It's about time I updated the blog. SO much has happened in the past few weeks since I wrote my last entry. Garrett moved back to Chicago for his sophomore year at Wheaton College. Becca started the eighth grade at Covenant School and for the first time is attending school without any siblings. I helped Hannah move into the dorm at University of So.Carolina for her freshman year. In a matter of days, we went from 3 kids to 1.
I posted a picture on Facebook of Hannah hugging her daddy good-bye. My friend LeeAnne said something like, "Well, it's a new chapter". And you know- that was a pretty accurate statement. While at times it's been sad, nostalgic, and downright weird... mostly, it feels like turning a page. Our family story has had so many chapters that have involved preschool art projects, Christmas plays, school pictures, and playing in the snow. In the previous chapter, Garrett and Hannah lived in my house and Louie and I knew all their friends and were a part of their daily lives. But sometime in the last 30 days, we 'turned the page' and instead of telling me about his summer internship, Garrett texts me to tell me about Chem lab and Chicago weather. Instead of waving goodbye as she heads out the door to meet friends, Hannah is out at So Carolina BCM with 150 other college students that I don't know. Instead of being the 'baby' of the family, Becca is the only kid in the house, and captain of the MS volleyball team. I'm really trying to look at all this change- Garrett and Hannah moving away especially- as not sad but simply a new page in an ongoing story. And for some strange reason, in my mind that makes it easier.
Here are some pictures and bits of information from our last few crazy weeks.
Becca and I snuck (or is it sneaked?) in a last trip to the pool.
We all went to a 20th Anniversary celebration for Louie's aunt and uncle. Several people sang, including my in-laws, and Garrett. Becca was the "official photographer" of the event.
Yep, Becca took this picture. Not too bad for an old couple with 2 kids in college.
My baby boy the night before he left. We found out that evening that there's another guy named Garrett from WV- whose grandpa is a friend of my Garrett's grandpa- going to Wheaton. They ended up in the same hall.
My in-laws drove Garrett to Chicago which made for a long day. My mother-in-law has a brother there so they were able to stay and visit a while. Garrett made it campus just fine. He's a "deke" this year. Can't remember what "deke" stands for, but he's an ambassador for Wheaton College, giving campus tours and such. He gives tours on Friday afternoons. He's got a demanding schedule that includes Organic Chemistry. And like last year, he'll sing in the Men's Glee Club- who will be traveling on tour for 10 days in PARIS in May 2013! (I wonder if they need moms to chaperon? Oh yeah, this is college, not HS- doubt it)
She sure will miss her bub.
Louie's way of saying "I love you" is to 1) cook for you or 2) polish your shoes. He loves it.
A few days after Garrett left, I took Becca's very first 1st Day of School picture that only
had her in the picture! Eighth Grade will be awesome- even Algebra.
And because she loves plays like her brother, she auditioned for 1st Stage Theater Company's "The Little Mermaid, Jr.". This was her audition picture. She was cast as one of Ursala, the Sea Witch's evil eels. It could be fun playing a 'bad' guy. The play will run the last weekend of October.
Packing again. I had my detractors... but I made every item strategically fit into that vehicle.
Have boots, will travel- to the South, anyway.
A packet of memories that Becca put together for Hannah to open on her way to college. It was funny
and cute!
Another weekend, and another goodbye hug.
Good-bye WV.
I always forget just how tiny dorm rooms are until I walk into one- I think Hannah and I both gasped slightly when we walked into her room. Then after we thought about how to "strategically store" her stuff, we were able to breathe normally again. It's hard to unpack someone else's stuff- and Hannah knew how she wanted things, so I tried to get out of the way.
Pintrest. Need I say more? This is at the half completed stage. It ended up much cuter!
At lunch with her room mate Katherine just before I left. (sigh) As it turns out, they've had some time to bond... less than a week after school began, Hannah started feeling bad and I thought she was just run down, getting used to a new schedule. As it turns out, she ended up in the clinic- a shot, prescriptions, and strep! Not good- but a Labor Day weekend in bed helped. And... Hannah ran for and was elected to student government the first week of school, representing her dorm. She also joined the Baptist Campus Ministry group on campus and signed up for a small group study. No, she's not shy.
Oh, yeah. And today is my 42nd birthday. It was a quieter day and birthday wishes via phone call- no hugs from Garrett or Hannah. Birthdays sure are different since we 'turned the page'. Not bad. Just different. I wonder what else will be different...
