eatthefrostingfirst

 Oldest is graduating in 2 weeks. It’s not lost on me that he is 18 and this is when new chapters often begin; yet I am his Mom, and in my eyes, he is always my baby.  I know I’ve written a lot about his rough beginning to life.  I brag about his strength.  I marvel at his easy going personality. I admire his perseverance. In 2 weeks, my once 2lb 9oz baby who lived with tubes and wires til the age of 19 months, will be walking up on a stage to accept his high school diploma.  And I’m so freakin proud!  This Mom will be beaming with pride And bawling behind a pair of dark sunglasses. Am I ready for his next stage?  That would be a big no. And an emphatic; hell yea!  Because this young man amazes me every single day, and although I want to keep him safe and protected, I know that I’ve done my best to prepare him to spread those wings. Shout out to Rascal Flatts for starting my tears 14 days early.  (WARNING: proceed with caution without tissues...

  There are definitely places and times I wouldn’t go back to if I got paid but I have to say top of my list is high-school. It just wasn’t my time.  Average student in a flock of mostly above average kids. A bit insecure, cared more about my boyfriend then the punishment I may endure for skipping class to see him, and my Mom just didn’t understand me.  (Boy was I wrong there) But navigating high school now?  With Instagram and Snapchat and Twitter and whatever else is out there that I know nothing about - I imagine that adds to a whole other level of being a teenager. And that’s what our kids are in the thick of. It’s mental health awareness month and if there’s ever a time to focus in on this- it’s now. We’ve heard,nationally; of three,star college, female athletes, who have died by suicide in the past couple of months. (And sadly, too many kids that we don’t know about). There are kids with anxiety (can you blame them? Do you know what it’s like applying to colleg...

  I love watching the dynamics between parents and their teens. Mostly because it makes me feel normal.  Did a college tour with youngest yesterday.  Mom, Dad and other teen boy in front of us waiting to check in. Mom: Tell them your name. Kid: I don’t want to. You’re the one that signed me up, you check in.  Mom: We are here for you. You need to do this. (Admission person waiting patiently for kid to check in) Gives his name. They are handing out t- shirts and she asks kid what size he would like. Kid looks at Mom. I smile (behind my mask) Mom clearly embarrassed. Tell them your size.  Kid: I don’t know? Medium?  Banter continues until info session begins. Kid continues to sulk. I’ve done this process with oldest and am now in the throes of it with youngest so clearly this now makes me an expert. Moms: don’t make the tours for your kid. If they don’t want to tour a particular school, then you’re just wasting your time and resources. I realize some kids nee...

 DH bought a scratch ticket the other day.  The purchase coincidentally fell on the anniversary of my Father’s death.  I said maybe my Dad will bring us good luck and I scratched away. We won $10 I screamed, excitedly.  I mean, we never win anything.  Dad was watching over me. Three days later, we go to cash it in.  “Your eyesight is terrible”, my loving husband tells me. What? We didn’t win? It said “win $10”. I was sure of it. No; he says. It said “win $100”!  Love you Dad!  Miss you every day.