Mama of 2 P's in a Pod

 We've really had to have some tough talks with our girls about setting boundaries and sadly, cutting ties. Some toxic friendships in their lives have been brought to the forefront of life, and Kris and I both feel these are things they need to know how to do, much sooner than we figured out. It's been tough, and some really hard conversations have came into play since we started giving them this guidance, including facing some of our own bullshit. That part has been hard. To not take things personally when they are doing exactly what we asked of them. I wholeheartedly admit I am a helicopter mom. I have always joked that I was the fun one, the one involved, the one there to help with whatever they need. But it has been brought to my attention that they need to fail, they need some space and quite honestly, I'm not as good as I thought. OOF. If that isn't a punch to the gut. But as the great Taylor Swift says, "It's me, hi, I'm the problem, it's me....

The countdown is on. Our youngest graduates high school in just under 4 weeks. Our oldest will head to England in just 6 weeks, and will be studying there for right at a month. So many changes, exciting times, overwhelming times and in all, enough to make me wake up in a semi-panic mode at 4:30 every morning. So much to do. I know I will get it done, and things will go well, I just have so much to do.  This weekend is the first of the many, a fundraiser garage sale to help offset the costs of the England trip. SO MUCH TO DO. Grateful to purge all in the name of education. HOPING the garage sale crowd will come and buy! Next weekend is Prom, then the following weekend is Grad party, then the following weekend graduation...EY YI YI! It will get done, it will get done! Plus side, is I have so much more energy with the 100lbs I've lost. Kris has lost 150+. WE can do this.  Right? ~pic from our youngest's signing with local college to cheer~

 Here we are in the first 7 weeks of a new school year. Our youngest's final high school year, and our oldest's first year in college, but as a sophomore. It's been a fun ride so far. Some challenges of course, as anyone would expect. But these girls have grown so much and are such a joy to be around. I truly can say, Kris and I both would rather be with them than just about anyone else. Is that weird? Did we not teach them to spread their wings well enough? Or is the tide of the current society we live in just a little too rough, and it's ok to keep them close?  Kris and I have made a major change in our own lives, for our health and hopefully longevity. It's been a little tough, also as expected, a little tougher for me than him. But we are rocking it...for now! ;)

 It's June. I'm not even sure where time went from December on. Yet, here we are. P1 has graduated high school. It was a rough 4 years, so many ups and downs and of course the whole COVID experience. She learned so much both academically and then of course personally. Her view on the world has changed so much since she first walked in those doors. I love seeing her shine and the excitement about taking on the world. She decided a couple of weeks ago, to stay in town and go to the college so many of us have gone to, rather than go two hours away. It was a smart choice, but one she had to make on her own. I'm proud of her for thinking beyond college, especially fiscally. She leaves for New York City in less than a month, a great gift for her 18th birthday, thanks to our niece Shelby, who both had the idea and is the one taking her. I know it will be the first of many adult experiences!!  P2 is headed into her senior year. She just went on her first trip without us and is gett...

 Our oldest has decided on her college for next year. We took her to a visit day to see if it was a good fit. It was. Not just for her, but for her dad and I as well. I could picture her living there, growing there and thriving there. It's two hours away. A straight shot on a major high way. Our niece is living there. It's a good fit. And right now, I'm both excited and a little freaked out. Wasn't it just yesterday, she was playing Barbies, learning how to read, twirling in her pretty dress with pockets?! I mean, that still happens now, only she LOVES to read and the pockets, they're still a big deal.  Little sister is still navigating life as a High School Junior. COVID has been tough on her school wise. A kid who used to love school and love to learn, has become a little withdrawn, and is not nearly as confident in the classroom as we'd like. Teachers have to earn her trust, and wow, when they lose it, it's hard to keep her motivated. I'm praying, she...

 February 2021 looks a lot different than February 2020. We were unaware of what the "Corona" virus was really going to be like. It was a "their" problem. We were just jumping into a new decade, and honestly the only thing on my mind this time last year was our trip to the Bahamas and making sure we had everything in place for the girls to be on their own with Grandma Pat. A year later, wow. I'm fairly certain, the day after we came back, the cough I had was COVID. I know it was. As someone who seems to get bronchitis every fall, I know it was NOT bronchitis. I have never felt like that and pray I never do again. Thankfully when Kris and the girls got COVID in November, it was mild for all of them. On the bright side, I didn't get bronchitis this past fall. Watching the past year take it's toll on my father in law's health has been hard. He had 3 heart attacks last week. We are pretty sure his first heart attack in March 2020, he came home with COVID...

 Well here we are in almost mid November. We are in school as "hybrid" students. That means the girls are in the building two days a week. Well, sometimes. We allow them to work remote as much as possible because they both feel like they get more done from home. Thankfully, we have a great family doctor who has given us a note for this, since the district likes to count them as absent if we chose to keep them home. Such an odd time. For the most part, I am so grateful for the time we have been gifted. If things were normal, we'd be so busy we would have missed some pretty important things that have came up over COVID time. I know in a few short years, life will change forever with college, and kids coming and going as adults. I am trying to remember this and cherish this time. I do worry though about the long term effects of all of this. Our already introverted girls are even more so. Will they get to experience any of the normal high school fun? Or will they rock this pa...