Spring Break 2015 - The college search

We started spring break with plans to visit a couple of colleges.  We learned after going through this process with Zach that starting early is vital.  Because I teach, taking days off for college visits is not optional, and yeah, I do get the irony in that statement.  Teaching is not always, in fact it often is not, a  family friendly job during the school year.

On the agenda were visits to Andy's alma mater and then mine.

We started on a rainy day with Andy's alma mater, and he was really selling it to Savannah and Zach. I was very impressed.  Savannah walked away from it with a very positive attitude toward this school.  Zach remained undecided, and Savannah's friend E was less than impressed.

We trudged through the rain for the tour, so we decided to forgo the bookstore for some memorabilia much to Andy's dismay.

school mascot

White squirrels are apparently very common on this campus.

We then visited my alma mater, and while it was never a competition, this tour was by far the best college tour I've experienced.  They really laid out how to get schooling covered financially and did a great job with the walking tour.  After this visit Savannah poured over the materials she received and explored her programs. Even Andy started pushing this school for her.

The library which was in the works when I was a co-ed is stunning.  I could explore that place for a while.  The dorms are brand new and beautiful. Who can say that about dorms? 

Julia stated more that midway through the 90+ minute walking tour that this is her dream school.  The college search for her may not be so hard.

In the end we decided to revisit my campus this summer so that we can discuss Savannah's options with the scholarship office.  The architecture on campus is beautiful, and Savannah was sorry she did not take a camera as she loves to draw beautiful buildings, so we will walk around campus at our leisure and take pictures.

We have much to consider in future schooling, but visiting campuses was a fun and rewarding part of our spring break.

When the cat's away...

Last night we hosted a few neighbors for a  gathering to get to know each other.  This was straying from the agenda a bit.  We did not sign up to host, but the original hosts had a sick child, and we hated to see it cancelled.  I am an uneasy hostess.  My house has some wear and tear, and it is not the perfect place I long for it to be.  I am helpless to renovate or even update a coat of paint until we see a drop in tuition.  For years tuition has increased higher and faster than our income, and we are way out of balance right now despite cutting just about everything that was fun from our budget.  However, I think the gathering went okay. I enjoyed it.

This morning when I went to show someone a picture on my phone, I found about 200 of the following type pictures.  During lunch I scrolled through them, and laughed to myself.  So this is what the kids do when the parents are hanging with adults in another room.  I have to say that this is also the reason I have a lock code on my phone.  Clearly I have let one too many of the kids know it.

The sloth is Zach's modus operandi.  I used to find hundreds of them on my phone-hence the lock code.

Normally, I would find the pictures when trying to take a picture and discover a full phone.  Today, I just laughed.  I sent a few to Andy.  He responded with, "you are the fun parent."  It's a running joke around here.  I tell the kids that I am the fun parent because I make sure the fun happens -translation, I am the planner.

Where's Wyatt, you ask?  I am sure he was very involved in a video game.

This Weekend

We travelled to Zach's college for new student and parent orientation.  It was good to see him, and we enjoyed our time on campus.  I still freak about the cost of college, but I am affirmed again and again every time we step foot on that campus.  It is a natural fit for Zach, and he seems to be adjusting well.

We enjoyed the class of 2018 ivy planting ceremony. The freshman class goes to a convocation service and then has a ceremonial ivy planting.  When they graduate, the gather again in the circle where they cut a long strand of ivy.  The planting symbolizes joining the college community, and the cutting symbolizes leaving the community for the future ahead.  

Everyone there is about community.  The president is visible on campus and staff members were all over campus on Saturday welcoming the students and engaging with the introverted students in particular.  The football team had a great time planned today.  A local church has prompted families to adopt two football players each and commit to a meal each month with their adopted sons.  In order to make it fun for the team, they set it up like a draft to have the players matched with their families.  The families already knew who they adopted, but the players got to enjoy the draft.  Zach said the lunch today was fabulous.

We have chosen a couple of other dates to visit the campus, so that is exciting, and Zach returns home next weekend.  

There is nothing quite so frustrating as being on the road hours from home and getting a text that your youngest child is running a fever.  There is no driver and no children's medication in the house.  Not usually that big of a deal, but this child tends to spike fevers with strep, and the symptoms were pointing in that direction.  We determined that she could take adult medication, and we got home to one sick little girl.  A visit to the doctor confirmed our suspicion that it is strep, and now we have a mom and child prepared to stay home on the Monday of the second full week of the school year.   Nice.

I did not get to return to the fair.  The plan was to to today, but the only person willing to go with me was Julia, and she is really not up to it.

We spent today taking the ALS ice bucket challenge.  Blogger won't allow me to share the videos, but Wyatt was the first to be challenged, and his video is the cutest.  Julia was challenged and begged us to let her do it today, but she has been wrapped up in a blanket, freezing and complaining that her throat really hurts.  She has barely eaten.  We don't think that is wise, so she can complete her challenge Tuesday when she is better.

The Launch

We did it!  We drove hours away from home and left our firstborn on a college campus.  So far, everyone is still breathing.

A new brotherhood begins.  The football team had much to do yesterday.  The head coach met with the parents and pointed out that about 1% of high school football players get to play college football. His team has an opportunity to play in Africa next year, and this will be only the second organized football game ever on that continent.  I would like to see Zach have that opportunity, but he has to raise $3500 to do it.

 Because Zach was busy, we did much of the leg work of moving him in.  He and his roommate turned their beds into loft beds under the direction of his roommate's dad.  After that, the siblings of both these guys took over.  John's sisters unpacked and organized his stuff.  Savannah set up Zach's desk. Julia made his bed and is now very concerned that he will turn over and fall off or that he will hit his head on the ceiling that is only about 2.5 feet above him. Wyatt folded his clothes and put them up in his dresser.

Did I mention that Zach started packing for college at 4:00 on Monday afternoon?  That was supposed to be departure time.  We discovered that both his brake lights were out at 4:30ish, so they had to be fixed.  Somehow he made it, and everything we had to purchase after we got there was not left behind, we just didn't realize he would need it.

We stuck around on campus far longer than we should have with school starting at home today, but we were determined to pray over him before leaving, and he had lots of football stuff to do.  We had to miss the team dinner to which the parents were invited. Savannah prayed for his adjustment and noted how much he means to her.  Wyatt prayed for his ability to handle good and tough times.  There were tears, and we left him.  He was nervous and uncertain. It is hard to leave everyone you know and go where you know nobody especially when you are more than a day trip away from home.  However, hints at a tough midnight practice were being spread, and an apparent slip 'n' slide that appeared to involve girls had him a little more at ease about the night ahead.

I don't think I have ever set foot on a friendlier campus.  Everyone introduced themselves and welcomed Zach with open arms.  He is definitely in good hands.

They are so very close, and this is hard for both of them.

Football camp started at midnight last night.  We aren't allowed to call him for two weeks, but we can text.  I hope he is having fun being on the field again for the sport he loves.

Savannah challenged Zach to get a 4.0.  Julia told him not to get involved with many hot chicks.  Wyatt told him to be careful of hot chicks (they are trouble).

We arrived at home at 11:00 last night and left Zach in another time zone.  We were so tired last night and starting today which happened to be the first day of  school.

Go Panthers!  Go #67!!

We have multiple levels of education covered this year - college, high school, middle school and elementary.

Zach - freshman

Savannah - junior

Wyatt- 6th grade

Julia- 5th grade

So far, everyone is off to a great start.

Graduation 2014

We did it!  Zach graduated from high school last night.  The ceremony was nicely done.  His class has really faced some challenges that are not forgotten as they graduate high school.  One member died an accidental death before they reached 8th grade. His mom teaches at the high school, so I can only imagine how difficult this year has been for her.  Another has battled cancer twice- 8th grade and senior year.  He made valedictorian and inspires everyone with his faithfulness in adversity.

The ceremony started with a video of the teachers sharing their prayers for the senior class. Zach was recognized a few times in speeches over the course of baccalaureate and graduation.  One speaker mentioned that he will now have to start using his real name- amazing how few people know it.  Another mentioned that because the school is small, people believe the sports aren't good, but several students including Zach will continue their sports in college.  Our valedictorian mentioned that they tried to fit Zach through a tire on senior retreat - would have liked some photos or video of that one :-0

I shed no tears.  Yay me!

ready to go

Savannah was with the band, so she was unable to sit with us.  They lost her music, so she did not actually play.  

scrolling pics of the grads were a prelude to the ceremony

Our family took up a lot of a row.

He's a lifer! Zach has attended the same school for 13 years.  This slide got a big response from his class.

He gets his diploma cover.

hugs the principal

grandpa

cousins

parents and grandparents, hoping the two in Heaven got to take a peek at the celebration

granny

Aunt Tiffany

Aunt Tara

Uncle Jonathan

He lost his tassel one the cap toss.

Uncle Joshua

Mom and Dad

Aunt Tessa, Uncle John, and Kinsley (who was very good for the ceremony I might add)

Dad would not get in the group picture below, so we did this.

We tried to get the whole group then realized my dad snuck out of the picture.

Graduation would not be complete without a photo of these two together.

Josiah and Zach have been friends since middle school.  

Somewhere there is a picture of Zach and Morgan together on their kindergarten graduation day.

Morgan's mom (Mrs. H) was Zach's first grade teacher.

Zach's outstanding writing teacher -Mrs. C

I looked through old photos yesterday and found that I can watch Blake and Zach grow up together in photos.

Zach loved having English with Mr. K.  

We capped off the night with a trip to IHOP.  We were so tired, but it was nice for just the six of us to do something together.  Everyone decided to make Wyatt faces for the picture.  He was pretty whiny and difficult for both the baccalaureate and graduation.  We are all works in progress.

During the ceremony, the graduates present a rose to their parents. This happens to be one of the prettiest roses I have ever seen.

Remember that you can click on any picture to see it bigger.