Moving Day ... and more

We've had a busy last few days.  I anticipated this week-end being hard, but what I failed to anticipate were the blessings.  I thought it would be emotional, but didn't expect the joys.  I have been praying for this time for quite awhile and even though I had a peace about this time of transition, I just failed to think that God would use this time to bless me.  Oh, what little faith.

On Thursday, Christopher and I did a lot of last minute shopping.  All of those things we weren't sure about the first time.  We got home in time to finish up dinner prep before welcoming his roommate Joe and family to our house for dinner.  We spent time talking and getting to know each other.  Having dinner and fun.  We have had beautiful weather for days and spent time outside playing.  What a sweet time to get together.  It was nice to be able to meet before moving in.

After they went home, there was still a lot of packing to do.  The piles grew until things were ready.  It all fit easily into our van - along with all of us.

Time to drive to NC State!  We arrived and Christopher got out to go check in.  We parked and then followed soon after.  He and his roommate were allowed to move in early as part of the scholars program which was really nice!  It was a lot less crowded and the weather was beautiful!  (We have had an unseasonably cool couple of days!)  With many hands to carry things up, it didn't take long at all.

The siblings enjoyed helping and hanging out in the room.  Someone commented that the room would seem really spacious after 13 of us had been in there - and left.  LOL

 After getting things unpacked, the room looked pretty nice.

 The wonderful McDonald family.

After unpacking everything, we headed outside.  The older kids and Dads played frisbee.

The younger kids enjoyed a nice swing.  

Our families together.

 My family.

By then everyone was hungry so we headed to Mellow Mushroom for lunch.

I had picked this spot because it was close - and has gluten free pizza!!!  And the pizza is so very good!!!

 They will let you split the type of pizza so you can get two varieties on one pizza.  What a fun way to try many types!

 Now was the hard part.  Taking Christopher back and dropping him off.  We thought it would be a short stop, but when we were driving there, the van started making a funny noise.  When we parked and cut off the engine, it wouldn't cut back on.  :-(

Joe's family came to see if they could help.  We ended up calling AAA.  Nothing like needing that truck to pull in on a very busy move-in day!  Thankfully they were able to do a quick jump start of our battery.  (Unfortunately, we still aren't sure what is wrong with the van and it will need more work.)

Time to go home.  This was hard for me.  This is when I cried.  (Sorry if you are reading this Christopher, but I did pretty good holding it together all day long!)  Its a huge change.  I know he is ready for it.  I know this is the right thing.  I know too though that things will never be the same again.  I already miss having all of my children with me - together.

I do love talking to him though and hearing about the new things he is doing and experiencing.

I'm anticipating that this will continue to be hard - its a time of adjustment.  Maybe also though, I can look for the blessings.  I expect challenges, but hope that I can know that there will be joys.  This time is causing me to spend more time on my knees and that is always a good thing.

God has proven Himself faithful in so many ways.  I know He will continue to do that.

We continued to spend more time with the McDonald family over the week-end and loved it.  What a blessing to have this precious family as part of our lives now!  I'm looking forward to spending more time together!  In praying for Christopher's roommate, I just never expected this much.  How often does that happen?  God is able to do so much more than I can even imagine. It blows my mind to think how much He loves us all when I see Him at work in the details.

I am continuing to pray for Christopher and Joe.

Praying that God would bless their friendship.  Praying that they would be as iron sharpening iron.  Praying that they would encourage and enjoy each other and their time at State.  I'm excited for them.  I'm excited to see what God has in store for them!  I know He has great things planned.

Blessings
Leslie

Almost

Its almost time.  The hours are few now and hopefully some of them will be spent sleeping.  Tomorrow we take Christopher to NC State to move into his dorm room.  Tonight one of my little boys asked if Christopher would be sleeping there tomorrow.  I said "Yes".  I didn't have to wonder long what he was thinking.  The next question was "Can I sleep in his room?".   LOL

Its the beginning of a whole new stage in life.  For Christopher, and for the rest of us.  My emotions are so varied on all of this.  I'm excited for him.  He is ready for this new challenge.  He is ready to experience new things.  He is prepared.  We've worked a long time to reach this point.  And now its here.  The days are sometimes long, but oh the years go quickly.  At the same time, I know this is going to be hard emotionally.  We are just going to miss having Christopher here!  I do have a peace about it all though and know that it is right.  Not always easy, but right.

We spent the day buying last minute items for his room.  I'm sure that there are things we've forgotten.  Some things are hard to buy until you are living in the space too.  Its just hard to know all the things you will need when you are going to be living in a new place - even when you have a checklist to guide you.

Tonight we met Christopher's roommate, Joe, and his family (except for his older sisters).  They came over for dinner so we'd have some time to hang out and get to know each other.  It was such a fun evening.  They were so nice and easy to be with and we enjoyed them all so much!  (Can you believe I got no pictures?!  I'll try to remedy that tomorrow!)

I don't think I've shared the story of how Christopher and Joe met.  Last fall, Joe's mom stumbled on my blog and saw the post I'd written about Christopher visiting NCSU.  She knew that her son was planning to go there and so she kept up with us.  In the spring, when Christopher decided to go to State, she contacted me.  The note said "from a homeschooling Mom whose son is also attending NCSU".  We talked some via email and then passed contact information to our boys.  We were both excited when they decided to room together.

I've been praying for Christopher's roommate for quite awhile.  Having worked in Residence Life before becoming a mom, I witnessed what a difference having a good roommate could make on your college experience.  I have been praying for Christopher's roommate.  I've prayed for a roommate that loves God and one that would be a great friend.  Joe's mom and I both know that she didn't find my blog by accident.  I love seeing God's hand in things that can seem so small.  Moving and touching people's lives.  Answering prayers beginning with a blog post.  What an amazing God we serve who truly is in the details of our lives.

We plan to meet up tomorrow morning to move in.  Tonight, the suitcases are starting to stack up.

The piles of things purchased for his room are waiting.

I'm holding my emotions in check ... so far.  I know tomorrow will be an emotional day.  There is just no way around it.  It is a huge step in our lives.  I know I won't be the only Mom there tomorrow with tears in her eyes (or Dad either for that matter!).

Father, thank you for the privilege of being a Mom.  Its the most amazing experience I could ever have imagined.  I've been blessed beyond all I could ever ask for.  Thank you for Christopher and the joy of being his Mom!  Thank you for the memories, experiences and love we have shared.  Thank you for those that are yet to come.

I pray that while he is in college that you would protect him, challenge him and hold tight to him.  I pray that his faith would grow and soar.  I pray that he would learn more about loving and serving and helping others.  I pray that his mind, body and faith would grow stronger and that You would direct him in the course he should follow.  I pray that you would bless him with a wonderful group of friends.

I pray that you would help us learn  new ways to communicate and connect.  I pray that he would follow you.  I pray that you would help us all to adjust to these changes and embrace the new paths you have for us.

Thank you Father.  Giver of good gifts.  Amen.

Christopher, I'm so proud of you.  I'm excited to see you growing and developing into the man God designed you to be.  I love your sense of adventure, humor and wit.  I am thankful for your character, reliability and dedication.  I'm excited to see what you will be doing and learning and experiencing at college.  I love you!

More tomorrow ... maybe.  More soon.  Please pray for us as we walk this new path.  He is ready.  I'm as ready as I'll ever be.  Go Pack!

Blessings
Leslie

Beach

I love going to the beach.  Its a fun place for all of us.  My family (my parents, my sister's family and ours) has been meeting for a week in the summer for several years now.  I love that we have this time set aside for all of us to spend this time together.  We've been to the beach and also to the mountains.  Both are fun.

We spent a week in Myrtle Beach in June.  This is a beach I've been coming to most of my life.  We've stayed in the same place for many years too - my children's whole lives.  It is a sweet tradition to share this with them year after year.  I have so many memories here.

We had an amazingly beautiful week!  The temps were in the 80s which was perfect!  No rainy days either.  We couldn't have asked for me.  Here is a glimpse of some of our fun.

My children love the water.

 And the sand.

 We took turns cooking dinners and had the whole family over for meals.  Its fun hanging out with cousins.

 The evenings were perfect for a game of sand volleyball.

 Or just more hanging out on the beach.

 One day we went to ride the Skywheel.  A one of a kind Ferris wheel.  The tallest in the Eastern US and is built right beside the beach!

 We rode in air-conditioned cars.

 The view was amazing

 We also played putt-putt.

We celebrated Daniel's birthday.  He likes being able to celebrate with our extended family.

Joshua made a treasure hunt for him.

 Complete with buried treasure.

 Some evening photos on the beach.  Playing in the water.

Checking out Brad's sandcastle.

Cousins.

 Sisters.

 My family!

Overall, it was a wonderful week.  I love being with my family!

I'm thankful for this amazing creation.  There is so much to enjoy at the beach.  Being there with people I love just makes it all the better.  Looking forward to the next time we are able to go!

Blessings
Leslie

Gifts

Gifts come in so many forms.  I think sometimes I just need eyes to see them.  Sometimes they are obvious and other times you have to be alert to them.  Its good practice to learn to look for them as I think that cultivates a heart of thankfulness.

I was blessed to meet up with an on-line FIAR (Five in a Row) friend this week!  She was here with her two children for a camp and we were able to spend a fun afternoon talking and playing games before they headed home.  Maria, I loved meeting you and your children!  I hope we'll be able to do it again soon!  What a treat to meet someone that you have talked with on a forum or in an email.  I loved hanging out with y'all!

Yesterday was a sweet day with my family.  I was awakened to have breakfast in bed.  Yummy!

 Rebecca also made me a yummy lunch which I don't have a picture of.  She and Roger helped cook dinner.  One of the treats of having a birthday (for me) is not having to cook or clean the dishes!  :-)  It was a low-key day just hanging out with my family.  (With some cleaning & decluttering thrown in for fun.)

We also received a package in the mail yesterday.  For Eliana.  It was from the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center.  

 It was a goodie basket.

 Beautifully wrapped.

 Filled with all sorts of treats!!!

 Eliana loved pulling out each item.  She would often stop and say "for me?".  Yes, sweet girl.  For you!

 She was sent food, snacks, a book, magazines, coupons and lots of information to read!  It's a wonderful package.  I started looking at one of the magazines and there is even an article in it on the connection between Down syndrome and Celiac  Disease.  :-)

 We ended our night with dessert.  Rebecca even made a separate banana pudding with GF cookies in it for Eliana to have.  It was yummy and the perfect way to end the day.

I have also been given the gift of encouragement by friends who have sent birthday wishes and also many others who are praying for me and our family.  This is a gift that I treasure.  I am blessed.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father  James 1:17

Praying that you would see God's beautiful gifts all around you!

Blessings

Leslie