Moving Out

So the big day finally came this month. I thought I was prepared, I knew that my oldest was working up to moving out, but really I was not as ready as I thought I was. My heart hurt when he told me they had found an apartment. All those months of wavering between I can't wait for him to move, to I never want him to go, came down to that one single moment when he broke the news to me.

It was so sweet when they found the place. My self assured kid who has the world by its tail seemed so unsure and young for just a moment in time. It brought me back to all those sweet times when I could make him feel better with my reassurance. It is scary to move out of the child comfort zone into the adult world. For just a moment I got to be the person he needed. The approval he was looking for. I miss those days as the kids get older. He actually wanted me and his dad to see the apartment before they leased it. It was such a happy/sad day!

The apartment is beautiful. I love his girlfriend (not happy for them to move in together, but what can you tell the 19 year old, believe me when I say he knows how I feel about it) she is a beautiful person and they fit so very well together. She makes him a better person in so many ways.

I can honestly say that I am so very proud of the person he has become. When Darrel and I went to see the apartment we also met the landlord. The landlord told Darrel how impressed he was with both of them. He said he was nervous when they said they were 19, but after meeting them and speaking with them he was so impressed that he let them rent without a credit check or references. The landlord just thought they were so well spoken and put together for such a young couple. Let me just say that my heart about burst with pride for that compliment. I worked hard on that kid and so far he is fantastic!!

Now the excitement has begun at our house. The younger two are sad to see him go and actually miss him alot. But now the room shift begins. We are limited in our space and need the room so I can have an office now instead of my bedroom. Colton is moving up to Anthonys room (the big room), which is going to be a challenge because he is not very good about keeping his room clean. I let them each pick a color for one of their walls, Colton has chosen fluorescent green! After we have made his big move we will paint his room and Mariah will move on up. Anthony was a little upset that we were moving so quickly, like we were going to keep his room empty and waiting for him.

Sorry Charlie but the world keeps turning around here and the move is on!!!

Look of Determination

Soccer Cleat Fiasco

Life is funny the way it works sometimes. Our middle son Colton is playing on a select soccer team the NW Nationals Blue team. In celebration of making it on to this team (about 70 players tried out for the A and B team this year) we decided to splurge on

new cleats. In our house splurging for us is considered spending $90.00. I know that might not sound like splurging to some, but for us that is alot, we usually try to buy the $40 or less shoes.

So Colton and I go to the Soccer store and spend (not kidding!) almost an hour trying to pick out just the right pair. Decisions, Decisions!! Finally, the perfect pair. Not to flashy, black and white Umbro SX. Colton is walking on air, so excited to have his first really nice pair of cleats, and no hand me downs!

Fast forward a couple weeks into practice. I am on a clean the closet binge, all old shoes are out. In the living room is a go to the thrift store box. I have not taken it to the collection box as I am still sorting out some closets. In steps help full husband, out goes the box, and somehow in the box is the brand new cleats (you saw this coming right!?!)

So 10 phone calls later, 5 trips to the thrift store, 6 different employees (that all know nothing!) and no cleats. Let me just tell you that the pre teen, pre puberty tween can be a little dramatic. Even the most laid back, no drama boys. So yes, this was a very stressful time. So upsetting, I just want to fix it right now. At my house though I don't just have $90.00 to go purchase a new pair, it seems like not much money, but some weeks it is enormous!! We opt to use the cheap pair till we can purchase another nice pair.

So two weeks ago we are at a soccer tournament in Tumwater (we won our age group! Woohoo!). At the last game was a booth from the local Soccer store with sales galore on shoes. Colton and I looked through the sales and found a pair that was super nice and in his size (hard to do, he is a men's 6.5). Great price, I am so excited. We purchase the new cleats and all seems to be happy in Colton world again.

This week help full husband moves the new cleats into the house instead of on the front porch. He and Mariah decide to go run errands for a little bit. Max the naughty puppy is left unattended (again I am sure you can see where this is going). Max is a chewer, he had a little snack. Coltons brand new cleats!! Wow, what are the chances. I can understand why Max choose the new ones, the old ones are PHEW!!!!

So back to the drawing board, I should say the budget board. These soccer stores must love us!!

There are many lessons to be learned in this fiasco........I am going to ponder them now, I think a vodka drink of some kind will be help full!