A quick update

It's has been a while...

Claire-Doing well in school. Really anxious to be done. She looks like a young woman in her nursing scrubs. I ask myself...is this really my baby girl?

Aaron-Changed majors to Physical Education. I am going to encourage him to look into Adaptive Physical Education. I think jobs would come easier rather than just PE. Doing well in swimming. He has qualified for NCAA-II Nationals in 2 relays. He is working hard to make it in 2 individual events as well.

Andrew-Grades are great. Swimming well. Symphony going well, and jazz is always fun.

Christmas was wonderful. But my pantry sure took a hit, as well as my milk budget. They ate tons, and just kept eating.

It was great to have them home.

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.