to bless you Nick -- we love you and are so very proud of you and all of your accomplishments!!!!