"If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies"
-Unknown
In some things I don't mind change, like the seasons (which we don't really even get here), the scenery on a road trip, and that of a caterpillar to a butterfly (yep, I did say random).
And in others I really don't like it. "The Change" which is completely for the birds (well, they probably don't even go through the change, lucky!), when marketers change the labels constantly and you can't find what you need because they changed it, and like when your kid goes to college.
Gosh, I thought I was doing so good, but really, I think I'm having a bit of trouble. It's just so quiet around here, and honestly during the day it was always quiet. But come 3 o'clock every day when she came home (brother always has some kind of practice) she filled me in on world happenings because quite frankly I don't ever turn on my TV. I miss our everyday conversations about miscellaneous life stuff and school, and sharing my excitement over butterfly #200 and something emerging, and I sure do miss her baking! LOL
Mostly, I just miss her presence, well, and her hugs!
It was so nice to have her home last weekend, but it just went too fast. And before you know it we were driving her back to campus. But our drive back was so much fun, listening to some of her ideas about documentaries and a book she wrote that she is re-writing.....can I just tell you, and I know most parents probably feel this same way about their kids, but this girl is incredible. She has such a profound wisdom for her age, and I don't think I've been smarter than her since fifth grade!
Change....as much as most of us don't like it, it's the only way to get to the other side sometimes.
(five minute intermission for a good cry)
Okay, speaking of last weekend it was homecoming and my boy asked a girl . . . to the dance . . . only they didn't go to the dance? They, along with 16 others took a limo into Houston where they had dinner instead. Since they aren't 18 and there were 18 of them the restaurant required a chaperon so another mom and I did the honors. The manager was impressed and admitted that they didn't need one, but they never know what kind of group they will get.
And speaking of my boy, he is doing so well. I missed Tuesday because I don't have my act together lately and we had his infusion. Following protocol he will be on this medication for the next two months and the doctor, because he is doing so well and labs are all staying normal, may take him completely off! (that's when we pray for remission)
Linking with Nancy, and more randomness....
1. On the caterpillar front, I now have 3 Queen cats that have turned into a chrysalis, 3 more in a j-hang and maybe another dozen still getting fat. Throw a couple of Monarch cats in there, and about 8 black swallowtail eggs, two that just hatched this morning. Grand central station....
2. I put out my hummingbird feeder for the first time (it's two years old) but the hummers seem to prefer my wild morning glory vine, whatup?
3. Now this one .... if you know an elderly person who is really elderly, who not only still has a drivers license, but actually gets behind a wheel, please, please, please make sure they really can drive. It's okay to hurt their feelings if it means keeping other drivers alive. (see #4)
4. I'm happy to be alive, and even happier that the planets were aligned so that when the elderly woman came across over three lanes into mine that I was able to avert an accident. The outcome would have been different if there had been any cars in the left turn lane, or any cars in the opposite turn lane!
5. Don't go to Sonic for your free Texans slush the day after the Texans win unless it's before school lets out, just sayin'!
Yeah, I just need to wrap up this very long random mess of a post and go have some chocolate or something.
Oh,
6. No I have not forgotten my Monarch series, seriously I took way too many photos (is there such a thing) and I'm trying to corral all my notes and thoughts from the last four months.
Have a wonderful weekend, I'm off to watch some Queen cats do their thing.
Love, Kim
linking with Little Things Thursday, Five on Friday, Friday Photo Journal
So glad to hear Sam is doing well!! What a wonderful group he hangs with too (-:
ReplyDeleteI thought of you as I did a reading assessment on a kiddo with a book about monarchs!
Poor Mommy! It must be hard to have the baby girl off at school. Thrilling to hear how she is emerging to her new stage of life. Glad to hear Sam is doing so well. He looks happy and healthy with his cute date! So glad that you weren't hurt it a collision with the elderly woman. I agree, that hurt feelings are better than hurt people.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to read too that Sam is doing better-he looks good.
ReplyDeleteHave some chocolate for me too-hugs
Sam looks great! and so glad that things are going well for him. know that it is hard to adjust to your daughter leaving, but glad that you had a great weekend with her, and many more to come! Looking forward to more of your butterfly shots Kim, and this one is lovely!
ReplyDeleteThere's no such thing as taking too many pictures. And I'm sure your monarch post will be worth waiting for. Great news about your son - the prayers continue.
ReplyDeleteIt's always hard, when one of the babies leaves the nest. Sounds like she's doing well, though.
ReplyDeleteSo glad that Sam is doing so well.
Such a sweet post! I know you're missing your girl ... I remember too well. And so glad your boy is doing well! Change is going to happen, whether we want it too or not.
ReplyDeleteSam is ADORABLE!! and so happy to hear he's doing so well. The dinner sounds fun with all those kids. You can never have too many photos of Monarchs..ahem. I know ALL about missing your kids...there's such a void some days are better than others. And crazy woman cutting you off. Glad your'e alive too! xo great post Kim
ReplyDeleteAwww -- empty nest syndrome. Well, sorta... it will get better.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your randomness today Kim. I truly believe most of us are trying to form some order and meaning to our days... :) xo
Oh, Kim - I completely understand the feelings you're having missing your daughter. It takes time...it's almost like a kind of grief, and it will hit you in moments when you're not expecting it. As time passes, it will get better...meanwhile, those times when you do get to see your daughter will be extra special. I'm seeing mine today for a few hours...I can't wait!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm VERY happy to hear that your son is doing so much better - what a handsome young man he is. :)
Have a wonderful weekend!
I've had a week of missing them. Last Sunday my daughter was over working on a project with me and my son and his girlfriend showed up. They weren't going to stay, but then they did...and we were all together for a couple of hours. It was fun - easy. But just made me miss us all being together! I'm with Sheri - it hits me at odd times...and is such a mixed bag. Not to use a butterfly metaphor or anything, but you see them emerging, flying...and it's so so powerful! They (the kids...well, and the butterflies, I'm assuming) astound us! There is great joy watching them fly ... and yet we're loosing some bit of us, our lives, at the same time. Very odd roller coaster! We're with ya! And it's great to hear the news about your guy!
ReplyDeleteIt's hard when the house gets quiet...I couldn't stand it at first. It took a lot of getting used to.
ReplyDeleteBoth of my girls are grown and gone and it has been many years, they are in their early 30's. I still miss them everyday being in the house...totally understand where you are coming from, missing your girl.
ReplyDeleteI remember when my daughter left home. It was so hard. It is good to hear that you son is doing well.
ReplyDeleteBig Hugs my friend.
PS.. Awesome photos.. and I love your photos on IG..
Sounds like the butterflies are teaching you about change - sometimes it's a really hard lesson. Your children sound awesome - I'd be very proud!
ReplyDeleteWhat cool photos, Kim! I so appreciate you telling me how fast the butterfly emergence is-- I would have assumed it took quite a while. I'll have to be vigilant.
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to seeing your series.
When our first son went off to college it broke my heart and things around here seemed incomplete with out him. But he was having such a good experience that when his younger brother followed him 3 years later, I was better with it, until we drove up the driveway to our way too quiet house. It took a long time to get used to that. Finally, my husband and I found a new normal and it was good...I'm sure you feel the same way as we did...hard to see them go, but so glad they have the ability and opportunity to become young adults. Now they come home frequently, with their spouses and our grandchild. Life is good!
ReplyDeleteOn a totally different subject. I used to raise monarchs too, but this year I did not see even one caterpillar and our yard is filled with milkweed. So very disappointing. I look forward to your photos! Glad your son is doing so well...such cute pictures too!
I must say, I do love the fact that in Australia, when kids go off to University (College), most still live at home... unless you live way out in the country. Most of the big Universities have rural campuses. I'm very glad we live in the city though.
ReplyDeleteIn saying that I do understand how you feel as I only have the youngest of my 4 still living at home. I love it when she comes in from a day at Uni and we talk & laugh... just the 2 of us.
Thinking of you Kim & sending hugs across the ocean!
love the picture of the monarchs and the chrysalis, what a lovely male with the opened wings.
ReplyDelete