The beginning of the end

Well I changed my 2 month family calendar today.  August is on the board with school start dates & all.

There were several groans & lamenting all around.

Me included.    There are lots of projects to do & vacation time to take before Michael moves back on campus.  We will miss College Boy when he moves out.  There are always fun things happening with him around.

It is hot(REALLY HOT) here in mid-MO.  I think the heat may be affecting my almost 20 year old’s brain power.  

10 Things old teens do (that make me shake my head)

10.  Call to see if I have time to bring him lunch

9.  Thank me & his sister for the awesome lunch(it was leftovers)

8.  Move computer to nearest flat surface so we can eat supper at the table—bathroom?

7.  Play ninja at the park in the 95+ weather

6.  Watch a zillion Dr. Who movies

5.  Go film a movie with friends in the 95+ weather

4.  Build a fire for movie & make it really big

(did I mention it is really hot here?)

3.  Play Pass the Pigs with his younger brother & sister at WAY past their bed time—okay I guess I did encourage this one

2.  Work on a speech for class at 6:30 in the morning out in the driveway

1.  Sleep with the window open because he is cold—the air is on & the vent in the bedroom is open

As much as Michael baffles me at time, I am so thankful for my oldest son.  His laugh, the random piano moments that happen, watching movies until late & feeling that all my chicks are under one roof again.  It has been a growing, learning time in the last year so it has been good that he came home for the summer. 

 

More of the good stuff!

I am waiting up right now for my oldest.  Michael started a new job today and some how got out the door without his wallet or keys to the house.

I don’t even care that I should have been in bed an hour ago.  I am so thankful he’s home for the next 3 months.

Life is going to be different.

1.  More stuff—There is a desk in my garage that needs to find a home in this house!  So far there is a place but no time to move it.  A job for tomorrow.

2.  More miles—Maybe it is time to trade our old suburban in for another smaller car?  Here the story of my big love affair!  I need to remember this each time I fill up these days!

3.  More music—I love to listen to my kids play the piano.  I have missed Michael’s songs.  He plays different ones than the girls.  It just stops me in my tracks when he plays, In Christ Alone, which is one of my favorite songs of all time.

4.  More late nights—We seem to talk more & stay up late when he’s home.  I don’t really care.  What is sleep anyway?

5.  More flexibility—who showers when? who does what chores?  It all will take a bit more flexibility!

6.  More food—My little guys don’t eat as much.  I don’t worry about having “extra” sides at the meal but after just a couple of days I can see I need to be putting bread, fruit etc on the table a little more!

7.  More photos--I realized that I don’t have a bunch because he’s only around on the weekends!  Gonna have to fix that!

8.  More laundry—hmmm what day will we fit him in to our laundry rotation?  

9.  More FUN!  The more the merrier!  We have plans for camping, games, bike rides & who knows what else this summer.

10.  More awareness—As with anything you take for granted, when it is gone then you treasure it more.  I am going to treasure every moment, every hug, every smile & every “I love you” in the next 3 months so that I can store them up for when I need them.

 

      

Home for Spring Break

The college boy is home for a week.  I got a huge hug first thing. 

He has a list of to do’s so he is in an out of the house.  But it is nice to see his smile, hear the piano play & enjoy his ?sweet? face. 

Maturity or laziness?  What do you think?

I don’t care how much facial hair he has because I am still thankful he’s home.

Brother Love

Not my sons but sweet picture regardless.

I do claim both of these even if one isn’t mine.

Yes they are really sleeping.

Posted at Wordless Wednesday

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Wordless Wednesday: Favorite Photos 2010 Part 2

            

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Piano Time

As we get closer and closer to graduation, Michael has been trying to decide what song he wants to play for his Senior presentation.








I caught him playing & practicing. It has been such a blessing to our family & church for him to learn how to play the piano. I sometime just stand in the kitchen and listen(or sing along) when he plays. There is a certain song he played for his last recital by Chris Rice that just brings tears to my eyes when I hear it.






Somehow no matter where he ends up next year I know I am going to miss listening to him practice.

#1

I had to put off my oldest until this week. It just got too crazy for me to do him justice so I will just jump in where I am at.

How do you describe someone who is growing and changing right before your very eyes? I seem to remember this little red hair imp who used to follow me around everywhere and talk my ears off. Now I have a quiet young man who is thoughtful about everything and is considering where he will be next year and what he will be doing.

At 18, Michael is a senior and will graduate in May. He has been taking college courses at Columbia College as a dual enrolled student. It is rather satisfying to know that this homeschooling thing works. Right now he's been accepted at 4 colleges/universities & now is waiting to hear back about financial aid packages. He is carefully weighing the positives and negatives so that he can follow God's leading on where his life will go next.

Somethings that Michael does well.


Play the piano--I don't want to think about how many years I have paid for lessons but well . . . it has paid off. Right now he accompanies his dad once a month at church for the song service. I was listening to him play on Sunday when he didn't know I was there & it just struck me how much I enjoy listening to him. When he moves out I know that is one thing I will miss the most.

Memorize scripture--he's been a Bible Quizzer for 8 years and is getting ready for Nationals right now. The question is will he be on the top team this year? Does he want to be? Regardless we will travel to Pittsburgh to watch him one more time.

Make friends--I wouldn't call Michael a social butterfly but he has been choosing to interact more with people his own age lately. He is really close to his quiz team(6 girls LOL) and they have been hanging out a lot. And NO there is no one special girl in his life right now.

Also he's gone to a couple of scout meetings as they have started back up and is enjoying interacting with the younger scouts. He wants to help and teach now that he has achieved Eagle rank even though it isn't required.

Also the other seniors/graduates have been interacting on a regular basis & it is good to see him want to join in even though he isn't close to any of them besides those he knows from quizzing.

There is something absolutely bizarre about your oldest being grown and ready to move out. I totally trust Michael to handle whatever comes his way in the years to come. He is responsible, trustworthy, and kind. Many of those Scout characteristics showing through. I know he feels slightly overwhelmed and unsure but that is natural. His trust in God & love for his family will always ground him in whatever circumstances arise. While the teenage years haven't been without their rocky moments I would say that I have had one of the best times watching him grow and become who he is. It is such a process and I know it isn't over yet . . . I dread and anticipate the coming changes.