Dancing, Driving, and Daughters

Dancing:

As you have read in earlier posts this week, I had the pleasure of taking my youngest to her first college dance auditions this week.  FSU on Wednesday, USF today.  The jury is still out on whether or not she will make the programs, but the experience was worth it (my words, not hers).  She didn't like the program at FSU, not the college, just the program.  Her personality doesn't seem like it would be a good fit for what they portray dancers to be in their program.  It was more about who you know, which is always a hard lesson for our kids, but a lesson, nonetheless.  It is a shame because she really wanted to go to FSU, but it doesn't look like she will choose their program if she is in fact chosen.  USF, not a contender, until today.  She loved it, go figure.  They actually let us watch the group auditions, so I was in dance mom heaven.  She felt at home (I hate that phrase, I want her at my home, forever) and I guess that is what we want for our babies, to feel at home when they are not home... Oh, I don't know, that sounds stupid, but it's a fact.  Home away from home.  We still have more auditions to go, so let's see where God places her.

Driving:

I drove, the whole time, listening to ONE DIRECTION.  What is a 17 year old doing obsessing over a boy band for goodness sakes?  I now know all the words to every single one of their songs and I think she thinks she is marrying Niall, but we haven't told him yet.  If that's the case, she should let him know, maybe he can drive her to the next round of auditions.  Maybe she won't have to go to college, he will just pay for her to dance on stage while he sings.  He might even be able to get her to learn how to drive and get her license so I can hang up my taxi sign forever.

Daughters:

I loved spending this week with her, it was amazing.  We laughed, we cried, we fought (of course we fought, it wouldn't be a mother/daughter trip without a good fight) and she told me some of her secrets.  She thinks they were secrets, so we will just go with that... We spent time with Big Miss on Sunday before we journeyed to auditions so I had a double dose of daughters this week, it was a good week.  I also got to see my goddaughter for the first time in 5 years, she was auditioning at both schools too and we didn't even know!  They had a great time with each other and are already planning to be roommates should they choose the same school.

This was a great week, I hope our drive home tomorrow is quick.  At least I will have One Direction to keep me company!

                 

Missing Jessica........ This is Only Practice!

Jessica has been gone since Tuesday and guess what.... she has called me every single day, sometimes way more than once.  It makes me feel great because I am hoping this is a view of the way it will be when she leaves to college.  I can truly see that she misses her mommy and I think she just calls to hear my voice (conceited, I know, but I really feel that way) because most of the time she has nothing to say, so we just listen to each other do whatever it is we are doing at the time.  All in all, this trip to New England was a great chance for her to see something other than the hot, sunny Florida she is use to.  It also has set her on a journey that will be filled with many nights of wonder and awe as she searches for the woman she is to become.
Thank you Lord for this blessing in disguise.

She Left on A Jet Plane

Well, it has been an entire 24 hours without sleep for me, but it was worth it.  Last night was the night before Jessica's big trip with her best friend today.  Mr. had to be at work at 3 am, so he went to sleep.  The girls and I cuddled in Jessica's bed and watched silly, stupid movies until it was time for Jessica to leave for the airport.  She embarked on her first trip as an adult, without us.... her first time ever on an airplane.... so, I am still awake.  It is useless to go to sleep now, I have an entire day ahead of me to worry, lol.
She landed safely and she is now on her adventure, I can only give my worries to Him and have faith that He will keep her safe while she is away.  I pray she takes in all the glory and history that she will see, the fun and silliness of being on the cusp of college and still act like a kid, and that she will close her eyes and thank Him for all of it.

Practice Makes Perfect

This Tuesday Jessica will be leaving on an 8 day trip with her best friend, giving me the chance to practice for when she leaves for college on August 19th..... This will only be the 2nd time in 18 years that she has traveled without us and I am more nervous then ever.  She will be with her friend's family, but she is flying alone with her friend and will sight-see alone with her friend.  I am so proud of her independence and I know she will be more than ok, but a mom is a mom and I am worried. Images of the movie "Taken" fill my mind and just don't leave!  I am my own worst enemy when it comes to this stuff, but it is what it is.


How do you cope when your children are out in the world far away from you?