coming up for air

Whew! What a crazy week! Tristam's graduation was Thursday with his "party" on Friday. Clara's 13th birthday party was Saturday with a sleep over for four additional 13 year olds. Then, Mother's Day brought a wonderful party over here for all Moms (and potential Moms) where the guys served us grilled filets, yummy salad and baked beans. I think I'm partied out. But, I do have blog material for a while <grin>.

First, Tristam's graduation. So nice. So so nice. He's so excited to be done with this phase of his education. It's been a struggle sometimes, but honestly? He makes it look easy. He earned his degree in Architecture from the College of Design at ASU in four short years. He did this on a full ride scholarship. His freshman year he earned a spot on the Dean's List and maintained it throughout his college career. After his first two years, he applied to the Upper Division along with over two hundred other candidates and his portfolio earned him one of only 60 spots on the "fast track". His studio designs twice earned him awards for Excellence in Design and a spot in the Dean's Gallery. Keith and I attended several of his showings on campus and we were both excited and impressed by his work. Behind the scenes, we knew he had many sleepless nights laboring over these projects. (62 hours without sleep was his record Senior year). He also enjoyed a Senior trip to New Orleans with his class where they saw first hand the devastation caused by Katrina. Most of his studio work over the past four years involved designing green, sustainable and economically feasible projects. One of the awards he won Senior year was for his New Orleans project. It was a mixed use housing and retail combination that was really, really cool. (Sorry, I don't know the techno-jargon, but it WAS cool).

So, long story short, we are so proud of him. We know that God has truly blessed him with a lot of talent and determination. We are looking forward to watching him grow into this new phase of his life; which includes buying a house, starting his Master's work, and maybe, just maybe catching some lucky girl's eye. Sorry, couldn't resist that last one. It's a Mom's prerogative. Heh.

Congratulations, Tristam! We love you!

Comments

[Cori in WA]

Congratulations to Tristam and to you and your husband Kim.... it is work to raise a responsible child!!! Best of luck with the grad program as well.

[RUTH ALLMART]

Wow Kim, your son sounds like he is one talented guy! Cingratulations to him :o) Now the fun begins.......lol

[Anita]

Congratulations! He has done such a fine job .. you have truly been blessed with your kiddos.

[tania]

woweee! THAT is some exciting news. CONGRATULATIONS, Tristam!

[Heidi]

Life is a party, huh, Kim? :D

Sounds like your son's growing to be a responsible, hard-working man! :) That's awesome, I bet your proud.. you must've done "some" things right raising him! ;)

Love, Heidi

[Tristam]

Hi mom! It looks like that lighting worked out all right in the end. And thanks to everyone for the congrats!

[Alice Golden]

Congrats - what an awesome achievement!!

one down, seven to go LOL :)

[Cath]

Congratulations to Tristam, to Kim, to Keith, and to the "village" it takes to get a grad to such a lofty goal. What a great role model he has been and will be to the rest of your own little village. ;)

Smooches!

[Petra Carden]

What a sweet post!! Congratulations to your son!!!!!!!! :)

[teri]

Miss Kim, how the heck are you old enough to be the mom of a college grad? I mean, dude, I tell ya, I can't believe it.;) :) CONGRATS to all of you!

[Barbara]

Tristam is a very handsome fellow indeed! Im sure some lucky girl will snatch him up. How blessed to have a collage grad in 4 yrs. I have two in collage and they have to start at the community collage so they could afford it and then trasfer to the Univ. later.
Happy Birthday to your Clara our Anna will turn 13 on Sunday. So she is having her slumber party tonight. :)
Take care!