Whirlwind

I just finished stuffing  over 100 strawberries with a cheesecake filling (recipe HERE)
for the Pot Luck after church today.

I am now reflecting on the whirlwind of the past two weeks.

• We drove up to Idaho with Tay do drop her off for her 2nd Semester. She will be gone for a while this time. Two semesters, back to back, with only a month in between for summer break. It was so nice having her home (since Christmas) but I am happy that she is back at school and excited to be learning!
• Kylee has been busy preparing for finals, fund raising for her trip to India and applying for Graduation. She has only 2 more semesters left and I could not be any more proud. I LOVE it when my daughters excel and accomplish more than I did.
• Last week, my Sunday School lesson was on The Healing Power of Forgiveness from the Marriage and Family Relations manual. As always, Evan sits by my side and assists me in my lessons. I love that we teach Temple Prep/ Marriage Relations TOGETHER.
• Evan and I cleaned out the garage yesterday. A two hour project lasted ALL day. There is noting like two old people groaning from aches and pains after a full day of active work. The spring cleaning will continue as we purge the house of unwanted/unused items. We will be holding a garage sale later this spring to help Kylee raise more money.

I am looking forward to this day of rest.
HERE is the link to an article that inspired my lesson last week. I hope you find some inspiration too.

spontaneity

A couple of days ago, Evan and I made a spontaneous decision.
We called Taylor to see what she thought… she LOVED the idea!
Her last item of school business was Friday evening… singing with the University Choir.
The though of sleeping one more night, and alone, in her apartment was more than she could stand.
So, it was settled.

I left work a little early on Friday and Evan and I drove up to Idaho.
We let ourselves into the (mostly) empty apartment and we packed, cleaned and loaded.
When Taylor was done on campus, everything was ready to go.
All that was left was turning in her key and grabbing a quick bite to eat.

Evan led the convoy home, alone with his talk radio.
Taylor and I jammed to tunes and busted moves as we followed.
Everyone was happy and home by midnight.
It was an extra treat to walk into the house and finding Kylee there too.

Everyone is home, where we love to be.
Surrounded by my three best friends. How lucky is that?

I just took my daughter over state lines and left her there.

I went to work early and was home by 10AM.
Taylor was a bundle of nerves and anxious to get going.

We packed the car full of boxes and started our journey northward.

First stop… my grandparents gravesite.
The grave marker for Uncle Richard was in place, it was not here the last time I was.

Next stop was the home of our hosts for the night.
When McKay & Carlee invited us to stay with them, we quickly accepted and canceled our hotel.
Taylor’s reaction was priceless!! She could not wait to go play with their sweet daughter.
I loved watching McKay and Carlee interact with their child. They are great parents! No doubt about it.
I also loved receiving the reassurance that Taylor has them nearby and that she will be loved and welcome in their home if she needs some TLC.

The next morning we were on the road again, heading to our final destination.
A quick line for keys, and then it was moving time.
A new list of “things we need” was created as we unpacked and organized.

Evan had a business lunch with a client and a colleague,
so Taylor and I teamed up with her roomie Kiri and her mom for our errands.
First stop – campus for ID cards and books.
Next was Walmart for some necessary shopping.
More unpacking and organizing followed.
Lunch and grocery shopping, then meeting Evan back at the apartment.

More roommates were arriving and it was nice to meet them and some of their parents.
I was busy trying to resolve issues at work and was not very gracious. (A regret.)
These parents, however, were reassured by Evan that Thanksgiving at our home
is an open invitation to their daughters.
This is a family tradition I am excited to carry on.

With all of the hustle and bustle of moving, and the many campus activities available for the students,
Evan and I decided it was time to leave our little girl behind.
Hugs, kisses and love you’s. All tearless. We were all brave and strong.
It was easier than I anticipated and I am so excited for her and this new adventure!

See you in 76 days. (Skype me!!)

The first last.

Today was all about Taylor.

Her last Sunday dinner before leaving for school later this week.

Her dinner of choice,
Spaghetti.

Surrounded by our usual Sunday crew,
she was loaded up with advise and well wishes.

Dinner was topped off with cake
and a very special message…

Inevitable departure

We are down to days… 12 to be exact.

Each day, there is a gentle reminder that Taylor will be leaving soon.
Today was a not-so-gentle kind of day… she received her roommate list.

So far, this has been the biggest bite of reality we have had to swallow.

This, combined with Kylee’s yearnings to move out,
just might make us empty nesters FAR TOO SOON!!
I am not ready to swallow that.