Today Mer's lunch is the following:

Honey Wheat Pretzel Rods
Cubed Cheese
Mandarin Oranges
Sliced Cucumbers sprinkled with Paula Deen's House Seasonings

and a note that reads:

Roses are Red
Violets are Blue
Here's a Hug and a Kiss
From Me to You!

String Cheese
Grapes
Peanut Butter & Cheese Crackers
Japanese Style Cookies w/chocolate filling
Power Option
Cloth Napkin

I also included a note for her telling her I loved her and I hope she was having a great day!

Lunch Box came home empty~

We went to A&M this past weekend to visit Josh and attend the A&M Class of 2012 Convocation. The class of 2012 is the largest entering freshman class in A&M's history with over 8,000 students representing 69 countries.

The event was an incredible experience for me as a mom. I was able to see the freshman class together (over 8,000 students) for the first time and the sheer number of them was amazing. Seeing them together, listening to them do their wildcat together, watching them sing the Aggie War Hymn together unified as a class...Wow!

The students were able to see that they are a part of something amazing, strength in numbers, they aren't the only ones starting out a new venture in life, realizing how massive their class is and knowing there are so many opportunities ahead for them...very exciting and inspiring for them as individual's and together as a class.

I came home happy, inspired and knowing that Josh is very happy being at A&M. That made leaving him there again this weekend much easier!

Proudest Aggie Mom of 'Fightin' Aggie Class of 2012

Mer had her first day of 2nd Grade today, it was great! She really likes her teacher and classmates.

She brings her lunch everyday in a Laptop Lunchbox, we both love these. No disposable plastic bags, real eating utensils and there's a place for everything. I also include a cloth napkin, she doesn't throw anything away.

Today's Bento Style Lunch:

Turkey & Cheese Kabobs
Mandarin Oranges
Honey Roasted Peanuts
Homemade Mini Brownie
Fuze to Drink

Her box came home empty today so lunch was a success. She told me that everyone wanted her lunch over what they brought including her teacher!

I'm doing much, much better today. I've talked to Josh a bit and he seems to be adjusting well. He's having an opportunity to hang out with old and new friends this week before classes start next week.

My house is still a wreck, I haven't had that "get it clean" energy or spirit this week. I can coulda, shoulda, woulda myself to death or just be accepting of where I'm at, this week I'm accepting it.

Mer has meet the teacher this evening, so we'll get her supplies packed up today to drop off at school this evening.

I'm off to load and run the dishwasher...fun...huh!

The Day After Move In...

I'm here, I'm happy for Josh but I'm sad too!

I'm going to miss him soooooooo much! We talked so much, our entire family talks a lot and he's such a part of it.

I just miss him...his laughing, his jokes, his sayings, his hugs, his smile...everything.

I was so thankful to go in the bathroom and see he'd left his clothes on the floor from the day before he moved. His shoes are in the living room. I keep waiting for him to walk through the door but I know he's not.

It's time for him to fly, we've raised an amazing young man and it's time to share him with more of the world...does that make sense.

I know I'm going through a normal phase of life and instead of ignoring it, I'm just going with it for now.

Move In Day...

Whew, a long day. We had great weather, low 70's...amazing for August in Texas...and very humid with a nice cloud cover.

Marc and Josh carried everything up the four flights of stairs. Mer and I unpacked and organized things. The room he's sharing is just over 9x12, and there's two beds, two desks, two fridges, etc. in it. As we say in our house, it's butt to butt and cheek to cheek!

Once he was mostly unpacked, bed made, pc, printer and tv hooked up and working we ran a few errands. He remembered to pack most everything so it was just a few odd things, command hooks, trashcan, milk...stuff like that.

We went to eat at I-Hop and then back to drop him off at his dorm.

I did well, I didn't cry in front of him. I waited until we drove off and then just a bit. I think I was so tired I was numb.

We all love him to bits and will miss his presence here more than words can say!

Where's Bubba?

Daddy, Mer and I are here...Josh isn't. He's off at fish camp for A&M, we dropped him off yesterday morning. I did great, just a few tears after driving off. Yay, Mom!

Rented a po box for him so he can get mail, looked into an empty dorm room to get an idea for space and what else we need to purchase (which won't be all that much because I am thrifty, frugal, sale shopper or whatever you'd call it and bought tons of stuff on clearance last year).

I'm gearing up for move in day, mostly emotionally. He and I are great friends and I can honestly say that having him at home to raise for the last 18 years has been a complete delight!

Josh is exhausted, being a senior today is very different than when I was a senior. He's taking three AP Courses (college courses). He's gone about 12 hours a day to school and then has homework every night and a very part time job on top of that.

He came in the kitchen this morning, looked half dead...running late...no time to eat breakfast at home so luckily I still had blueberry muffins left, I wrapped a couple in a paper towel and off he went.

Hang in there bud, you're doing great!

Bento Today:

homemade chicken salad
homemade blueberry muffin
chex mix
cucumber flower slices