Mark of Fridays: AU graduation

As many of you know, Matt has changed his career course. About two years ago, he started taking elementary education classes at Aurora University. His last day at the Beacon-News was Jan. 4.

The reasons for leaving the newspaper industry are pretty obvious, but so is the choice to go into education. Matt loved newspapers because it was a chance to make his community a better place. Hey, schools do that, too!
And a second reason: Matt has a plethora of incredibly gifted teachers in his family that he can steal good ideas from!

Anyhow, after a year and a half of night classes, and four months of student teaching in a fifth grade class in Naperville, Matt graduated from Aurora University with his family in the audience.

There were so many people who helped make this proud day possible. Grandparents who babysat kids, offered up meals and gave support; sisters/cousins/sisters-in-law/wives who suggested lesson plan ideas and activities; bosses who let Matt out early; teachers who mentored Matt; and a wife who said, "Sure, let's turn our lives upside down!" Lynne did a yeoman's work without complaining.
Matt just feels like the luckiest guy in the world.

Mark wearing his dad's "funny hat".

Another Hanley in the news

Well, the Pulitzers were announced last week and Matt was tragically overlooked. Again.
But, there are other Hanleys in the news: Lynne was in the local paper for the work she did helping to organize a shoe drive at the high school!
Check out the story here. They didn't even misquote her.
So, she's not only a great mom and great wife, she's a pretty awesome person. But you already knew that, didn't you?

In other, non-wedding news

This is not an update on pink limos, or music selection, or flowers, or cake, or tastings, or dresses, or rings, or John Dillinger (bet you thought that would say Johnny Depp!) or Illini football.
This post is quite simply about good news.
The first piece of good news is that Lynne recently had her year-end review and to say it went well would be a massive understatement.
Quite frankly, the head of the department and the vice principal say she's a superstar. They love her style and demeanor and composure with the kids. This is no joke: they are going to videotape her and show it to new teachers as the right way to run a class. That's as big as compliments get.

Other good news, including some (very to only somewhat) belated congratulations:
Belated congratulations to Luke and Tracy, who got engaged and will be getting married this summer. Matt went to college with Luke and thinks he made a great choice. But you have to question Tracy's judgement, saying 'yes' to a Twins fan, don't you?

And very belated congratulations to Katelyn, for meeting her fantastic parents, Dave and Angela, and her brother 2-year-old Michael. Lynne and Matt finally got to meet Katelyn recently - what a fantastic little girl and great family.

And congratulations to Kevin and Angie, who are "with child," as the kids are saying. A fantastic couple who will make fantastic parents.

As long as we're talking babies, congratulations to Mark and Kate(s) who have a beautiful new baby girl, Phoebe Joanne.

And congratulations to the Mets for being so awesomely great.
As long as we're talking baseball, did you know Matt has another blog now? He's addicted. He kept it a secret because it. is. so. very. nerdy. But, if you're so inclined and love baseball cards, enjoy.

And congratulations to Lynne's sister, Laura, who got a fantastic internship at the prestigous Marco Island resort. Apparently, unlike many of her Western Illinois classmates, Laura had several offers for internships. It's not surprise a lot of people wanted to hang out with her - she's a blast. If it weren't for this pesky wedding Lynne and Matt would definitely be visiting.

More good news to share? Post it below!