It's hard to believe, but Matt has graduated from Highscool!!

Zack's youngest brother graduated from high school about 2 weeks ago and Zack and I were able to be there to support him and congratulate him as he walked across the floor and left his high school years definitively behind him.

Matt looking Bored...

sigh, still bored...

Matt with his "diploma"
He didn't actually get his diploma till after the ceremony.

Matt FINALLY figured out where we were and we witness our first smile!

Smiling for Zack and he stands at the railing and obnoxiously takes a picture! :)

Flipping the tassel and officially becoming ALUMNI!!

It is hard to believe that Matt was only 10 years old when Zack and I started dating. It has been such a blessing to be able to watch Matt grow and mature over the years. He has grown into an awesome young man and Zack and I are so proud of him and all that he has accomplished and the godly man that he is becoming.

We are looking forward to seeing what God has in store for him in the years to come. He will be starting college next year. And as much as we would have loved him to have gone to college near us, we know that he is where he is supposed to be ...right where God wants him...and we know that God has both tough and wonderful days ahead of him. While we won't be able to be there physically on a daily basis to encourage and support him through those times, we will be encouraging, praying for, and cheering him on from here as he starts this new chapter of his life...and if he needs us, we are only a short 2.5 to 3 hour drive away.

Zack and I with Matt

He will be going to College near where Ben and Rachel live and so they will be able to be there to help him out whenever he needs a physical hand to pick him up...or maybe just a brother to wrestle. :) ...and then...just in case he misses Sadie too much, I am sure that Ben and Rach would be MORE than willing to let Matt dog-sit Jones for them whenever he wants!

One very proud older, and still taller, big brother! :)

PS
Matt, you are still going to have to come up for visits...
SOMEONE has to do "guy stuff" with your brother!
I can only handle so much! :)

We love you and we are so proud of you!!