I thought I was ready for college, but I was wrong!

I was fine.  Honestly.  From the time that Spencer was accepted to Ouachita Baptist University, I knew that within a few short months he would be leaving for college and living ON.  HIS.  OWN.  I knew this.  I was fine.  And then, I wasn't.  I wasn't fine at all; in fact, I was a mess and just one tear away from "the ugly cry".

We arrived at OBU on Saturday for ER (early registration) and to get Spencer's class schedule.  The fact that it was a gray day that was threatening rain did not help my mood.  But, I was calm and happy to be involved in this right of passage that so many parents before me have traveled.  I was all smiles when we saw old friends and sat through the welcome announcements.  Then, the students were sent to visit with their academic advisor and Spencer was gone.  It was just Brad and I sitting alone in the auditorium.  And, at that moment it hit me that Spencer was actually going to be living on campus and going to school and that he would be the one figuring everything out on his own...the medical issues and the school/study/fun/laundry/study/stress issues.  And it was too much.  I could feel it building but I tried to keep it in check because my husband of 23+ years has no clue what to do when I cry.  But it was futile and once the tears appeared, they would not stop.

I know what you are going to say.  "Thousands of parents have sent their children off to college and they have lived."  Did the parents live or only the kids because from where I am standing, it's not looking good for me.  Did any those kiddos have the type of medical issues that Spencer has had and does have to this day?  Maybe, but I'm sure he is not the first person to go to college who has had "challenges".

We left campus all in one piece and made it home with nary a tear from anyone in our car!  I hope a year from now I will look back and see what an awesome job we did preparing Spencer for this next adventure.  And I hope my memories do not include a padded cell for me.  Just sayin.

Mr. Smiley is working at Dickey-Stephens park this summer when the Travs are in town.  Stop by and give him a hard time!

"For I can do everything, with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need."
~Philippians 4:13

Saying Goodbye to Golden Pond

Ten years ago, we were blessed to build our dream home on top of a mountain and live the "country" life for a while.  Honestly, Brad and I find it hard to believe that 10 years has passed so quickly and the next adventure in our lives is beginning.

Living in Ferndale was literally a dream come true and we will always remember the amazing sunsets, the wonderful (but few) neighbors, the varmints menagerie of God's creatures in all shapes and sizes, snow sledding days, shooting stars, the hilarious story of how the hill in front of the pond became known as "Carney Hill" (ask Craig about that one!), the boys camping out in the woods on New Year's Day and coming home frozen, the Super Bowl, World Series and March Madness parties too numerous to count, and every holiday with our family's laughter filling the rooms.  

We bought our property five years before we built our house and by the time we finally moved in, we were all giddy with anticipation of living in the woods.  When I sent out our change of address cards, I thought this picture expressed how we ALL felt!

Ten years later, they didn't seem quite as excited about the move.

But we know that God's adventure for our family is better than anything we could ever imagine, and so we have made the move to the big town of Little Rock.  Not only are we back in the neighborhood we lived in before we moved to Ferndale, we are actually on the same street as well!  We still have a lot of boxes to unpack and I did find out the hard way that I can't run to my car with a towel wrapped around me without running into neighbors (YIKES!), but other than that, it's all good.  

I do have the PERFECT place for my morning devotional!

Our plan is to stay in Little Rock for at least another year while Spencer completes his first year of college and Brad finishes up his current projects.  We have no idea what God's plan is but we will try to keep up and pay attention.  It's all about faith.

"Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise."

~Hebrews 10:23