Doing Better . . .

It has been five days since our nest became empty again. Dan and I have been to the gym three times, which is good. It is becoming normal to have a quiet house and not run the dish washer daily and to find the washer and dryer free to use. Not that Ashley was a problem, believe me; but these are the simple things I have noticed. Tonight Dan said, "are Ashley's blinds closed?" And, then we decided that they could stay open all night since there are no privacy issues. Hmmmm, wish we had privacy issues.

Please pray for Ashley tomorrow as it is her first day of classes at Cal Poly. She is nervous, but trying to play it down. Everything is suddenly new: her room, her home, her school and even working her same job, but from her little room in the new apartment. She'll get the hang of it and be very glad, I'm sure.

PTL . . . Carrie was hired as a full-time employee at Azusa Pacific University with a new title of Admissions Manager. We are so thankful and very proud.

Full Heart, Heavy Heart

We just got home today from helping move Ashley up to Cal Poly Pomona. It was very hot up there and we cheered as we exited the 5 Freeway and noted that the temp was a cool 75. Ash is living in Carrie's apartment with two other sisters, Emily and Sarah. Ashley's room is a tiny, funny little place with a step up and a low window and door. But, inside it looks so cute with her green and white theme. She has set herself up very cozily and that will surely help in this transitional week of starting at a new college. I'm proud of her for taking this new step in her future, but already miss her very much. So, my heart is full of joy for her becoming the woman she is meant to be, but (selfishly) I am sort of wishing she could stay here and be my little Ashley. You know, they talk about pushing the little birds out of the nest, but there isn't much said about the poor mother bird left behind with worms in her beak . . .

A Night at the Beach

Tonight we met our Growth Group at Tamarack Beach for dinner and a bonfire. The weather was perfect since it had been hot all day. There were tons of people at the beach and parking was nigh on to impossible, but Dan found a spot finally. We ate together and then at dusk, lit a lovely bonfire and sat around it to sing. Two of our guys, Tom and Fred, brought their guitars and Chuck held the flashlight over their music and we sang. It was lovely. Carrie even stopped by for a while after she had shared dinner with Ash and Chris. Ashley made her yummy enchiladas. I'm going to miss those when she's at Cal Poly Pomona - just about four weeks from now! She's decided to live with Carrie and Emily for the first quarter and is busy making lists of things to pack and buy. So, we are easing out of summer and into the fall. The cycle continues.

What a Day

Today we woke up in Diamond Bar at the Ayres Hotel, which has some great beds let me tell you. Then, we spent the day at Cal Poly Pomona for orientation with Ashley. Once they divided the students from the parents (why, oh, why do all the colleges do that?!? yeah, I know - we're the helicopter parents and extra precautions must be taken to get us to fly off) Dan and I snuck off and checked out of the hotel, and visited a quilt store (love that iPhone that finds these wherever I am) and then had lunch. Afterwards, we went back to the school where we hit the book store and bought Cal Poly apparel (go, Broncos!) and waited for Ash to be done. Then, we went to La Verne to see Carrie's new apartment (lovely) and took Carrie and her roommate Emily to dinner. Then, we were on the road around 6:30 to drive home. LOOOOOOONNNNNGGGGG day, but totally great.

Getting My Blog On

I am having trouble "getting my blog on" this week; hence - no postings for a while. We helped Peggy get more settled in her new digs on Saturday and spent some time at her house seeing if there was anything we wanted before her estate sale. We brought home Peggy & Russ' 30th anniversary plate - seemed perfect since we just celebrated our 30th as well. Dan tripped and pulled his hamstring on Sunday, so he's been laid up ever since. Five to six weeks recovery! Poor guy. The good thing is that he had already planted a bunch of very pretty spring flowers - he and Scott found double impatiens after their monthly breakfast date, which are my favorite for summer planting. Ash got some positive news about her application to Cal Poly Pomona - they goofed up recording her latest transcript and will review her case again and she will hear in three weeks if she got in for fall. Please, God, let them accept her for fall.

Musings on a Sunday evening

Busy, busy weekend - took Ash to Cal Poly Pomona on Friday to see the campus and talk with a counselor. Good news, she just needs two specific classes to be accepted for fall 2009 term. Loved their huge field of pumpkins surrounded by massive sunflowers. Then on Saturday met with Dan's mom and sisters for a meeting about her move to an assisted living home. She is ready and we want to help! Then, church Saturday night, pizza at Shakey's afterwards, then bed. Today was groceries, laundry, cleaning, making dinner, and Nights in Rodanthe. Great movie, take lots of Kleenex, Richard Gere still looking good after all these years. Now, need to get to bed so I can get up for a 5 a.m. teleconference with India. Have a great week.