Pool Time

Cleaning the pool in a jacket

is still better than hiking uphill 30 minutes

in the snow to class.

Right?

MATTHEW'S HOME !

Matthew is home from college for a long weekend.

They call it "Fall Break".

I call it fabulous because I miss my kid!

It also coincided with his birthday.

(So I haven't missed one of those yet.)

I tried the candles that you can't blow out.

It was fun for about a half a minute.

~ ~ ~

Then it got smokey

But, thanks to Alex and Kevin's ingenuity,

we dealt with that issue quickly.

(So there does turn out to be another use for those face misters.)

These are the wonderful gadgets you can buy at any outdoor

event or establishment in the state of Florida.

They should pass these out at the state line.

Everybody gets one.

From May until November.

~ ~ ~

That and sunscreen.

Dorm Life

He's gone.

Far.....Far.....Away.

And although it's only been a week...and we are doing well...

Comments like, "I really only need to eat in the cafeteria once a day."

And, "When I left my clean clothes in the bag for hours they were all wrinkled."

And, "Send snacks!"

Make me wonder, worry, and wish I were there.

~~~~~

They say growing up is hard to do.

~~~~~

I say letting go is hard too.

College Bound

There is something really hard about helping your child pack to leave home.

It doesn't feel natural.

It hurts.

My firstborn is going to college.

Is it possible?

How did that sneak up on me?

On the one hand I am so happy and excited for him

~and at the same time~

I whimper at the thought of him leaving.

I am going to miss this boy so much.

My prayer is that the Good Lord will help me adjust to his leaving.

And that the Good Lord will guide him when I can't.

I have a lump in my throat that won't go away.

Whimper. Wail. Pray. Smile.

I think it might be like this for a while.

~

Don't let me even think about Alex graduating next year.

Winter Clothes

This is Matthew practicing wearing winter gear.

He was informed that:

1. Universities don't cancel classes for snow.

2. Long John's are worn UNDER your jeans.

3. Ice is slippery.

4. Snow is cold.

and 5. Tell'm you're from Florida and they'll understand.

Matthew Graduates !

Just think...

you're here not by chance,

but by God's choosing.

HIS HAND FORMED YOU

and made you

the person you are.

He compares you

to no one else -

YOU ARE ONE OF A KIND.
You lack nothing that

His grace can't give you.

He has allowed you to be here

at this time in history

to fulfill His special purpose

for this generation.

-------

I love this quote written by Roy Lessin.

It really sums up my graduating senior.

I love you Matthew.

Congratulations.

Well done.

Baccalaureate

Matthew is graduating!

I'm smiling on the outside.....

.....and I'm crying on the inside.

Oh, I am gonna miss this boy.

Why do they have to grow up and move away.

I know. I know.

But I don't have to like it.