Monday, April 20, 2009

An Easter Gift



Saturday, the day before Easter, I knocked out a ton of the chores on my list, then turned to Work and Trial Prep.



Sitting on the couch with Stinky while Queen Bee snored in her bed on the floor, around 7pm I heard my text ring. Daughter with a message: "We're heading home tonight [a full day early] - around 1030 or 11 will u be up?" YES!!!!! She said she'd come right over.



Now I am not deluding myself into thinking she's coming over to see me. No - I know after 7 or 8 days away from her Precious Stinky, she was coming over to see her Puppy. But I'll take her any way I can get her.



She came running in, bubbling with information and excitement over the prospective college visits and sharing with me the details of her acceptance into the Peer Ministry program** at her high school.



I shouldn't be catty, I know, but can I say I was grateful when I heard the words, "Don't ever make me go anywhere ever again with Dad and Brother....." And other comments about how much she missed me and how I would've understood what she wanted or expected. This the girl who gave me pretty much the cold shoulder before leaving on her trip. Ah the fickleness of a Teenager.



I am excited to know she has found a couple of schools she really likes - and that she is back to thinking she wants to go to school in FLORIDA. YEAH!! (her first choice school is currently in Florida! Yeah! But we're a LONG way from a decision) I'm glad the trip was a success and she has more of an idea where she wants to go. I'm soooooo glad she missed me. Really missed me. And, get this, apparently appreciates me and how much I understand her!



Huh?



Oh doesn't hurt that I just happened to have chocolate cake waiting for her - she gave up Chocolate for Lent. She hung out with me til midnight and then scarfed it down. And said THANKS more times than I could count. Who says you can't buy love with Chocolate Cake?!



Son came over, too, for a bit. Mostly to steal Queen Bee. DRD wasn't next door that night - she was still at the kennel, so Son wanted a Dog, too. I traded him Queen Bee for his attendance at Church on Easter. What? Can't I bribe him to go to Church? I think Jesus would approve...maybe.



Anyway, Son is a bit more into the college search thing now. He thinks he still wants to go Way North so he can snowboard. But he's keeping an open mind. Both kids have completely and totally crossed of Ex's school from their list. I'm convinced Ex is not going to be happy unless one of the kids goes there. But they both do not like his school - waaaay too big. I figured that out a long time ago, but kept my mouth shut. At this stage in the game, I want the kids to try to whittle things down themselves without being told how to think. Aren't they supposed to be preparing for college? Somehow they have to get this through their dad's head.



So Easter Morning the kids showed up. Our church is very casual, but being Easter I asked, "Please no jeans." Son went waaaay further than that and donned a tie. So handsome! Daughter took some of "our" clothes - we have a few outfits we've bought together that we technically share. We laughed when we realized we were all in shades of blue.

So my "first holiday alone"? Yeah, not so much. It was a wonderful Easter Surprise.

9 comments:

DF said...

Both Au and Sh know how important Mom is in the scheme of their life. It will be a couple more years before Au says it, but they know.

Glad to hear that Sh really understands and was willing to show and tell.

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

I love that it worked out so well for you.

Busy Bee Suz said...

So you had a great Easter...and the kids were happy to see you!! I think God had a hand in it all. ;)
You are such a great Mom...cake? geeze. I suppose I need to step up a bit too..more cake, less laundry???
What school in Florida is she looking at? We are looking into some schools...we still have time too Lo will be a junior in the fall. But I think she will be in Florida, or Savannah....

Stephanie said...

Ah so sweet. And cake at midnight with your baby who appreciates you? Does it get any better then that?

DF said...

Nice pictures of you and the family. Good looking crew.

Caution/Lisa said...

I take enormous hope from the fact that your daughter missed you. Mine is 14, so how many years do I have to wait for that to happen?

Margo said...

I,too, am glad to hear about your daughter. Some days I'm pretty sure my two hate me. I'm glad you had a good Easter... that is great when things prove, once again, that they have a way of working out. Curious to follow the college search. We're just getting into that (daughter is only a sophomore).

ChiTown Girl said...

So glad your holiday "alone" went so well ;-) I'd love to come over at midnight for some chocolate cake, too :) You're such a great mommy!

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

Florida colleges are the BEST. As long as it's UF, of course. =D