Four more days and she'll be through...

... I'll be glad and so will you!

I have no idea where that ditty came from, but we'd sing it near the end of every school year when I was growing up. Maybe a military call? Maybe some sort of advert? No clue, but I've had it going through my head today since the high school senior finishes her last regular class day on Friday. And since she's exempt from all of her final exams thanks to great attendance and grades, we're about to officially kick off the countdown to college in August.

You've come a long way, baby, but you've got miles to go and mountains to climb. To say we are proud of this girl's hard work and perseverance would be an understatement.

*I blurred her name on the graduation announcement to protect her privacy*

Finish line in sight

The light at the end of the senior year tunnel is looming large while college creeps closer. Yesterday afternoon, the daughter had her 30 min time slot to select a room in the dorm where she'll be a member of the business majors living learning community. Once that was done, I immediately started a word doc listing all of the stuff we'll need to purchase and pack for her dorm. Or have to buy in South Carolina at the nearest Target or Bed, Bath & Beyond because I don't imagine we'll be able to fit it all into her smaller SUV for the road trip to college.

I know some parents are really crafty and can whip some of this cutesy stuff up at the drop of a hat, but I'll be making the purchase. Like the headboard pillow - so attractive and comfy. And the nightstand tray for her dorm bed. What a great idea!

The past few weeks, I've been gathering up things for her college themed graduation basket. Things like monogrammed luggage tags in her school colors for flights home at the holidays. Shower shoes in one of her school colors that coordinate with the monogrammed bathroom towel wrap thingy I bought. And a pair of custom Converse Chucks in school colors.

A good cause

My husband is on the board of a local hospital system and we attended their annual fundraising gala last week. This year they were honoring a couple survivors of the Sutherland Springs mass shooting, highlighting how this hospital as a level one trauma center treated about half of those wounded by the mentally ill man who carried out this evil deed. The energy of the now recovered 5-yr-old who was shot at least three times in that tragedy was evidenced when he marched onto the stage and did that shy little kid head nod, not wanting to speak routine with the emcee. The second survivor being honored was a gentleman, shot several times and now in a wheelchair. His faith seemed unshakeable and his outlook positive for all he has been through since that horrific day. 

CLICK on the link below to see the video produced for the gala.

https://youtu.be/xuTWZizGOfw

It wasn't the usual sort of focus for most fundraisers we attend, and yet I was really moved by the video as well as the attendance of the Sutherland Springs church members and survivors. God bless 'em all!

Four Generations

I ran across this oldie but goodie when I was snooping through a box of Polaroids recently. It's my granny, mother, sister, me and my now 24-yr-old daughter when she was about a year old. We were all gussied up to attend a family friend's wedding. Time marches on.

Deee-licious!

The high school senior ordered a custom cake from "the" famous local cake lady everyone uses for all of their special occasion needs. This child knows my love language - baked goods! 

Spoiled rotten

Why yes, I believe she does have a wonderful Mimi (my mother)! She whipped up a from scratch chocolate cake for our high school senior this morning... just because our last chick in the nest requested it yesterday. Our darling daughter will no doubt miss the custom and on-demand Mimi vittles once she goes off to college in August.

Birthday twinsies

The husband and older daughter share the same birthday, turning 24 and 51 recently. With our last move back to Texas, a big plastic bin full of old pics got stored in our office in the remodel house. I ran across it last month and had fun strolling down memory lane, laughing and crying. Back when the husband had hair. Back when my granny was still alive. Back when the girls were little. I've got some wonderful memories of their growing up years, and yet I can't wait to see what path their lives take as they continue to mature and walk new roads.

College decision day 2019

The high school senior was 99.9% sure she knew where she wanted to attend college once she was accepted in January. But there was always that tiny chance she might change her mind and flip at the last minute. She did not, and so I'm happy to announce we'll have a Clemson Tiger joining the Class of 2023 come August.