Rise and Shine Girl Blog

Teenagers!  I officially have one living in my home as of a few weeks ago.  How does one day and one number change make such a difference?  This house has been without our teenager since Sunday evening with an anticipated return tomorrow.  Cole is at a lacrosse camp at Oglethorpe University and all I know is that he is still breathing and on this earth with us.

For those who know me, I don’t think they would say I’m an overbearing mom or the helicopter type.  I have always tried to give Cole some independence and for years I have been trying to get him to go to some type of sleep away camp.  With all of the fun and exciting camp choices I have shown him over the years his consistent response has been, “That looks cool, but I don’t want to go.  I like sleeping in my own bed and being with your guys.”  Never pushed to ask if his sister was included in “you guys”, so I made the assumption she was and allowed my heart to flutter!

On Sunday we settled Cole into his “dorm room” and then for the most part we were dismissed by him as we all walked out towards the rest of the campers.  No hugs, no kisses, no I love yous, just the look of, “Please don’t think of embarrassing me.”  This is where my son should be thankful I’m a social worker and as master at reading body language.  I knew despite what I wanted to do, I needed to walk away.  However, I did sneak back and take a picture of him incognito.  We had a one minute conversation on Sunday night which included what Cole ate, what skills were practiced and that he had little time to talk on the phone as he was busy.  Yesterday morning I sent a simple text of “Good Morning” and several hours later I received, “Please don’t text me every day”.  Wow!

Now I know some parents wouldn’t have tolerated a response like Cole’s, but I have to say I loved it!  This was a sign that all was well in the land of lacrosse sticks, sweaty clothes and teenage thinking.  Not bad for the kid who hated us when we announced our family move.

Buddha and I had anticipated the news to Cole of our family move would be taken in stride while we expected Mia to be devastated.  When the conversation happened the exact opposite occurred.  Cole went through the 5 stages of grieving in about 1 hour which during that time he was trying to convince us he would find a place to live in Texas.  Mia was upset, but responded by saying, “Well this will be good when we go to college because we would already have the experience of moving somewhere where no one knows us.”  At that point all of our red, wet eyes stopped and looked at Mia and wondered what spirit crept in her body and forced those words out of her mouth!

It is difficult to think that it has only been 2 weeks and one day living in our new home and state.  So much has happened and been learned:

1. We have become the master of putting together Ikea furniture and some people actually read the directions
2. Composting has started and even Buddha is saving his scraps.
3. Three Texas families have made their way through Atlanta and stopped in to visit.
4. I have fallen in love with the kiddos who live next door. I didn’t have to birth another child. I look out the window and wave to the cutest 2 year-old, joke with him and then get to go in my own house while his parents take care of him. Perfect! I still have my favorite 5 year-old back in Texas!
5. The advice given to me by my good friend Beth is so true. “When moving with kids, focus on these three things in this order: 1. Schools 2.Community 3. House” This was the best advice I needed to hear during this transition and helped me tremendously take the plunge and pick the house where we are now living. At the end of the day, we can make a home out of anything.
6. If you set your dog’s shock collar too high, instead of pleading for him to come back home and in the house, you will be pleading to get him out of the house while picking up piles of crap!
7. I have been married 15 years as of this last February and have had a tremendous ride! The downs have improved and heightened the ups and I’m thankful for the hardships as they have allowed us to delve deeper.
8. Kids are resilient. I always knew this on a global scale, but now I can say this from first-hand experience while watching my kiddos during this transition.
9. I have been reminded once again that one of my greatest treasures in life are my friends and those are with me no matter where I live.
10. Having a teenager in the house is a new era and based on the last several weeks will be an interesting, unpredictable and joyous ride.

If you don’t have a teenager and would like to rent one, I have a great contact;)

RISE AND SHINE!