baby brother growing up

Connor.....The GRADUATE!!

Connor graduated on Sunday...So, exciting!

I'm thrilled....and honestly relieved :)
I think he is ready to try new things, and this excites me!

I've probably been a bit of a 'helicopter' sister over the last few years.
I pretty much single-handedly forced him to apply to colleges, paid for the applications, arranged college visits, and lately have been trying to convince him that college is worth the cost/student debt.

He is leaning toward attending Grand Valley for Engineering in the fall.

Oh, Connor...your high school years have been dynamic, lots of change, lots of newness, some loss...So VERY proud of you amidst it all (he graduated with a stellar GPA :), and he has held down an after school job virtually EVERYday since turning 16.

When I went to college, you were still in Middle School. I remember when you and Bradley came to visit me....you boys stayed up all night playing video games with some of my freshmen guy friends.

When I was a junior, you came to visit me with mom the weekend before you moved in with dad--and started going to your new school. I remember....you ordered a 'Banana' steamer from McConn coffee. Who does that?

Now you're so BIG.
Driving your big, black jeep or truck, working with grown-men at your job fixing things (that I could never understand), wearing steel-toed boots, camping, playing loud music, and are constantly on-the-go with friends.

This is a sweet time. Enjoy it Bro. Congrats to you!

These days

These days are full, I am reading in every nook and cranny of time, squeezing in studying at every-turn, trying to get outside whenever I can spare a moment....

This is probably the most challenging academic season I've ever experienced in my life.

It's like I'm training for a marathon (only my physical body is probably getting worse instead of better ;)

I work, study, go to school, drive, read, sleep and repeat.
Most days I wake up and think, "the night's already over, really?" and feel no more rested than when I laid down. It's crazy.

But, you know what?
The feeling I have overwhelmingly is...Awe. This is awesome, and I am so thankful.

- I am thankful for all bits of knowledge that are soaking into my head
- I am thankful that (despite moments of exhaustion) I have the energy to push myself and persevere
- I am thankful that my little car is getting me to all the places I need to be
- I am thankful for my job, and that I can turn 'no-show' appointments into study hours
- I am thankful for a safe home, and my comfy bed to collapse into each night
- I am thankful for my sister and Grandpa up-keeping the yard while I'm gone
- I never thought I'd say this....but, I'm thankful for drive-throughs
- I am SO thankful, for my growing confidence in my skills
- I am thankful (most of the time) for professors that challenge and make your work Hard
- I am thankful for my clients who let me listen to them
- I am thankful for tea (for ever and always)
- I am thankful for routines in my schedule that keep me sane (ie Mars on Sundays)
- I am thankful for laughter (especially at myself...keeps things less serious)

I could (and probably should go on). There is so much goodness in this season of learning for me.
It's really a funny relationship.....Bittersweet (but heavy on the 'sweet' part). Often, I think..."I just want to go home after a day of work like a 'normal' person" or "I just really want to play with my friends" :) I know though, that I will probably look back and think that this is one of the chapter of my life that has really made me "me".

Grateful.
Now, to go study for my Bipolar and other Mood Disorder Dx test....