Where did that come from?

Ah ha! I'm beginning to see a new side of this lifestyle that I haven't experienced in the last 27 years. When something gets cleaned (which isn't often at this point, we're still returning STUFF we borrowed for the wedding, squishing air out of the Lake Powell toys, putting bins back down in the basement from the college move, and vacuuming up the mounds of dog hair since they have had the run of the household for the last month)

BUT . . . when something DOES get clean, it stays that way for at least five minutes!

I mean, look at this . . .

It's something I haven't seen for the last 10 years.

The counter tops in the girls bathroom.

Wow, it looks pretty nice in there! I usually just avoid it at all costs. One could get lost just going in to use the facilities! You're lucky if you can find the soap amidst all the cans of hair products, face cleaners, acne remedies, hairbrushes and scrunchy things. I'm feeling kind of bad that when my boys were home I actually made them use that bathroom as well . . . oh well . . .

It's been tidy for a whole week almost. Hmmm . . . I'm thinking . . . now that I can see it all clearly, it might need a little update . . . thinking I might need to go shopping to use up some of this spare time . . .

Stay tuned, I'll let you know how it turns out:)

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It's Official

The last little chickie has officially "flown the coop" The nest is empty. I'm really kinda sad about that but getting better everyday. Thankgoodness for cell phones, text messaging, picture messages and Facebook! Ha! Never thought I'd say that! And promise - I AM NOT a helicopter parent. (at least I don't think so . . . .)

Earlier this week we helped Kelsie pack up all her belongings and head off to college. Sure it's only four hours away, and sure, she'll be home probably like once a month. And we did get to drive up with her and help her get all settled in and meet the new roommates. It was actually such a fun day. She has roommates that have come from all across the country, Dublin Ohio, Florida . . . and truthfully, I think she will have a wonderful time this year!

It was amazing to see her through some new eyes. She has always been the youngest, the one who got to hang around with mom and dad forever (in her limited free time) and even though I tried to look at her and see her as a beautiful eighteen year old young woman, I frequently would glance at her and think she still looks about 12. (Not to mention, that I cannot possibly be old enough to have my youngest be 18, I was just in her shoes a couple years ago . . .)

Therefore, it truly was awesome to see the way she acclimated so quickly, jumping right into meeting new people, introducing herself, finding her way around campus and taking care of all the necessary paperwork and dubious registration tasks. Where did this girl come from? I was so proud of her.

When I saw the mounds of stuff piled into their little apartment I thought "no way", it's not all going to fit. But these girls have exceptional organizational skills. I still can't believe they fit it all in.





So once the cupboards were filled and the beds were all made, Norm and I said our "goodbye's" and climbed in the car for the drive home. For once, I got to pull out my ipod and pick the playlist. We listened to our tunes, and visited about grownup things all the way home.

Any regrets? Just one perhaps . . . teaching her to do her own laundry at the age of 12. Otherwise I'd be seeing her for sure this weekend :)

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