21 years ago today, he blessed us with his presence…very early, and very scary, the first few weeks were tough. He’s always ready with a smile on his face, often jumps in without thinking, and wants to experience so much! He has blessed us with his music and his amazing personality. I couldn’t be prouder of the young man he has become.
Happy Birthday, son!
When our oldest turned 18, we decided to take him skydiving. So..we loaded up and headed out…got on a plane…tried not to die of a heart attack…
and then jumped.
OUT.
OF.
AN.
AIRPLANE.
And LOVED it! So much so, that I was caught screaming, “From now on, on everyone’s 18th birthday, we jump out of a plane!”
And so, when the next one turned 18, his older brother took him up in a plane, while his father and I watched from below.
As they jumped out of an airplane.
Bboo, on the other hand, said she would not. She mentioned shark diving instead.
But this weekend, she kept with family tradition.
Her oldest brother again, went up in an airplane with her….
and jumped out. I sooooo wanted to go each time, but….at least I get to watch them.
I will say, though…when we get to the youngest…we will ALL JUMP OUT OF AN AIRPLANE TOGETHER…well, two planes…cause we’re a rather large family.
My honey put together this video to capture what we’ve been up to…and to celebrate Bboo’s graduation.
Three down…four more to go!
Apparently I need to update my blog!
In the past year, we gained two new children and had many changes in our family.
And there are many more to come!
It amazes me that in just a few short weeks, the Good Looking One will be married to this angel!
And that these two are turning 20 and 13 this year!
The Talented One is almost half-way through college studying music….and she’s half way thru middle school!
(And the Drama, oh the Drama!)
And then, there’s the Smart One and Bboo….the Smart One almost finishing his first year of HIGH SCHOOL and Bboo…sniff sniff…finishing up high school forever. She’ll be 18 in just a few days…and he’ll be 16 this year!
I wrote my first blog, four years ago this past week, Whatever in the Whole Wide World. As I sat and read it this morning, I was taken back. It’s amazing how time flies by so fast you can barely keep up. It seems it wasn’t so long ago that I was the one preparing for my wedding to the love of my life, and now we’re getting ready for our son’s wedding. Where did the time go? What happened? I’m not sure, but I do know that it is true; the older you get the more you remember the past. The Smart One and I sat at lunch the other day and talked about, “Remember When?” I realize I did most of the remembering, but we had some great laughs.
Don’t get me wrong! I am so looking forward to the memories to come. I love the new relationships that we continue to build and look forward to where we are going. I just can’t believe how fast we are getting there!
Oreo was a Christmas surprise almost five years ago. My parents had come for a visit and then next thing I knew, I had several rabbits. Mom took all but one back to Colorado with her; Oreo. The Talented One couldn’t part with her, and so she became part of our family.
Oreo loved to run around the back yard. (Except for that one time when the dogs decided to chase her and we chased the dogs…but that’s another story!) She like to dig holes in the back yard; and when she was done, she go back into her hutch. She liked carrots and loved to be petted when we’d go out on the back porch to visit her.
Yesterday, we lost Oreo. My heart goes out to my children for the loss of their Oreo. I remember someone sharing this poem with us before and so I’ll share it again.
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together. . . .
I just spent the longest eight hours of my life attending a mandatory orientation in order to register the Talented One for his classes at the university. I think perhaps, the university needs some tips on what orientation should entail.
Not to mention the parents who are obviously having a hard time letting go.
To the university,
Perhaps a different orientation should be held for parents who aren’t sure if they want their children to go to college or not. You could spend hours counseling them about *helicopter* parenting, how to raise their children so that they don’t become wild when they go off to college, how they are not allowed to go to class with their college students and how they aren’t allowed to live in the dorms with them.
This would be greatly appreciated by those of us who just want to register our students for their classes and go home. We understand that we’ve raised our children up to become fine, young adults and know they will be able to find their way around the campus on their own. We understand that our children don’t want us going to class with them or telling them what clubs/organizations they need to be a part of. We are confident that if they want us to know, they will share it with us themselves. We are also confident that they will continue to make good choices and no longer need a babysitter; and that if they do make a wrong choice, they will learn from their mistakes without us having to hold their hands or talking to their teachers for them.
To future parents of college freshman,
When you attend orientation, please be mindful of the fact that not every parent in the room is having a hard time letting go of their young adult. Also, please note the following:
No, the university does not offer support classes for parents who are having a hard time letting go. You need to get a grip and realize that it is time to cut those strings. Your student will greatly appreciate it.
No, the university does not offer free babysitting services for your student.
No, the university does not offer services to escort your student home after they’ve made a bad decision to drink at a party. It is a *dry* university. This means that they do not allow alcohol on campus. If you’re student happens to go to a party off campus and drink, the university is not responsible for bringing them safely home. If you have doubts as to what your student will be doing while attending, please discuss this with them before they leave your nest.
No, you may not live with your student in the dorm.
No, you may not attend class with them.
No, you will not be allowed to speak to their teachers.
Yes, you can send them care packages. (especially ones with cookies.)
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This information was provided free of charge. Thank you, and have a nice orientation…er…day.