one beautiful girl + $7k + 2.5 yrs =

Before

First phase: Herbst install

During



After

What an incredible difference two and a half years makes~



move-in day

"You know you have made the right decision when there is peace in your heart."

Welp, we spent the day Saturday getting No. 1 all moved into her dorm room at college.

 

We set our alarms, woke up at the buttcrack of Dawn, then started our two-hour journey, bleary-eyed yet thankful for the warm cup of Starbucks.  When we drove up College Street, we were amazed at how organized the upperclassmen were as they handled the onslaught of over-packed cars loaded to the hilt with bags, baskets, boxes, nervous parents and anxious, overwhelmed freshmen. 

 

One especially cheery-faced girl met us at our car and directed us as to what to do.  In no time flat, we had her clothes hung up in the closet and had her bed in place and made up with its comfy foam topper and clean, new sheets, blankets, and pillows.

 

 

Is this great or what?!

 

We grabbed lunch at Chick-Fil-A, checked out the cafeteria, met the mailroom lady, figured out how to open her post office box, and then went to the gathering where we prayed with the school's president, heard encouragement from an upperclassman to "get involved," and learned the Fight Song.  We then went to Mass and were grateful to stop and worship God for the amazing blessings, too many to count, and then we dropped my sweet firstborn back off just in time to give her a big squeezy hug, a kiss, and a reassuring word:

"ohmygoshIloveyousooooomuchyou'regonnahavethebesttimeeverandI'msojealous!"

before she and her roommate headed off to join the others for a Class of 2017 photo. 

 

I read on Facebook about other mom friends who were also taking their sons or daughters to college and how many tears they shed.  Although I did get a little misty-eyed, I must admit that I have not (yet) bawled.  I have no qualms in stating the fact that the decision for her to go to this particular college was God-directed.  And, because I know how much fun college is, I am certain she will completely enjoy it.  I also am reassured by the fact that she chose to go through sorority rush so that she can meet new people.  The cherry on top is that her childhood priest is a few blocks away, the pastor of an incredible parish and gorgeous, cathedral-esque church.  A Latin Mass even! 

 

So, even though I bought extra stock in Kleenex, and warned everyone I am going to be a basket case, I have reserved the right to cry as much as I want, whenever I want, wherever I want.  But, so far so good.  Everything is right about it, much glory and praise to God!  And I am peaceful. 

surely there's a reason...?

What was God thinking?

college aged children & peri-menopause at the same time

Oy vey!

valid excuses

1. Second Day

plain goofiness

The last page of the recent issue of House Beautiful featured the plans of nine decorators when/if they encounter a rainy Saturday afternoon.  King, the kids, and I giggled at the ways these fakers described what they would do.  One, Steve, said he would prepare plates of figs or grapes, sausage, cheeses, and wine for anyone who might drop by to relax on the deep couch he has on his covered porch (figs, sausage, and a deep couch, eh?).  "Everybody's welcome," he added. 

What would he do if our motley crew showed up at his Sag Harbor doorstep? 



So, no. 4 decided what he was going to do on the next rainy Saturday was to "put on his metal underwear and go fly a kite with a key on the string in the front yard." 

Goofball!

well, no not exactly

Me to King:  "Wow you wouldn't believe the rain we just went through.  I was driving along and all of a sudden, the bottom fell out of the sky.  It was pouring!"

No 5, sounding a bit scared:  " .........  a...... bottom... fell out of... the sky?"

who cares if they are comfy or not?!

No 5 needed new shoes so we headed to Payless Shoe Source.  In less than five minutes, black Mary Janes, Hot Pink Champion tennies, and hot pink plastic thong style sandals were the three shoes we had picked out, tried on, and walked to the cash register with.

Imma be real honest:  The older girls and I sort of went gah gah over the pink plastic sandals.
"Are they comfy?" the girls wanted to know when she tried them on.
"Yes!  W....well.... they sort of are," she corrected herself.

Sold!

Today is the day in which we teach the lesson Style Before Comfort.

She has 40 years before she learns the lesson in reverse.