one is the loneliest number

Okay, it's not that bad :) But it has been a rough day. My face is puffy and my eyes are achy from crying all day and I'm exhausted. I'm not looking forward to talking to Andrew in the morning before he hands his cell phone off to the wardens, because I think I might just be right back where I was at 12:30 this afternoon. But we keep on keepin' on, knowing that this is good. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

I talked to Andrew a few minutes ago. He had just checked in at the hotel and was getting settled, trying to find somewhere to eat and getting ready to touch base with some family he didn't get to connect with before he left. He sounded good - a little tired - but good. He told me at dinner last night that he feels the same way he did before he left for college: really excited, really scared and with no idea of what to expect. Sounds about right.

There are all kinds of resources on the internet to give these guys an idea of what to expect, and his OCS Survival Guide gives a breakdown of what each day of the first week will be like. Then it outlines the following weeks until graduation. I thought that might be a good thing to share with you all so you know how you can be praying for him throughout his time there.

Thanks so much for the encouraging words/prayers/thoughts/well wishes (and songs!) today. I am certain that we couldn't be moving forward with the confidence we have if it wasn't for you guys.

Ready or not, here we go...

a few of MY favorite things

Lists, obviously fall into that category, so that's what I'll do with this! In preparation for "the day" I've been thinking of things to get excited about doing while Andrew is gone. I'm sure I won't finish some and will add others, but here it is in its current state:

• Organize/set up/use my craft room:
• Don't give up on jewelry making, even though Impatient Page wants me to
• Sew comforter for newly designed Charleston bedroom
• Sew curtains and headboard cover for newly designed Charleston guest bedroom (taking reservations now for future guests)
• Also, Jessica: this sounds like a girls’ weekend project, don’t you think? :)
• Take up journal making (it's looking like I'm going to have enough stuff to get my own table at the market in Charleston!)
• Learn how to cook for one and enjoy food that Andrew could do without (i.e. pasta salad)Develop some sort of exercise routine using the rowing machine, my pilates mat and TWC exercise on demand channel
• Study, study, study the Bible - if I don't look at this time as an opportunity to learn and grow, I think I might be missing a major blessing
• Take some trips and visit some of my favorites:
• Stay with my precious grandparents in Black Mountain
• Girls' weekend with Aunt Rita
• Maybe visit Anne I in DC? I think I may have just invited myself, Aunt Anne!
• Day trip to the beach with Mom if it gets warmer
• Lots of day trips to Youngsville so Rudy can play with Uncle Jake
• Dinner with Grandma C
• Martha? Meet me half way?
• Warsaw, so Nanny Johnson can teach me how to make sugar cookies. And biscuits. And creamed corn.
• Then, it appears I have to go see Sarah and her babies and pass on the biscuit making magic :) Okay!
• IKEA, duh
• Concord craft weekend!
• Girls night/day with some work friends (note: transform living room into craft central; make snacks!)
• Take Rudy to the dog park
• Watch A LOT of girl movies - Netflix is going to love me
• Maybe babysit some sweet cousins in Clayton?
• Make some oatmeal cookies, just because
• Watch Dancing with the Stars, 24, What Not to Wear and a lot of Food Network
• Find a place to live in Charleston - and daydream about it
• Start looking for a job in Charleston
• Write my sweetie lots of letters
• Take care of Rudy, who will be devastated/heartbroken when Andrew leaves

Anything else I should add??

these are a few of his favorite things

In preparation for my sweet husband leaving, and having to endure this during meal time, I decided to make his favorite meals all week long. Last night we kicked it off with crabcakes, cheesy grits and butternut squash. Tonight it’s salmon, spinach and risotto (can you tell this kid likes his seafood?). I think we’re going to take a break tomorrow night and snack on some leftovers, because my parents are coming over on Thursday for a farewell dinner. I figured I would save his favorite, favorite for that night: pork tenderloin with roasted red pepper gravy. I made that a few years ago for his birthday and it’s been his request for special occasions ever since. I guess this is special enough to warrant the special dinner.

My motto? Get him good and fattened up before he leaves. He’ll lose it all anyway :)