I've always loved prom, everyone all dressed up, excited for an evening of food and fun, dancing and laughter. We had the last one on Saturday night. Of course it isn't quite the level of frenzy when it's your son instead of …
Ready To Have My Brain Back
One thing I've learned as my children have gone off to college: with each one that leaves home, I get a piece of my brain back. It's true. Suddenly all the day-to-day details that I keep in my head are gone, for I don't see …
A Race to the Finish
This past weekend--Easter weekend--was truly the start of our race to the finish. And no, I'm not taking about graduation. I'm talking finish, moving the last child into his dorm room in August. Because between now and then, …
The Spring Training Trip
My husband has talked about this trip since I met him. He'd been to spring training in Florida once as a teenager, with his dad, but it just never worked out to take our kids. So many other plans interfered during spring …
When the Last Has a First
Let's face it, the third child doesn't get many "firsts" in a family. But on Friday, our youngest child raced ahead of the others and scored a first for our children--the first one to have surgery. Oh, they've all had their …
End of an Era
It all started in the fall of 1996. Our five-year-old daughter wanted to play soccer. Since she was a very active and energetic child, we decided this could be a good thing. We signed her up. No other parent on our team …
Catching Up with the Seasons
No, I'm not confused about summer, winter, fall and spring. Lately I find myself running behind in the changing seasons of my life. Take the holidays, for instance. I'd been toodling along as usual, thinking I had plenty of …
Basketball, basket ball, and more basketball
Our high school son is playing in a basketball tournament this weekend. That means a game each day, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, as well as the hour each way drive to the small town where it is being held. In between times, …
Full House
As of tomorrow night, I'll have all three of my chickadees back under my roof for a few days. It will be a full house--full of people, full of food, full of conversation, full of laughter. I can't wait! Are you looking …
When the Baby is 18
I suddenly feel old. While I truly do adore parenting young adults, there's something so final about the baby turning eighteen. A door slamming shut on a season of life. A door I thought I'd never reach when I brought this …