Friday Five

I'm linking up with Emmy Mom for Friday 5 - 5 thoughts and 5 pictures.  Come join us!

Thoughts
1.  You might have read my review of The Fault in our Stars.  I wasn't very kind.  It didn't stir a lot of my emotions because I felt like it was predictable.  Well.  I'm going to (sort of) eat my words!  I went to see the movie today, and I bawled my eyes out!  I was crying silently for about the last half hour of the movie, then let it go at the end.  It may be because of all the other stress in my life right now, but whatever the reason, I cried.
2.  I have to give kudos the the young actresses in the movie, particularly those that played Hazel Grace, Augustus Waters, and Isaac.   They were incredible!
3.  In less than a day, I will leave to take my youngest to college six hours away from home.  That may not seem like far to some of you, but to me, it is a world away.  I don't know how I'm going to function without seeing her every day.  She has gone away for a week, two, or even three at a time, but she was always coming home from those trips.  I will see her maybe in September, November, and December.  That's it!  I see a lot of Kleenex in my future!
4.  My son, her twin, is staying at home, thankfully.  He has decided to attend community college, which is a huge step for him.  Just a month or so ago, he wasn't sure he even wanted to go to college.  I couldn't force him.  I could threaten him, sure, but really, it had to be his decision.  I'm so happy.
5.  Our 21 year old has her associates from community college, and she took a year off to work full time, but she has decided to go back full time, so she will be leaving for university nine hours away from home.  She leaves Sunday.  She moved out back in December, so we became accustomed to seeing her infrequently, but again, knowing that she is so far and that we CAN'T see her will be difficult.

Photos

My twins at age 2

My daughter, senior prom.

My son, his pig Rebel, and the buyers at the FFA Auction.

Today would have been Jenny's 18th birthday.  She was my daughter's best friend until her untimely death four years ago.

The young lady in the middle is our 21 year old going off to university as is the 18 year old on the right.  That's me on the left.  Behind us are the 21 year old's bf and my husband on the right.

Friday Five

I'm linking up with Emmy Mom for Friday Five:  5 thoughts/5 pictures

1.   My daughter returned from her mission trip to Catadupa, Jamaica late last Saturday night.  What a life-changing experience for her!  She worked so hard:  cutting rebar, planting trees to beautify the spring, building two outhouses, laying concrete, chopping bamboo with a machete.  She also worked with kids at "Vacation Bible School" type activities.  No AC, no hot water, no WiFi!  I am so proud of her.  She would love to go back in two years when our church is scheduled for their next Jamaica mission.

2.  I've been eating healthier this week... until tonight's dinner.  It was so delicious!  Parpadella pasta. chicken, and mushrooms in a cream sauce and garlic bread.  Oh well.  More time at the gym tomorrow.  I've been to the gym three times this week.  Once you clear 45, preventing weight gain, much less losing weight, is much more difficult.

3.  My daughter leaves for college in 16 days.  She will be 6 1/2 hours away, so definitely not an easy weekend visit.  She is mini-me, and I don't know what I'm going to do without her!  She's excited, and I'm excited for her, but I know I am going to bawl my eyes out.

4.  Thankfully my son, her twin, is staying home.  Actually, I was worried he wouldn't go to college at all.  He doesn't know what he wants to do, and I think he feels like college is too hard, or maybe he is scared in some way.  He is used to his sister getting academic accolades, but he is no dummy!  He lacks confidence, but I am pleased that he is going to take classes at the junior college.  That should show him he can do it, and maybe he'll decide what he's most interested in pursuing.

5.  A friend of mine used to attend church with the parents of the doctor who has contracted Ebola in Africa.  He  has been doing mission work with Samaritan's Purse.  Today, the CDC sent a serum, not a cure, but something that should help, but they only had enough dosage for one person.  Dr. Brantley said to give it to his co-worker, a middle-aged female.  That, IMHO, is the epitome of self-less-ness.  The mortality rate is 60-90%.  Please pray for them.

1.  It's Friday, not Thursday, but here's a Throwback Thursday photo taken my freshman year of high school (1979-1980).  It's a photo from a newspaper article about student council.  Which one am I?

2.  Jamaica - My daughter with the machete, smiling while she works.

3.  The Menger Hotel bar in San Antonio.  The Menger is the most historical and most haunted hotel (they say) west of the Mississippi.

4.  A picture of the kids my daughter worked with in Jamaica.

5.  Sunset over Lake Travis (in Austin) taken last Friday.

Be sure to link up with Friday Five, and have a great weekend!

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