Seashells and Snowstorms

I’m still here.  I know I haven’t posted lately, it’s just this snowstorm weather is making me a bit stir crazy, but all things considered….I’m doing just fine!

I'm not the only one with the winter drabs....Britt has been checking in pretty often.   She has become a kind of crazy cat lady with her new kitten. He gives her something to take care of, entertains her and loves her.   We skyped yesterday and I must admit, he’s pretty adorable.

Stephi is STRESSED!!!!  These days she’s in that strange place where she’s excited to go to college, but has tons of studying to do before graduation.  One moment her smile is wide, the next she is in full teenage drama mode!

Two weeks ago we headed down to UNC Wilmington to check things out, and meet with our neighbor Emma who is a  student there,  Stephi was such a happy girl!   



Snow on the Beach-Stephi grabbing some great photos!

 We had plenty of free time, so we did one my favorite things....walk on the beach  a mere 7 minutes from campus.   All of Wilmington was covered in snow following a rare snowstorm which gave the beach a surreal feel.    It was extra special for me since the last time I was on this beach I was with my bestie, and all 6 of our kids.  Happy memories mingled with new ones as Stephi ran ahead taking some stunning photos while Brad and I walked along gathering shells.  There's nothing quite like the peace and wonder that comes from watching crashing waves.



Beach Selfie!


A few short days later we were back in DC under 14 inches of snow; I snuggled in my comfy chair next to the fireplace where I read a little, wrote notes of encouragement to newly bereaved parents, slept a little, and watched some Olympics. 

I won’t lie, there’s more to the story and my need to hide on the couch….life has been a bit of stressful following abnormal blood work from Brad’s quarterly post cancer treatment regimen since his 2011 surgery.   Long story short, his blood work came back abnormal and there were two weeks of “what ifs” as we awaited his cat scan appt. and doctor followup.

I was prayin sooooo hard!  I couldn’t imagine what we possibly faced ahead of us, and terror struck my mind and heart more than once.   I gotta tell ya,  I gave out a  loud Thank You Jesus when the doctor called back with the clean results.  They are following up with another blood test but it looks like a false positive.

Now that I am free of worry (fake it till you make it) I'm watching Stealth Kitty chase stink bugs, and bump his head against walls when he tries to cuddle up…he keeps missing our leg and hits walls!   OUCH!  Hmmm I don't think he is a natural cuddler, but he’s willing to learn!

 I am appreciating and embracing the quiet normal of our everyday.

Oh, guess what? I  began Congregational Care Training this week to learn how to better help those in crisis.   I’m really looking forward to the training, as it helps heal my heart after losing Josh, but with all this cold weather I am tempted to just keep snuggling and sip hot cocoa.

I hope you are staying safe and warm this winter season.  P.S. Britt  the meteorology students says more snow is ahead.  Sigh.......

Hugs!
Sherri

Too many toilets

It's 4 am and I am WIDE AWAKE!!! Yikes!

Britt is almost through her first week of college and seems to be adjusting.  She’s a bit lonely, but time will bring friendships and cafeteria buddies.  Her drop off was only a major ordeal because we were 1 of 4,000 families grabbing the same elevators to get moved into smallish rooms with bad furniture.   Lucky for us, only the polite crowds showed up on our vators.

I would like to have counted all the hefting around and step climbing as a "work out" but I forgot my pedometer so I have no proof or idea how far we walked.  My legs kept telling me it was a lot though.

All the while we were at OU, I kept thinking about how much Josh would love seeing the football players we saw. While we were in the bookstore,  there was a wall of these huge moving mountains getting their books and I could see in them what  he would have likely resembled in a few short years. Those kind of thoughts when they hit just get me riled and ticked off!   

Once we got Britt settled in and unpacked, it was time for our tearful goodbyes.  While I was prepared to totally lose it on her, Brad beat me to it.  By the time it was my turn, it was actually a bit anticlimatic since I was all cried out watching them.  I was like "Bye kid, see ya in October."  

Ok, maybe I've slightly exaggerated, but as I said goodbye I went back to Britt on her first day of kindergarten.  While many moms followed their child's bus with tears streaming, I was thrilled to have her enjoy her first day.  Once I put her safely on the bus, it was like, "Anyone wanna  go to Starbucks to celebrate? My child's on a new adventure today!"  

I always think of these moments like that Disney commercial where the little girl exclaims "I've been waiting my whole life for this!"  We found photos of Brittany's 4th birthday party and in the background on the television was the move "Twister" which inspired her to go to school to be a "storm chaser".  She truly has been waiting her whole life for this!

My friends are concerned.  They have either called or written to help me get through this seemingly traumatic change in my world.  They feel I must really be terribly upset that less than two years after my youngest gained his wings,  my oldest is so far away at college.....honestly, I don't feel it yet.  I know I will hear all about it, and will experience this new chapter through her eyes.  That makes me very happy.  The real trial will be the call with tears on the other end and I can't reach through and pull her to me.  When that happens, look out world, mama Bear is on the rampage!

While I truly appreciate that so many friends are worried about me now that Britt is at college, I was so grateful for the one who caught on to what has really been bothering me.  Stephi  home alone!  

Never mind that she was not supposed to be the last one at home.   Never mind that there were supposed to be four plates at the table, not three.  We don't even outnumber the toilets in our house anymore.  That alone makes me sad...I loved coming home from a road trip and everyone running to a bathroom with one person having to wait for a turn.  Now there is an extra one.    Who would ever think toilets could make you sad?!

I have to admit that Stephi doesn't seem to be bothered as much as I am.  In fact, she seems to be handling it beautifully.  She doesn't have to share the car with her sister, run her brother around, or even put up with either of their aggravations, though I'll bet you, she would happily do as much running as Josh needed and wishes he was here to tattle on.

Brad and I have noticed how big the house suddenly feels and how it's quiet, too quiet here.  So much change does make ya wonder what you're gonna do with your life and how you lived before you had kids.  We have two years of enjoying Stephi and all that she does, though our participation is somewhat limited since she now drives and is truly 16 going on 29!

So, here’s to yet another chapter of life unrevealed, and one I hope is truly uneventful for a bit...  I am happy to turn on my skype and live my life vicariously through my girls for a little while.

Hugs to you all during this busy school season!

Sherri