.
Outside my window...cool 64 degrees and cloudy. We are expecting thunderstorms today and I'm doing my rain dance. Yeah thunderstorms.
I am thinking...about my children growing up. Joshua just left for his first day of his senior year of high school. On Monday, Noah will start eighth grade -- his last year at home. My Faith and I will be on our own after that, and I have no idea how to feel about all of it. I should be happy that they are growing and spreading their wings, but really I want to tuck them back under my wing and tell them to stay.
I am thankful for...other women who understand just how it feels to really not want them to grow up at all.
From the learning rooms...Noah's books arrived and I have his lessons to plan. Faith's are all ready to go on Monday. For those of you who are looking for a new way to keep track of lessons and grades, I highly recommend Homeschool Skedtrack. Sara pointed the way for me and even though I have not yet used it for daily work, I love planning on it. The video tutorials (with my Russian friend -- Nadia, I call her) teach you everything you need to know and I'm excited about using it.
From the kitchen...an end of summer/first day of school treat: Marinated Chicken Legs, Corn Tomato and Avocado Salad, bread and Cookie Bars.
I am wearing...a white cotton nightgown, pink robe, and blue slippers -- not ready to greet the day yet.
I am creating...several St. Michael chaplets. Three people recently contacted me about creating St. Michael Chaplets, and I am always amazed at how that happens.
I am reading...not much. I am still working on Home: a memoir of my early years by Julie Andrews, but I'm not certain I'm going to make it to the end by the time it's due back tot he library. I just don't have much time, or interest, right now, although her life was very interesting and far different from what I expected.
I am hoping...for a happy day. I'm keeping my wishes simple these days.
I am hearing...the dog snoring beside me, and the fish tank bubbling. The air is on, too, even though it is cool, it is too humid for me, and I needed good sleep last night after several rough nights with the windows open and the temps not quite cool enough for good sleep.
Around the house...just regular chores -- it feels so good to say that. No diy projects right now, just regular upkeep which seems so simple compared to months of trying to do upkeep and diy projects.
One of my favorite things...almost autumn. I can almost feel autumn qualities to the cooler air. It was dark last night at 8:30. I love the anticipation.
A few plans for the rest of the week...getting back into school mode, to bed early, ready to rise early. Geoff is coming home today for one week. His lease on his apartment ends today, but the new lease does not begin until September 1, which seems to be the norm at the university. This is the craziest thing I have ever heard and no one I have asked understands it, so I guess I'm not crazy. Geoff is fortunate he lives 20 minutes from campus and he can move everything home. What do kids do who live in Texas or California or abroad? You can't live out of a moving truck for a week? I just don't undertsand....
A picture thought...first day of senior year:
.
Your boy and my boy. We never want them to grow up and leave us but in reality they never do leave us. They are always our little boys who we love more dearly than our own life.
ReplyDeleteI wish for a happy day for you too, Barb. xoxo ss
As per your "I am thankful for..."
ReplyDeleteI went to a neighborhood girl's graduation a few years back. Standing at her photo collage and seeing a long-ago picture of the little gal that I once knew...surrounded by other neighborhood friends who were also graduating...
Well, I started to cry.
And the mom, who was doing the hostess thing and making the rounds, stopped by. When I asked her, "Isn't this hard for you, seeing them grow up?" she replied,
"Oh no, I enjoy each phase as it comes."
A very mature and emotionally stable response, yes, but helpful? To me? At that time?
Not really.
Oh, how I understand, Barbara, and with my oldest away at his first 1/2 day back today...
I really, really understand.
PS. Do you cry? Like I do?
ReplyDeleteGma,
ReplyDeleteThey are always our little boys who we love more dearly than our own life. so, so true.
Dearest Margaret,
I do cry, but not well, I may say. I try to brush away the tears before anyone sees. My boys, especially, do not like to see me cry. They don't get it. They think crying means something is wrong, and of course something is, but they don't see it that way. So I try not to let them see -- I don't want them to think I am not proud. I do, however, tell them -- all the time -- that I would love to have their little boy self back for just a little bit, to love and to hug. So they know I would love for them to stay the way they are. ;-)
I cry all the time--more as my oldest gets closer to being out of the house for good.
ReplyDeleteI thought I was okay with my boys growing up and moving on...but lately I'm not so sure. Our oldest will graduate college in May and is seeking permanent employment about 6 hours from home in a big city...and I type this with tears running down my face. The next two kiddos are right behind the first...sigh....
ReplyDeleteSara, :~(
ReplyDeleteCheryl,
I used to think I was an awful mom because I didn't want them to grow up and it seemed like all the other moms were so excited that they were growing up. I finally have met some moms who are just as sad as I. Hugs to you.