I have a quilt top which was getting sewing together. I'm not sure how long its been sitting there like that. Several weeks probably. Things are just a bit busy right now.
Yesterday we drove Anna over to Sarasota and got her settled into her dorm room. She loves her new quilt
She and her new room mates get along great. They met at admitted students day and have been keeping in touch since then. Important questions like who is bringing a fridge and who has a microwave. Kurt and I made a quick trip out to pick up important last minute things like a shower curtain and expo markers. We also helped carry and unpack of course. After that parents were sent off to informational sessions while the kids all did games and activities. We told that they are emerging adults and we shouldn't call them kids, but we seem to keep saying it anyway.
Once the girls were all settled in, we went out to dinner as a big group. Parents at one end of the table and the girls down at the other. Both of Anna's room mates brought siblings along to help with the move in, so it was quite a group.
The drive home was quiet, and the van felt really empty with all of Anna's things gone. I'm going to jump back into sewing my quilt top together today. Best to be busy I think.
Yes, best to stay busy! It was very hard on me when our eldest chose to go to school an hour and a half from home. I did a lot of crying but didn’t let her know I was anything but excited for her upcoming adventure. Getting her settled into her new apartment was fun, but after a couple of months, her roommates left. One had medical problems and returned home to another state and the other roommate moved several door down to a “party-hearty” group of friends. Within a few month, at her request, we were meeting half way for dinner mid-week and she came home most weekends. She was lonely and homesick. She went to a local college to finish here degree.
ReplyDeleteThe following year daughter #2 opted for local college and stayed home 2 years before moving 1-1/2 hours away. She loved being on her own (but by then she was 2 yrs older than her sister was at moving out stage). It was easier the second time around and she came home a couple of times a month. Upon graduation, she left for a year to nanny abroad and skype was a life saver!
Our #3 knew school wasn’t for him and went straight into a full time trade work. He moved out when he turned 21. So our separation by that time was much easier to handle on this mama’s heart. We have really enjoyed our empty nest! We had 2-1/2 yrs of marriage before #1 arrived and it was good to return to ‘couple-hood” status!
Each of our kids spread their wings but return close to home and we are very blessed to have all three and their spouses live within 20 minutes of home.
Hang in there, it gets easier!
Your kids are always your kids no matter their age! And yes, I agree, it's best to keep busy during this transition time. Enjoy some Sunday sewing time!
ReplyDeleteAnna’s quilt looks marvelous in her room! I’m sure it will be admired and envied! And I know she’ll enjoy snuggling (hiding?) under it when she feels nostalgic for her mama! While they might not as readily admit it, I know they feel it, too! But it is the right thing and time. With a little help, most of them fledge very well.
ReplyDeleteHer quilt looks fantastic on her bed. I am sure it will continue to wrap her up in your love as she goes through college. Thanks for linking up with Oh Scrap!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lucky girl Anna is to have a new quilt and help to move into her dorm room!! I might have had help loading the car, but from there on out, I went solo to school.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering how far away from home she would end up! Mine is 2000 miles away and has done awesome. This semester she will be in London for school with trips planned all over Europe. It really won't hit for a few weeks that she is gone because you are still hyped from the move and your own back to school. Stay busy and don't call her--wait for her to call or text first! You got this!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great room and a gorgeous quilt!
ReplyDeleteBest to keep busy MOM... stay in the sewing room... all is well!
My 'kids' are 28 and 25, and the 25 yr old has a kid of his own. Hubby and I are still called 'kids' by our parents. I don't mind being called a kid at 55.
ReplyDeleteThat first trip home after college drop off is hard. My college student and her roommates refer to themselves as adults in training, which seems pretty fitting. Anna's dorm room looks great and it's good she found some well matched roommates. We heard a couple of horror stories from a couple of the SITs friends who had really crappy roommates for year one. Having good roommates makes a huge difference. Enjoy your stitching time.
ReplyDeleteHope you had a good week. FYI - My Mom still calls us kids (age 45-53!). You and Kurt did an awesome job raising her. She will do great things for our world.
ReplyDeleteAh, the emptying nest -- I remember it well. We moved just as the first one was leaving so I had other things to keep my mind occupied. The second one, I had to suppress the happy dance till after he left; he paid me back by moving back home for 3 years after graduation!
ReplyDeleteA teenager should always get used to being independent, because it will be a good start to an independent life. By the way, you know that now even for young people there is a great opportunity to meet and communicate online thanks to the best teen dating sites. I don't think there is anything reprehensible in this, because it also gives the next step in life.
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