Off to college

No, Not me.

2 of 6.

She was homeschooled from 3rd grade till high school. Around the end of what would be sophomore year, her younger sister wanted to take the culinary arts class at the local vocational school. I noticed they also offered an early childhood education class. 2 of 6 loves little kids, and I thought maybe she might enjoy this, and learn a job skill for after high school.

2 of 6, who was also extremely shy, did well. She started taking classes at the local community college as well. And finished high school at the vocational school. She graduated high school there, and went on at the community college. And then transferred to a state university, with a small honors scholarship.

Just before 6 of 6's first birthday came time for her to go ff to the state university. Since 6 of 6 was still breast milk fed, we packed up 2 of 6, her little sister 5 of 6, the baby, and drove across state. We got a room at a hotel with a swimming pool. Got 6 of 6 settled into her dorm room the next day. The following day we would drive home.

On that last day, after we had cleared the hotel room, 2 of 6 stowed all her stuff in the dorm, I dropped her off on campus, where she was to attend a reception for the honor's transfer students. She took pictures of us, we took pictures of her. She scolded me not to cry, because then she would start to cry. So I didn't.

Until she was about a half a block away and I watched her being swallowed into the campus. 5 of 6 is telling me that I can't cry and drive. I just sat there and watched my second baby go off into the world. Honor's transfer student. It was as hard as watching my oldest graduate boot camp.

2 years later she graduated magna cum laude. She's a smart chick. And great with 4 yr olds. Can you tell I'm proud?

First kid, First kid story, and a bit of mom over reacting

You would think I would start with some anecdote from 1 of 6's early years. Nope. This story is the moment I realized my baby was a man.

My grandfathers and my husband's father are all World War 2 vets. All have passed away. Dear husband (I haven't decided on an appropriate nickname for him yet) attended a military academy and has spent nearly 30 years in active service & in the reserves. That's the background.

When 1 of 6 was 19, in college part time, and trying to find direction in life, he happened to start talking with a recruiter. In early fall of 2003 he came home at oh-dark-thirty. I heard the door and went to see what was up. Yes, he was 19, but still, I'm his mom, and I worry.

He had spent the entire time talking with a recruiter, who was going to come back in a few hours to pick him up to *sign up*.

Ok, here is a mom moment- I thought "oh heck no!" I told him he hadn't had enough sleep to take the ASVAB and get a high enough score to get into the military specialty he wanted, and he should think this through some more, talk to a friend who was a recruiter from another service, etc.

Dad agreed, but thought I was a bit nuts. So I asked dh to get dressed in uniform to talk to recruiter when he came back to pick up 1 of 6. And I got dressed. And swiped 1 of 6's birth certificate and drove off. No birth certificate, no signing up, I thought.

I only spent about an hour and a half at a local chain restaurant before I realized there wasn't enough coffee in the world to keep me awake any longer. I went home, but the recruiter hadn't showed yet. I hid the birth certificate.

Shortly after that the recruiter arrived, and spent nearly an hour on our front deck, before dawn, talking with 1 of 6 and his Dad. 1 of 6 did not join up that day. But he did a few weeks later.

Which leads to the second part of the story.

Graduation from basic training day arrives, and his Dad, his siblings-4 of 6 and 5 of 6, fiancee and I fly to hot & humid California. At the graduation ceremony itself, I became a bit unglued. Not much, but, I had to get up from the bleachers and stand behind them, I was bawling my eyes out.

1 of 6 had been homeschooled from the 4th grade on. We asked if he wanted to go to public high school, but he decided not to. His entire life he had been *mine*. Mine to raise, love, educate, protect... and now he's in the service. I had given up control of dear husband to the military, made my peace with whatever might come, but my baby!??

I watched most of the ceremony from the back of the stands, all those brave young men in uniform. And realized that's what his Dad and I had raised. A brave young man. Who wanted to serve his country, like his grandfathers and father before him.

After the graduation, back at the hotel room, where everyone is changing and relaxing, I talked to 1 of 6. I told him how hard it was for me to let go, that it had been my job to take care of him, protect him. And here he was now, a member of the armed forces in a time of war. My 6 foot 2 inch handsome son squished me in a bear hug and said "Mom, now it's my turn to protect you."

I turned to mush.

And I am so proud.

6 kids....

So as not the embarrass my beloved children I will be referring to them in true Mother Borg fashion.

1 of 6 has been out of the hive for several years. He is a member of the armed forces, married and has a beautiful 1 year old daughter.

2 of 6 graduated 2 years ago from university, with honors, her mother said proudly. Her passion is working with children, especially the 4 year to 1st grade age range. And music.

3 of 6 will be graduating shortly, is a phenomenal cook, frequently my right hand in helping to care for aged parent & grandparent.

4 of 6 recently graduated high school. Is a part time college student. Hides a lovable teddy bear self behind a tough exterior.

5 of 6 is an adorable teenager, totally in the giggly teen girl set, but still sweet, compassionate, hard working. A wonderful mother's helper.

6 of 6, dear 6 of 6. What was heaven thinking sending me a very active child so late in life? But he is cute, hysterical, trying, very smart and I am exhausted. Have been since he was born 4 years ago. He doesn't sleep, never did. Rarely napped. Doesn't like to sleep in his own bed. But he makes us laugh.