College Happenings

The awesome daughter she is, Julia's been texting and calling me a lot.  Thank goodness because I miss her like crazy.  I keep thinking...OK she can come home now...but she hasn't even started classes yet and she's been gone for days!!!  She finally starts tomorrow.  She's been dancing long hours mixed in with orientation.   

These are some of the random pictures she's sent me...her gorgeous campus...

and from Nursing orientation today...

There was a deer outside the window today at her nursing building...

Her yummy lunch...

And this was hysterical...she randomly met her ex-boyfriend's other ex-girlfriend...they posted it on each others Instagram story for him to see...all in fun...I hope he found the humor in it too...

We get to see her this weekend though! First at the football game on Saturday to watch her dance and then we have a wedding on Sunday.  

Oh I feel pretty pathetic...but I guess this is what happens when your children leave home for the first time. For twenty years my number one job was to be a Mom.  My kids still need me...but in a different way now...and that's OK. I'll get used to it...eventually.  

Julia's 19th birthday

This is the first year...19 to be exact...that I didn't get to spend Julia's birthday with her. We had planned to take a ride up to her school and take her to dinner but it turned out she had a completely full day scheduled with her dance team.  She started her day from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. helping new freshman move into their dorms and then had practice the rest of the day until 10:00 at night.  

Her team wished her a Happy Birthday on Instagram and dedicated a whole post to her which I thought was so sweet...

She said she spent the day playing fun games during team bonding and they met with the choreographer to start working on one of their competition routines... 

I am so grateful she's having this experience in college...

We actually celebrated her birthday a few days early knowing she wouldn't be home for the big day.  We went to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and then opened presents back at home...

We got her a Kendra Scott necklace...

and a Brandy Melville sweatshirt...

Happy 19th birthday to our beautiful, sweet, funny, talented, thoughtful, amazing girl!! I can't believe this is her last year as a teenager : ( 

Move in day

Today was the big day! Julia moved to college!  

First though she said her goodbyes to all her friends and these little ones that she babysits for. They love her so much!!

It was a gorgeous day to move in although quite hot. Endicott has the most beautiful campus...

Julia was so relaxed and so happy all day!! I know it feels like home to her already...

When we walked into her room we were so happy to see only three beds!! Originally she was in a quad but thankfully one of the girls switched to another dorm!  Julia had the pick of beds as her other two roommates don't move in until Saturday.  This is what the room looked like when we walked in...  

The two best things about the dorm...number one it has air conditioning...thank goodness because this time of the year it's still so hot...and number two the fabulous ocean view!!!  This picture doesn't even do it justice. She is literally right across the street from the ocean. You can sit and watch sailboats go by and the waves crashing right from her window...

And an ocean view from her desk...I mean really?!? That's my dream...to live by the ocean...

And this is what it looked like when she was done...

She still wants to hang up some white lights but we were a little rushed trying to finish setting up before she had to run off to dance practice. She has a very looooong five days ahead of dance practices before school starts on September 1st...as in her days start at 7:30 a.m. and end at 10:00 p.m.!!  But she's happy about that!  It's what she loves to do...

I'm at peace with her leaving the nest.  She is so ready!!  We've prepared her well.  I'm going to miss her like crazy.  She is my buddy who has always been right by my side these past 19 years.  We do everything together. It's so hard to have her leave but I know she's not that far away and I know she will love this new adventure.  I'm beyond excited for her which really helps!!  

As I was thinking back on my first day of college...

1. I was in a triple the size of a closet...no where near the size of her room.

2. We didn't have air conditioning!  It was hot as hell AND freezing in the winter. 

3. I certainly didn't have the view she has! 

4. and I knew only one other person! She already knows her dance team and one of her roommates!

I bought this for her a while ago and I'm so happy she took it with her...

My Julia, you are beautiful, unique, chosen, set apart and so loved.

Here's to a fabulous new and exciting chapter in your life!! 

#imNOTsoexcited

This means she leaves for college tomorrow : |

Ogunquit & My Birthday

The girls and I went up to Ogunquit for a few days to visit my sisters.  We did a lot of fun things like we floated down the river in tubes from Maine Beach to Footbridge Beach...we went shopping...we ate lunch on the Marginal Way at Oarweed...we went to the movies and saw the worst movie ever but the popcorn was delicious...and we played some really fun games and laughed and laughed!  

My favorite gift store...

I found this there...I just love this saying by Henry James...

Black Eyed Susans are everywhere in Ogunquit and will forever remind me of my Dad...

Julia and I sharing our August birthdays with a birthday cake made by Kimmy...

My Mom is always with us...

Nicholas sending me birthday love from home...

and when I got home that night on my birthday...my boy gave me a gift card with my favorite candy and this sweet card...

Kissy Kissy (inside joke)...

and Danny gave me these gorgeous flowers...

Kerry gave me the beautiful picture representing my family which I love so much...Kimmy gave me some fun tea gifts because she knows how much I love my tea...and my girls gifted me with an amazing "you are my sunshine" necklace.  I feel loved!! 

Nicholas turns 20

How can it be that 20...twenty!!!…years ago this happened...

and now he has grown up into this handsome young man...

Per his request, we had dinner at KC Burger...

This is the one and only picture I got of Gianna...she's such a delight these days...

Then back home for whoopie pies and presents...

I love my boy to PIECES I tell you...to absolute PIECES...he is my heart...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY SWEET BOY!!!  I LOVE YOU!!!