Since ending the blog about a year ago, the family has gone through lots of changes. For one, we're all about a year older. Two of my boys have moved out, which just about killed me at first, but I adjusted pretty quickly. Translation: If they have to move back in, I may tear my hair out at the roots (Love you, boys!! : D ).
Alex (my oldest- 20 yrs) is living about two hours away and is working and hoping to go back to school soon. He did the typical "fresh out of high school and ready to be done with education" thing. He went to about a semester of college and decided it wasn't for him. It would be so much better to just get a job and start earning money right now, while he figures out what he really wants to do, he thought. Sooooo, he figured out that what he really wants to do is get a college education... Go figure. He also just broke up with the girl of my dreams. The Mama ain't happy about that decision, either. But, you know... Who cares? It's not about me, right? She is an absolute diamond, though, this girl. She loves all of us, as we are (so, you know, that makes her a keeper, right there) and we all adore her. I was really starting to have little daydreams about Someday... Maybe, just maybe, she'd be part of our family. But she still is a part of our family, as far as we're concerned. Which means: God help the next girl Alex dates! Seriously. I won't like her, bless her little heart. Bwaaaahahahaha (that's supposed to sound all maniacal and scary/psycho).
The next one to fly the coop was Mike (almost 19 yrs.), who is absolutely, positively certain that college is not for him. He wanted to plunge right into being a Real Adult- living on his own (he still lives close to home, though, sharing a rented house with a buddy of his here in town), making his own rules, supporting himself... You know, all the fun, "no one can tell me what to do" stuff? So... He got a full-time job and works like a dog for peanuts. I rarely see him because he's always at work. And guess what, you guys? He hates it! Isn't that just flippin' hilarious? How you don't listen to your mom, and then you wind up unhappy and have to lie (lie? lay? lie?) in the bed you made? Because now you have rent and bills to pay and can't really change your situation? Oh, yeah. Just hysterically funny. Welcome to being a Real Adult. Your wish has been granted. And? It blows. He is now considering the Army. That is a whole 'nother post for another day (It just occurs to me that maybe I should not be blathering on so much about the personal lives of my adult (chronologically speaking) children. But then it also occurs to me, that they don't read my blog. And I'm still the mom, so I say what I want).
I don't mean to be so flippant about my kids' current situations. I certainly don't feel that way- and I'm not making fun of my boys' choices. I love my kids with all my heart, and I'm proud of who they are- I'd just like to remove my shoe and give them a good thwunking with it every once in a while. I don't mean in the scary, abusive way. Of course not. As with any other parent with grown/growing children, it makes me sad and a little sick to my stomach when I try and try to steer them in the "right" direction (and my idea of "right" is, of course, THE right direction); to warn them of troubles ahead if they proceed with a chosen path, and they go ahead and make a choice that I know, down the road, they will regret. You just wish so badly they would listen and realize you really do know what you're talking about, but... they don't.
However, I do get that college is not for everyone and I'm okay with that, if the kid has a goal and a game plan. Speaking of that, let's give an update on Evan, shall we?
Evan is a Jr. in public high school. He hates it. But in his case, I understand why. He is pretty much a grouchy, 50 yr. old man inside a 17 yr old body, and always has been. So I can see why high school life may not feel like the best fit for someone like him. He's not into all the "OMG! Rah-rah!" crap that goes along with high school. He's crazy-smart, very quick and witty, with a scathingly sarcastic sense of humor. He has the best deadpan expression that I've ever seen, making his humor even funnier (At least to me. To some of his teachers? Maybe not so much). Anyhoo... Evan's goal for the past few years has been to join the Marines. I have some pretty strong feelings about that, too- and I'm sure you can guess that I have made those feelings clear. But, I will say this for him- he hasn't wavered at all about his decision. He feels it's what he's supposed to do. He wants our consent to sign up at 17, which is less than a month away. I promised to go and listen to what the recruiter has to say, but that's all I'm promising for now.
(I want to be clear that I'm all for the military. Really, I am. I consider myself to be a patriotic person. I have the utmost respect for those who serve/ have served our country. I'm deeply grateful for what they do for us. But that doesn't mean I want my boys to do it. Here's the thing... I've never had any "luck" at all. I don't win contests. I don't get picked for door prizes at parties. If luck exists (which I really do not believe it does, but I'm trying to paint a picture here, so work with me), I do not possess it. In other words, if two brand new soldiers are coming home in body bags, I fear they will be mine. See? That scares me just to type it. I know it's morbid to think it, and ridiculously neurotic to worry about it before they've even enlisted, but I can't be one of those moms. I can't be strong in the face of tragedy- I don't have it in me. I FLIP OUT when I find out there are no more bagels in the house! Bagels, people! You see what I'm saying? Anyway, I'm beginning to stray into that post that's supposed to be for another day, so...)
That leaves us with Tucker, Olivia, Bri, Darrell, Darrell's oldest three kids, Buddy the Dog, and Mom the Cat and me. I'll save those for next time. Although... Just in case Mom the Cat drops dead before the next post, I want to give her some props and mention that she is 20 years old. What is that in cat years? Does anyone know? It's got to be like 99, or something. That deserves some major respect- maybe even a round of applause. But then she loses control of her bladder in my fruit bowl, and I think... Applause? Ummmm, Nah.
Okay- I'm sure you've had enough. Bless your heart. This has probably felt, for you, like one of those slide shows of your Aunt Mary's vacation to Ithaca.
5 comments:
How on earth did you get sevn children to cooperate for a picture? It's a Christmas Miracle!
I get you on the military. I think the men and women who serve our country are admirable, but I would be completely freaking out if one of my children wanted to do it, especially right now.
Uh, that would be "seven" and not "sevn."
Before any of your kids run off to the military, email me and let my husband help them out a little. Those recruiters can be...well...recruiters. Ash has 18 yrs. under his belt and helped his brother and my nephew get good jobs.
That's okay, Minivan, I knew what you meant...
And thanks for the offer, Metaphase, I'll definitely have him do that!
You crack me up. So glad you're back to blogging. I get what you mean about the military, too. My dad is retired Air Force (kind of the sissy branch of the armed forces if you talk to people in the other branches, but still, he had to take cover as an air traffic controller in Vietnam when their air strip was bombed, or something like that). My husband was also Air Force. And, yeah, those recruiters aren't always completely honest. I think that was my whole point of talking about military in my family. Anyway, I totall understand the conflict of gratitude vs. freak-out when it comes to the military and your own children.
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