....That is what arrived a few days back....and how happy we all were to get our first letters and contact from one of our daughters.
....Writing letters is in some ways a lost art in today's world. With computers and cell phones...there is really no need for stationery ,stamps and envelopes. And case in point...we had none of these things that I once had and used.
After a late night of shopping with one of my daughters ,we came home with everything needed to write a solder far from home...and missing her family.
I remember back in the day ,my girlfriend Cat and I would pen pal back and forth.... her in California and I in Oregon ,plus we belonged to Penpal International. There was something grand about getting a hand written letter from across the seas and from far away places .... Her and I still have all our letters...tied in bundles with fancy ribbons .... I will do the same for the letters from the girls .
Enclosed in the letters was information on a web site that keeps parents,family, loved ones and friends up to date on what our solders are learning....and the bonus to this was??? PICTURES!!
It's that time of year again for parents like me of high school aged children..... Prom time. The opportunity to dress to the nines ,be treated like royalty by your parents . Dresses to be found...shoes to be hold and tickets to buy .
No ,there is no prince charming ...no clock striking midnight ....just a grand time to be had!!!
The days starts with the hair and make-up artist {AKA Big sister } and her collection of colors.....
Beauty in the making.....
Manicure done earlier in the day..... and smoky eyes for the night....
The artist and her creation ......
The traditional photograph with her father...
Friends together.... {I love this one of the girls}
Before heading out for the night.....
After all the ball gowns and sky high heels have been traded in for sweat pants ,sneaker and hoodies.....its back to our house for a night around the fire with s'mores and best friends in the courtyard. The prefect way to wind down Prom night 2014. Safe and sound!!!
The night of Mother's day is quietly coming to a close....kids getting ready for the school week ahead...and the once vampire hour keeping baby is tucked into bed fast asleep.
The day was even keel , brunch made with love by my husband and two of the kids...movies in the media room...calls from my kids to take.....and dinner out to our regular place ,where they know our names....
...we are a small group these days....
Faces of my dinner company....
...and showing a little boy a wishing fountain....
This is quietest my house has been for a few weeks now... The comings and goings of Tessa and Leila, other sisters and friends coming over to say final goodbyes.
Its been a busy time....
Lots of kisses to be had.....
Lots of smiles to capture....
A new son joined our family....
Memories to make....
....and bags to be packed .
Tessa was first to leave ...last Sunday....it was hard to see her go.
And in the early hours of this morning ,we said goodbye to Leila. That was just as hard.
I walk around to tidy up for the night and it is still....There are no whispers of a daughter talking with her husband long distance on the sofa.....another daughter laughing at what her dad said.
There are reminders left of them and what they were doing before they left on their grand adventures...Nikes here , workout gear there...keys to a sports car left behind.
As hard as it was to see them off , I'm blessed with a loving and caring group of family and friends to keep me focused ....my grandmother who rang with her wise loving words and how they will be just fine , and not to forget my faith...to my friend John with...don't be sad. The pride of your daughters serving is awesome! They are right. So ,as this mother's day rolls to a close....it was one for the books ,and I will remember it always!!! ~Happy Mother's Day where you are~
