Icing On The Cake

Since my whole family couldn't be in Vegas to celebrate my graduation my mom had each of them write me a letter; which was the most touching and emotional time of my mom's whole Vegas vacation. My cousin, Sara, had a very interesting letter... it looked like a scroll and was tied with a little black bow. Inside it read, "As I was writing this, I almost wrote Kelli Brooke. I guess it just shows how much you've accomplished and changed this past year." After reading that, I felt such a sense of accomplishment not because I got married this year, but because I graduated while planning a wedding, working full-time (sometimes more), supporting myself, AND living approximately 2,195 miles away from my family. Sometimes I forget how much hard work I put into graduating and I'm so glad I stuck it out because waving to my mom while I sat with my graduating class was definitely the icing on the cake.

I can honestly say I would not have made it through UNLV without Eddie. There would be days that I would work from 8am-5pm then go to school from 5:30pm-9:45pm and I'd come home to a warm meal on the table. Then after I'd eat he'd keep me up if I had to study for a test the next day. I really don't know what I would have done without his continuous support... thanks, Ed!

A special thanks to this lil' cutie for 

always wagging her tail when I come home.

And of course, many thanks to my wonderful mom 

who has inspired me to want to make her proud.

Pics From Commencement:

FUN FACTS OF OUR CLASS PROFILE:

2011 Graduates

Largest Winter Graduating Class

58% Female (Heck yes ladies!)

42% Male

Youngest Graduate: 20

Oldest Graduate: 72

Average Age: 28 (I'm only 23!)

Students came from 38 states (I'm from Ohio).

A grandmother and her grandson graduated together.

Our class was the MOST diverse graduating class at UNLV to date.

After Commencement, we headed to Red Rock Resort to check my mom into her room. The hotel was decorated beautifully for Christmas and we took pictures in front of their Christmas tree:

It was hard to say bye to my mom, but it was a trip I will never forget. Although it would have been nice to celebrate with my whole family, I know they were all thinking about me. This day was very important to me and I was looking forward to it for quite some time. I was fortunate enough to share it with my devoted husband and amazing mother; I couldn't have done it without them. Thanks to all my family and friends for the support over the years! :)