Graduation: What comes after that?

Graduation was fun, exciting, tiring, inspiring.  As the mom, I had to take a step back....my daughter (once again) taught me about perseverance.  She kept at something she believed in; didn't give in to setbacks; didn't let lack of funding stop her.  She made it.  Being proud of her is an understatement.  It doesn't matter that she's a doctor or a nurse or a designer or a computer geek.  She chose a profession she loves and stuck with the daunting task of making it happen....

Years ago, when she first talked about going to vet school, we talked about the celebration afterward...what would we do to celebrate?  Well, a party, yes: cake, food, decorations, loving friends and family to share the experience with....but what could we do BIG...REALLY BIG?  A CRUISE!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

I have three daughters---at first we thought of a European Riverboat cruise....but then the youngest daughter got married, the middle daughter met someone very special and the oldest daughter is in her 3rd trimester of being a surrogate mother for a couple who cannot have children....she can't travel right now.

Well, the riverboat cruise turned into a Caribbean Cruise----we just got back on Sunday night...so I wanted to share some of the photographs....  pictures tell a thousand words....I think you can tell, we had a wonderful time!

Day 1: just getting onboard

The girls get in the hot tub and start dancing

First dinner and we celebrate Amanda's achievements with candle and song

Cadie on the beach after snorkeling in St. John

A day in St. Maarten

Rod tries rock climbing along with the other men and Amanda

Amanda does well on Flo-Rider but 'moons' the audience when her bathing suit gets pulled down by the strong waves

Taking a taxi to the beaches

Night out on 'the town'

Main Ballroom for Dinner- 3 -tiered dining

One of the many theater performances during the cruise

Amanda doing some sunbathing and magazine reading

ice sculputures

St. John

an infinity pool on St. Maarten

Leaving the ship on Sunday....what fun it was! Memories Made!!

                                                                          Hope you enjoyed it.....we had a great time and please feel free to ask any questions about the trip if you're thinking of taking one yourself....a wonderful choice with a large group as there are so many different things to do....

I missed you all...glad to be sleeping in my own bed again......  xoxo  Joann