Dakota Killpack, class of 2008 (May 22nd Middlesex CC)

Up there as far as a surreal experience for us all. 10:00 am began graduation excercises for the 1071 students at Middlesex Community College. Holding his diploma, an Associates degree in Math with uncle Kevin. Daniel and Jewel had a blast.
Dakota with his Physics professor Dr. Montana and the vice president of MCC
Grandma Mable flew in from South Carolina to attend. Patricia remembers pacing up and down this corridor chasing little Jewel a couple of years ago as we waited for class to end.
Dakota sporting a brand new haircut. We had it cut several days before graduation when he finally realized his cap wouldn't be able to fit over his afro! Of the 1071 graduates, only 12 had an AS degree in Mathematics. Pictured are Dakota with two other Math majors who were both in his Differential Equations class. They were just on the podium receiving their degrees.

Dakota Killpack coming from his room, getting ready to leave the house and getting ready to line up to march at 9:00 am.

GRATITUDE THOUGHTS....so many of them as I realize how fast the years go by.

Beginning classes at MCC (10 turning 11) he was 5'3", had a high voice, and loved to learn. Grateful that he grew so much, and so quickly that he blended in class with the other students. Grateful for really great professors in both Science and Math courses. Grateful for the kind support and encouragement that helped sustain me, when things got tough. Grateful for Daniel and Jewel's patience with the hundreds of car trips needed to get him to school and back.

grateful that gasoline was much cheaper.

Walk-A-thon at Jewel's School

Daniel, Dakota and Jewel attended the Greater Brunswick Charter School walk-a-thon on Saturday May 17th to raise money for the school.



gratitude thought: grateful for a charter school that held a lottery. I was in the Edison public library when I saw the date of the lottery. I went to the school to check it out and thought it would be a good fit for Jewel. So far, she really loves it.
It's wierd to pay taxes in a town when neither child goes to the local public schools. BUT I'm grateful they both have found a 'home' for their educations.

Mother's Day..... May 11th 2008

For Mable, If I can learn to have half the optimism, vigor, giving heart, sacrifice, tenacity, forgiveness and love of my children that you had and have for me, Dakota and Jewel will be blessed forever. Thank you for the journey and lessons of life you continue to teach. I carry your voice in my heart!

Dakota (age 6)
Jewel (age 12 hours)
Grandma Mable visiting
Children's Hospital
Los Angeles, CA
November 11th 1999

Jewel (age 8) & Patricia opening Mother's Day gifts May 11th 2008 in New Jersey

Games galore at Stake Youth activity

Saturday May 3rd....the family went to a stake youth activity. Volleyballs, and tons of board games. Jewel even got to hit the ball once while playing one game of volleyball.

Daniel left for Washington D.C. right after church, he'll return on Wednesday night May 7th.

Dakota wraps up his last week of finals. He's been studying hard and hopefully it will pay off. One final on Tuesday took three hours. He had three Differential Equations problems, with each problem taking the class an average of one hour to complete. Yikes!!

Patricia continues to plug away at the daunting task of organizing the Stake Youth Conference in NYC...it will be fun!