Life has many proud moments and that is good

        Debbie and I love being an aunt and uncle and supporting our nephews and family.
        And last week took the cake as all three of our nephews were in the limelight.
      Our youngest nephew, Peyton, a sophomore at Montezuma High School, was inducted into the National Honor Society.
     Our middle nephew, Sawyer, a 2022 graduate of Montezuma High School, graduated from the John Deere Tech program at Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) in Calmar. And our oldest nephew, Gavin, a 2021 graduate of Montezuma High School, completed his BS Degree in Agricultural Business with a minor in Entrepreneurship from Iowa State University in three years.
      It all started on Wednesday evening, May 8, as Debbie and I attended the NHS induction at the Montezuma High School. We are so proud of Peyton and his work ethic and good grades in school.
       On Thursday, May 9, we headed northeast to Calmar to attend two ceremonies. The first, which was held at the NICC campus, was focused on the 24 young men graduating from the John Deere Tech program. These young men not only learn to use a wrench, they learn to use a computer.
      Afterwards, we enjoyed a luncheon and a tour of the facilities. The young men learn everything John Deere from working on engines to fixing planters, tractors, combines, plows and anything John Deere. 
       According to the John Deere website, there are 24 John Deere Tech programs spread out across the country with the only Iowa location in Calmar. 
      That evening, the family enjoyed pizza at Mabe’s, a Decorah institution located a short 10 miles from Calmar. We then attended a campus-wide NICC graduation that evening at the Center for Faith and Life on the campus of Luther College. It was a beautiful ceremony.
        While some of the family returned to Montezuma that evening, Debbie and I stayed the night in Decorah and returned home on Friday, May 10.
       We followed Sawyer home as he is moving back after two years. He will work at Van Wall John Deere in Grinnell beginning in June.
      It was up and at it at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 11 to get ready for a trip to Ames to attend commencement exercises at Hilton Coliseum for Gavin.
      Debbie was up shortly after 4 a.m. to feed the animals and I followed suit more than an hour later. I’m thankful she does all that work getting us ready to go. If it was left up to me, we might have gotten there when it was over.
        Gavin’s graduation started at 9 a.m. and included both the School of Business and the School of Agriculture in one ceremony. It took just more than two hours to hand out diplomas to more than 900 graduates. That was one of three ceremonies being held that day at Hilton Coliseum.
       Gavin is going to work for Farm Bureau Insurance and is working to build his goat meat business, Boer Certified. I tried the goat sticks and they are pretty good. I’ve heard the goat brats are good grilled.
      After the ISU ceremony, we enjoyed lunch at a nice restaurant in nearby Boone. And that evening, we returned to the Des Moines area for a graduation celebration supper for the entire family.
       I’m sure we put more than 500 miles on our Suburban over a four day period, and every minute we spent and mile we drove was worth it
      Several times tears welled up in my eyes and I’m sure Debbie was touched as well as we watched these young men graduate and be honored for their hard work.
    Our three nephews spent many days out our house as youngsters under Debbie’s care. I remember making several trips to Sam’s Club and purchasing school supplies as Debbie held summer school for several years. She’d open the garage door on nice days and the boys would color or paint what they saw first. And sometimes that would be deer in our yard.
       There was playtime, rest time and study time.
      It all made a difference as she played a big part in their lives that started when they were still in diapers.
     And as proud of our nephews as we are, we know that the future is looking bright for these young men as they find their place in life and go on and do great things in the world.
     Outside of a relationship with God, there is nothing more important than family. This Oklahoma boy is proud of my Iowa family and my lovely bride while planting my roots in this fine state. 
       Have a great week and always remember that “Good Things are Happening,” every day.