Worry

Aaron called Sunday night pondering many things...

Currently he is failing his Botany class. He already informed his coach. And Aaron is now thinking that Biology is not for him.

Roger and I both said, don't determine your entire hopes/dreams on one class!

He hates his job and is planning to quite at semester.

Roger and I both said, "So what is your new job at?" And, "Your gonna miss your private room!"

I just don't want him to make such drastic decisions when he is in such an emotional state!

AHHHHHHHHHHH.

Roger told me not to panic. We will talk about it with him at Thanksgiving.

I hope Aaron waits until then...

The Kids Called...

The best part of any evening is when either Claire or Aaron calls home! I love that. Roger and I just smile, we are so proud of each of them...but right now especially Claire and Aaron. They are negotiating life so well, struggling so hard, and trust God. What more could Roger and I ask for?

Aaron was first to call home last night. Funny, because I was packing up the last bit of his care package to send to him. I baked all afternoon. I packed, 3 drag suits that I just finished making, cookies, brownies, popcorn, hot cocoa mix, mac and cheese, and then suckers.

He is doing well. Friday night the swim team had a camping "Welcome to the Team Party". Aaron said that this year, being an upperclassman made it much more fun! He didn't have too much fun last year...hummm.

He also shared that he hates the RA job, but loves having his own room, and gets a free room, so it is hard to beat that deal. He also text ed that the swim coach is thinking about having him be the team captain either his Junior year or his Senior year. He was thrilled.

Claire called next. She had just gotten home from a Christian Challenge retreat in Salina. She had a great time. This included all of the CC chapters at all the Kansas schools. So she ran into Luke Jost, and hung out with him. One of the girls in her group accepted Christ, so Claire was excited about that. She loves living on her own! Next weekend she goes to Oklahoma to visit a friend. Her van cannot make that big of a trip, so another friend is driving.

AJ of course is home and still plugging away. His schedule is beginning to heat up, so he is going to be very busy...he wants to add swimming also. He really wants to make it to state this year and swim an individual event. It could happen this year, the KAHSA is splitting up the schools according to size. So he could have a chance.

Roger and I are fine...Roger is very sick! Yuk!

GB

Dating

I remember several months ago Aaron casually asked me if I thought Claire was gay? What? Are you serious? But mom she doesn't date anyone. She doesn't date anyone because she is picky, and not interested. That does not mean she is gay.

Several weeks ago:
Me: Claire, have you met any cute guys in your class or at the hospital?
Claire: Yea, a really cute resident.
Me: Did you meet him?
Claire: No, I went down a different hallway to avoid him.

Last night:
Aaron: Sorry I didn't call you last night.
Me: What were you doing?
Aaron: Hanging out at Smith.
Me: What is Smith?
Aaron: The girls dorm.
Me: Any cute girls?
Aaron: Yea, I was hanging out with Ashley.
Me: Is Ashley cute?
Aaron: Yea, she is cute.

I could tell he was getting ready to put up a wall, so I changed the subject...

I don't mind that my kids have not rushed into dating or that they are not in a heavy relationship. And I admit, it is fun to watch them enter this world...

I just miss them...

Gone...

Yes, they are gone. I wondered why I was in such a funk over the weekend. Not interested in doing anything except sleeping or watching TV. Finally Sunday afternoon, I went upstairs and stripped the beds.

Then I left, and have not been back upstairs since...

About a week before Aaron left, he started packing. Roger called me and with anguish in his voice he said, "He's leaving..." Roger just couldn't believe it. He took it so hard. When Claire left we were not even home, and she has made such a nice little niche for herself, so we were thrilled.

I kept asking myself, "Why is Aaron's move so hard?" And then last night it came to me, last year when Aaron left, Claire was still home. But this year both Aaron and Claire are gone. The house is so quiet...and big.

I miss them...I am so happy for them...but I miss them.


Later in the evening, Andrew got a call from Todd, his notebook looks fine!!!!!!! We all screamed, he text ed Claire and Aaron, 2 more meetings and we can begin to plan the program.

My last Eagle Scout...my last child...

So his driving privileges have been reinstated, so this morning he was up and out the door for a zero hour class he is taking at HCC, Music Theory...snore...7:00am for that class?

I am thrilled for him.

This is good, this will be fine, I will be okay.

Not much time left

Our time with the kids is getting so much shorter.

Last night I quickly finished sewing the Kansas flag that Aaron hangs in his dorm room.

I also tried to finish one of the drag suits that I have labored over for months and they are driving me insane. Just sitting there mocking me!

Thursday night, both grandparents are coming over for dinner and then we will take family pictures with Megan. Then our 5 will leave the grandparents and we will take our own family picture. I am so excited. I can't wait.

Andrew came home last night. It was good to see him. He said he had a great time, but he was tired, hungry and wanted to take a shower. When I left for school this morning, I didn't hear a sound from his room!

I love these guys...

Claire

A text from Claire...

I am doing clinicals at Wesley today, and I am having a blast!


Claire is doing well.

End of Summer Transition

Early in the summer Roger commented to me, "You know this could be the last summer that all of us are living together." I had been thinking the same thing, but afraid to say it--fear it may come true.

And yet, it feels right to see 2 thriving, struggling, screaming to be on their own, making their own decisions, happy, living for God...young adults to spend time with and working their way out of our house. And to see the last teenager I will ever raise, watching his changes, reminding the young adults that they used to be just like this, his struggles to "get his act together", organize himself, to be ready for things ahead--his junior year of high school also moving toward independence.

I would not want these children living with me forever. They need to be on their own. And yet our house does feel empty...just Rog and me and 2 dogs.

I am glad God gave us these kids to raise. It was a pleasure and an honor. Not all the time, but most of the time.

Here were some of the summer highlights...

Claire: Finished her first semester of hell week on July 2. Got a couple days of rest and then began classes and an added load, clinicals all to begin on July 6. She is still loving it, and had many stories to share. Anxious to move out, she worked out an arrangement with my brother, and moved into his house on August 1. She loves being on her own, and is in the process of setting up a cute little space for herself. I promised to keep leftovers in the freezer for her to eat, so she wouldn't have to cook.

Aaron: Secured a co-signer for a loan for school this fall. Swam at Division 1 and Regionals. Did very well at both, cut time in all but 2 events--both meets combined! His coach and HSU coach were very pleased. Worked all the time at the pool as manager. He learned a lot about managing people, how to do it and how not to do it. Valuable skills as he will be an RA at HSU this coming year. Memorable quote..."Great I get to put freshman to bed, or babysit the ones that had too much to drink!"

Andrew: Perhaps the most yelled at this summer! Constant question was, "Andrew, show me what you got done on your Eagle today." Or, "Andrew let me see your packing list and show me where you packing pile is." Poor guy, never got a break! He did finish all of the merit badges required for Eagle, so now he has a few to finish up from QSR and finish his notebook, and then we can start planning a party.

Right now: Aaron just got home from D-1 and beginning to pack to head back to Henderson. He told Roger that he has all his disks lined up for the trip, tv show disks that they watch on computer during the drive. They leave early August 14.

Andrew is on his way to Minnisota/Canada for his hicking/canoeing trip. I guessing he hasn't given us a thought. He gets back on August 12, and starts school August 14.

Claire, who knows and she likes it that way!