A Master Degree for Cassie

Yes, Cassie is now an official graduate of University of Florida (a real Gator!) with a degree of Masters of Business Management.  We are so proud of her!  George and I joined Craig in Gainesville and went to her graduation. 

All that attended were those getting doctorates and master degrees, it was mid-year graduation, and there were still hundreds graduating!  It was really impressive! 

But nobody looked quite as cute or filled their graduation gown out quite as well as Cassie!

Craig congratulating his little wife--going to school, working, and being pregnant--not easy, but she did it! 

Here are some of the guys she worked with in the program. 

As the names were read on and on, Cassie looked like she was having way too much fun. 

(Cassie busting up about something.  She is on the second row by the guy with the "K" on his hat.)

(Here she is making a point.  We found out everyone was trying to help her get a name for this baby!)

Afterwards, we met Amy and the kids at our favorite half-way point in Starke--Sonny's.  We had a great dinner because we were all starved after a very busy day.

We had a little special "Congratulations" cake for Cassie--with ice-cream, of course.

Cassie, we are so proud of you!  Way to go!

Are We There Yet?

These past few weeks have been so hectic with so much to be done in order to be ready to leave for Australia on December 19th, that I hardly know whether I am coming or going--literally I have been losing things, forgetting things, and of course, breaking out in giant rashes on my arms that I get when I'm stressed!  So, I decided to try to really enjoy myself this past weekend because that's what the true Christmas Spirit is all about!

Friday was such a special evening for George and I.  One year ago, George was privileged to baptize Greg Alexander who he had met many years ago at the post office when Craig was on his mission.

Greg worked there and saw George come in every Monday morning with a letter for "Anziano Copeland," and wondered who "Anziano" was in our family.  That question stemmed into a great friendship and an invitation to come to our home and have discussions about our church.  It took him a few years to make the decision, but when he did, he was so excited to be baptized.  Now, one year after his baptism, his wife was baptized by her husband with George confirming her on Sunday.  They are going to be such great members of the church!  They love others and are always willing to serve. 

Craig and Cassie came later on Friday night, and although it rained most of the day on Saturday, we went shopping and then went to the Ward Christmas Party that evening.  After a really nice dinner, Santa came, much to the delight of Garrett!  He first went to sit on Santa's lap, but Isaac hid behind some chairs and wouldn't go up.

Then George put Lola on Santa's lap.

She just stared--

and stared.  Never a cry or a smile--just wondering who the heck he was and why was he dressed like that?  (I think Santa was a little afraid for his beard!)

Finally, we got Isaac to go up--especially when Garrett said, "Isaac, this is the real Santa!"

Actually, I think Lola liked Grandma waaaay better!  Anyway, it was a lot of fun.

Sunday, our ward choir did our Christmas Cantada.  Both Jeff, George, and I were involved.  Jeff is such a great bass singer, I play the piano and organ, and George was the fantastic narrator.  It must have been pretty good because Craig said it was the best musical performance he had ever heard in a ward--that it was "Tabernacle Choir" good!  Wow!  That really made our day!  Later on in the day, we put the cantada on for a rest home.

Sunday was also Jeff's birthday!  Yeh!  Since it was such a beautiful, sun-shiney day, George said, "Let's have his birthday lunch outside at the pavillion," so that's exactly what we did.  That way, the kids could run and have fun on the playground while the adults were able to have a peaceful conversation.

George and Amy had to go around the corner by the men's bathroom so the slight breeze wouldn't blow the candles out while they were trying to light them.

Happy Birthday, Jeff!

Lola was ready for birthday cake!

Lola loves her daddy and wants to wish him a "Happy Birthday," too!
Great weekend, just not long enough.  But I surely did enjoy it!

All Ready for the Little Guy

Last night Amy and I drove to Gainesville to go to Cassie's baby shower given by Amy (not Amy Barlow), Rachel, and Irene--all good friends of Cassie's. 

We had such a great time meeting many of her new friends and visiting with some of the old friends that we knew when we lived in Gainesville.   But between what her family and friends gave her in Louisiana and what was given at this Gainesville shower, I think Cassie feels pretty much ready to have the "Little Guy" come.  (I'm calling him that since he has no name yet.  Will he ever have a name????)

The food was absolutely wonderful--the hit was really the divine cupcakes that Amy made.  They looked so professional!  After she retires from her PhD work, she will definitely have a job making cupcakes! 

Among the guests was a former student of mine who I  taught at Newberry High School 10 years ago.  She was an officer in the club I sponsored, and I always enjoyed working with her.  Low and behold, in the last job Cassie had, they worked together and she asked Cassie, "Are you by any chance related to 'Mrs. Copeland'?"  Cassie laughed and said, "I'm Mrs. Copeland."  Then they had to figure out which Mrs. Copeland she was talking about because my student didn't know my first name.  But after all the figuring, I was definitely the right Mrs. Copeland.  What a small world! 

Here are pictures of some of the other friends--

Of course, Amy and I took Lola with us.  She didn't like the hour and a half car ride to Gainesville too well, but after she got to the party, she became a little party animal and was smiling and waving and having a great time!

I was so glad that I finished all of the bedding before I went out west for Thanksgiving, because I gave it to Cassie at the shower.  I think she was very happy with it!

And Cassie's friend, Amy, crocheted this darling blanket to go along with the bedding. 

And everyone gave her so many darling baby things.

Then after the shower, Amy and I went to Craig and Cassie's to see how the bedding actually looked in the baby bed.  It is hard to believe a little person will soon be in that bed!  I'm sure it is even harder for Craig and Cassie to believe a little person will soon be in that bed!  We all can hardly wait!