babycatcher33

I wanted to carve out some time for Abby this season so this morning I went through all of my 2011 pictures and selected pictures that I'll use in her memorial album.  Cemetery pictures, her birthday and angelversary pictures and such.  We looked for the Christmas flowers that we usually take to Abby but couldn't find them, and that led to the decision to go do a quick shopping trip.  Yep, we braved Walmart on Christmas Eve and it was surprisingly quick and painless! 


( And now, a picture post to start off my mom's Christmas morning with a smile )

On a whim, Jack suggested that we go visit Kim, so with some "casual" probing questions I figured out her work and class schedule for this weekend and we hit the road.


( Surprise! )

* I worked a half day this morning.  Feeling slightly more competent every day, but I still don't feel like I could do this on my own.   I guess I'll be jumping in the deep end by the end of this week.

* While I was at work this morning, Kim finished packing and loaded up her car.  She was out for lunch with friends when I got home and when she got back, we said our good-byes and she was off.  Tears and hugs all around.  Charlotte doesn't really get it and was her usual chipper self as she gave Kim a hug and skipped away, not understanding that Kim has moved out and we won't see her for a month or more.

* As Kim drove south to school, the rest of us drove northeast for a quick trip to the city.  I cried for the first half hour then distracted myself by reading a midwifery novel followed by some retail therapy.

* We printed enlargements of Kim's grad pictures as well as the couple's pictures Jack and I had done in April.  I bought frames and will hopefully get them up tomorrow.

* A few last minute things to pick up for the Littles for school and dance; Julia declared it "an awesome day, except for Kim leaving."  Charlotte is *so* excited that she's doing ballet this Fall; she tells everyone and anyone who looks her way, "I'm doing ballet!"

* I've put aside Game of Thrones for now - just can't get into it.  I'm reading The Birth House instead.

* Julia goes to her first day of Grade 5 tomorrow.  Grade 5 !?!?  When did THAT happen!?  I wonder if she's going to want her dear ol' mom to walk her to school this year; she still did last year.

* It's so strange to see Kim's room so empty, to know she won't be here every night.  She's been packing up her room bit by bit all summer....


GOING.....



GOING.....



GONE.


Her room will look much different the next time she's home - new paint, different bed, less furniture - hopefully it will be ready by the time my family comes to visit in October.



Julia was excited to go through her school supplies, label everything and pack her bag for school :-) 



And this afternoon, Kim climbed in her car, waved, and headed off to university.  *sniff*  I'm so proud of her and I know she'll be ok, but it's hard to let her go.

What a week!  Four days of work including three days of cramming for a new job - my brain is mush. 

I christened my scrapbooking space tonight - it's soooo nice to have so much table/desk top space to work on, to have everything I need within reach - it's great!   

This weekend will be spent catching up on domestics such as laundry, changing bed sheets, getting groceries, vacuuming, and washing floors.  Exciting, I know.

Hopefully Kim and I will have some time to finish getting her ready to leave for school - finish packing, tidy up her room, fill a few grocery bags for her...

Right now, I'm looking forward to the clean sheets on my bed and not having to wake up before 8 or 9 a.m :-)

After lots of paint and shuffling of furniture, my former office area has been transformed into my new scrapbook area (aka the "mom cave").  I had thought about taking over Kim's bedroom once she has left for university, but I like being out here where I can talk with Jack and the girls, watch tv, etc. 


( Before and after pics! )