I'm a lawyer

This is the "screen of my dreams"...

The screen that I've (any many of you) hoped for, prayer for, begged for, cried for, longed for... 

(you get the idea!)

 for... THREE years!

May 13, 2011 our "dream" came true (well our career dream that is!)

SHAWN PASSED THE BAR!

Before typing in the numbers on the computer, we had sat together and talked.  It was a moment I'll never forget.  Just us, ready for life no matter what happened.  I said a prayer (which is what we had always done right before) and of course was totally in tears.  I wanted Shawn to know that I was proud of him no matter what.  As he typed in his numbers and saw his name... we both almost clasped in relief!  It felt like a huge weight had been lifted. 

SHAWN PASSED THE BAR!

There are so many memories and experiences through this process (both good and not so good) and it is amazing that our BAR rollercoaster ride is over (or I've often thought of it as being in a rock tumbler where we are just getting a little more polished).

So this July... Shawn WILL NOT have to take the bar.  Whew! 

So here's "our story" (I say our... because this was definitely not something our family did alone... although it was, of course, mostly Shawn's accomplishment for sure!)

In 2005, Shawn graduated from UVSC, and was accepted to University of La Vern College of Law.  So we moved down to California, I got a job teaching and Shawn began his three year journey in law school.  

(Shawn didn't walk for graduation, but I did make him take a picture when his diploma came)

Ready for law school!

With one more year to go, we had our 1st baby boy... and visit dad as he was busy studying!

In 2008, Shawn graduated from law school and then... studying for the bar!

Shawn took the bar for the first time over Ory's first birthday.  I was visiting my parents in Cincinnati, and we felt ready.

But, life doesn't always go exactly as we plan it.  I had decided to take Shawn to Palm Springs for the night as we anticipated the results (that we taught would be positive)... and it wasn't.  I had made reservations at Morton's to celebrate, but we went anyway... because life goes on.

And it did.  I'd love to say that each time Shawn didn't pass I handled it perfectly, but well let's just say we learned A LOT from this experience.

The last few times of Shawn not passing, I feel that we were really able to let go in a sense and realized that we would work as hard as we could and rely on our Heavenly Father to guide us in which ever path he would have us go... 

Thinking back, I blogged about the Bar last year {see here} and I feel that our growth as a family just continued this past year (I finally read the Book of Mormon cover to cover- sadly that was something I hadn't really done!).  I know I'm still far from perfect, but I am definitely at a different place now and hope to keep that on going. 

So, I'm EXTREMELY grateful that Shawn passed.  I know he could do it and had faith in him, and if it was Heavenly Father's will, I knew it would happen.

But, if it hadn't... life would go on (I mean it would have been so sad), but I'd still have felt so blessed.  Blessed for INCREDIBLE friends and family that have shown us so much love and support.

Blessed to have now... THREE beautiful boys.

Blessed to have a knowledge of my Savior and his gospel.

Blessed to have an AMAZING husband (that through this experience has been so strong, confident... truly a rock and a great example of living by faith).

I am truly blessed.

To celebrate Shawn's passing, Pat and Hershel (Shawn's boss and his wonderful wife) took us out to dinner at Morton's.  As we were being seated in the same back room where we sat almost THREE years before when first hearing Shawn did not pass... here we were again... and

SHAWN HAD PASSED THE BAR!

And TWO years ago, Mason and Melina had brought over this bottle of Martinelli's to celebrate... and celebrate we will! 

Shawn received this card three years ago at his graduation party.  Although, our success took a little longer, I think it now tastes that much sweeter.

I love you Shawn. 

Together, I know we will have lots of "success."