college memories

Dropping Tyler off at college last week brought back a wave of emotions and also brought back so many old memories. Memories of when I was in college.

It really does not seem like that long ago that it was me being dropped off at college by my parents. It was a different school and a different time- but I have to believe that some of the same feelings were going through my boy as we dropped him off at his school?? I remember feeling such excitement, a little nervous, such excitement, wondering if I could figure everything out, a little sad, and such excitement!!

It really does not seem that long ago that these pictures were taken!

*photo of me in Pete's dorm room*

*Photo of Pete in my dorm room (my side was the messy side!! :)

I am so excited for my boy and this next chapter of his life... and for him to create his own memories of college life!!

snapshots from the cabin

Each summer we spend a week at a cabin with our family, my parents and my sister and her family (and sometimes if we are lucky an aunt, uncle and maybe a cousin, too!) It is always such a fun and relaxing week and something our whole family looks forward to!

Snapshots from our week this summer....

*beautiful sunsets*

*Grandpa taking some of the grandkids fishing*

*Drew catching one of his many fish!*

*cousins playing at the game table*

*bonfires*

*dinner at a favorite restaurant*

*golfing*

*vicious scrabble games :)*

*outside games*

*boating*

*big storms (7 inches of rain in one night)that made for flooding*

*bowling*

*Dairy Queen "run" on the boat*

*and just plain old fun*

move-in day

Yesterday was a day that I have been anticipating with excitement but yet at the same time not exactly wanting the day to arrive. I am not sure that makes sense… except to say it was the day that we moved my oldest boy to college.

This past week was a flurry of activity with shopping for all the last minute necessities, packing, and saying goodbyes to friends and family. And doggies.

For me, yesterday came way too soon! I look back and wonder how Tyler could possibly be old enough to be going to college. But he is more than ready… and so therefore, I must be ready too.

The whole move-in day was amazing! We arrived on campus at about 10am. On the road into campus we were greeted and welcomed by many ‘student orientation leaders’ and faculty. Each car was stopped and welcomed and then directed to the appropriate dorm. When we reached the dorm our car was then met with a ‘move-in crew’ (all wearing lime-green t-shirts) who unloaded our car and brought all of Tyler’s stuff up to his room. We did none of the moving! All we had to do was go and park the car and then head up to his room to start unpacking! Wow!

The day was filled with events for the entire family and included a family picnic, parent meetings, and a resource fair. Families were really encouraged to spend the day on the campus participating in all the different events- which we did. It was such a beautifully planned and welcoming day.

Tyler walked us to our car at the end of the day.

I thought I would be so sad and an emotional wreck when it was time to say goodbye and for sure on the drive home— but I wasn’t. Ok, maybe I was a little sad- but mostly I felt peace and happiness, knowing this is exactly where Tyler should be and that he looked completely secure and ready to take on this new chapter of his life.

As a parent our job is to raise, teach and guide our children so they can spread their own wings and soar on their own. And I am proud to say that I think I did my job well.