Been a while

 

I am not even sure where to start! Last blog I wrote was that we were on to the phase of our lives that included college visits. Oh how time has gone fast. Of the two schools we visited, Amanda ended up at University of Minnesota Mankato!

 Move in day was August 22. Now that I am 3 weeks away from it, I can think of it and not cry. Now most of you know me and know that I am a cry baby by nature. I am cool with it. I have grown into it. We got her room all set up and got her settled in. And then the afternoon became this anxiety ridden day of dread. The dread that I had to leave. And at the point that we just were all making small talk, both her and I with tears in our eyes, I knew it was time to pull the band aide off. The walk from her dorm room to our car felt.....well, I don't have a word for it. All I know is that I cried, tears rolling, snot coming out the nose, I cant breath cry. I wanted to hold on to her forever as we stood by the car. I just wanted to rewind everything. I would take back every sleep less night, every cold, every teething session, I would even clean up vomit......
But I cant. I have to let her go live her life. As Jeremy reminded me, my favorite saying is.



And I had to let her use those wings.....Young Moms out there, screw this saying keep them Mamas boys and girls.....
Ok No. Back on track. Phew....
Its true. I raise the kids to have minds of their own. Letting them know that its ok to be your own people. You will always have a home base, and no matter where life takes you. I will be here, cheering you on.
I am doing much better with her being gone. Its the moments before I go to sleep, when I am saying my prayers, and mentally retucking everyone into bed that it still gets to me. I have never been one to be able to sleep well if all my kids are not under my roof. So she gets an extra prayer. And a kiss blown through the air.
 I read a book for book club once, and there was a saying in there....Now forgive me, because I didn't write it down, so I only kind of remember it, but it was something like....
Dear Heavenly Father,
Please help me bridge the gap between what I had time to teach her and what she needs to learn yet.
Amen.......

Visits........

2 College visits scheduled. Phew. Nothing to say about this one. Just processing..........

You know its a good weekend when........

When you are having so much fun that you don't take out your camera. I took it with having good intentions of taking lots of first trip of the year pics. Nope. Didn't happen. What did happen was lots of good old fashion talking among parents and kids. We decided to call the weekend Putting on the Brakes.
What I learned this weekend was, after a busy long winter full of things to do. One weekend at the cabin can reconnect your family and recharge you batteries.
And the coolest thing I learned?? Our kids like us. Not the I want a new bike like us. But a your a good Mom and Dad like us.
Sweet.

Open Fishing

Jack at open fishing!!

MOM!! That thing would NOT hold still!!

Finally, good grip, Jack's 27 inch Walleye!!

That fishing thing is hard work!! Anyone who knows our Jack, knows that when it is time to shut down. Its time to shut down!! No matter what!!

Jeremy, Jack, Jeff and Mason left Friday after work to head up to our place in Garrison. They were on the lake ready to put lines in at midnight! Jack had a BLAST!! And Dad was super proud of our little fisherman!

Prom



Flowers done by Stephens sister, Jennifer.



Amanda and Stephen



Prom was this last weekend for Amanda. Great time was had by all!!

Wrapping my head around it....

Or however the saying goes. I know I have 2 years yet...but, the past 15 have gone so fast that I cant not imagine how fast the next two will go. We are getting SOOO much information from colleges that I almost dread getting the mail. Its just coming and coming. Everyday. More letters. More emails.....more more more. But listen here, I am not ready to let her go. She is my sunshine on a rainy day. And even the 1 argument we have had in the last year, I am not sure who was saying they were sorry first her or me. No need to point out who was wrong, I just wanted to be with her and talk with her. And it feels good. It feels good to know that she knows that God put us together for a reason. And I thank him for it every day!! But its all happening to fast. She will be 16 in 2 months. 2 months. Then she will drive, work, drumline, youth group....but I also do know that when the weeks have been long. There will finally be a night she gets home, and I will know she needs me. She will crawl on my bed and just start talking. And once she starts, I move over, share some blanket and let her talk. Those nights are awesome. I love those nights. Little tired the next day at work. But well worth it. Its been fun, as Josh is also starting those late night talks. I think we were up till 11:15 the other night. Me, Jeremy, Josh and Amanda. We talked and talked and then talked some more. I think that was the night that they both understood, that we understood, some of the things they are going through. I love my kids. I love them. And when I look at them I see these perfect, wonderful beings.....I will stop my ramblings with a wish for everyone to see perfect when they see there kids. And with one of my favorite sayings.

Two great gifts a parent can give its child, one is roots, and one is wings.

Big Daddy's GREAT trip......

SO excited for Jeremy!! He has finally had the trip he dreams of!!!

For Christmas this year, Jeremy asked for nothing, well nothing but the big one he has been chasing for so long.....

He was able to join up with 3 great fella's for a trip to Canada for some sitting on a slab of ice. I sent him a text Monday morning that I had a feeling today was his day......

And his day it was, about 10 minutes later I got one back, he had just caught a 29"!!!! The whole day was awesome for him. He didnt go over the 30 like he would love to do someday....dont tell him, but I am ok with that, I dont know how I feel about a fish hanging on our wall......(really, you dont have to quickly call him to tell him that....he reads the blog....)anywhoooo.....

We are having so much fun listening to him tell stories of catching these fish. So this time I will NOT figure out how much each Walleye filet costs.............

Love ya Big Daddy!!!