Graduation was Friday night. (Ross & Cali walked together.)
In college, I remember the mother of a friend of mine giving her daughter the book, "Oh, The Places You'll Go" by Dr. Seuss the day we graduated. Ross was only three at the time but but for whatever reason, I decided right then & there that I was going to give him that same book the day he graduated from high school. And every single time I've seen that book in the last 15 years, I always envisioned what our lives would be like on his graduation day when I gave it to him.
So I bought the book Friday morning and wrote him a two page letter inside it and then I had Josh and the kids write letters too. (He's holding the book in the shot above.)
Feeling kind of numb. Feeling kind of weird. And feeling really exhausted by the last few weeks building up to graduation. So I'll just close here.Congrats Ross.
I can't imagine the gamut of emotions you have been facing! I always cry when I see the children of family and friends graduate and I know I'll be a mess when it's Hannah's turn. He's made it this far and, yes, oh the places he will go:)
Posted by: Patty Hetrick | June 13, 2010 at 11:13 PM
Congrats to Ross (and you)!
Posted by: Dina | June 13, 2010 at 11:28 PM
Congrats to YOU for raising such a wonderful son! I have one 21, 18 and 5 all boys and have been through these same emotions. The best advice I was given was this is the day you have been working toward for the past 18 years and look at what a wonderful job you have done. Now it is time to support and love them when they fall or teeter. Congrats Ross the world awaits you with so many possibilities!
Posted by: Katrina | June 13, 2010 at 11:53 PM
Congrats to Ross & Cali! Awesome pictures Karen.
Posted by: Melanie C. | June 14, 2010 at 12:29 AM
congrats to ross and you! ah, so bittersweet... my oldest just "graduated" from preschool, and crazily enough, i was all emotional just at that! so i can't even begin to imagine being in your shoes. but you've raised a pretty cool son and have every reason to be proud. and your pictures are awesome as always! nice job, karen.
Posted by: michelle | June 14, 2010 at 12:51 AM
Congrats Ross and awesome job Karen for raising him so well!!!
Posted by: Manon Keir | June 14, 2010 at 01:25 AM
Congratulations to all of you, Karen! I can just imagine the emotions that you have had leading up to graduation. My two will graduate one year after each other and I know I will be a total mess. I love the idea of the Dr. Seuss book and may incorporate that into both of my kid's graduations if you don't mind me borrowing the gesture from you! :o) Love the picture of you and Ross together - such a precious picture and the ones of he and Cali together are adorable as well. Thanks for sharing and great pictures as always! Now... go get some much deserved rest my friend! :O) xoxoxo
Posted by: Tracy | June 14, 2010 at 02:38 AM
Beautiful!!! I LOVE that book too. Actually, is my 5 yr old son's favorite, and got him the musical card for Pre-School graduation. It makes him so happy. I envision doing the same thing when he graduates high school, the book and notes. I can only imagine the range of emotions you are feeling...but it must feel good knowing the two if you made it, so far.
Congratlations Ross and Calitoo !!!
Posted by: Jennifer S. | June 14, 2010 at 03:16 AM
Congratulations to Ross (and you!). What a wonderful idea with the book and the letters. Fabulous keepsake as he starts this new chapter in life.
Posted by: MichelleG | June 14, 2010 at 03:49 AM
Congratulations to Ross and Cali. Such a huge milestone in life! I bought Andrew the very same book when he graduated HS in 2004.
Posted by: JeanetteB | June 14, 2010 at 04:01 AM
Congratulations to you Karen for giving your son such a wonderful life and congratulations to Ross & Cali for graduating. You have your whole lives ahead of you now. Such a special moment and Karen your photos are fantastic. I'm assuming you got the "white beauty" out to those those shots.
Posted by: Kathy Aylward | June 14, 2010 at 04:13 AM
Congratulations Ross, and Cali too! You too Karen, and your family.. all of you, for making it all possible for him. These are the best of times, really! I'm crazy happy for all of you!!
One year our class built a float for the alumni parade with the 'all the places you'll go' theme. World spun and all! Next year, we're 20 years out! Parades are big in our little town :)
Posted by: Tammy Mellish | June 14, 2010 at 04:52 AM
I'm crying and I've never met you two!! I've followed your blog for forever.
Congrats to Ross and you Karen. You are an awesome mom!
Posted by: Hannah Kinney | June 14, 2010 at 04:53 AM
Congratulations Ross! Beautiful post Karen...
Posted by: Kelliann | June 14, 2010 at 05:04 AM
I love that book - such a perfectly fun gift for so many occasions. Congrats to Ross, Cali and you!
Posted by: Cate O'Malley | June 14, 2010 at 05:15 AM
okay, so I sit on a Monday morning with tears in my eyes as I read your post! Beautifully written! Congrats to you for raising such an incredible boy (man). what a great book to pass on. I'll be in your shoes in another year and may just need to borrow this idea! Thanks for sharing! Congrats to Ross and Cali and may the future be bright for the two of them.
Posted by: Martha - EP | June 14, 2010 at 05:20 AM
Well done Ross (and Mom too!)!!! Congrats!
Posted by: laura j | June 14, 2010 at 05:22 AM
Congratulations to Ross! What a great day for you and your family. As always, thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Michele Yacovello | June 14, 2010 at 05:24 AM
Another great milestone in your family's life. Congrats, Ross and Callie. The very best to you in whatever you choose to do with your lives.
Good job, Karen! Well done.
Posted by: nancy in ks | June 14, 2010 at 05:55 AM
You both look radiant and beautiful! Congratulations to you both!
Posted by: Misha@ beauty and joy | June 14, 2010 at 06:03 AM
Seeing the photos brought tears to my eyes...our kids were wearing the same blue as R and C, and I remember the emotions I felt that day....I was full of tears of joy, tears of times gone by, hopes, dreams, etc. and the realization of how time really does fly by. Warm hugs to a great mom and a wonderful loving person. Have a great summer.
Posted by: janel | June 14, 2010 at 06:18 AM
Oh Karen...you done good:) Congratulations to Ross & Cali...and to you (and Josh Downs, of course)! I'm sending a big virtual hug to you.
Although "change" is good (so they tell me), it's also hard. Life is all about change...whether we like it or not. It's about beginnings and endings and transitions. It doesn't make it any easier, but it's just a part of life. I love a quote that I heard from a very, very wise person..."Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end." Best of luck to all of you!
Posted by: DawnS | June 14, 2010 at 07:21 AM
I have tears just reading this! Big congrats to Ross and Cali!! Beautiful photos as always and I love that you gave him the book and letters! awesome stuff!
Posted by: Cindy Johnston | June 14, 2010 at 08:06 AM
P.S. I want to add that you do NOT look like his Mom but more like his 'slightly older' sister! for real!
Posted by: Cindy Johnston | June 14, 2010 at 08:08 AM
Congratulations to Ross and Cali! And to you - for being a great mom! My baby is graduating grade school and my little man is graduating middle school, so I know what you mean about that weird feeling. You're happy, proud and a little bit sad all at the same time - right? They DO grow up too fast! Enjoy these happy days!
Posted by: Stephanie @ La Dolce Vita | June 14, 2010 at 08:35 AM