Celebrate!

As of 1:30 PM Friday afternoon, Todd has completed his higher education. He had his final oral defense via conference call and it went smoothly and they all agreed that he passed with flying colors.

Each of them requested a personal copy of his final project to use and put into force in their own businesses or classrooms! I couldn't be more proud of Todd and the amount of time and work he has put into his education. He's done!

Tammy insisted that Todd and I get out alone and celebrate together, so she volunteered to watch the kids. I couldn't wait to get out, Todd, however was exhausted and wanted to stay home and sleep. I said "no way! Someone has offered to watch our kids, we are getting out! You can't throw away opportunities like that!"

I asked him what he wanted to do...he wanted to take a nap. So I bullied him out to the car and we went to The Old Spaghetti Factory (he did suggest that Lasagna sounded good and you all know how much I love their food).

When the meal was finished and we were picking our teeth, I asked what he wanted to do. He said he was still tired and right then a lightbulb lit above my head. I told him to get in the car, but that we weren't going to far. I ran into the "location" and asked if there were any openings and surveyed the current customers and knew that he would be safe. It took me prying his hands off of the steering wheel to get him to come with me.

We entered the "location" and he was like a small child being forced into a swimming pool (the metaphor is one that has recently been vivid in my mind). However, once he got into the chair and pushed the buttons, he relaxed a little and the PEDICURES began! It was so wonderful and relaxing and we both benefited from it. As Ken would say "we owed it to ourselves."

Then we headed over to the sports store so he could get some more running gear (he's been prepping for a Marathon).

The celebration continued this evening with a surprise party that I flawlessly planned and followed through with thanks to the precision and secrecy of my favorite little helpers (thanks Tammy and Ike, I couldn't have done it without you).

The guest list composed of some of our "ohana" that survived (and graduated from UH) the Hawaiian Islands with us and have witnessed the struggles and joys that we have been through as well as our dearest friends that have been with us here on the mainland since Todd and I became "the Riches."

My heart is so full tonight with the love these people have for Todd. This world would be an awfully lonely place without family and friends that encourage and cheer you on. You know, everybody wants to be reminded that they are doing okay once in a while...tonight affirmed that the friends we have made have helped encourage us down this path in life and think we are doing okay.

Yeah, life is good. And I think that you are okay, just because you are reading my blog and think I am interesting enough to spend your time reading about.