May in Pictures

Wow, May is flying by and has it been busy.

Here's what's been going on:

While our tenacious one made her First Communion last year, her classmates made theirs this year, and so we celebrated with them.  She was thrilled to wear her dress again and have this special time with her friends. 

My travel buddy spent a week in Jackson with her 6th grade class at the CYO Storer Camp.  She had a great time and learned that her teachers are different people away from school.

Oldest daughter, Liz, graduated with her Master's Degree in Psychology from U of M Dearborn.

Second oldest daughter, Caitlyn, graduated from Madonna University with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. 

And her fiance, Jimmy, graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Business from U of M Dearborn.

My dear one and I celebrated our 30th Anniversary with a trip to Canada and Ohio.  

Why Ohio? you may ask.  Because that was the location of the second fund raiser for Jimmy. It was a great trip and it was fun to see all of the donated items and watch them be auctioned off.  The first fund raiser was at the Big Boy in Flat Rock.  Both were great successes and we are so grateful for everyone's generosity.  

Son, Michael went to prom with his friend, Olivia.  He also passed his driving test and got his driver's license. 

My dear dad had surgery to his great relief.  He is recovering nicely at home and wears his old smile, which makes his blue eyes shine, again. He is pictured with his sister, Pat. 

The last week will bring a dinner out with Caitlyn's future in-laws, a baptism,  finals and the end of the school year.   We are looking forward to summer.  June promises to be busy as well, with graduation parties, and a wedding. 

Roots and Wings

As our children have grown, the advice I have clung to with both hands is, "give them roots and wings."  I feel like the roots part was easy.  Sometimes the wings part is a little harder.

Our sixth child, now 16 years old and a junior in high school got his driver's license yesterday.

Today he drove his siblings to school.

While I have waited all year for this little bit of freedom, for both of us, it was really hard to let them all walk out the door this morning knowing that I wasn't going to be the one taking them.

It's happened before.  Our other children got their licenses and started buying their own vehicles.  They took themselves to high school and then to college and work.  There have been speeding tickets and accidents but they always make it home at night.

Somehow, this time it's different.  I don't know if it's because I'm older or if it's because he is so very confident!

He is an excellent driver.  He knows his way around and he's been in situations, already, that I have never encountered i.e.  an ambulance, with siren blaring, right on his bumper when traffic was so thick he could not move over to get out of the way.  He's avoided collisions when other drivers were being less than cautious and he enters the freeway like a pro.

But, I'm his mom and I worry.

I have given him roots, and now I move onto giving him wings.

Fly carefully number 2 son and know that I love you.