Growing up

Colleges and Universities A-Z Service Academy Parents
21

<p>This is cruel, I know, but the opportunity is so perfect I can't resist...</p>

<p>It Will All Be Over Soon</p>

<p>Milk moustaches, chocolate chins,
Gaze at you with toothless grins,
Upturned faces, "Mommy please,
Can't I have one more of these?"</p>

<p>Giving all you can each day,
From Rise & Shine till tucked away;
When lashes flutter to a cradled croon,
It will all be over soon.
It will all be over soon.</p>

<p>Beds to make & mouths to feed,
"Daddy, will you hear me read?"
Dirty sneakers, torn blue jeans;
Toddlers tumble into teens.</p>

<p>If it all seems too much to bear,
Remember soon they won't be there.
Broken windows, messy rooms...
It will all be over soon
It will all be over soon.</p>

<p>Ready for life and full of dreams -
Prepare to cut those apron strings!.
Your days are numbered, sands are flowing,
All along their wings were growing!</p>

<p>It will all be over soon - It will all be over much too soon!</p>

<p>Ok - y'all can cyber beat me for ruthlessly posting that! (It was written when mine were really little and just getting thru the day was exhausting, a little reminder to treasure each moment no matter how stressful - it's funny to look back on those days now, isn't it?). It's so incredible that we've all gotten to this point of preparing to let them go? </p>

<p>I just want to thank everyone for posting their sentiments here - nice to know there are other moms (& dads) experiencing the same things we are! We "feel your pain" too! Haha! Cheers all!</p>

22

<p>Yep, it's all over till they come home on leave-----</p>

23

<p>Ok - so now I'm feeling silly for getting sentimental!
Is this the roller coaster ride y'all are talking about?? </p>

<p>Where's the merlot? Where's the chocolate??</p>

<p>I think I'm beginning to understand... :)</p>

24

<p>I never should have read this thread. My heart aches...</p>

25

<p>just got back from a long day- airport at 6 (as in AM), the torpedo off to Florida and so is the hubby (for a week of golf no less!)....so it's just me and little "annabelle" ....and a full, happy, delightful day of shopping!!!! :) A bow and a bone for Annabelle, and a grande latte for me!!! Bliss!!!! </p>

<p>What what a pleasure to check back and see all these great posts.....made me laugh and cry at the same time! Momoftwins has me pegged perfectly- I did try, really I did.....the laundry waited for him to get home, and he did at least get it started- not to my liking, mind you- stuffed every last piece into one huge load- (colors and whites and no regard for one or the other- another efficiency I find out)....but then cried exhaustion from his "big drive" ....and after the 5th yawn I just caved in - so when he asked me if I could put his stuff in the dryer- poor thing looked so exhaused from his little aventure....what is a mother to do? So instead of telling him like, yeah, "my heart is bleeding for ya," I said, "sure- no problem- you go and get your beauty rest".....you get the picture..... what can I say???? I'm a mush.</p>

<p>Ytipton, I hear ya- I'm too old for this too. And just when I get those 2 out the door, the other one is due home tonight from her week of rowing.....CAN'T WAIT to smell THOSE dank-damp-swampy-stinky-rowing uni's that no doubt are already sprouting mold spores as we speak!!!! I can see where this night is headed! :eek:</p>

<p>Your mid sounds like a sweetie, not only playing tennis, but lending you that shoulder- your post put a lump the size of a golf ball in my throat! Well, you just have to remember that NC is not THAT far away from USNA...... I would venture about the same distance as we are...... so just resign yourself like I have- to season football and season basketball and season lax tickets and you will have lots of excuses to visit the yard! And when those sports are "not in season," there's always rowing! ;)</p>

<p>BZ, that poem did me in.....and I have been so trying to stay on this diet thing- and now you have me all choked up and in need of chocolate myself.....:(</p>

<p>Beam~ you are too funny- and just to keep the record straight, the sandels met with his approval...navy flags and all! (wonder if I should go back and get the shorts with the cute little anchors on them!!! :o )....... nah, on second thought, that might be pushing it!! But they were really cute.......!!!!</p>

<p>well, know it's not even 8 yet, but have to go off to bed and squeeze 2 nights of sleep into one.....that is, if I can catch Annabelle who thinks I am trying to "play"....and I still have to hold her still long enough to brush those tiny little teeth of hers- before she sinks them into my fingers yet again......the torpedo is all tucked in at Disney according to the last call, and the hubby and his Florida cronies have their tee-time all set for the morning- and the daughter should be arriving any time now..... and so all I need is for HER boyfiend (pun intended) to show up and I will really lose it! </p>

<p>dang, this house is just too quiet- :o</p>

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<p>You Moms are so bad! LOL What am I gonna do with you when this summer comes?
Bz, welcome to "the merlot & chocolate club" and I have saved your poem to give to a dear friend of mine who had adopted a newborn and finds she is so so tired these days with this little bit of wonderful (aged two). I think she'll love it. Thanks for posting it! </p>

<p>Navy2010, you crack me up and Annabelle is gonna be so rotten! </p>

<p>3016, dont'. Thats all I have to say is "don't". Now go put on your armor and stay strong! :(</p>

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<p>JM - Actually found a quaint imported Merlot at Piggly Wiggly the other day! (That's a grocery store down here in SC for all y'all who don't know what a Piggly Wiggly is!).</p>

<p>And of course I always keep Extra Dark Chocolate on hand for emergencies! </p>

<p>Guess I've come to the right place...</p>

28

<p>I'm so glad I started this thread! :) Nice to know I'm in good company.</p>

29

<p>"Two Buck Chuck" comes in Merlot. Trader Joe's, baby!---even has a cork!!!</p>

30

<p>I think I'm beginning to understand what my mom is going through with me leaving....wow....</p>

<p>You guys should know, though, that you mean more to us, especially sons, than you will ever know. I can guarantee those boys (or girls) will miss you when they're being trained by an upperclassman.</p>

<p>Guess mom being mad at them doesnt seem so bad after that...</p>

<p>;)</p>

31

<p>It will get worse before it gets better . . . .</p>

<p>Leaving him on I-day was like being punched in the stomach by a professional boxer; your gut was wrenching and the pain was substantial. The first step in making the separation . . .</p>

<p>Leaving him on PPW was only marginally better. It still was painful because you knew, deep down, that your little boy was no more. You had just met a young man!</p>

<p>After Christmas, with six months [!] of training, the separation was somewhat like being punched by a golden gloves boxer. You knew you could take it, but still hurts. A lot! </p>

<p>Today, the last day of Spring Break, I can only say that the pain is still there, but you know it will be okay. Interestingly, he acknowledged that it was not the same with his high school friends . . . he knew that he had changed substantially and they had not.</p>

<p>We can only wait for the summer cruises, etc.</p>

<p>Do others have analogies they would care to offer?</p>

32

<p>snipper, bz, and Bill,</p>

<p>My waterworks are on overtime as this is the day spring break at West Point is over. I was okay - catching up on laundry just like navy2010 - when I checked in here today. Good grief! I'm such a wreck I can't even think of any analogies.</p>

<p>The really bad part is that for this past year we have actually had contact every 6 weeks or so since R-Day. This time it will be 10 weeks. And realizing that next year won't include all those cool events for parents to visit. I guess it's just the next phase for us; I just don't like it. No lectures on letting go, please.</p>

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<p>I can think of one.... We are the Coyote in a bad Road-runner cartoon. I have felt the 'anvil from Acme' too much these past months. And hot coals pushed into my eyes with swords would hurt less than watching that straight uniformed back walk towards that airplane & away from me. (insert fake laugh here) It really is a rotten deal that parents don't get more warning about this heart ache thing. :) (fake smile) My Plebe went back last sunday & let me tell you, tomorrow will be way too quite Momoftwins. No more spring breaks left for you? <em>Jamzmom pats Momoftwins back and hands her a kleenex</em> </p>

<p>Bz, we really must try some of Shogun's Two Buck Chuck! Shogun, is it red, white or alittle of both? I'll bet its as good as anything we can find at our Piggly Wiggly! LOL On Edisto last week, the hubby came down the isle shaking his head. He said, "What has this Piggly Wiggly come to.... There is now a humidor at the end of this isle". Amazing. They musta moved the turkey necks for crabbin' on down the way to make room.</p>

<p>Sniper. I will give you twenty bucks a week and all the food you can eat if you'll come & live in Jamz' old room until its time for you to go to CO. :)</p>

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<p>Two Buck Chuck... Sounds dangerous! But hey, there's no telling what I might be willing to try if the "roller coaster" gets too loopy!</p>

<p>How often do you get down to Edisto JM??</p>

35

<p>Here in the DC area, Trader Joe's 2 buck chuck is $4.99! Can get perfectly good Hess Merlot for that at the Super Fresh! They say DC has one of the higher per capita alcohol rates - due to politics and prices, I think...
Meanwhile, spring break is over and the stinky laundry is gone, plus #1son who was home briefly - and much like Jake, knew how to deal with sister - the DD now teacher who fell down at school, broke foot and called Mom (at work), who said - call your brother- he's home! So he spent a fine break day at ER with big sis, driving her around.<br>
They keep coming back! Thank goodness! We love them and they drive us crazy with their stuff everywhere, but they are so darn entertaining and they are ours!
And that little skinny 4 year old climbing every thing in sight is now huge and will protect not only us, but our country. We are so proud when we see him in uniform and then roll our eyes when we know some of the things that went into getting him to this point!<br>
When we were just a decade older than our kids are today, we started having them - did we have a clue? No way! Maybe it's better that way.</p>

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<p>They are entertaining aren't they Weski? I still think there should be some kind of parental classes we can take when our kids are about ten to get us tough for all that PAIN when they leave us. LOL</p>

<p>Bz, the answer to your question is, not enough. Only about twice a year there. The rest of any free time is spent exploring the low country. We go to Charleston a great deal and hang out around Beaufort some. Currently planning a little expedition to some ruins here & there for some photograghy fun. I gotta do something to get out of this stone dead quiet house! Its either run around the state & entertain myself or go up to KP & spy through the gates at the mids hoping to see my kid. I would probably get into trouble with the later. :)</p>

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<p>JM - Let us know when you get down to Bft sometime. Those ruins you're going to visit wouldn't be Old Sheldon Church, would they? That's an awesome place & great for pics.</p>

<p>I know what you mean about running up to KP - DS hasn't even left yet & we're already trying to figure out how many visits to Annapolis we can get away with! (Think they'll let us park our motorhome in Tecumseh Court?? ha!).</p>

38

<p>Bill0510- your analogy hit home- what a reality check- and there are times I feel like I have already "been there" and we are not even there yet! What a roller coaster of emotions! As if the hormonal changes were not enough to deal with!!</p>

<p>Well, folks, for those of us still in a "holding pattern" or "still waiting," today marks the 100th day countdown to I-Day 2010..... and for the foundation kids out there, 17 days left 'till the "Final Decision" day.....</p>

<p>sometimes it seems like it will never, ever come- sort of like spring this year- speaking of which, arrived today- with a few snow flurries to welcome it in on LI!!!!</p>

<p>JM- you are right on the money, as usual- Annabelle is truely spoiled and pampered and loved to death- what a cutie- went back to our daughter's dorm last night- and I am already missing her little kisses in the morning! She is just too adorable!!!! And she had her first bath yesterday- with vanilla dog shampoo- so now she smells like a vanilla bean- and with that bow in her hair, it would melt your heart!!!</p>

<p>As a true merlot fan, thought I would pass on my new best secret.... "Charaz" ....if you love merlot, you will love this one!!! Seems like "100 Days and Counting" is a good excuse for some! ;)</p>

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<p>17 Days left!! Nerve wracking!! How many have the countdown marked on calendars? I'd forgotten about that part. </p>

<p>Hope Annabelle has her little sweater on today! Sounds a bit nippy outside! Did she love or hate her bath? Charaz huh? Gotta look!</p>

<p>Bz, yep! Going to visit that one and a few more. Had been there twice with no camera! Not making that mistake again. And I say, sure! Give it a try parking in the middle of Tecumseh Court! All they can do is ask you to leave and maybe they won't even notice. Worth a try!</p>

<p>Good luck to everyone still waiting! Its been a long wait & I hope everyone gets good news.</p>

40

<p>A word of humble advice for those who are blessed to live with their children...</p>

<p>Cherish them. Spend time with them. Enjoy them. Don't waste a second.</p>

<p>I do not have mine near me for any number of reasons. If I am sent to hell, it will be for that. My prayers now are that someday I will be able to make it up to them.</p>

<p>A small ray of light shined yesterday, when my soon-to-be-six-year-old asked me why I didn't live nearby. When I explained, she said, "That's OK. When I get a little older I'll come live with you!"</p>

<p>I almost cried, hard, because it's something I've been asking the Lord for a long time, and will continue to ask for a long time more.</p>