blessed

I now understand that the Senior year of high school is really just a drawn out practice run for the separation to come, an extended exercise in letting go.  The son whose company I cherish is home less and less.  When he's here, he's busy.  Most of the time, life calls him elsewhere.  And Rachel is busy too.  She now stays at school longer for practice or to go to a friends house.  As soon as cross country ended, she started cheerleading.  It's the times when we are all home together eating dinner together, watching something on t.v. and then everyone is in their own beds asleep that make me most happy.  It's a good feeling when they are all here, under one roof.  I feel most content and satisfied.  Maybe because I know in a few months, this won't be the norm anymore.  AJ received a phone call from the college that he's been waiting to hear from that he has been accepted!  We were all so excited.  This was the school that he really wanted to go to.  He knows that you are supposed to apply to at least 5 schools but he was really set on this school and if he didn't get in, he wasn't sure where he was going to apply to.  And even though it is in Fl., I have a peace about it.  Someone said, "it's so far.  I would have separation anxiety."  I guess because I knew that he wanted to go to Fl ahead of time, I had time to deal with those emotions.  I have to remind myself that this journey is about him not me. I can visit him and I know that he will come home to visit. And he has tons of family there.   I look at it as another journey and transformation time.  Chances are that he will not live near me as an adult.  And this is another step towards that.  It gives me time to get used to him being gone for long periods of time.  I know that this is where God has lead him and I have to trust in my faith that it'll be okay.

Today is Thanksgiving and I have so much to be thankful for.  I have a sign on my upstairs wall that says, "This is the house we call home, and for this I am truly thankful"  I love this house and the home that it has become for us.  Later today it will be filled with us and my parents enjoying good food and good company together.  That's what life is a about.  The small things.  Family, friends, and my faith.  Blessed!  So much to be thankful for this holiday season!

MIA

Well, I've been missing in action for the last month!  Actually, I was working!  I was doing some painting with a friend.  We thought we would never finish but we finally did!  So, that has been keeping me busy.  And, I got a job!  I'm so excited!  I applied for a Teacher Assistant job at the elementary school.  I will be working in the math dept. and I start on the 11/29.  I felt like it was the right time to go back to work.  Both kids are busy and involved in activities after school and I felt like I was ready to do something.  So, when the job came available I decided to apply and see what happens!
Randy's birthday was yesterday.  We celebrated with a really great dinner.  I made shrimp cocktail, 1905 salad, steak, crab, twice baked potatoes and a homemade apple pie.  Then today we went to my parents house to celebrate.  Again, we had delicious food.  Always about the food!  Gnocci's, eggplant parm., Caesar salad, clams casino, braciole, and a homemade chocolate cake with toasted coconut frosting!  And now we get to have Thanksgiving too!

Rachel went out for cheer leading and made the team.  She's very excited.  AJ started basketball too.  So, now she will be cheering at his games.