No more free education

That's right, after 13 years of free education, from now on Brandon (and to some extent his parents) will pay handsomely for the privilege of learning in a classroom setting. Brandon graduated from Skyview High School last Friday.
A group of the LDS kids in our Stake after Baccalaureate on Sunday. Brandon is at the far upper right.
Brandon (far left of the photo) sang as part of a small senior choir at Baccalaureate and Commencement. They sang "Calling My Children Home," a beautiful song designed to make all mothers cry.
After Baccalaureate Joseph carefully gathered beautiful dandelions to give to us. We loved them.
By the time graduation rolled around on Friday, Joseph was DONE with graduation events for Brandon. There was something to attend almost every night that week. When we were walking into the school Friday night, Joseph insisted that "Brandon alweady gwaduated . . . thwee times!"
Brandon and his good friend Taylor preparing to fly from the nest.
Look, Aubrey can fly, too!
Grandma and Grandpa Porter came into town from Arizona for the events. It was great to have them here!
Brandon and Bailey just before we left for commencement. We were running late - we had prepared a barbeque for the family, given Brandon some gifts, and then watched a slideshow I had prepared of Brandon's life so far. We forgot to watch the clock, and so we didn't get there in time for good seats in the gym! It's a good thing my camera has an awesome zoom lens attachment.
Walking up to the stage to receive his diploma. Brandon met the rigorous requirements for the SMT (Science, Math, and Technology) program at his high school.
Just "five more years" until her graduation, Bailey reminded us.

Right after the graduation most of the seniors boarded buses to leave for a school-sponsored (heavily chaperoned) all-night graduation party at a recreational center in Portland. Brandon had a great time and got home at about 6 a.m.

As Brandon's mother, his graduation was bittersweet for me. I am so proud of him and incredibly excited for all the wonderful opportunities and adventures he will have during college/mission/real life. At the same time, my involvement in the day to day aspects of his life is dramatically reducing. As I watched him throughout the graduation ceremony, I saw in my mind's eye a solemn and shy 2 year old, an eager-to-learn preschooler, an elementary school kid missing a front tooth, a kid with a sweet smile and a subtle sense of humor, a middle-school and high-school kid who would sit on my bed at night to talk through all the confusing things in his life. It really hit me that this is not only a huge transition for him, but also for us. And maybe especially for me. It has been a privilege to have a hand in raising Brandon. Many times I felt like he was wiser than me. I am really going to miss him, but I can't wait to see what he makes of the next chapters of his life.