Appreciating some quiet moments

With three teenagers and two adults home all day every day right now, there are rarely moments of quiet.  In all honestly, we are rarely ALL home at the same time, but that just kind of adds to the chaos.  Right now Robert is at swim practice for about another ten minutes.  Andrew has taken the younger two on a college visit to a local university.  The weather is actually comfortable enough that the windows are open, and I enjoy hearing the birds chirp.  I am soaking up the peacefulness of my surroundings!

He began his high school activities tonight

Tonight was the beginning of band.  I enjoyed seeing all of the kids and their families.  It was also hard to believe that my youngest was sitting there among the students.  My little guy, who definitely is not so little, officially began his high school activities tonight.  Where has the time go?  This week is definitely a reminder that life is changing...and very quickly!

Half way through July

A month from yesterday is the first day of school.  It's hard to believe that it is coming so quickly.  Band begins this evening...it's all happening.  I don't mind the thought of fall weather, and with both kids doing marching band (no cross country schedule, and even though Andrew is coaching I don't have to attend middle school games) my time will be less spread out.  I am definitely looking forward to having the opportunity for additional income.  Overall though, I am not looking for the next four weeks to go to quickly!

The good-byes are getting to me

Today was the annual pool party at my aunt's house.  I enjoyed hanging out with the family, although that side is full of way too much drama.  Regardless, it is fun to get together.  My mom and grandmother came down, and for my grandmother, it was her last chance to see Robert.  Just like my mother-in-law (which I managed to avoid), my grandmother cried when said good-bye.  That really gets to me.  Everyone made a point to say goodbye to him, and my aunt became emotional as well.  Next week my mom & sister are coming down again to see him.  I can do all right until someone else gets emotional..and they are.

We've learned that we are actually supposed to take him to Columbus next weekend, and we have the opportunity to see him sworn in that Monday morning.  Unfortunately, I can't make that happen on a week's notice because that is band camp.  We've decided we will all take him over and get him checked in, and that will be the time for goodbye for Catherine, Thomas, and myself.  Andrew will drive back over early Monday morning.  I have a feeling this next week is going to be pretty draining.

Some tears in church

I hadn't meant to go so long between writing posts.  There has just been a lot going on, and I've been emotional about a lot of things.  I don't want to sound as though I'm complaining or to be a downer, so I just haven't written...and I've been busy.

Honestly, although I've been emotional, I fight against being so.  I don't want to sit around being weepy about the thought of my son leaving, because it really is a good thing.  Sometimes I've thought that I am not emotional enough because there has never once been the thought that I wish he wouldn't leave.  Joining the Navy is exactly what he needs to do for so many reasons.

This is the last Sunday Robert will be in church, and we asked our Pastor if he would include him in the weekly prayers.  Knowing Pastor as we do, we knew that he would want to do so, and I suspected he would even bring him to the altar for a bit of recognition.  I wasn't prepared however, for Pastor to begin crying and then ask us all to join him.  I was weeping as Pastor prayed over us all, and was pretty weepy through the rest of the service.  To be honest, it is the first time I have openly cried about Robert leaving, and I just wasn't prepared.

I'm so grateful for our church family.  I found a great deal of comfort in knowing that they are all praying not only for Robert's safety, but for our peace and comfort as well!

We celebrated Robert

Yesterday was the graduation party/Bon Voyage party for Robert.  It's why I didn't write much last week.  We were working our little rear ends off and it was crazy.  The weather was dangerously oppressive, and that didn't help either.  It really zapped our energy.

Things worked out fabulously though.  Our house was extremely clean, and we even had things pretty well set up by noon yesterday.  My aunt and uncle had spent the week smoking pork and chicken wings, and they arrived to help get that all ready.  My best friend Steph also arrived at that time to help with final details.

We were blessed with absolutely gorgeous weather for the afternoon.  Highs in the low 80's and low humidity.  It was fabulous.  Over 70 guests came to visit, and I regret that I didn't get to visit with each one more.  A couple of them who came from our former town brought tears to my eyes, and a life long friend flew in from New York to be here.  It was a wonderful afternoon!

While I was starting to wind down and be ready to begin my evening of relaxation, my friends Jen & Amanda were inside washing all of our dishes.  I was grateful beyond words!  I was able to spend the evening visiting instead of cleaning.

I don't know that there has ever been a day when I have felt as much gratitude and full of as many blessings as I did yesterday.  It really showed us who our friends were, and even one of my mom's friends mentioned I was so lucky to have friends like family.  I was grateful that Robert was able to be celebrated, and to say good bye to so many friends and family.  It was a day where my home was full, but my heart was even more full!

Everyone is home

Andrew and Robert arrived home about 6:00 last evening, and Catherine and Thomas arrived home nearly seven hours later.  It was so fabulous having everyone under the same roof, and I was so grateful.  I had decided weeks ago that no one was going to swim practice this morning and we would sleep in.

Andrew and Robert were able to accomplish a great deal while at Andrew's parents.  My mother-in-law became very emotional when it was time for them to leave since Robert leaves for the Navy in three weeks.  There is part of her that is convinced Robert will never see his grandfather again.  I'm glad I wasn't there to see her be so emotional.

Catherine and Thomas had a an amazing experience in Houston for their church trip.  I loved hearing their stories and I am more grateful than I can put into words that they were able to make this trip.  The next ELCA youth gathering is in three years in Minneapolis, and while Catherine will be too old, Thomas is already making plans to attend.

This summer continues to fly by!