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.
I am married to my best friend. We have 3 children emerging into adulthood. God has blessed us with these young adults, and we constatly seek His guidence as we continue to raise them.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
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...
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...
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Claire
A text from Claire...
I am doing clinicals at Wesley today, and I am having a blast!
Claire is doing well.
I am doing clinicals at Wesley today, and I am having a blast!
Claire is doing well.
Monday, August 3, 2009
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!
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!
Monday, June 1, 2009
The Summer Transition Continues...
One of the first things on my "to-do" list was breaking up the yard and working on each section. I thought if I did this, I wouldn't feel so overwhelmed. Well, I haven't don any of it.
I gotta get better at this. Praying for strength and focus.
R has been sick for the past 3 days. Sinus infection and allergies. So he doesn't sleep at night, so neither do I. So I finally rolled out of bed at 8:30. Mad at myself for not getting up earlier.
AJ drove himself to work and back, so he is officially now driving. He has also done 2 rescues at the pool, and he almost had to do a 3rd one. "It gets worse every year!" he says. I don't see him much. He is working on his eagle stuff--ugh! GET IT DONE ALREADY! Or he is working, or doing some yard work.
AA is never around either. He is either, working, at swim practice, or working in the yard. He also fusses at AJ to finish his eagle!
C loves nursing school! We never see her either. She is at school, work, or studying. It has been a while since I have seen her this excited about learning. She is being challenged so much, and she loves that.
That's all for today...I better get my office "shut down".
I gotta get better at this. Praying for strength and focus.
R has been sick for the past 3 days. Sinus infection and allergies. So he doesn't sleep at night, so neither do I. So I finally rolled out of bed at 8:30. Mad at myself for not getting up earlier.
AJ drove himself to work and back, so he is officially now driving. He has also done 2 rescues at the pool, and he almost had to do a 3rd one. "It gets worse every year!" he says. I don't see him much. He is working on his eagle stuff--ugh! GET IT DONE ALREADY! Or he is working, or doing some yard work.
AA is never around either. He is either, working, at swim practice, or working in the yard. He also fusses at AJ to finish his eagle!
C loves nursing school! We never see her either. She is at school, work, or studying. It has been a while since I have seen her this excited about learning. She is being challenged so much, and she loves that.
That's all for today...I better get my office "shut down".
Friday, May 22, 2009
Summer Transition
I hate this time of year! I really do. I am thrilled, that I am home in the summer times. I am thrilled that my kids are with me. But the sudden change of activity is a little overwhelming. Why don't I plan for it?
I hate people who do not plan...it's like all of a sudden they realize that next week is Thanksgiving, or 4 weeks later it will be Christmas. Do these people ever consult a calendar? Do they own one? How do they know what day it is?
So today R. and I have dealt with AM wanting to go to a friends house...made no plans on how to get there or how to get home.
AS planning a camping trip that has a high chance of a keg being present. Not because of AS plans, but the other kids that will show up. Teenagers NEVER keep their parties to themselves. So R and I said to him...
1. You have no control who else shows up.
2. You have no control if alcohol appears.
3. You have no control if a fire gets out of control (the parents of the other kid said they could burn a mattress and a couch-seriously?).
4. When the fire department and police arrive, you have no control over the charges you will be charged with.
5. But you will have control regarding your plans for school and your future because kids charged with underage drinking are no longer eligible for any financial aid.
Have fun and be safe.
And this is the first day.
This gets better once we understand each other...it just tends to overwhelm me at first.
Good luck to R and I!
I hate people who do not plan...it's like all of a sudden they realize that next week is Thanksgiving, or 4 weeks later it will be Christmas. Do these people ever consult a calendar? Do they own one? How do they know what day it is?
So today R. and I have dealt with AM wanting to go to a friends house...made no plans on how to get there or how to get home.
AS planning a camping trip that has a high chance of a keg being present. Not because of AS plans, but the other kids that will show up. Teenagers NEVER keep their parties to themselves. So R and I said to him...
1. You have no control who else shows up.
2. You have no control if alcohol appears.
3. You have no control if a fire gets out of control (the parents of the other kid said they could burn a mattress and a couch-seriously?).
4. When the fire department and police arrive, you have no control over the charges you will be charged with.
5. But you will have control regarding your plans for school and your future because kids charged with underage drinking are no longer eligible for any financial aid.
Have fun and be safe.
And this is the first day.
This gets better once we understand each other...it just tends to overwhelm me at first.
Good luck to R and I!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
The Youngest
AM is our youngest child. He even has a song about being the youngest. He really is a character, and certainly the one that has given me the most gray hair--and I am sure he is not done yet--with giving me gray hair.
He is his own person. Never bothered by what his older brother or sister say to him, just does his thing. Didn't really follow in their footsteps, well he did some--but on his own terms. For example, he plays music like his sister, but in band and jazz. Swims like his brother, but only during the high school season.
Yep a young man with his own ideas...
So then you would think driving would not really be a big issue right?
Wrong.
His driving makes me nuts! He is terrible at it. He forgets his left from his right. He puts the car in forward when he needs to go in reverse. He literally is inches from the curb at all times. H freaks out when another car is coming from the opposite direction--which makes me freak!
When the other's were learning to drive...I usually sat in the passenger seat with a magazine and prayed into the magazine. But I don't dare take my eyes off the road with A because we will end up in a ditch or in a creek/river.
He says I make him nervous. Seriously? I say so little compaired to what I would like to say!
Neat guy, I know he will drive someday, I know he will not ride in my car forever. But I think I am ready for that day to come.
Love you AM!
Mom
He is his own person. Never bothered by what his older brother or sister say to him, just does his thing. Didn't really follow in their footsteps, well he did some--but on his own terms. For example, he plays music like his sister, but in band and jazz. Swims like his brother, but only during the high school season.
Yep a young man with his own ideas...
So then you would think driving would not really be a big issue right?
Wrong.
His driving makes me nuts! He is terrible at it. He forgets his left from his right. He puts the car in forward when he needs to go in reverse. He literally is inches from the curb at all times. H freaks out when another car is coming from the opposite direction--which makes me freak!
When the other's were learning to drive...I usually sat in the passenger seat with a magazine and prayed into the magazine. But I don't dare take my eyes off the road with A because we will end up in a ditch or in a creek/river.
He says I make him nervous. Seriously? I say so little compaired to what I would like to say!
Neat guy, I know he will drive someday, I know he will not ride in my car forever. But I think I am ready for that day to come.
Love you AM!
Mom
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