Graduation is Nearing!

This was the big event of our lives just one year ago! Our first set of graduates from high school. We are nearing the same event in just a four weeks...Tess is graduating! As most everyone is aware, she will be heading off to BYU-Hawaii in the fall. Here are some amazing facts about Tess:

1. Tess has lived a life faithful to her baptismal covenants, is a worthy young woman, who I am very proud of!

2. Tess is an amazing artist! She can draw, paint, sculpt, engrave, and envision the most beautiful things I have ever seen!

3. Tess is kind and considerate to others. Tess is able to see the needs of others and steps up in her willingness to be others friends.

4. Tess is beautiful! She has beautiful brown eyes, a sweet smile, and most importantly a glowing spirit.

5. Tess is a leader. She is the first in our family to head to college! Although the boys are living out of the country, Tess is the first to take on the academic challenge of college. Luckily, I can call her on her cell phone everyday.

6. Tess is brave! Tess has faced many challenges in her 18 years. Some are personal, some are just the "regular" types of things all teenage girls face, but Tess has been amazingly brave as she has become a woman.

7. Tess is faithful. Tess has a strong testimony and a strong sense of right and wrong. She will be able to use this gift throughout her life.

8. Tess has good common sense! Tess can sense danger, she can seek out good friends, and is able to listen to the Holy Ghost as she grows and learns.

9. Tess is strong. Tess has the ability to say "yes" or "no" at the right times. She is not afraid to walk away from temptation, she is willing to move forward as she chooses the right and seeks out the good things of this world.

10. Tess is loved! We are so proud of Tess, she is our oldest daughter, whom we have loved and cherished. We will continue to do so, but feel that we must now share her in a way we have not felt before...

Tess will do great at college, and we are already thinking of her coming home at Christmas...or perhaps we should have a family Christmas Hawaii! Aloha!