After my surprise graduation party, we opened gifts and cards–I want to thank everyone who sent and gave cards, and for all of the thoughtful gifts!

This is the card I received from my family, and it really does summarize how I feel about starting a real job!

Next, we celebrated our own version of the “Nursing Pinning Ceremony” since I was unable to attend mine. I was again surprised by my amazing husband who presented me with two Nurses Pins. . . in the form of Diamond Earrings!!!

The girls got to do the honors–Brittney, Aubrey, and Merinda each assisted with the “Pinning.”

I graduated with my Bachelors of Nursing Degree from BYU-Idaho twenty years after I first began college. I have tried to stress the importance of finishing college before being a mother, because being on the twenty-year plan just too difficult (even with all of my family’s incredible support). However, after the surprise party, special “nurses pinning”, and vacation to North Carolina, it ended better than I could of ever imagined!