My favorite photo! The moment was captured perfectly!!!
My speech at Ethan’s graduation reception dinner…
Hello and thank you for joining us in celebrating our son’s graduation from high school. Ethan will be attending Arizona State in August, where he’ll be studying Biological Sciences. We are so thrilled and excited for this special season in our life. Ethan is our one and only baby and we can’t believe the big day has arrived… high school graduation.
First, I want to thank our parents. They have been our biggest supporters during our parenting years with Ethan. Thanks to them we always had enough diapers for Ethan. There were a lot of Coscto trips! Clothes, toys, books, you name it. Thank you for taking care of him when we had to work. It was very important to me for Ethan to have a close relationship with his grandparents. I was close to Shimasani and Shinalí. I wanted that for Ethan as well. Thank you for teaching him to be kind, to have fun and to be responsible. Thank you for always praying for him. Thank you for loving him. Ethan is blessed to have and know both sets of grandparents. Between both sets of grandparents they have 95 years of marriage. So, if you want any relationship advice they are your people.
Next, I want to thank my siblings. Jaci, Matt, and my brother-in-law, Ty. Thank you for making Ethan laugh and smile. He adores all of you. And looks up to you. Thank you Sis for driving down the night Ethan was born. And making him his first handmade soft baby books. We read them almost every night. And for all your help with the party decorations. Thank you Ty for giving Ethan his first pair of Vans and for getting him into Spartan races. Thank you for challenging Ethan to push himself physically and mentally. Thank you to Matt for introducing SpongeBob to Ethan. I will always enjoy hearing your laughs together. You guys have the same exact laugh! I love it!
Thank you to all our aunties, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Thank you for showing him kinship. I normally say its just the 3 of us, but actually we are part of a huge loving family.
I want to thank my husband, my best friend...Orlando. Thank you for being such an amazing father to our son. Thank you for teaching him love, kindness and hard work. I know we raised a wonderful son who loves and cares deeply. Parenting doesn’t end for us, it just changes…a lot. We were parents of an adorable little boy...who talked a lot and was crazy for Legos. Now, we are parents of a wonderful young man. I love you so much and I’m ready to go on our next level of parenthood with you. Empty Nesters.
To my one and only baby. Ethan. Son, I’m so blessed beyond measure to be your Mama. I thank God for you. I’m so proud you are graduating from high school. Wow! It went by so fast. The days were long, but the years were short.
You are taking the next steps in life, where you are free to choose where you go and when to go. Who you spend time with. You are free to explore, to learn and to make mistakes. You are free to make your own choices, (of course we will have our two cents ready for you). I’m so excited for you son! I’m not worried too much because you are wise beyond your years. You have always been a “Cheii”. You kept us in check. You made sure we got home safely. You made sure we wore our seat belts. You track us on your iPhone. You give the best hugs. You have a big heart. And that makes you perfect for the medical field.
Remember to pray. Keep working hard. Only you can make it happen. No one else. People-parents measure success in a lot of different ways. The type of school you attend, jobs you hold, cars you drive, or how big your hogan is. But for us it’s simple…it’s about being happy. Let that be your guide. Do things that bring you happiness, joy and love. Don’t go with conventional standards. Be brave enough to switch it up. And no matter what you decide, we will be here for you…always.
God chose us to be your Mama and Dada. And maybe you did too. You know how we say you were filling out paper work in heaven. God works in mysterious ways. Please remember we are here for you…to guide and encourage you. We are here to love you no matter what. You will always have our attention and our support. We will always believe in you. We are your #1 fans. You make us so proud son. I love you so much, shiyazhi. Congratulations!!! You are gonna be an awesome Sun Devil. ASU! ASU! ASU!