One Brand New Accredited College Degree

So, this is the post I have been waiting for...

I am done with college!!!! Yep, it's true. Yesterday my Academic Evaluation said "Semester hours applied, 120. Semester Hours needed, 0." I screamed and cried. Then I told my mother and siblings. I made her promise not to tell Dad, and as soon as he got off work I called him and said "I am now a college graduate!!' But first I called my youth leader and friend, and was pretty much stumbling over words to tell her I was done with college. 
This was a long, bumpy road, believe me. Well, it was only 26 months, but for a 14-16 year old, that's long. And since I'm really not a genius, it was bumpy. It takes WORK and dedication!!! But it is possible. I am living proof.
(To tell the truth, I stink at Science and am not so hot at math. But I survived.) 

My parents had been planning to take me out to lunch as soon as I graduated, to celebrate. But that's not all they did. We picked Dad up today around 12, and were going to go eat at practically the only non-fast food place in town - the Chinese restaurant. First, we ran to Walmart (I had no idea why). Mom needed Bacon. Or Bacon bits, as I firmly believed. So I casually asked, wondering why this couldn't wait, "What are we doing?" and mom said - "You'll see." So immediately my mind started racing, considering possibilities. But I studied Walmart's merchandise and did a pretty good job of thinking of nothing. Actually, even if I tried to guess something great that could come from Walmart, I would probably come up empty. Then they led me back to Electronics, where something caught my eyes that made my heart race. Then they stopped in front of them. And said, "Okay, pick out your phone."

I'm 16. Never had my own phone. So... I reacted calmly, of course. That is to say, I freaked out and jumped a little. Or a lot. Now my texting nightmare days were over! Now my days of taking Mom's phone to babysit and fielding her calls were over!! Or as I told Dad, "Now when people call me they'll actually want to talk to ME!"

So to say today was heavenly is pretty close. I'm a real college graduate. And I can't think of a better graduating-from-college present. Might I add, I can't think of anything Christmas can do to show this up. Who needs Christmas presents (I can't say Christmas, cuz I love that day and what Jesus did for us on that day) when you have awesome parents like mine??! The only thing that would make it better is if it snowed. Magically, it did snow a little today, but it didn't stick. And sadly, tomorrow and Christmas it's supposed to be 40 and sunny. I have never been so disappointed to see, hear, and say those words.
Oh, well, it's still going to be an awesome Christmas!