Turn Out The Lights. The Party's Over.

Whew, took me a minute to remember my password!  There for a second, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to post this.

It's December 26th.  Yep, I'm starting tonight...positive that by the time I get to the end, it'll be New Years Eve.  Saying goodbye to this project is like reaching the final page of the book.  You know you've reached the end.  You remember what an amazing story it's been.  But you know that once you turn that last page, it's all over.  You can reread it, but it'll never be the same.  

It was a random day in December, 2011.  I was busy with studio sessions, editing holiday pictures, Christmas shopping, last minute cleaning and grocery shopping when I looked around a realized that while I was taking care of everything else, I was missing the moments that were going on in our own home.  We were 6 months short of Hunter's graduation, Will was just starting high school and those everyday events were just passing us by.  That was the day the blog was born.   Little did I know what the next five years would hold.  

There were so many things I didn't think of when we started down this road.  Honestly, I was positive I was witty and creative enough to keep this up forever.  And for a while, I was.  Then came the slow realization that no matter how funny we could be, some days just sucked.  And some days were so bad that blogging about them was just too tough.  But we pressed on...Jeff and the boys were a huge help.  But then the boys began to move on.  Not once (seriously, not once) did it occur to me then that one day, it would just be Jeff and I and our daily "moments" wouldn't be all that interesting.  Seriously, you know you're tired of seeing pictures of the puppies!

But before I wrap things up, I want to address the elephant in the room.  The missing 90 days of our lives.  Sending Will off to college was probably the hardest thing we've done.  Although we'd been trying to prepare for it for 18 years, no one could fully prepare Will.  It was my intention to press on with the blog for the first few months, sharing all of his first year college experiences with the goal of saying goodbye over Christmas Break.  Little did I know that his initial freshman experience would be less than awesome.  Being away from us, away from home and away from his friends would take it's toll.  The transition was tough and the classes were tougher.  So as I was taught years ago, if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all.  Instead, the blog went dark, allowing Jeff and I to spend all of our free time helping Will make the most of his experience, all the while trying to cope with our new lifestyle too.  Please don't worry, the toughest days are behind him and I'm sure he's downstairs now, counting the days until he can get back to campus.   Now that we've all adjusted, him to school and us to being empty nesters....we're ready to wrap things up.

It's now the evening of December 28th.  Good thing I planned in advance or I'd be posting the final draft on Valentines Day.  Up to here, we've covered why I started, how creative and funny I am, as well as why we dropped off the planet for the last few months.  The next subject is a little bit about you.

If you're reading this, you've probably been following along with us for the last five years.  You've seen the ups, the downs and everything in between.  Together, we celebrated birthdays, weddings, holidays, new puppies and old friends.  Right along with us, you've experienced first loves, devastating losses, car accidents, traffic tickets and college acceptance letters.  And for sticking with us, I must say thank you.  You've told me this blog helped you to feel a little closer to us.  But the reality is, it kept us feeling closer to you.  Each personal message, note and comment warmed my heart.  You took the time to read them all and for that, I will be eternally thankful.  It meant the world to each of us.

And now we've reached the end.  If you want to save your self a little heartache, I recommend stopping here.  My final words are for the boys.  So Hunter and Will, please keep reading....you can't use the heartache loop hole!

And now it's December 30th.  I'm so glad I planned in advance!!!!

Dear Hunter and Will,

My hope the day I started this was to record your lives.  The small moments you would forget along the way.  Little did I know how awesome it would be.  Not the posts, not the text.  But being able to look back on a snippet of you lives and remembering every single detail.  We've already used it to reference birthday cakes, first snow falls, first pay checks...and I look at it all the time just to see you.  While you two are off living the college life, Jeff and I have a little more time to reflect on the last few years (thankfully, we did everything right, lol!)

I hope that one day when you show it to your kids (assuming the internet hasn't been replaced by something better!), you'll feel like you are again in that moment.  You'll see how much we enjoyed each and every one of those days.  I started this for you...but in the end, I've realized it was for me.  So you would always remember how much you're both loved...and how we cherished every moment..the good and the not so good.

I would love to keep this going forever.  But you're getting to the age where you will remember.  You'll remember your roommates, trading in aluminum cans for beer money (or selling your clothes to Platos!), horrible professors and the moment you met the girl you're going to marry.  We'll be here to watch every moment and hopefully remember it too...although we're getting a little old to remember everything.

And if you take one thing away from this.....

Continue on living your life while taking a minute to appreciate the little things.  One day, it'll be all of the little things that make up your life.

I love you both more than words...to the moon and back.

Love and Hugs!!!


It's now December 31.  Just as I had planned.

I bid you a very heartfelt goodnight.

Back to Class!

It's official.  They're both college students.  The first day of class has arrived and according to both, it was a good day.

I can't tell you how proud I am.  A senior.  On his way to graduation.  I'm speechless.  He's accomplished so much.  He's accomplished everything I hoped he would.  Thankfully, he'll be able to support us in our retirement :)

And the baby, he did so well today.  On little sleep, he was a bundle of nerves.  But he made it though the day and had nothing but good things to say about it.  Let's hope it's the first of many wonderful days.

It's quiet here.  The dogs have figured out something is different.  I'm a lot off my game and Jeff has been absolutely awesome in helping me find my way.  But this is how it's supposed to be.  The boys are excelling and we'll adjust to it being just us.  We've made it though Tuesday.  Hoping tomorrow is just as good for everyone.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow.

Ok, so a real blog may be a day or two away.  I've been trying all night to gather my thoughts here, but it's been an exercise in futility.

Best to try again tomorrow.

Moving Day.

It is a rare occasion that I am at a loss for words.  Tonight is one of them. 

William is all moved in.  We met his roommates, their parents, unpacked and got him settled.  Then we headed home so he could get started on his newest adventure!

Honestly, I have so much to say, but tonight just isn't the night.  So tomorrow I'll fill a page with all of my thoughts...

In the meantime, I'm off to snapchat with my baby!

College Eve

It has finally arrived.  The evening I've been dreading for eighteen and a half years.  Ok, so not really dreading.  Just a day I hoped would be a few more years away.  Oh, who am I kidding?  A few more years wouldn't be enough.

It's not just me that's nervous either.  I think Will's paced a hole in his bedroom carpet making sure he doesn't forget anything.  And I'm pretty sure he's packed it all...the truck is full.

And while I'd love to discuss all of this in great detail...I'd rather spend the hour or so I have left with him!

So wish us luck tomorrow.  Say a little prayer that this goes as smoothly as possible.  And hug your kids...they grow up so fast!

The Last Supper.

Tonight was Will's last home cooked meal for a while.  He's been in charge of the menu for weeks now, but tonight was his final request.  Would anyone believe me if I told you we cooked hamburgers tonight?  Yep, he picked taco burgers as his final dinner.  Who'd have thought?

I forgot to take a picture of the burger.  But I did take time to capture these!

Jeff and Mini Me.  I don't know what they'll do without each other...

Me and my baby.  I seriously don't know what I'm going to do without him.....

Then there's the puppy.  Probably the most heartbroken of us all.....

Family Dinner!

One minute late.  Can you tell it's been a long day?

No complaints here...we're just swamped trying to get in all of the packing, shopping, goodbying and well...everything else.

After a full day of college prep, we spent the evening with the Bandy family.  A laughter filled evening was just what we all needed!

PS.  Sorry for the somewhat blurry picture.  I obviously had a shaky hand and something in my eye.