Well,Miss Taylor is officially a high school graduate.We are so proud of this child.She has had to really step up and take on so much extra this past year.She has had to become the second mommy AND daddy around here and that has often seemed to be such an unfair burden to have placed on the shoulders of a yet 18 year old.Nonetheless she shouldered it and carried and did a magnificent job.All the while trying to process her own emotions of having a very sick baby sister,who she adores,juggle work,manage her studies and maintain a relationship with a really great guy that we have come to love,Brandon.Throw in the fact that she suffers from debilitating migraines as well and I think you would have to agree,she is one amazing girl.Hard to believe I will be saying goodbye to another of my "older set",as they take flight into this great big world.But how blessed are we to have them flying.In a year that has found us watching others, whose paths will never venture in this direction,we are all the more grateful and recognize what a gift,a future,truly is.Taylor is off to Pepperdine in August.Not far but far enough that I will miss her presence here daily.Wonderful things await you Taylor.You are going to flourish and blossom and grow all the more and you certainly will do more than fly,you will soar.
*The day was fast and furious,like most of them around here but boy was it nice to celebrate this milestone .... together!Here are a few pictures of the day.Graduation ended at 8pm so by the time we got to taking pictures we were all ready to get home and eat.The one picture needs a bit of an explanation,the one where Taylor is crying.Her emotions were running fairly high today and here she just couldn't keep it together any longer.We just cracked up the way Brandon just was at a loss what to do so he just looked ahead and tried his best to smiled.Poor Taylor,she was so sad and sweet Zoey knew it too.Oh and check out joe in the family picture ... that about sums up Joe!
20 comments:
Taylor congratulations!!! I've gotten to know you a little through your mom, on this blog and you are special. Maybe everything you did this year just came naturally to you, but, most people your age would never be able to handle the load, and definitely not with such grace. You were such an incredible help to your family and obviously to Zoey. Have a wonderful summer and congratulations on Pepperdine!!
Heather and Mark, congratulations to you too! It's great to see Zoey in the pictures with you all.
And I love Joe, he and Andrew would get along famously.
Congratulations Taylor! I wish you the very best success at Pepperdine.
What a beautiful family.
There's something so natural about the shot where she is wiping some tears holding Zoey. Lots of meaning there.
Congratulations.
Congratulations Taylor!! May God Bless You in all of your future plans!!!
Oh wow Heather, I can't even look at the picture of Taylor and Zoey with out bawling. What an emotional picture, it breaks my heart. It says so much. Maybe it's just me, b/c I've been there.
I am so glad you were able to take Zoey to see Taylor graduate. That's quite special!
Congrats Taylor!
That crazy Joe. Him and Carter would have a blast together. Taylor is so beautiful, and I bet she was so helpful during this past 7 months.
Oh, Ray told me to tell you that his criminal justice teacher graduated from Pepperdine law school, are you amazed? LOL
1. Give me the breadbasket cake.
2. Between Zoey's concerned look for Taylor and Brandon's cute face, I love the second picture.
3. Zoey has a cute clip in her hair!
4. Joe is such a punk--I cracked up for like thirty seconds at his face.
I'm just a little sad that I'm not in any of these pictures...oh well, in a few weeks I'll have a special event that's pretty much inevitable to capture on film (or memory card) without me. I can wait.
Taylor, I swear in my mind you're still a third grader standing at the top of the stairs yelling "Mom, the girls are making fun of me!!"--but look now; you're graduated and Jake is the one going into third grade. Crazy! Congratulations, wish we were there too.
Love, Cait
Congratulations to Taylor! You looked beautiful...even through your tears. Ending and beginning are important times, and should carry some emotion. It's such an ending and beginning time for many Needhams this year. Congratulations to all!
Congratulations Taylor! I'm so happy that Zoey is finally able to take part in family "togetherness" out and about!! Go Zoey!
Very beautiful family, by the way.
Congratulation Taylor! May all your dreams come true!
I love the picture where Taylor is overcome with emotion...and little Zoey is looking at her as if to say:'why are crying Taylor...just look at me and I will make you smile'
By the way Heather...sometimes I can barely tell you and Taylor apart...the two of you look so much alike.
Oh Man....here I am back to tears again while reading one of your posts. Thankfully these are happy tears but happy in a strange way. I, too, am so proud of a girl I have never met but am so impressed with. She has blown me away with all that she has done this year. It is just so refreshing to see a teenager who isn't only caught up in their own life. Taylor you are an absolute Angel! Congratulations! The exciting thing about her going off to college is that she will get to live for herself now. She deserves it!!
Oh that second photo touched and pulled at my heart strings. First, that Taylor has graduated from high school, that she was caught up in the emotional events of the past year, and lastly, there is sweet Zoey looking at her big sister and seeing those tears on her face. Truly a very, very touching photo. And Brandon looking like he might burst into tears at any moment. (truly the saying fits - a picture is worth a thousand words)
Yes Caitlin, ole Bluebelle noted that there was just one Needham missing and that is you. I know that you were there in spirit. You, young lady are the next main event (happy event) in the Needham household. Keep well and safe
Heather, it is amazing how much Taylor looks like you. I have always thought that she did, but wow it really is evident in the photo. (Heather, keep strong, you appear a bit thin, altho as beautiful as ever)
And Mark, what can I say - dear nephew, except wow! no more sleeping on a too short shelf/bed/cot in the hospital. It always amazed me how you could sleep there (on your shift) and then get up and head to work. And Heather, long days and a very long ride for you at nite when you were exhausted (physically and mentally) I use to think of you driving that distance so late at nite by youself. But........NOW everyone one is at home. Phew awesome!!
The boys, yes, even Joe with his special "spirit" are adorable. And Jessica I could never forget you... the East Coast little girl with her baby sister Caitlin so many years ago)
Hugs to everyone
Aunt Bluebelle
Congratulations Taylor, wishing you the best life has to offer.
Beautiful, beautiful family, love the pictures
Congrats Taylor. I do keep thinking you are still in preschool with Connor. Where did the time go?
I love how everyones personality shows up in your pictures...Jess, the mature oldest sister, Taylor's emotions, Zoey's concern, Jake's sweetness and Joey's silliness. Each so different but definitely all Needham's. It would have been so perfect if Caitlin, the little mother, had completed the picture.
kathleen
How wonderful that your family is together! I know just what you mean about your older daughters taking over to be both the mom and dad. We can both be thankful that we have such amazing children that can do so much.
First give Taylor a big hug from us Therklesens then give Joe one from us too for being such a 'boy'! Love you guys and so glad you got to take Zoey to this great event. Congrats Needhams...truly a day for everyone to celebrate. What a proud mama you must be...such WONDERFUL, beautiful children! Love you all!
CONGRATS TAYLOR!!!
Congratulations Taylor!! You have so much to look forward to! What a fun time in life...though I know it is sad to see a chapter end. I cried too at graduation and actually couldn't even drive by my old high school my 1st year in college because I missed it so much. I wish you all the best at Pepperdine...and a fantastic summer before officially becoming a college student! :)
congrats taylor!!! and what great pics! you all are awesome!
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