In the midst of planning a wedding I was able to sneak away for a weekend in Mississippi to see my sister and her family. My mom and I left at the crack of dawn on Thursday and got back yesterday afternoon.  My niece, Beth, graduated Thursday night……from 6th grade!!! Yes I did drive 8 hours ONE WAY to see her graduate-don’t all doting aunts do this?  It was a proud moment when she stood to walk to the stage to give her speech. She is second in her class and gave a speech about fixing your eyes on Jesus. She is an excellent speaker if I do say so myself! As they called her name to walk across the stage I couldn’t help but think of that day 11 years ago when Brad walked out into the waiting room at St. Paul in Dallas to let us know she had arrived. Everyone knew they would be having a girl but they kept the name to themselves. Then on the day she was born Brad proudly walked to the glass, held her up and introduced her to us. Yes it was a 6th grade graduation but my niece only graduates from 6th grade one time and I am happy to say I was there to see it!

On Friday morning we woke up early got ready and headed back to the school. It was Will’s turn to shine and he did BIG TIME! They handed out awards for kids in all  the different grades. His name was called a few times but the one he was most proud of was getting the Golden Eagle Award. He was the only kid in his class that had all A’s the entire year! 

Greg didn’t get to go with us due to work but his ears were burning all weekend. On Thursday when we arrived we drove straight to the school to surprise Will. He saw us coming down the hall and was just a little excited!!! As he walked me back to his classroom he announced to his teacher and classmates, “hey ya’ll this is my aunt that’s getting married!”  His teacher informed me that the entire 3rd grade class knows everything about our upcoming marriage! Then at the graduation party later that night Beth took me around to introduce me to all of her friends.  She would say, “this is my aunt stacey….you know the one marrying Gingles?” I told Greg that he is a local celebrity in the Mississippi Delta! We did get to talk to him a couple of times on the phone. In the picture you can see Will talking to Greg. I think he was telling him about the awards he had won at school earlier that day…….I told you he was proud to win the Eagle Award!!!!

It was a fun weekend and I am counting the days until I get to see them again!! Speaking of counting days the official count down til the wedding is now UNDER 100 days…WOOHOO!  All sorts of fun stuff is happening! Greg’s mom and sister will be coming into town this weekend. We will be making a quick trip to Salado so that they can see the church and reception site and then back to Fort Worth for a shower on Sunday!

Happy Memorial Day!