Colton, also known as LD, will be turning 18 this week. He graduated from high school and let’s just talk about this guy for a bit, shall we?
I know. He has a mustache. It can’t be helped.
LD is focused on mainly two things:
His girlfriend.
His business.
HD and LD used to be in “business” together, but LD bought out HD and he is now doing it on his own. He does odd jobs, yard work, etc and works hours on end.
Because his focus is on those two priorities, he is not super focused on anything else. Ever. At all.
LD: Mom, did the registration for my truck come?
Me: It has been on the counter for days.
LD: Don’t see it.
And LD won’t see it until I walk him to the counter and point it out to him.
School and homework were not a priority at all. He got decent grades, surprisingly enough, but bro just did not care. As a result, I would get emails about missing assignments or phone calls from school last minute asking if he had permission to leave campus . . . even though the school had given him a permission slip days ago for me to sign.
In fact, I almost felt it was like his final send off when on his second to last day of school he called me as I was trying to corral 25 first graders and said-
MOM. I NEED YOU TO GIVE VERBAL PERMISSION TO THE PRINCIPAL FOR ME TO GO WITH MY CLASS TO GET COFFEE.
Apparently, I will miss these days?
Graduation Day.
The ceremony was at 1pm. He left separately and David and I reminded him to make sure he had everything he needed. At 12:30, I got a call from him.
LD: Mom, I don’t have my tassels.
Me: Dude.
LD: I know. I thought they were in my locker, but they are not. I need you to go to Michaels.
Me: Is Michaels going to have them?
LD: I looked online and they do.
Yesi, Carson’s wife (yes, more on that in a moment), was with me and we ran to Michaels only to be told that of course they don’t carry tassels. I texted LD to say that I am sorry I cannot find them and he will have to walk without only for him to text back
“np. a teacher found some.”
Ugh.
But he graduated. It is done. It is finished.
Sadly, the girls could not join us. Hadley is working in Alaska and Kate was a bridesmaid in her friend’s wedding.
Me (texting): Colton. I need you to write Thank You cards for your graduation gifts. I bought you cards. They are in a box on the counter.
LD(texting): Sorry, can’t find them. Need to leave.
Me (texting): Nope. Stay right where you are.
I got home and walked in the house and pointed to the only box on the counter.
Me: Open it.
LD: Oh! Cool!
Me: Write 5 a day.
LD: Got it!
A bit later, he hands me five cards, no envelopes.
Me: No, you can put them in envelopes.
LD: I don’t have envelopes.
Me: The cards came with envelopes.
LD: No, they did not.
Me: Open the box. Lift up the cards.
LD: Cool! Envelopes! I didn’t know cards came with envelopes!
Me: It’s pretty standard, bud.
Let us all be glad he has a high school diploma.
***
Yes. HD is married! Absolute craziness.
HD is much more organized than LD and there were no last minute shenanigans or stressors on his wedding day.
Everything went well and it has been fun seeing him and Yesi in this new stage of life.
***
Let’s talk about First Grade.
I wrapped up another year. I love first grade.
Long time readers might remember, but there is a school much closer to home. We started there and I did a long term sub job in sixth grade and then taught a year of kindergarten before switching to a different district because that is what we needed to do for our kids at that time. I have loved working at the school I have been at and was extremely happy there for the past 11 years. However, as this year was drawing to an end, opportunities came to light and I felt led to apply for a first grade position at the school close to home. I interviewed and was offered the job, but I took some time to consider it all.
And, oh the drama that was me. The ddddrrrraaaammmmaaaa.
The crying.
The going back and forth with trying to decide and wondering what would be best and comparing and crying and asking questions and worrying and crying and being the most extra ever.
And crying.
Poor David did not know what to do with me. He walked around with his eyebrows locked in the upright position for days on end.
Ultimately, I felt that God was telling me it was time to go back to the local, smaller school. So these past few weeks have been filled with packing (and crying) and goodbyes (and crying) and all the changes and adjustments I really wasn’t planning on making. And crying.
But here I am. With my classroom in my basement and wondering what in the world I just did. And all four of my kids are now grown and done with school. And I am about to turn 45. And I would also like everyone to really understand the absolute river of tears I have shed.
So, I am embarking on a new adventure and I am really nervous about it all.
I hope to write more frequently.
Before I go, please enjoy this picture of the dogs at the river and Kate in the background in a hammock.
Kate is almost finished with her first year of med school and never gets to relax.
Happy Wednesday!
