from my Mommy heart...

Best text I've received from Emma, who is away at college, "I'm so happy here!  I love you Mommy."  It was music to my ears. 

Last Friday, August 17, 2012, we packed up the U Haul with Emma's carefully packed and lovingly laundered bedding, clothes, towels and all of her other necessities to live a life away from home.  We were leaving at noon, but I was up at 5.  Nico took her to breakfast at 9 so Peter, Chris and I loaded up the bags and boxes.  While we waiting for her to return, I quickly picked up her room, shoving whatever was on the floor into her closet and then made her bed and dusted a bit.  I did not want to feel the urge to clean it up when we got home.  Chris and I still haven't walked into her room.  Peter did one day and said he didn't want to do that again.  I also did one last quick load of laundry with her/our towels and her last few items.  The only thing I didn't wash was her BAC t-shirt she had slept in...I put it into her drawer.

She had a hard time saying good bye to George but luckily Nico arrived around the same time Chris was getting George ready to go to the kennel.

Finally around noon, we were off to Indy...it was a quiet and kind of sad drive.  We were all nervous and a bit sad.  Because we forgot to book early, we ended up staying at the Caribbean Cove...a bit of a B list waterpark.  The minority health coalition of IN was hosting their convention there so we were definitely in the minority!  We had a small lock on the U Haul, but I was so nervous about it being broken into.  I was fretting openly about it, adding up the contents inside when finally Chris announced that we were all heading down to load up a baggage cart.  The kids thought we were nuts, but I was so glad....we loaded up her clothes, shoes, swimming gear and some other bags.  It's one thing to replace bedding and towels, but clothes and shoes are so expensive!  Alas, we woke up on Saturday morning to a still-locked U Haul with all of her belongings.

Saturday was PERFECT in every way....she's in a corner room with two huge windows.  She has a walk in closet!  Butler Boys (upper classmen) in blue t-shirts showed up to help carry EVERYTHING into her room.  Kate the Great (as Emma has dubbed her) roommate arrived and is wonderful...sweet, funny, nice and just kind.  Her parents, Bob and Susan, were lovely as well.  I felt bad for them...Kate is an only child.   The weather was in the 70's so we had the windows open and quickly got their room organized and set up.  Emma's new comforter and duvet and loads of pillows were adorable on her (brand new) mattress!  The shelves and refrigerator were purchased fit perfectly between the two beds and the wires strung above her bed looked so cute with her photos!  Her lamps and pretty bowls to hold her things looked great!  We were missing just a few items so Peter, Em and I headed to Target while Chris set up her computer network....bought The Hunger Games dvd, a chair (just like Kate's), a few more storage items and we were set!  Emma had a swim team meeting then we all went to Union Jack's on Broad Ripple for dinner...that was the place Emma made her decision on school back in April!  It is now "our place."  We took her back to her dorm - her unit of 37 girls were having a meeting so the three of us headed back to the CC.  I was suprised but Chris, Peter and I were tired and happy...sooo happy for Emma.

Sunday a.m., we met her at Starbucks then had a lovely brunch before heading to an athletes/parents meeting with the athletic director.  Back to her room to say goodbye...I was a bit teary but recovered and we were on our way home.  Not tears until about Chicago when Peter says "I miss Emma."  I cried most of the way home...was so sad that night, but...

Emma was so happy!  Every text, every call was good.  By the time Tuesday a.m. arrived, we were all feeling happy.  How can we be sad when she is so happy...it was impossible.  The wonderful, sunny weather was helpful too.  Lunching with Sally and talking to Kim, Krista, Mom, Linda, etc...all helped so much!

It's amazing how we adjust.  Peter and Chris are so easy to cook for...that is simpler.  Peter misses her a lot...even when she was here, she was busy, but he misses the snuggles, her noise and just HER, but we're all doing okay.  We talk and text with her every day.  She seemed a bit lonely after her first day of classes on Wednesday (she had some down time) but we kept talking until she found her friends.  She loves her swim team!  She loves Kate! 

Our lives have changed, but all good changes.  We are so happy that she is happy.  I anticipate bumps along the way (like the call today saying she spilled some water on her new Mac pro), but she has everything she needs...money, all the material items and LOVE...lots and lots of love!  H.

she's growing up

You never think you will ever get to the point in your life where you are dropping your child off at college. I can't believe are oldest children are 18, officially adults. It is so rewarding, but also so unreal. 

I am so proud of Emma. In Madison she has a wonderful life. She had great friends. Proud, supportive parents who would do anything for her, and a safe loving home. But yet, she can leave everything behind to pursue her goals and a new "life". Awesome! It takes confidence and guts!! 

As much as you don't want it...and as much as it hurts, you let her go. It is truly the best thing for her. She will blossom! Everyone I talk to say their relationship with their kids when they come home after the first year of college is better than before.

......you can cry over this sissy.....but know ....you are giving her the best gift you can give her! 

love, k :O

ps- I am back...sorry its been so long

pride and pain...

We're home from the big move...everyone says bittersweet, but today someone said pride and pain and THAT is exactly what I am feeling...we miss her and love her so much, but we managed to drive away.  8 weeks until her first visit home is not working for me...late September sounds like a great time to visit Indy...Heidi

I want to cook like this....

from my favorite food blog, My Carolina Kitchen...I need to eat like this.  H.

another loss...

in my long line of fundraising for Republicans in Dane County, Wisconsin.

Hovde is a good man.  Someone who firmly believes in citizen government.  Unfortunately, we keep voting in career politicians who got us in this mess to begin with!  H.

PERFECT day

going to be a high of 75 degrees

sunny

no humidity

it's F R I D A Y

there's nothing better!!!!

SAVOR IT...xoxo, H.

9 days...

and a new life begins for our family...taking Emma to Butler to begin her life as an adult.  Was just in the backyard with George and my neighbor Dave leaned over the fence..."so Heidi, how are you holding up with Emma about to leave?  Sure is going to be tough for you."  Duh Dave...yes it will, BUT I am excited for her (or at least I keep telling that to everyone that asks and it's what I keep telling myself). 

Emma does not cry easily...doesn't cry at movies or sad commercials, etc....if her heart is broken or she is wounded in any way, she MIGHT cry, but don't count on it.  So when she does cry, it's serious.  Saturday's last All City finals meet and last RW celebration was serious for her and she cried a lot, which meant I did.  She has swam for Bill Wuerger for 12 years, with a great bunch of girls (Kayce Smith, Maura Shea, Maddy Nelson, Anna Smith, Becca Wilson, Natalie Schmitt, Hannah Feinstein, Danielle Goulette....).  This is team that is no muss, no fuss (much like BAC and nothing like EHS)...NOT A SINGLE MOMENT of drama or nonsense...just fun and swimming for the love of it and for Coach Bill.  It has been an incredible experience for Emma as well as for Chris and me.  Ridgewood swimming has been her sweetest "growing up" memory...wholesome and pure joy.  What a blessing it's been!!!

Coach Bill and his girls...