Monday, August 31, 2015

#244/365--Just Missed Her

After I sent
...a care package...
to Lauren
and
she was just here...

...this came for her today...



#243/365--Rainy Days and Sundays

I know it's supposed to be
"Rainy Days and Mondays..."
but
it wasn't a Monday

I drove Lauren
back to school
in this
...and the weather...
mirrored my emotions

I don't really know why
but dropping her off this time
was harder than
the first time

but
she'll be home again
this weekend
<3

#242/365--Care Package and Surprise Visit

I boxed up some stuff
Lauren
accidentally left behind
and
...added a touch of home...
and
some surprises
and
later in the afternoon
while
I was texting with my
LollipopGirl
and then
...there we were...
at the game together
...SURPRISE!


...and she took pics...
for old times' sake

...then hung out...
for a second
with Mikey
in the
...student section...
which was
"hype, man!"

...and because there was...
a rain delay
my LollipopGirl
came home with us
and
I drove her back to school
on Sunday
<3



#241/365--Football

...droppin my kiddo off...
so he can
watch some
high school football
with his friends

#240/365--Parts of a Letter

...missing my LollipopGirl...

#239/365--Surprises on my Desk


#238/365--Shopping with my Son, Part 2

Made him
...go with me...
this time


#237/365--First Day of School 2015




#236/365--FaceTime with my LollipopGirl


#235/365--Shopping with My Son








Sunday, August 23, 2015

#234/365--Email

I received an email
from
...a former student...
simple
short
sweet
encouraging
...great reminder of why
I do what I do...


Friday, August 21, 2015

#233/365--Confirmation


#232/365--Meet the Teacher

Room set up.
Check.
First Day copies made.
Check.
Kids met.
Check.
Plans done.
Check.

Bring on
the new
...school year...

#231/365--Decompressing

The
"Summer's - Over - Back - to - School -
Just - Dropped - my - Kid - at - College - Dinner"

#230/365--MoMents and Mom-otions

It was the day
we had all been
...anticipating...

The day
my LollipopGirl
left for
...college...

We packed all her
...belongings...
into
the vehicle...
...and headed out.

 But first...
we had a
...send off breakfast...
 ...where the siblings
reminded Lauren
how much they love her
by
poking and prodding her
until our food arrived.

After breakfast, we hit the road
for a two and a half hour trip.

Upon check in,
we went up to see
the new
...third floor...
living space


...and then...
the
unloading
unpacking
arranging
stacking
shifting
rearranging
hanging
banging
and
building
...began... 


 ...and...
all of that work
can really
tire a person out

 ...but after Michael's nap,
Lauren got to try out her bed 

and
put up her door decoration

...then...
we trekked down to
the
...family BBQ...
 where Lauren expressed her
...frustration...
at all the pictures
and
...eventually refused to look
at the camera...

To bring an end to
...Move-in Day...
We prayed a blessing
over our
...Freshmen... 

...and then...
we hugged our goodbyes

...and headed back home...

Later in the evening,
I found a
"tweet"
from
my LollipopGirl
a pic from the
"Candlelight Devotional"

I can't really put a finger on
all the emotions
I have felt.

Sad
is not what I would name them,
although it is a part of how I feel
...I miss my girl...

Worried
is not what I would call them, either,
although, I am concerned about her
(did we raise Lauren's bed too high,
did she hit her head because her bed
is too close to the ceiling...
what if she falls out of that bed?!)

Anxious
...isn't quite right...
Although, anxiety about finances runs high
and there is
anticipation about her bright future.

Excited
is a part of
my sentiments, but doesn't adequately
describe them.

Pride
is not the word I would use to identify
...all my feelings...
although
I am joyous over her achievements.

I think
if I were to try to
...put a name on all the feelings I am having...
they would be called

"Mom-otions"

This releasing of my Firstborn
into the world
is reminiscent of
all her other firsts

...first time away at Nanna and Papaw's...
...first time in daycare...
....first day of Kindergarten...
...first sleepover...
...first "Dad's weekend"...
...first camp...
...first mission trip...

but

it is also different from these moments
because this time
...I'm releasing her into...
adulthood

and
the tears I cry
are filled with
sadness
worries
anxiety
excitement
anticipation
pride
joy
elation
and
triumph
at
watching my girl
spread her wings
and
fly

and this MOMent... 
...is a distant memory...
still close in my heart

Lauren,
I am proud of all you have accomplished.
You are a light in this world
and your

confidence
talent
strength
intellect
responsibility
purity
perseverance
respect for humankind
selflessness
priorities
motivation
initiative
and
love of God

will be your success
in this
great big world.
You are in your element
and
I can't wait to see
what God is going to do
through you.
May you always
...remember where you came from...
but never
...forget where you are going....

#rootsandwings

I love you.
Mom

#229/365--Random

...I don't know what this is a pic of...
...maybe the inside of my pocket?
...but...
it's all I have
for
picture #229