Sometimes It Hits You Right in the Feels…

“When mothers talk about the depression of the empty nest, they’re not mourning the passing of all those wet towels on the floor, or the music that numbs your teeth, or even the bottle of capless shampoo dribbling down the shower drain. They’re upset because they’ve gone from supervisor of a child’s life to a spectator. It’s like being the vice president of the United States.”
—Erma Bombeck

My kids have attended parochial school their entire school careers. I have never been able to make the services at their high school where the whole student body is in attendance until this Wednesday.

I have to say, it was really beautiful- to see the teens participating on almost every level and nearly 2000 teens all either worshiping or respecting the beliefs of their classmates was quite a moving experience. But, it absolutely KILLED me to hear the choir. The Girl sang with the school choir. She is making her way through her first year of college now, and I’m making my way through the first year after 18 years without the person I have often referred to as My Sense of Humor.

And then, a student began to sing a lovely worshipful tune, her voice quite similar to that of The Girl. My Girl. I just about lost it, right there, I miss my first born so much!

Pumpkin Extravaganza Continues- Tasting Trader Joe’s Waffles

Trader Joe's Pumpkin Waffles
Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Waffles are here for the season!

Pumpkin waffles crisp and warm from my toaster oven… waiting for my maple syrup and candied nuts (inspired by the box top).

IMG_8599No pie spices, so you can sprinkle on your own. But they do pack a big pumpkin-y flavor.

I like these waffles, and would definitely buy this product again.

IMG_8600

The Boy came downstairs, however, and politely turned down these waffles and asked if he could instead destroy my kitchen make waffles from scratch. The Delicious Level of his creations are directly proportional to the Remaining Mess in the kitchen.

Looking For a Break, a Healthy Break- Please?

…because my family is three for three now, and it is really getting to be annoying.

“The most poetical thing in the world is not being sick.”
GK Chesterton

The Husband and I were excited to attend Family Week and spend time with The Girl. It had been six weeks since we dropped her off at the university where she has chosen to spend the majority of her time (and our money, ouch!) for the next four years. The Boy came along, too, excited to see college life in full swing and eager to tell all who ask how much he doesn’t miss his sister, best friend, and general partner in crime. Liar.

Can we once, just once, set foot on this college campus without major illness?

First visit, norovirus hit our family- insulting as we weren’t even cooped up on a cruise. If I’m going to have The Cruise Ship Bug, can’t I at least get it on a luxury trip? Next visit was move-in day, and an anxiety attack hit one of us in a bad way. Now, six weeks later, we are visiting and The Girl is not recovering from a nasty cold as she thought but instead is cultivating a nice case of bronchitis. Family Weekend became Urgent Care Trip Weekend and Pharmacy Fun Day.

Who better than your mamma to spend the weekend with when you are away from home and quite ill?

And, it was awfully nice of her to share her creeping crud with her father.

💩💩💩 Essential Emojis for Communicating with Your Teen:

IMG_8022Are you annoyed with your teen for spending waaaaay too long in the bathroom?

Looking to elicit a laugh from the loo?

Share this with them the next time they text you from the throne, and maybe your teen might reply to you, too:

IMG_8038Bonus: see here, an actual text conversation from teen who received this very emoji and subsequently replied to her mother!!!

Running with the Big Dogs

Oh my gosh, The Boy is doing high school sports! This is a first for our family, since The Girl avoided official school sports- fencing was her bag, and it was kind of off campus. 

Big team, great kids, top-notch coaches, fabulous teams from the surrounding schools all add up to an opportunity not to be missed.