Pomp and Circumstance

My baby flew the nest on Friday night.  Once an eagle, always an eagle, but no longer a high school student.

I sat with family and a few thousand friends in a packed gym watching my guy walk the line with one of his best pals.  And much to my surprise, I didn't cry.

Perhaps because that ugly cry came on Wednesday night.  Around 11pm, he headed to the senior campout, a tradition where the kids all gather at the high school, play a few pranks, and "sleep" on campus so they can pick their seat for graduation.  When the door shut, it dawned on me that morning was the last morning I would ever wake him up for class.  Cue the tears.

I'm not sure why that symbolism started the waterworks but for the next hour or so I sobbed into my pillow as the last 18 years flooded me with memories.

When you are knee-deep in diapers, everyone tells you how fast the years will go but you don't fully realize it until they are teens and you're willing time to slow down.  Yet, as much as I miss those baby days, I really enjoy the young man he's become.

The entire week has been filled with milestones.  From fretting over finals and getting texts of relief, celebratory lunches, Baccalaureate service, cap and gown pictures, Project Graduation, to hosting a house of excited boys all weekend, this momma is blessedly pooped.  And her son has to be too.  He has, after all, been up with very little sleep for four days in a row!

As such, Monday was most certainly a day of rest.  Noah and I stopped at the downtown Memorial day parade and snuck off for sushi, while hubby slept.  We were able to all gather for a quiet dinner before hitting the new week, watching the finale of "The Middle;" which was symbolically similar to what we were experiencing.  Babies leaving the nest...

It may be summer but our guy has a wonderful job and will be pulling lots of hours now that school is out.  This morning was his first day of reality.  Though I set an emergency backup alarm, this momma was proud to see that he was already up, showered, and eating cereal when I checked on him.  So, I went back to bed!

Looking back, the weekend wasn't anything like I expected but it was beautifully wonderful.  I'm so excited for what the future holds that I can't spend time being weepy or sad of him growing up on me.  He brings me such joy, no matter what stage of life we're in!

May Days

Goodness...May is nearly over and I realized there's not been a single joyful post this month!

This season is historically busy but when you have a graduating teen, it certainly adds to the chaos.  My calendar looks like an angry toddler played with an Etch-A-Sketch.

And although there have been many days I don't know if I'm coming or going, May has been full of joys.  However, given the busyness of my schedule, a blog-o-photos will have to do for now.

May means sunshine (and extra doses) so we dusted off the deck and have enjoyed our mornings and evenings there.  Most days Tim gets home just before I leave but we manage to sneak in a mini coffee date, serenaded by the birds.

My baby went to senior prom with his girl.  They had a magical night and allowed me to sneak in a few pics before they left.  This is one of my faves...

That same weekend was my sweet Grandma's 89th birthday.  She was surprised by many guests over the course of several days.  Seeing her smile always brings me joy.

I promise she was happy, we were just standing 

in her way of Cheddar's with all our pics!  tee hee

With all the formal dates on the calendar, Noah and I finally got some "mom & me" time, even if it was to try on dress shirts and pants.  I paid him in sushi after.  He's on the cusp of being all grown up so I soak up every moment with him I can get.  In the end, I know we've done our part to raise him right and the rest is up to him and God.  He sent me this pic last week out of the blue...knowing that he stops to take in the beauty of the day, assures me they've got this.

Like mother, like son.  In more ways than one...

I literally pulled off the side of the road to take in this view.

And Tim captured this over the weekend...

My flowers are starting to bloom, which makes me smile daily.

Tim's working on the boat, with hopes we're floating by Friday.

I've started classes and excited about the potential it has for our future.

Sunday, Mother's Day, was a bittersweet, but beautiful day.

Loved having my momma beside me in church, 

as well as other family who don't normally come.

Tim went out of his way to make me feel special and loved.

Noah cooked an amazing dinner.

And Austin, as always, sent me hugs and hellos.

All in all, May has been overflowing with joys.

Blessed beyond measure.

Here's hoping I can pause to catch up more with you soon!