Today’s the Day!

It’s all about #1! (iPhone 5)

Raspberry lemonade and Sour Patch Kids in my shopping cart can mean only one thing:

My older son will be home this afternoon! He takes his last final of his spring semester this morning, and then San Antonio and UTSA will be in his rear-view mirror.

We can’t wait to see him again!

Bittersweet Reality, Take Two

Almost done!

Last Thursday my younger son registered for his first semester of college classes as he pursues a management degree.

This morning it was his older brother’s turn. For his penultimate semester at the University of Texas at San Antonio. A mere 28 credit hours left until he earns his marketing degree and Electronic Music certificate (like a minor).

It’s an odd-looking schedule, but it’s the one that works.

And then #1 will be done! And I once again will be wondering why time flies by so fast when it comes to your precious kids growing and maturing.

Well, unless he moves back in with us!

Bittersweet Reality

Looks like a good schedule.

When my older son was a high school senior, he had to wait until he graduated and then attended summer orientation at UTSA to officially enroll.

But Sam Houston State is unusual in that incoming freshmen can register for classes early, as long as they’ve met with an advisor.

So my younger son was able to lock in his SHSU schedule for the fall yesterday afternoon. It definitely alleviates the pressure of scrambling for classes this summer.

But it also brings the empty-nest reality front and center for me. As always, I’m thrilled for my son that he continues to move forward with his life. Still, I can’t help but wish for time to stop rushing by so fast!

One-Word Wednesday

My older son smiles before driving back to UTSA last Sunday as spring break ends.

Bye!

Time Won’t Stand Still

My #1 son is congratulated by our former principal almost three years ago.

Last night I had one of those “can’t time slow down?” moments.

It happened when my older son and I were talking on the phone about his schedule for fall classes. As in the penultimate semester of his college career at UTSA. As in . . . he’s almost done!

After we hung up, I sat back in my office chair and pondered life’s inevitabilities. Time truly does march on, of course. But does it have to march so darned fast?

That UTSA acceptance letter and high school diploma? I’ve fooled myself into believing they happened sooner than later.

August 2010 at UTSA

Goodness sakes, the memory of moving my son into his dorm still feels fresh.

Yet here we are about three years later with my collegian preparing for a new start after a lifetime of education. It’s a sobering thought.

One son nearing the finish line, the other about to start.

I’m sure I’ll be revisiting these feelings several more times this year. Beginning in June with another high school graduation and at the end of August when that fall semester actually begins . . . for both of my precious sons.

Cue the Kleenex!

Fate and Sam Houston

We made the sword; can you tell?

Looking back at some 2005 photos when my younger son was in the fourth grade, I have to wonder if maybe he was predestined to attend Sam Houston State University.

The kid and his fourth-grade class

His grade’s spring program was “Voices of the Alamo.” The 9- and 10-year-olds played characters from early Texas history, including Native Americans, conquistadors, priests, Davy Crockett, and even Clara Driscoll, who saved the historic mission from being demolished. It’s a stirring tale made even more poignant by the sweet, young voices who told the story and sang songs like “Texas Our Texas.”

A natural at the microphone

Of course, there was this cutie, who actually got a speaking part. The first line?

“I am General Sam Houston.”

Yep, my son actually played sudden Sam back in elementary school. Of course, as I proudly watched him on stage, I wasn’t thinking at all about this moment in time almost eight years later when he would be on the cusp of his next academic phase: At the general’s namesake college.

Methinks the fickle finger of fate pointed the way.

A Different President’s Day

The view as we were driving north on Hwy. 45

Yesterday the Mister, our younger son, and I drove to Huntsville. Our destination was Sam Houston State University, where the kid plans to attend college. The goal was to check with an advisor about classes he’ll take in the fall and for the Mister to see the campus for the first time.

Nearing the end of our 90-minute drive there is something you just can’t miss along the side of the road: A ginormous statue of Sam Houston hisself. Called a “Tribute to Courage” and sculpted by David Adickes, it’s a whopping 67-feet tall, which doesn’t even include the 10-foot-tall base!

Yep, everything really is bigger in Texas . . . including our statues!

Can he dunk?

How appropriate that we passed by good, old cement Sam on our way to his namesake college. After all, yesterday was President’s Day . . . and sudden Sam was the first and third presidents of this great state of Texas!

One-Word Wednesday

My older son left last Sunday to return to UTSA for the spring semester.

Bye!

My Shaggy Son

An iPhone self-portrait snapped before his haircut

A few weeks ago when I glanced at my older son on our iMac screen during his Skyping session with his younger brother, I just had to stop and stare.

Where did that collegiate caveman come from?

My #1 son’s hair sports a natural curl, which only is tamed by frequent haircuts. He hadn’t stepped into a salon since school started in August. This led to the following conversation:

Practical Mom: “Have all the haircut places closed down in San Antonio?”

Older son: “I don’t feel like getting my haircut.”

His mom who has suddenly been replaced by my mom: “This is like being transported back to the 1960s! You look like a hippie!! How can any girl notice your beautiful blue eyes if all they can see is all that hair?”

Even though my collegian wants so badly to be a rebel either with or without a cause, he’s cursed with being a first-born child. Which means his inner compass compels him to toe the line and usually listen to his parents. Especially when he knows we can see him via Skype or FaceTime.

And would be visiting him that weekend.

And after!

Ahhhh! Much better!

Making Fun of Dear, Old-Fashioned Mom

This was a recent text-versation with my older son.

Last Friday morning, my older son and I were texting about a date he had that night.

(Let’s pause for a moment while that statement sinks in. Yes, my son actually had a date. With a girl he asked out! It’s a rare occurrence despite all his wonderful qualities and brilliant blue eyes. Of course, the Mister and I were doing the happy dance!)

Typical of my thrifty collegian, he was taking her to see UTSA’s free movie, “The Expendables 2” (ugh!). Yes, free. With no dinner before.

So, concerned mom that I am (as in concerned that I’ll never see this child married and giving us grandchildren), I made two simple suggestions that probably never occurred to him: Brush your teeth and go out for a soda after the flick.

You can read his witty response. Ouch!

Perhaps I should’ve suggested frozen yogurt instead?