Been a long time...

Wow! I can't believe it's been almost a month since I last posted! In some ways, it seems like a long time, but in other ways, it seems like just yesterday!

This summer has flown by and for that, I'm grateful! Zack is finishing up Summer Term this Thursday and we're going down to move him back. He will only be home two weeks, then we have to move him back down for fall/spring. I know that will be hard, because it will be a long time before he is able to come back home--probably Christmas break. Unfortunately, we have to completely move him out of the dorm he is in now because he is in a different dorm in the fall. He's excited though, it's a 4 bedroom, 4 bath, apartment-style dorm--so he's thrilled that he's getting his own bathroom!

He's done real well---adjusted well, made alot of new friends, enjoyed his classes. It's been a newfound, liberating experience and it feels like he's matured so much in these past 6 weeks. For me, it's been kinda rough. Initially, I cried and cried and wasn't too motivated to do anything, but I'm adjusting--and thanks to my sweet friend, Joy, reading about others that have experienced the same feelings I'm experiencing has helped. She loaned me a book about surviving the empty nest syndrome, and I'm slowly working my way through it!

I start back at the school on August 5th. This year they've asked me to work full time, and since I don't have too much going on with real estate, I accepted. I do have a closing tomorrow though, for which I'm thankful! They are few and far between!

I've missed my bloggy friends. I check in from time to time, and hopefully soon I'll post some photos that I've been meaning to post for the past two months! Thanks for the sweet emails and for checking up on me! Love y'all!

Happy 18th Birthday Zack!

Here is a video my sweet hubby made and brought home to me today. Be sure to turn your speakers up for this great song! It was a hard day being apart from Zack on his birthday, but I'm headed to Atlanta tomorrow and he will be flying in tomorrow night to spend 4th of July with all the family in Atlanta

Sleepless in Montgomery

I'm still here. Thanks for checking on me. We got back late Monday night from Orlando. I've had a pretty rough week. I'm feeling sad and like a fish out of water. I don't know how to stop being a mom after almost 18 years of "mama-ing" ;-) The house is quiet without him here and I feel lonely. I will update with some pictures soon...but right now I don't feel like doing much of anything. I can't sleep and have little motivation to complete any tasks. I know it will all be okay, but right now I'm having a hard time adjusting. Just say a prayer when you think of me and check back soon! Love y'all.

Mine says "panic"

I love those Staples commercials where they show someone trying to do something the hard way and then they show an "easy" button, which implies your experience with Staples. Right now I wish I had an "easy" button. What I'm feeling would be more appropriately described as the panic button!

So much has been going on these past few weeks since graduation. Some day when I don't feel so overwhelmed, I'll post pictures and details. Right now, I'm less than 2 days away from taking Zack to college and the very thought takes my breath away.

I don't know how to prepare for it. We've purchased things for his dorm room, bought supplies in the form of laundry stuff, toiletries, medicines for a make-shift "First Aid" kit, etc., but I still feel that inner panic that I'm forgetting something vital to his very existence---which interpreted would be the level of comfort in which he has been living these past 17 years.

Being his mom describes who I am.

Hello, who are you and what do you do?

I'm Zack's mom, his caregiver, his provider, his protector, his safety net. What I'm feeling right now can best be described as watching him climb up a rope ladder and stepping out on the high wire for the first time with no safety net. There are butterflies in my stomach, a sense of panic that almost takes my breath and the fear and uncertainty of if he's going to make it.

[Sidenote: have I ever mentioned that I battle gripping fear? I am such a control freak and feel like if I can just keep a handle on things, keep control of things, then I can control the fear. When I feel things are beyond my control, I really struggle with overwhelming fear. But holy cow! that's a discussion for another day---laying on a sofa with a therapist!] Edited to add: I would be on the sofa...the therapist would be in a chair!!

As I sit here, a day and a half before heading to FL, I can't decide what to do next. I can't think of simple words. I can't make lists and plan and organize, which I usually do so well. I can't steady this uneasy feeling. I can't imagine continuing to function in my household without my sweet child here every day. So for now, I will paste on the smile and share in his excitement, but rest assured the ride home won't be fun.

You'll keep going back for more...

I have to share my newest all time favorite blog entitled "Stuff Christians Like". It absolutely CRACKS ME UP (come on, we have to be able to laugh at ourselves!). Go here and check it out. I promise you, you'll keep going back for more!

Summer Bible Study

I was perusing the L.P.M. blog when I noticed they are beginning a new study series entitled "No Other Gods" by Kelly Minter. I saw a video on YouTube that has made me really think long and hard about what "gods" are priority in my life. There are so many things hindering my worship. My heart has formed a hard shell around it and I want to break thru it before it hardens like cement. My spiritual walk is not where it once was and certainly not where it should be. I've dug my heels in and held the Holy Spirit's conviction at arm's length. I am going to commit to this study and I pray that I will allow the Lord to renew my first love.

Anyone interested in joining me with this study? I don't know that I will be able to have the accountability for every Tuesday on Beth's site, but I'm going to do my best to keep up. If you want to know more about it, head on over to the Living Proof Ministries web site and read up.

Click here for the video from YouTube. Quite a powerful song...

How do you eat an elephant?

...one bite at a time! I have had so much going on these past few weeks and so many pictures to post, that I'm going to have to do it just a little bit at a time. I was gonna say "sorry" for not posting in so long, but actually I'm not...cause I've been doing what I need to do and that is focusing on this extremely happy time in Zack's life and our lives. We are so proud of him and all that he has accomplished and all that is on the horizon for him. We have been very busy getting him ready to leave for college in two-and-a-half weeks...but who's counting, right?! After he's gone, I'm sure I'll have plenty of time to blog!

I'll try to post over the next few weeks the photos from the events as they happened. For starters, here are prom pictures from May 10th...

I think all photos are "clickable" and will enlarge!

Because I'm on staff at the school, we went to the banquet. Can't beat a free meal, right?!

Here's a picture of Zack and his girlfriend, Christi

full length shot...

This next one is my absolute favorite! I was instructing them on what to do and you should have heard Zack "jawing" all the way over to the other side of the reflecting pond about how stupid this was! I said, "just do it! It will be awesome!" I loved it so much, I had it blown up! Everyone that has seen it said it looks like a picture out of a magazine.

Here is Zack with some of his friends...(Daniel and Emily)

Check out the grin on Zack's face! This is him with two of his favorite teachers! The one on the left was his Bible teacher and the one on the right was his Government teacher. Just before the picture she said, "hey! This might be worth something someday! We could be taking a picture with a future president!"...and check out Zack's grin!

That's all for now. I'll be back with pictures from the end-of-the-year band concert, the end-of-the-year band banquet, graduation, and orientation at UCF. Hope all is well with all my chickies out there! I miss checking in on you!

Ask and ye shall receive!

Wow! I'm making up for lost time with 2 posts in one day! Jean mentioned in her comment that she wished she could hear them. Well, here ya go! Here are two videos of the jazz band. I didn't video the concert band (with my digital camera) because it was eating up so much of my memory card. Check out that cute alto sax player with those awesome solos!

Coming up for air...

Yes, I'm still here! I did make it back from the Disney trip and hit the ground running full speed! I thought I would post quickly while the "house" is still quiet this morning and before I get busy on my lengthy "to do" list.

We had a fantastic trip to Disney! It was well-planned (if I do say so myself!) and our itinerary was scheduled down to the minute and everything was great!

Here are some pictures...

Each morning we had a buffet breakfast at the Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney. Here is Gary with a "rasta" hat on with dreadlocks...

Here are some of our kids waiting on the Rainforest Cafe to open for breakfast. Jackson is going to be the new Drum Major next year.

The first day we went to Magic Kingdom. Look at how gorgeous the weather was...and look at how CROWDED the park was!

We rode some rides with the kids. Here we are on Thunder Mountain and I was in the front seat with another girl taking pictures the entire ride. Gary kept hollering at me to put the camera down before I lost it!

After Magic Kingdom, we had dinner reservations at Planet Hollywood in Downtown Disney. It was great food and great service. Here are some of our kids...

Then we loaded the busses and went back to the Magic Kingdom for their "Wishes" nighttime fireworks spectacular. It was great...but so crowded!

Here are the Seniors making a "senior train" to keep from losing each other as they made their way back thru the crowds to the busses. This group of kids have been together in the band since 6th grade and are a very close-knit group. (that's Zack in the red shirt).

The next day we went to Epcot (Gary and I). The kids could choose whatever parks they wanted to go to each day, so it was pretty relaxed not having to keep 112 people together! Gary and I wanted to ride "Test Track" and "Soarin" at Epcot. Here he is in front of the sign that says "Dummy Assembly" (you can probably click it and see it better).

Here is Zack (left) and some of his friends at Epcot.

The next day, Gary and I decided to go to MGM/Hollywood Studios since he had never been. I tried to make the picture look like the big hat was on Gary's head, but it didn't turn out too well!

I was determined to get him on the Tower of Terror! Look at his scared little face! We had a great time!

Here we are having lunch. I am STILL on my water!!! No sodas now for about a month!

...but then I did have this...

...and he had this...

and then the whole group met at MGM/Hollywood Studios for the Fantasmic show. Oh my word! It was the first time we had seen it and it was INCREDIBLE! Best fireworks/show at Disney in my opinion!

We had done all the other parks (Magic Kingdom, MGM, Epcot) and even though we had wanted to go to Animal Kingdom, on the last day we were just wiped out! We got up and did a little shopping at Downtown Disney and thought we would just take it easy the rest of the day until the Awards Ceremony. But Zack kept texting me telling me we HAD to come to Animal Kingdom and at least see the Lion King show. So, we headed that way and I'm so glad we did!

Here is the "Tree of Life" in the center of the park. Again, look at the gorgeous sky!

Here we are on "Everest". This is my ALL TIME FAVORITE RIDE! It was awesome! I was taking pictures throughout the ride! We ended up riding it three times. Here the "yetti" supposedly ripped apart the track...we go right up to it and then the ride starts going backwards and then reverses and goes forward on a different track! It was awesome!

Here are Zack and his friends on the ride. If you enlarge it, you may be able to see him in the white shirt almost at the back on the left side (his friend Brandon is behind him also in a white shirt, with his hands raised up in the air).

And Zack was right...the Lion King show was spectacular!

Here are some pictures of our groups performing. This one is the jazz band. Zack is the 2nd from the left on the front row (alto sax).

Here is our Color Guard. They performed at the Indiana Jones theater at MGM.


Here is our concert band.


This is us on the last day waiting at the awards ceremony--looking a little hot, sweaty, and tired!

Here is our Band Director and Color Guard Coordinator receiving awards.

Here is the group of Seniors with the awards.

Y'all...I don't know how many of you are familiar with competitions, but all three of our groups SWEPT "Best in Class" awards for each of our divisions! I was boo-hooing! They all did an awesome job and the awards were the icing on the cake!

I'm still crazy busy getting ready for our band concert Monday evening, planning the end-of-the-year banquet for about 400 people Thursday evening, family comes in town Friday and then Graduation is on Sunday (18th).

I feel like I'm swirling around in an EMOTIONAL VORTEX!!! We have been with these band kids since Zack was in 6th grade, and now we are moving on and inducting new presidents Monday evening at the concert. I love each one of these kids like they are all my children. I'm going to miss them so much.

Then Graduation is a few days later. I've been crying all week! I told Gary last night that maybe I'll cry all my tears out before Graduation...he said, "ummm, yeah, I don't think so."

Jr./Sr. prom is tonight. I will take lots of pictures and post some of that and Graduation as soon as I can take a moment to breathe. I miss y'all and hope each of you are doing well. I haven't had any time to read blogs, but just know I'm thinking about ya! Oh yeah, and my heel...doing MUCH better since I got the shot! I highly recommend it!

We're outta here...

We are leaving in the morning for Disney with the band. 7 months of planning and it's finally here....woah, I'm tired already! The kids have worked hard to get ready for this competition--hopefully we'll come back with a big 'ole trophy! We'll be back Sunday and hopefully I'll have some pictures to post.

Speaking of road trips...I'm curious to know the PRICE of your GAS?! Today ours was $3.49 a gallon. I'm glad we're riding the bus!

Leave me a comment and tell me the price of your gas and your general area of the country! Maybe then I won't feel so bad about ours!

If only it really worked...

It's late, I'm tired, but I can't go to sleep! I normally don't have this problem at all--I usually am in bed between 9:30 and 10:00 p.m. and it takes me no time to fall asleep! This has been a hectic week with an even more hectic day today...

This morning I had an appt. with the orthopaedic doctor about my foot. It's been hurting for months, progressively getting worse and so I decided before we take that Disney trip next week with the band, that I had better get it checked out. I felt like I had a bone spur in my heel---I can't even convey to you adequately how painful it is---maybe like stepping on a nail every time you walk? Anyway, it was confirmed with x-rays and the Dr. told me that I could no longer wear the very cute wedge-heeled sandals that I had on and if I wanted to get better I had to...

A. wear tennis shoes for about 4 months

(are you kidding me? You are seriously putting a crimp in my fashion statement!)

B. put aside my cute sandals, heels and flip-flops

(now he's gone to meddlin'...he has no idea of my VAST love affair with the flip-flop!)

C. get a mold made of my feet for special shoe inserts for my apparent high arch

(Right. Hello, Blue Cross/Blue Shield? Yes, I have high arches and doc says I will continuously have issues with bone spurs unless I get these special inserts...can you send a check for $275?)

I proceeded to half-jokingly tell him that I could NOT wear tennis shoes for the next 4 months--I have to dress semi-professionally and how in the world would tennis shoes look with these cute outfits? I mean the horror of it all! He was sooooo not amused and in a somewhat irritated tone told me that if I wasn't go to do what he said, I would just keep suffering.

Look, mister...just 'cause you have shiny plaques all over your walls with lots of letters behind your name, and certificates with beautifully embossed gold seals all over them doesn't make you the boss of me! I mean, come on! I only sought out your expert advice to not follow it!

I'm a rebel like that...yessirree.

After our little podiatry showdown, Doc agreed to give me a shot in my heel. He came back in, needle in hand and proceeds to tell me that he can give me a shot anywhere on my body and it would be fine and I wouldn't feel a thing, but THIS was GOING TO HURT! Okay, well, hang on just a minute while I contact the A.M.A and nominate you for "Best Bedside Manner".

He was not kidding---it did hurt and it has hurt all day. And I'm not sure what else he put in that shot but all day today I was sweaty and clammy, and I mean s-w-e-a-t-y! Plus I've been bouncing off the walls, talking more than usual (which is hard to imagine), and I CAN'T SLEEP!!!

Oh yeah, one more thing...I came home from working at the school, took off my cute wedge-heeled sandals, put on my Nikes and went to meet a client for a final walk-thru. What can I say? I'm a trendsetter! Tomorrow you'll see this soon-to-be the rave all over the fashion mags! But remember, you saw it here first!

You win Doc...now put that voodoo doll away and let me get some sleep!

Safe and Sound

He's back...safe and sound! Yesterday morning he was at Niagara Falls, last night he was home, sleeping in his own bed! Even though he was exhausted, he was so eager to tell us all about the trip, give us some souvenirs he had picked up for us (so thoughtful!), and show us his pictures. I will post more pictures and details soon but right now...I'm COVERED UP in piles of laundry he brought home!

Sneaking a moment...

Gary and I both had yesterday off for a long weekend which I thought would be great to get some things done around the house that we've let go far too long. Hubby, on the other hand looks at it as extra time to prop the feet up and relax! He eventually saw it my way, after I kept poking him and grabbing his sides where he is extremely ticklish, until he agreed to get busy with our "chores".

Friday I woke up (unfortunately) at 6:20 a.m. and couldn't go back to sleep, so I decided to walk on the treadmill and then get breakfast ready before we started our chores. We ended up working in the yard all day and really got alot done. Today we're cleaning house and I'm sneaking a few minutes to blog while I'm waiting on my floors to dry. Hubby is hard at work vacuuming the house. He hates it when I have a "to do" list, but he's good about helping me around the house.

This morning I said, doesn't the yard and deck look so nice and clean? Which he had to admit it did, but said he hated doing the work. Yeah, well. Welcome to the real world, right?!

Zack is on his way today to the Canadian side of Niagra Falls. He has called me several times and seems to be having a great time. I keep reminding him to take lots of pictures---so hopefully when he returns, I'll get to post a few. I told him I just didn't want pictures of "stuff", I wanted pictures of him AND stuff! We'll see!

I better get back to work before hubby catches me sitting here blogging! Hope y'all are having a great weekend!

Hear ye, hear ye

I just got Zack off on his senior trip. They are headed to Boston for a few days and then on to Canada to Niagra Falls. They'll be home late Sunday night. He's real excited about all the places they are going to see in Boston--among which are the Freedom Trail, the Old North Church, Paul Reveres' house, Bunker Hill monument, Boston Common, etc. Hey, does anyone remember a set of drinking cups that had the Paul Revere story on them? I can remember them from when I was young and I used to love looking at the pictures. I have no idea what my mom ever did with them.

Anyway, they'll be back late Sunday night. I told him to take lots of pictures, but he's a guy, we'll see how that goes!

I've got Friday and Monday off from school. I'm looking forward to a long weekend--I sure need it! We have house work and yard work to do, but I know we'll be resting alot too.

I still am sticking to my WATER ONLY! I really have been proud of myself for saying "no" to soda or sweet tea. Mel asked what happens after the two weeks---well, hopefully I'll stick with it and decide to cut something else out of my unhealthy diet!

That's about all that's going on around here. I hope everyone is having a good week so far!

Take the challenge...

Today is DAY 5 of my "no soda" challenge! I've been having lots of headaches and just feeling plain sluggish by the afternoon, so I decided to take the Dr. Oz challenge (if you watch Oprah, you know who and what I'm talking about). He said we would be amazed at how good we feel if we would just challenge ourselves to TWO WEEKS without soda! I still have one cup of coffee in the morning, but after that...it's only WATER the rest of the day. The second day I was having a pretty bad headache, maybe some caffeine withdrawals, but honestly, I've felt much better these past few days and can say that my body craves the water. The only downside so far is the getting up 2, 3 sometimes 4 times in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. Ugh! I'm going to try to keep it up and start focusing on a more healthy me! And by the way, "you're welcome" for the cute little Sesame Street artwork, just in case you feel like coloring, you can click on it, print it and color it. And who says I'm not a full service blog?!

Also, I saw this on Dianne's blog and thought I would take the test too. I think it's pretty accurate--I tend to be very courageous and don't back away from much. Below are my results--take the test and let me know your results too!

Which Positive Quality Are You? Your Result: Courage You are Courage. Courage is bravery, daring to do what is right in the face of adversity. Courage allows for the triumph of good over evil. "Courage does what must be done no matter what the consequences."
Love
Faith
Friendship
Charity
Peace
Which Positive Quality Are You?

This and that...

Today I took a mental health day. I don't work at the school on Tuesdays because that's usually my sales meeting day at the real estate company, but we didn't have sales meeting today. So, for the first time in a long time, I didn't have anything on my "schedule". For a few minutes this morning, I thought about cleaning the house, but I haven't had a day off in so long that I just decided to lay around all day--and that's just what I did--and I enjoyed every minute of it!

On another note, Zack came home with these the other day...

Yeah...it makes it all the more real and guess what? Mama's not ready!!! The days are slipping by so fast that he will be in college before I know it. I'm sad, but I'm so proud of him!

Speaking of time...I'm gonna end this right now so I can watch the Barbara Walters special on how to live to be a hundred and fifty! Can you image?! Let's check it out...

The Passion...

We just got back from a few days in Atlanta and posting about any of that today seems trivial and irrelevant. However, I will mention that Ladybug has been found. This little lamb has been found safe and alive and is in the process of being returned to her mother. Praise the Lord!

During Easter, we spend so much time focusing on the resurrection which is a wonderful thing and the reason for our hope, but sometimes we gloss right over the pain and suffering of the cross. The blood that was shed for my sake. Today is Good Friday and honestly, right off the top of my head, I don't really remember why it's called "Good Friday". Today represents the day that my Lord and Savior struggled to carry that heavy wooden cross up to Golgotha (Calvary). Today represents the day that He was whipped and beaten beyond recognition. Today represents the day that those spikes were driven through His hands and feet and He hung on the cross with the weight of my sin on His chest....while His mother, Mary, looked upon Him with tears stinging her eyes.

Can you even imagine it?

Think about the pain we feel when we get a splinter in our hand? And if you're like me, the thought of my child feeling any pain, physically or emotionally, cripples me to a puddle of tears.

But Jesus endured every lash of that whip, the pain of the cross--His bones crushing from the weight and position of the cross...He was thinking of me...and He was thinking of you.

If you've never seen The Passion of the Christ, today would be a good day to watch it and be reminded of what the Lord has done for you. I know it's "Hollywood", but it really brought the story "to life" for me. I literally sobbed in the movie theater when it first was released and it probably doesn't hold a candle to the pain and suffering Jesus really went through that day.

So I urge you today to focus on the cross.

"But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Yes, I'm part Irish and Italian---which you know is not the best of combinations---we're stubborn and we have tempers! There won't be much kissing going on today! I've been sick in the bed since I got home from work on Friday...literally. (Sorry Dianne for missing your call!)

I started feeling bad Wednesday and it just progressively got worse, but I made it through the work week and then crashed this weekend. I was supposed to show houses Saturday, but could barely talk, couldn't breathe and just felt plain miserable by the time Friday night rolled around. I literally stayed in the bed all weekend and drank Alka Seltzer Plus and took Tylenol Allergy and Sinus medicine. I'm feeling better this morning, but still not 100%.

I hope you all have a wonderful week. We're on Spring Break this week, so I'm enjoying some much needed rest!

A Mother's worst nightmare...

Please stop by Cynthia's blog, "Walking On". She needs our prayers--her whole family needs our prayers. Let's help get the word out on this missing 13 year old girl and pray that "Ladybug" will be found safe.

Aunt Bee, please pass the tissue!

Sometimes it's not until I slow down that the stress, worry and emotions catch up with me. I can stay busy and keep all my "plates" spinning in the air and not have too much extra time to think...but that all caught up with me this weekend.

Friday after I got off work at the school, I went and showed houses until dark. Saturday, I was out doing more of the same (in the cold!) and my young couple finally decided to write an offer on a home we had seen the night before. After a busy afternoon, hubby and I ate dinner out and then came home to just relax and do nothing! I got my jammies on, turned my electric blanket on "high" and settled in to find something good on t.v. Have you ever tried to find something good on t.v. on a Saturday night? Gee whiz! There is nothing good on! What's the deal? Does everybody go out on Saturdays?

Anyway, we can always find something decent on TV Land (classic tv), and such was the case as Andy Griffith was on. It was one of my favorite episodes--where Opie accidentally kills the mama bird with his slingshot which leaves the baby birds with no one to feed them. After Andy opens Opie's window and makes him listen to those baby birds crying all night (ahhh, such torture Pa!), Opie decides he's going to care for the baby birds. Fast forward--the birds are healthy and out-growing the cage and Andy is telling Opie he needs to set them free. Opie asks his Pa, "but how do I know I've done all the right things and they'll be able to fly?"

FLOODGATES OPEN! Oh my word! I started bawling my eyes out (and if truth be told, I've got a puddle of tears on my desk right now just typing this). I've seen that episode a million times, but this time it was different. I was Opie--I could so relate to that sweet little guy not wanting to open the door to the cage. But he finally does and the birds fly away singing up to the trees.

And Opie says, "The cage sure looks awful empty, don't it Pa?"

To which Andy replies, "Yes son, it sure does...But don't the trees seem nice and full?"