Today my daughter left for college | My feelings as a mom.

Today my daughter left for college | My feelings as a mom.

Today has been a WHIRLWIND. My oldest daughter left for college and I’m still trying to process my feelings as a mom.

As a mom/parent I can tell you I’ve worked hard for this day.

All the homework, endless study sessions, reading classes here, math workshops, there going across town for this meeting/class/enrichment workshop it has been worth it. Since Jaelyn started school we have worked for THIS moment.

I’ve talked about it before but Jaelyn received over $270K in scholarships. She had offers from 6 different schools. She had a choice.

She worked hard. Not only did SHE work hard but we worked hard as a family. The same opportunities are available for Kayla and Aj and we are doing the same things. Especially Kayla now that she has entered high school.

It has been a complete family affair. EVERYONE has pitched in and now we all kinda reap the benefits.

This morning started VERY early. We were up and out of the house by 5am. We packed the truck last night all we had to do was get in it and go.

The weeks leading up to today I thought I was going to be a mess. Just crying and all emotional. My mom cried and Jaelyn ALMOST cried because of that but I did not shed a tear. Maybe it’s still fresh? Who  knows but I didn’t cry.

I’ve been excited. I was a teen mom. I had Jaelyn when I was 17 and instead of going off to school I chose to stay here and raise my baby. It wasn’t my moms responsibility even though she offered to take care of her so I COULD go off to school. I didn’t want that. I wanted to take care of her myself. I don’t have a single regret. It was the best decision I could have ever made because I learned to be a mom.

I was EXCITED for Jealyn to leave for school because she had an opportunity that I didn’t. I’ve talked with my girls extensively about teen pregnancy. Its NOT an easy thing and not glamourous like all the TV shows make it. It’s hard and it makes you grow up SUPER fast.

Once we arrived on Campus it was a whirlwind of activity. Checking in, unpacking, disinfecting, organizing, going back to buy things we didn’t know we needed. When we left the campus to come home, Jaelyn was settled in and on her way to a meeting.

I’m so proud.

As I write this I’m blinking back tears (but none have fallen lol), not because I’m sad but because I am SO proud of the young lady my daughter is becoming.

Many of you have watched her grow up. I started this blog when she was NINE years old. NINE. Here she is 18 and in college. Just amazing.

We have done our best to teach her what’s right and live the life before her. We aren’t those do as I say, not as I do parents. If that’s what you do fine. We have lived the life before her. She has seen us turn our lives completely around and live for God. Have we made mistakes? Of course but we have learned together. We have literally grown up together.  We are so proud.

Right now I feel a HUGE sense of accomplishment. I know that with the help of God we have raised a wonderful young lady.

Today she had to make a decision and as she talked it out and weighed the pros and cons I was really kinda impressed. I know my job as her mom isn’t done but we are entering a new phase. A new chapter.

Today is a new beginning and I’m thankful and blessed to be her mom.