Family dinners and well wishes for school~

Looking back on this past week, I have to say still brings back some serious mixed emotions. We had a very difficult few days here in the household. So many feelings, emotions, happy, sad, excited, nervous and lets not forget the feeling of love~

Above and beyond by far the biggest feeling of love was in our home the few days leading up to Kailey moving into her dorm. I don't want anyone to get the wrong impression, we were not sad that Kailey was "leaving" the house. I mean, obviously we will/are missing her like crazy. Her physical presence is certainly missed. When you are a stay at home mom, and your world is wrapped around your children when they start to leave the nest its gonna have an effect. I think with Kailey being the youngest and taking this step in life, it validates the changes that are happening in our home. Our babies are growing, they are becoming their own individuals, striving to make the best future for themselves.

Both Paul and I are so proud of our kids, they have become incredible young adults. But it doesn't take away the heavy hearted feeling of them growing up. Thinking back over the years, when I dwell on it I feel sadness. Their childhood went by so quickly, I loved being a mommy. I miss the crafts, stories, movie nights, bath time, family time, library visits, activities, play dates, rainy days and snow days. (Totally leaving out the Doctor appts, therapy appts, etc etc)

I can't believe those years are over, for the first time in many years I feel lost.

Sad.

I may feel sadness in moments throughout the day, but my feelings of being proud outweighs it tremendously. My neighbour had made a comment to me about being happy and thankful we could do this for our children. We had the ability to send them to university, but we also raised them well. We gave our children a strong, grounded base so they could be confident enough in their life to live out the dreams they have. Almost like a tree, you plant the seed, grow some roots, support the base and trunk and then let them branch out. Experience the world for themselves. That's what life is about, and I am the first to preach to other parents about allowing our children the freedom of independence. How it is our job to give them the tools so that once they reach that sweet age of 18 years old and the world is at their finger tips. You only pray you have done your job well enough that they want out, they want to leave and find who they are. We did just that, and I am beyond proud!

 

Earlier last week my friend Colleen (who has been a childhood friend of mine from over 30 years ago) and her daughter Kayla wanted to come by to see Kailey off. It was a wonderful surprise. They had made her a gift basket filled with ALL of the University essentials.

It meant so much to Kailey, it made my heart happy to see her being made to feel special. I know Colleen in very proud of her. Kayla came over as well and naturally with her being one of the funniest girls we know, she shared in many laughs with Kailey. Those two girls are have different sorts of personalities, but I have to say...they share the same humorous trait that their mothers share. They have always been able to laugh with one another, I am excited to see where their futures take them and how they incorporate their lives within eachothers. They have been through some of the lowest moments in life together, but have also shared in some of the highest too..
Thank You Colleen and Kayla for being there, it was appreciated and we both love you for all you do~

 

This basket was seriously filled with some pretty amazing things, they totally spoiled her. Gift cards for restaurants, slippers, medications, laundry soap, hand cream, face wash..Oh man, so many things she will use. The best part about the gift was that Colleen totally put it together herself. I was so PROUD!! and she know's how much that would mean to us. We have had one to many laughs over my years of crafts and homemade gift giving. Its finally rubbing off on her!! Whoooo Hoooo!!!

Colleen felt the need to snuggle and rock Kailey, and of course Kailey gave her that. It was cute though, we were talking about how not long ago the two of those girls would be playing in this living room or watching cartoons while Colleen and I visited. Seriously..where did the time go?

Last Friday, the night before we moved Kailey into residence, we had a family dinner at the Keg. My parents came and Paul's dad did too. With the sudden unexpected loss of my Father in Laws wife we weren't sure if he would feel up too joining us. But being the wonderful grandpa that he is, he pulled through and had a great time. That's him with my dad, they sat together and talked most of the evening. They always have lots to talk about, and its nice to see them laugh.

Ok, so I hate to share all these pictures from this evening because we spent most of it in tears. I think the realization had hit Kailey, and she was beginning to realize she's growing up.

We brought one of her gifts to the Keg for her to open up during dinner. We surprised her with a new Mac Laptop. She did have one already but it was going on 5 years old. It is in great shape still, she took excellent care of it. But she worked so hard to get into University we felt she deserved a new one.

Most of these picture's poor Kailey will be shedding tears...it was a rough one. If you notice, I am not in any pic's. Just one pic, when I wasn't upset.

She's realizing here what her gift is...

Me and my Freckled Fox~

We came home for dessert. We had some pretty delicious cupcakes and nana and papa brought some special champagne so we could have a toast.

Look who joined us at the table.....

We had some bubbly, and Kailey poured. Of course we shared some encouraging words of wisdom.

Here's dad making a speech, sharing with Kailey how proud we are once again for her accomplishments. Wishing her all the best in her future endeavors. Tears were shed, happy tears too.

Papa had to say a few words as well, he is so proud of his girl~

Poor Kailey cried most of the evening, again they were happy tears. She was overwhelmed with all the love and support. She kept saying how lucky she is too have such a caring supportive family. Its so nice when your kids grow up and realize such things. She certainly shared her thoughts on our family and was incredibly appreciative for all we have done over the years.

 

                              Nana sharing some words~

                  

So I found this idea on Pinterest. Absolutely thought it was the coolest thing. I filled an over the door closet shoe holder with all of her favorite snacks. She hung it on the inside of her closet in her dorm room. Its reassuring to me to know she has snacks in her room if she gets the munchies and needs a quick bite. I figured between her and her roommate they'd have this gone by Thanksgiving. Kailey LOVED this idea!!

Well my friends it has been a wonderful week, exciting, stressful, nervous, happy, sad, so many emotions running through this house. We are over the moon proud, and we hope she follows through with her dreams and manages University well.

I hope you all have gotten your children into school with success. I am wishing you and your families much happiness in this up coming school year. If you by chance are sending off your little one to Kindergarten, and you are having a hard time adjusting. I want you too know that its much easier doing Kindergarten then it is taking them to University. So enjoy your days, love your quiet moments and snuggle them daily cause it goes by way too quickly.

To all my friends who sent me message and hugs, who sent Kailey well wishes and showed her support through the past few days..Thank you!!

Until tomorrow my lovelies, good day and god bless~