Out of the Nest

We took Big Brother up to college and moved him into his dorm; he's rooming with a friend from high school. The dorm is brand spanking new and is still has last minute touches being completed; there's even a pool right outside their second floor window!

Seriously, I didn't have a pool at my college campus dorm!

They also have high speed internet access in all the rooms, card-key access to the dorm building, their rooms and even their bathrooms (one bathroom per every two rooms), and a really nice common area with pool tables, flat screen televisions and more. Pretty nice set up. Not like when I went to college.

 

Harrison started making "notes" for his "dorm"  in his little notebook for when "he moves to the dorm".  He talked dorm talk all day. Luckily, he is taking Big Brother going off to college in stride; although today he asked when big Brother woud be coming home, "is he coming in a while?"

This is Big Brother's RA, he seems hip enough (isn't that such a nerdy parent comment?) Actually for a short time Harrison stole the show. Big Brother's RA was sitting in the lobby for Freshman check-in with two female RAs - and we walked up - two freshman, three sets of parents and one four-year-old. The girls? "Oh LOOK, your little brother! He's so cute!!" then Harrison went to work pouring out his charm. No joke. At the end of the day as we walked back up to the dorm to drop off a couple more things one of the girls was standing near by and called, "Harrison's back!"

Big Brother receives some last minute advice at the school-sponsored family picnic.

The boys together.

It's kind of weird here; knowing that he's not going to be walking in at any moment.

But we have no doubt he's going to have great fun.

He hasn't called yet...

A Milestone

10 years ago this month I made a decision that would change my life forever. I said "yes".

Yes to becoming a wife.
Yes to becoming a mother.
Yes to becoming a family.

Being a step-parent is not always an easy task. It's often painful and lonely in a dance of mixed emotions from all parties; non of us perfect, all of us trying to figure out the best way to maneuver through these new steps. But the rewards can be great and love always grows in a well-nurtured garden.

That day I said "yes", I already knew in my heart that I wanted to be there for Big Brother; I didn't want to live my life without him as much as I didn't want to live my life without the Guy I Dig. I loved this little boy and I wanted to see him through his life adventure, through graduation, marriage and his own family someday...

Yesterday I sat in the stands with his dad, his mom and close friends and watched this boy graduate from High School. Taking his first step into adulthood; and I felt the great joy of being a part of his life.

I am so proud of him.

Wasn't it only yesterday that I thought to myself, "I want to be there when he graduates"?


He was grafted into my heart long ago - how lucky I am to be a part of his life.

...And to be a part of his dad's life.

An amazing journey for us all.


But for Big Brother, as we let him go to take flight,

The journey is just beginning.


Thank you, Sean, for making me a better person.
I love you.

The Prom Date...

As requested, here is a picture of big Brother and his date.
('cause us girls know it's all about the dress.)

He's Off to Prom...

No, not Harrison.

Big Brother.

The G.I.D. took him to pick up his date and drop them off at another friend's house. We didn't know until they got there that his friend's parents had invited all the parents over for refreshments [and picture time] before the teens left for the Prom. Dang! Harrison and I stayed home and I had even thought to myself, "bummer, I that can't get a shot of Big Brother and his date together..." Apparently, I could have!

Hopefully pictures will be emailed to us - when they are - I'll post them!

In the mean time, he had a lot of fun.