Monday, July 16, 2012














On Friday we spent most of the day getting ready for Saturday.

On Saturday friends and family gathered to celebrate Thomas' transition from home learning to attending college full time this fall.

We know God has had his hand in the whole process as Thomas worked through much  anxiety and frustration this past spring as he applied to colleges and then wondered if college was even the right path for him.   I know how hard discernment can be for me at age 42, never mind for an 18 year old.

In the end, the college just a 45 minute drive away from home, with an excellent theater program, offered him a wonderful financial package including some scholarships, grants, and loans.  Then just two weeks later he received another letter notifying Thomas that he had received a Vermont Success Scholarship for $4,000 which is renewable for all four years if he maintains a 3.0 average.  Now he will only have a very small student loan.  

Transitioning from our family, home learning, and the very secure, small rural area we live to a small college in a small town just seems perfect for right now.   

21 comments:

  1. It looks like a beautiful ceremony. I wish the best for Thomas as he enters into this new phase of life.

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  2. Congratulations to your son! What an amazing family you are. Good Luck to Thomas...college is a wonderful time of a young person's life. I hope he savours and enjoys the moments!

    Carrie in St Thomas

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  3. Congratulations to Thomas and to you and Mike too, Tonya! You have raised a wonderful young man and I am so happy to hear that everything has come together for him to attend College! I often wish Micah were attending a college closer to home. I know Thomas will do well!
    ~Reba

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  4. Congratulations to Thomas and to you and Mike too, Tonya! You have raised a wonderful young man! So glad to hear that everything has come together for Thomas to attend college. I often wish Micah was attending a college closer to home. I know Thomas will do well!
    ~Reba

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  5. How wonderful Tonya, congratulations to your Thomas.

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  6. Oh Tonya, congratulations! What a wonderful way to celebrate, I'll have to remember this in the coming years!

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  7. so exciting for you all! congrats to your bright young man. As a mama, I love the idea of college close to home. I love the graduation ceremony! What a wonderful idea.

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  8. congratulations!

    it's perfect.

    just perfect!

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  9. Congratulations! I'm reading your blog for the longest time, but I'm not sure have I ever left a comment? I'm so happy for you and your family. How wonderful to have him doing what he loves close to home.

    I really enjoy reading your blog, it reminds me of what is really important in this world. Beatiful ceremony!

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  10. Congratulations to Thomas! How very proud you must be! Keep us posted on his college experiences. I love that you had a wonderful graduation ceremony for him. Sounds like you have got this homeschooling thing down and are helping your children grow to be successful, independent adults who still have strong connections to family, friends and faith. I salute you!

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  11. wow, congrats to him! (and to you for all of your families work teaching and raising him!) i love the celebration you had for him and how wonderful that he got so many scholarships to help make his decision seem right!

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  12. What an inspiration your son is! My only child (born when I was 40.5!) is only 8.5, but sometimes I do cast my eyes down the long road towards "higher" education. It is such a comfort to know others have walked the path. I wish your son and your family all the best from down in the Banana Belt of SE VT.

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  13. Wonderful! So happy for your Thomas and your family. One down and .....:o)

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  14. Congratulations Thomas! What a great occasion!

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  15. Congratulations to Thomas, and to you (and your family) for all the work and heart it sounds like you have put into the journey that has brought him to this point. And what a neat idea to have a graduation ceremony for him! Best wishes to all of you in this transition and all it's ups and downs!

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  16. Congratulations to all of you and well done him on winning that bursary : )

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  17. So wonderful how you have honoured this important milestone. Congratulations, Thomas!

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  18. Wonderful news! Congratulations! You must be so proud!

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  19. Many congratulations to Thomas and the family as a whole as you celebrate this milestone! Best wishes as you begin the next adventure

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