Random Wednesday afternoon thoughts at the end of August

I love being back into my schedule where I don't work on Wednesday afternoons.  This semester, I am off work at 11:30.  It's wonderful.  The only downside is that my work departure coincides with the university's class change, so it takes me twice as long to get home as it should.

The weather today could not be more gorgeous.  It is in the upper 70's today with no humidity and bright blue skies.  I might even  be able to light a candle this evening because it will be cool enough.  Andrew is playing frisbee golf this afternoon, and we have nothing on our calendar for today.  It's delightful.  Because we have no students on Friday, my mind keeps thinking it is Thursday.  That will be lovely as well, but I am grateful it is Wednesday so I can be home.

While I love this weather and having the afternoon off, I can't deny that this date brings me a touch of sadness.  I won't give away identifying information, but if you know my family well, you will understand the meaning of this date.  I regret it is a day that can't be celebrated.

But looking ahead, Labor Day weekend is on the horizon!  And that means college football!  This will be the first Labor Day weekend in several years that none of us are traveling to my in-laws, and I'm looking forward to having a fabulous weekend of all football, and hopefully a little family time as well! 

It was harder yesterday

Yesterday afternoon we took Thomas back to school.  Because had had moved into a room by himself, there were several things he needed from the grocery again.  Yikes...not cheap!  We bought him some cold medicine also as he didn't feel 100%, and I'm hoping and praying for multiple reasons, that it isn't COVID!

I'm grateful that dropping him off coincided with us having plans with our good friends, because it was a lot harder this time.  When we dropped him off the first time, it was all so exciting and full of so much possibility.  Yesterday didn't feel that way at all.  Thomas had a hell of a tough week.  He knows his classes might be tough.  There had been lots of good, but also lots of "hard" in those eleven days.  It was so, so much harder to leave him there yesterday, and I'm not going to lie...I am very grateful I get to bring him home again on Friday for a long weekend!

Not the alone time we thought it would be

When Thomas decided to attend school that would be over an hour away, we knew it meant he would be living on campus.  With Catherine at her school apartment, it seemed to indicate Andrew and I would have these glorious evenings and weekends with endless hours, just the two of us.  Don't get me wrong, everyone knows I love my kids and I love having them around.  The thing is, I love when we are ALL together.  Having just one around feels harder.  And I love my husband so much and love our time spent together.

The day that we moved Thomas into his dorm, we were home by 3:00 in the afternoon.  Andrew and I kind of sat around that day and looked at each other...now what?  That day felt like it would drag on forever, and I remember wanting to go to bed at 8:00 that evening.  I thought that was what our evenings were going to be like!

Haha, not so much!  The very next day, Andrew played frisbee golf after school and then I had a church meeting that evening.  We had a fairly quiet Thursday evening, and I was looking forward to enjoying a quiet weekend after we got through Catherine's nursing induction on Friday.  But then Andrew needed to work two athletic events that Saturday, and I was asked to work one as well.  Sunday became the day that we drove to see each kid at school, which meant we were gone over seven hours.  Our Saturday late afternoon and evening were exactly what I was hoping it would be, but it was hours, not day.

This week was even less so!  Monday I went straight to church to work and then did our weekly grocery shopping.  Tuesday I had to work a bit late at work, then had a church meeting at 6:00.  Andrew also had dinner with Catherine.  Wednesday I had to drive to take Thomas his glasses, and Andrew had to work an athletic event until after 9:30.  That was also the evening that things fell apart with Thomas.  Thursday I ended up working an athletic event and it was 8:00 before I got home.  Although I knew Andrew needed to attend the football game last evening, my original vision was a quiet Friday evening at home for myself.  Instead, I was back to move Thomas and bring him home, AND he unexpectedly brought a friend.  That means that although I knew Andrew would be working athletics this morning, my expected quiet Saturday didn't happen either.  We have plans with friends this evening, and I think Andrew and I are going to need all day tomorrow to recover and prepare for another crazy week!  maybe we'll have a quiet evening together this week, although I know he's already working athletics two evenings!

Lots of ups and downs

This week ended up turning south quickly.  The roommate situation for Thomas, which we thought was delightful, turned into a nightmare.  His roommate apparently has some serious mental health issues, which made Thomas feel unsafe and was leading Thomas to have some mental health concerns as well.  Fortunately, Thomas has a good friend who allowed him to sleep in his room, and we were able to move Thomas into a different (although VERY expensive) room yesterday.  Yikes.  Because of everything, we agreed Thomas could come home for the weekend, although he ended up bringing a friend and we are taking them back this afternoon.  Ultimately, this is all going to be lovely, I think, but the drama getting us here has been HARD. Like, "I-thought-he-might-drop-out-and-not-be-in-school" hard.

Catherine has also presented us with challenges.  She is convinced that she can handle things on her.  And of course, she can.  But some of her choices aren't the best, and it will cost her in several ways in the long run.  Of course, I have to let her make those choices, but it sure is disappointing that not only will she not ask for help (or even advice), when her choices start to go poorly she then lies about them.  I continue to point out that is she wants to be treated like an adult, she should start to act like one.

On top of the craziness of it being the first full week of school and challenges both Andrew and I have had at work, this all had made for some downs.  The good news though, is that here we are at the weekend.  Thomas seems to be in a good place, and life should begin to settle down for all of us.  AND, college football is right around the corner!!!

Mid-week

We are into Wednesday evening.  I appreciate being "over the hump" for the week, and I further appreciate that only work until 11:30 on Wednesdays.  I'm not going to lie, today was a bit of an emotional day today.  I had to make a trip to take Thomas his glasses.  I took our sweet pup with me, and it was nice to spend a few minutes watching them together.  Thomas is doing better today, and he also was very happy that he got a job this morning!  He will be able to lifeguard at the pool at school.  It's a great fit for him.  I'm glad I was able to see him in person and hug him for a few minutes.

For the first time, I'm finding myself struggling with being an empty nester.  It's not that I'm sad that my adult children are off at college, it's that I'm a little sad that they are adults.  I was determined not to be that person, but for this evening that's who I am.  I no longer get a say in whether my children are around or whether all holidays are completely devoted to our family.  I know this isn't a bad thing, and I am proud of the adults my children are becoming.  I know that I was careful to soak up the little things, and I'm so grateful that I was home with them so much and for so many things.  I know that we made so many memories and I'm so, so grateful.  Walking past those empty bedrooms this evening though, well, it's getting to me.  I also know that's okay as well, and it won't be long until I adjust to this new phase of life.

It was a tough day

I'm not going to lie, it was a tough, tough day.  Both Catherine and Thomas are having some struggles, and hearing Thomas get emotional on the phone made me cry.  His first day of each class has overwhelmed him, and while I know that is normal, it's hard.  He really wanted to come home this weekend, but we are trying to get him to wait until Labor Day weekend.  Andrew is being really strong about this, but part of me wants to compromise and let him come home for just one night.  I know at the end of the day things are probably going to be okay, but today has been a tough one.  I'm grateful that today happened to be the day that Pastor Logan sent an email to him.  Sounds like divine intervention to me!

Our first weekend as empty nesters

Today was actually a day all about the kids.  Andrew and I drove over to take a few things to Thomas and take him to lunch.  We also invited his roommate to go with us.  We were thrilled to meet him...he's a great fit with Thomas!  And Thomas was also telling us about all of the other people he's met in his "friend group".  We couldn't be more thrilled!  His classes start tomorrow, and we can't wait to hear all about it.

We then drove over to have dinner with Catherine and meet her boyfriend.  We were still stuffed from lunch, but it was a pleasant dinner.  He clearly cares about Catherine a lot, and we are grateful for that.

Our weekend ended up being far more scheduled than I had anticipated.  Andrew had to work six hours at the athletic events yesterday.  I have agreed to work at athletic events to take tickets if I am needed at any point.  It is a paying position, and while I may not get asked much, any amount is a bit more to use to help the kids with college.  We ended up with a nice afternoon and evening, just the two of us, which will be even better in a few weeks when college football begins!