"They've Got Each Other"

“They’ve Got Each Other”

 

Last night was the Pigskin Preview at RSS Sterling High school. Basically, it’s where the football team and other extracurricular activities come out, get introduced and show their stuff. This was the new Swing Choir’s first performance.

This is Kirsten’s second year in Swing Choir and I know it’s going to be a fabulously fun year. Her first year was fun, but she was in with a lot of Seniors that she got to know well but wasn’t close to til she became a Swing Choir member. This year, her best friend Valerie Smith is in with her, along with her good friend Austin Putt, that she’s known since they were about three, her boyfriend and several others she’s really close to. (God help the choir teachers) They are already a close knit group and I know that’s just going to make it more fun for them.

I was a little nervous for them last night because it was the first performance as a group… and you know, first performances; the second day of school could be iffy. BUT, they rocked it. Star Spangled Banner… Awesome. Then they did Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi… was really great! (Except during Kirsten’s solo her mic repeatedly went out) Technical difficulties… she handled it well. I probably would have banged the mic on the floor a few times… but thank goodness she doesn’t always take after me!

I can’t wait to see what the year holds for them. It’ll be the highlight of their Senior Year when they look back. “They’ve got each other… and that’s a lot.” (I couldn’t resist the Livin’ on a Prayer reference people… I’m cheesy like that) This is going to be a fun year!

Everyone's Ok... except maybe Betsy.

Everyone’s Ok.

 

I get a call around 6:15 from my daughter. I know the call is from my daughter b/c her ringtone is that of Stewie from the Family Guy… Mom, Mommy, Ma, Mama, Mom… so I pick up the phone figuring she is going to ask me if she can stay later at Harrison’s. I’m unthrilled and ready for a conversation I’d probably rather not have. Instead, I hear high pitched screaming I cannot understand. I think it might be a humpback whale… but how would it have my number???

Seriously, I go into that uber, freaked out mommy mode where you think your child is possibly hurt or dying. “I can’t understand you”, I scream over the shrieking. “Are you ok??? Kirsten, are you ok???” I’m beginning to hear words and sobbing but still can’t understand anything I can decipher as actual language.  I do eventually catch, “I’ve been in an accident” over and over during this… which is not calming me down any. After what seemed like forever, (which I’m sure was no more than about one minute) where I’m frantically putting on shoes and searching for my phone. (Oh ya, I’m on it.) I get that she has hit a tree while backing up out of Harrison’s driveway and she is ok, but the car (Betsy) has a dent in the back. I’m instantly relieved, and my heart is now coming down from 300bpm to at least 295bpm. “Are you hurt anywhere? Do you need me to come get you? Are you able to drive??”

There is a pause, “Yes mom… but there’s a dent in Betsy.”

“It’s ok Kirsten. Come home. Be careful. And by the way… God forbid you ever have any other kind of wreck EVER, the first thing to come out of your mouth should always be…

 

Everyone’s OK!!!!!!

Thank you Lord for letting my daughter not be hurt. And um, please don’t let this be a sign of how this year is going to go. Gravy.

The Last First Day of School- Senior Year

The Last First Day of School

 

Well, it’s here. The day/year I have been dreading and anticipating for the last 17 years. I can’t believe it’s here. I knew it was coming… I’ve even tried to prepare for it, tried to prepare her for it. (Dang it if kids want to do things their way!)

We wanted four children… but you don’t always get what you want. Kirsten is our only child… and our world has happily revolved around that child since the moment we found out we were having her. I am now counting down, sadly, the last days she will be a “child” in our home.

It feels so sudden, and yet I have thought about this year since her first day of pre-school. What would she be like as a teenager? Who would she grow up to be?

I literally am so proud of her I could burst. She’s smart, funny, a little sassy, beautiful and is on her way to a brighter future than I could have imagined. It’s just as a mom, I’m also a little scared and sad too. (I feel bipolar!!)

Today, I find myself weepy. (For those of you who know me well, you know I’m not a crier.) I even had the “ugly cry” during the movie Hope Floats last night, which I have only watched a dozen times!!! Kirsten and Mark are in for a wonderful year! Lol This is the last first day of school. I remember her first day of school like it was yesterday. She had that sweet baby face, and long blonde baby fine hair and she didn’t want to let go of my hand. I remember I had to almost pry her little fingers off of mine. She didn’t cry… but I did. Today… will be a little different. She probably will have to pry my fingers off hers… but I’ll probably still cry. (Some things don’t change)

I am going to blog this year. (I keep saying this mantra over and over) I am going to keep up with it. She’ll have it when she’s older, and I’ll have it now. We (Kirsten and I) are both going through the ending of something and the beginning of something new. She’s going to savor the last few “real” moments of childhood before she goes off to begin her “real” life adventure. I am going to savor the last few moments of her childhood as well, and try to figure out what the next adventure for me will be. The last 17 years, my job has been to raise our daughter. What is next? I don’t know. Hopefully this year I can start to figure it out. (It’s scary)

Now, all that’s left for me to do… is pray for her… and get the heck out of her way.