Summertime...how I miss thee

Yes, it's summer. I feel like I am missing it. I have not worked during the summer in nearly 8 years. I want to play outside with Joseph and Nele, sleep in, catch up on reading, play in the pool, stay up late watching old movies, have a clean house, grill out almost every night, hang out with friends and family, jump in puddles during a down pour, etc. I just don't seem to have time for that stuff. It's sad really. I guess this means I am now officially grown-up. Too bad. I did turn 35 last thursday, but that shouldn't matter. Is it all in my mind or am I actually old? Do I look that old? Maybe I just need to take Joe out one day and play in the rain...that always makes me feel young. We'll see...

Last day of school

This was the last day of school for Franklin County. More importantly it was Nele's last day at FCHS. I didn't know how she was going to take it. On my last day of high school I was so happy to get out I couldn't get out of the parking lot fast enough. Then again...I had been there for 4 years and I was ready to move on. Nele has only been here for 10 months and she is definately not ready to leave. We have a talked a little about her leaving and going back to Germany, but it has never gone very far because she hasn't wanted to talk about it.

Today reality started to hit home. It was hard for her to say goodbye. Even though she is not leaving until July 14th there are some kids she won't see again. That was difficult for her to handle. She cried and a lot of her friends cried. She has made so many wonderful friends and she loves them dearly.

The hard part about seeing her heart break is that this is not the only time it is going to happen. It just drove home for me how difficult it is going to be to let her go. I have known for a long time it would be hard...I just haven't allowed myself to dwell on it too long. The reality of July 14th will be here all too soon. For now I just want to love her and be a good mother to her. I pray that will be the thing she leaves with.