A Long Time Coming

{I officially regret suggesting that we take our pictures in the shade, as you can tell from the shadow-y camouflage .}

Tuesday was one of the best days for our families ever - - - Graduation!! And because Noah is a man who does not like to have attention brought to him, I won't tell you how proud of him I am.

I won't tell you how I couldn't keep myself from crying when I saw him march into Madison Square Garden in his graduation robes.

I won't tell you how I had a ginormous smile from ear to ear all day long.

I won't tell you how I watched him study for endless hours and still not let the stress of school walk through the door with him into our home.

I won't tell you how I know he has sacrificed so much to make sure that his family was well cared for and happy.

I won't tell you the number of hours he spent holding a sleeping baby while studying.

I won't tell you how he scored me a free gold tooth and three fillings from NYU.

I won't tell you how grateful I am to his parents for raising such a wonderful man.

I won't tell you that he is the smartest man that I know, and that he is the most enjoyable person to talk with.

I won't tell you that he inspires me to be a better person and mother.

I won't tell you that I love him so much, and that I love that we can check off another item on Life's To Do List.

And Just Like That (now I snap my fingers) - - - He is Dr. Shafer, and we are done with dental school, moving from NYC and on to the promising city of Albuquerque.

The change is so immediate.

Just last week I was still in the zone. I was still trying to kill time at the park with three busy little boys when Noah had a dawn to dusk day at school. I can't say that those days will be missed. They have made me tired, and I am ready to move on to new experiences and challenges in life.

But the nostalgic rememberer in me will always look back on these days with tenderness. Two of our babies were born here. Some of the best friendships we have were made here. We have been able to experience such uniqueness in the Big City. We have eaten some delicious food here (mmmmm........mmmmm.......fooooooodddddd), seen crazy street dancing, and every site that we could. Though difficult at times, our life has been very happy and very blessed.

To quote a song Noah and I like, "Two of us together, we can do anything - Baby."

And it's true.

I'm THAT Kind of Girl

• Eats snacks from the store before I pay for them. I have been known to peruse the aisles of Wal-mart with a freshly opened bag of Twizzlers or a box of Milk Duds.
• Makes cookies with my kids and eats just as much cookie dough as they do.
• Thinks her kids are the smartest, most adorable, and charming kids on the market.
• Can't stand to stay home all day. I like to go somewhere everyday, even if it is just to the park and back.
• Easily entertained by reality TV. It's the Nosey-Rosey within that is fed by watching strangers do normal, everyday things. I favor "16 and Pregnant" and "The City."
• Suffers from boughts of "Mom Guilt" ranging from worrying about not giving each child enough attention to whether or not they are eating healthily enough. I have also been known to experience aniticipatory guilt that may come if one of them ends up with a severe case of hoarding (brought on by the TLC reality show called Buried Alive: Hoarding)
• Sings loudly in the car to Blind Melon "No Rain" and is sure that my singing is just as good as Whitney Houston.
• Likes to make things: just today I made a pair of shorts for Calvin out of an old shirt of Noah's. I have to say they are pretty cute.
• Loves to tell a joke. Have you ever heard this one: What did the bra say to the hat???? You go on a head, and I will cover these two. (go ahead and laugh, it's soooo funny)
• Misses my family in Tennessee so much sometimes that it makes me cry.
• Wants to do something memorable in my life. I want to do something amazing. I am just not sure what it is just yet.

Grad Alley

One of my biggest complaints with NYU has been their lack of activities for families. Now listen, I totally get it - - - it's a big city school, and most of it's students are singles living it up. But, we happen to be a family, so I naturally would like some family stuff. I figure they have charged us enough money so surely they could throw an occasional party our way.

Luck descended on us this past week. Yes, yes, it's true. We (meaning every single Shafer in our family) go to go to Grad Alley. They block off a bunch of blocks, give you a bracelet, and they let you enjoy a carnival.

We had fun just going into the city and wandering around. We got free hot dogs, cotton candy, and falafel. So, what more could you ask for??????? Ummmm, well, according to Calvin, maybe a ride or two. I guess just walking from one free food booth to another and then picking up a reusable shopping bag with NYU's logo isn't as much fun for him.

Lady Liberty actually shrunk and hung around so that the grads could take their picture with her. She's so nice.

And this is what it looks like to be as tall as me and look up and see Noah. Yep, one might call that my perspecitve. Plus, Wyatt is always cute. Always.

And this is Hulk. And he is strong. And he is green. And Calvin took this picture.