<p>I just want to wish that everyone’s college kid makes it home safe and sound this winter break. </p>
<p>This is influenced by a post Marite made.</p>
<p>My D flew home on Weds. She arrived in her North Face Fleece and suede boots. It was 12 degrees and there is a foot and a half of snow on the ground in Northern Michigan. Trying for find a winter coat for Miss Picky Pants in an XS, in a town with no shopping is not easy.</p>
<p>She is so happy to be home that it is a joy to have her here. She had a very rough semester so to see her so happy is wonderful.</p>
<p>S arrived home last night after an 8 hour drive. It took three of us to bring in his dirty laundry. He didn’t see the need to wash anything since he would be coming home. He spent some time playing with the dogs and talking to us. I can honestly say he has found the perfect school for him. At the beginning I wasn’t so sure. We went to bed and of course S stayed up. I woke up this morning to find that he had eaten some of just about everything I have in the house - cereal, cheesecake, brownies, chips, apples, and a few other things. Normally, I would have said something about all the dirty dishes but this morning I just smiled and cleaned it all up. I’m happy he’s home.</p>
<p>D is coming home tonight. She describes Holiday drives through NYC as “the bane of my existence” … so I guess she’s pretty anxious to get home. Merry Christmas all.</p>
<p>I don’t get my DS home until the middle of next week. He has requests in for all his favorite foods, and DD has graciously agreed that DS gets to pick the meals for the two weeks he’ll be home with us over the break. I miss him so much. </p>
<p>His first two finals didn’t go as well as he had hoped, and I’m hoping that his last two finals go better for him. It’s been a rollercoaster of a semester for him. He loves his school and academic program, but I think the adjustment to the weather and college food has been a bit stressful. He’ll be fine once I get him well-fed and rested. Ooooooooh . . . I can’t wait to see him!!!</p>
<p>Happy Holidays to all of you mom’s out there with anticipation of family reunions. That’s awesome.
I can’t wait to see my S either but I he might not be able to make it before the holiday. Pray for me!</p>
<p>DS made it home earlier this week after an overnight train ride. Then yesterday evening he flew out for his first serious job interview; home late tonight. So he missed the first four nights of Chanukah, made the next two, missed last night, and we’ll hold the candles for him tonight. Aren’t we lucky we have 8 opportunities!</p>
<p>I am on pins and needles hoping the onsite interviews are going well; he was sooooooooooo nervous yesterday! Not to mention the entire trip is different from his usual college-to-home and back trips. Flying into a new airport, limo ride to the other city, hotel room by himself, having to wear a suit …just like a real grownup! When he gets home tonight (crossed fingers) he can finally relax from the roller coaster ride.</p>
<p>A month! You are so lucky.<br>
S will be with us for 16 days. But who’s counting.
He does his laundry before he comes home, much to the amazement of his friends.</p>
<p>It’s wonderful to wake up and read about all of the sons and daughters making it home! My DD is not too far from home, but it was still so nice to pick her up and know she’s here for 3 weeks. I just want to watch her for hours; kind of like when she was a newborn.</p>
<p>I’m glad to have inspired this thread. So, S did his laundry before coming home. I was stunned to see that he had packed his clothes neatly: socks in pairs, T-shirts neatly rolled up (he decided that it was more efficient than folding them). And, I got him to get a hair cut, the first since August. I now can see his eyes (though not his ears, his having decided to keep his hair long).</p>
<p>For someone who refused to attend Stanford because of “no snow,” he’s in for a treat (what parents lament as an obstacle to reunion with our dear but not-yet-near): a snowstorm. Eight inches predicted. I hope that the roads clear before my other S comes home after work on Christmas eve.</p>
<p>My boys are both home and it’s been wonderful! The oldest will be home for 10 days (the longest he’s been home since he graduated college), and the other for 2 weeks. Both made it home with no flight delays. The only sadness is that we lost our dog in the spring, and they are missing him a lot. </p>
<p>We don’t get much snow, but it’s very cold. They both live in the northeast, so they’re used to this. Marite - my Boston son is hoping for snow and said he should have stayed there a few more days!</p>
<p>DS finally got home last night. He was scheduled to fly in around 9:00 pm, but managed to get on an earlier flight via standby. Other than his hair being too long ( ), he looks great. Let the “favorite meals feeding frenzy” begin . . .</p>
<p>Younger D usually flies out right after her last final, but this year that final was so late in the day that she had to wait and fly out the next morning. With the extra time she cleaned up her dorm room, took the mounds of recycling out of her room, washed all her laundry (including sheets and towels), and basically got ready for the spring semester. Like Marite’s son, she too brought home a suitcase full of clean, nicely folded clothes! She said it will be a great feeling going back to a room in order instead of chaos. </p>
<p>This D will be home a month - about the longest length of time since she started college. Because of summer programs, short study abroad, etc. she has been moving nonstop since she started school in August, 2007 and REALLY needed this break. She has taken up residence on the sofa, covered with a soft blanket, and quietly reads. This is exactly what she needed and it warms my heart to see her there. The Christmas tree is in the corner of the room, stockings hung on the fireplace and her big ole’ kitty stops by frequently to greet her.</p>
<p>Our older D is married and a graduate student. We have to share them with the in-laws (which is hard to get use to), so they arrive tomorrow for four days - weather permitting! It will be so nice to have a full house again!</p>
<p>My '09 college grad - who is poor and unemployed - arrived home at 9pm last night. She was wearing glasses. 7 year old glasses and said her contacts ran out a month ago!
I spent the morning taking her prescription to three stores to find contacts. Target had a sample pair for her and I ordered her 4 boxes.<br>
She put them in an said it was amazing…she can see again!<br>
Moral to the story - graduating from college (even with a biochem degree) doesn’t make you smarter!</p>
<p>My son who was staying at college for an opportunity to sing at Christmas Eve services and make a little extra money is totally marooned. He was leaving early Christmas morning to be here mid day for Christmas. They are having a terrible blizzard and the services he was to sing at are canceled. He made it out on foot to the store for food and has bought his Christmas dinner. He is all alone in the fraternity house and he is hoping the power does not go out. I am the saddest mom you have ever seen. I know that lots of kids don’t get home for Christmas, but this is the first time for me and he’s my baby…</p>
<p>srw…so sorry to hear it. Blessings to you and he. You will get through this one and someday it will make a great story. I just saw a friend whose son is due to arrive from Boston tomorrow a whopping 5 days late after many cancelled flights. We went through that with our son last year…this year we just lucked out and he got home two days ahead of the snow. He has definitely been alone at Thanksgiving in similar conditions and it is hard.</p>
<p>srw…I hope you have plans for a “late” Christmas celebration.</p>
<p>DD arrived home on Dec 11. She’s ready to go back!!</p>
<p>DS arrived on the 18th and the first sentence out of his mouth was “mom…is there ANYTHING in this fridge that you do NOT want me to eat? Tell me NOW.” Now that made me laugh. He usually eats the ingredients to the meals before they get cooked. I put sticky notes on the food “don’t eat this”. At least he remembers!!</p>
<p>DD will leave on the 2nd…DS on the 31st. Their visits home are not very long and we do enjoy having them here. Both are snuggled in their beds tonight waiting for Santa to come.</p>
<p>Thanks for the kind words. He will probably be able to get out on Saturday. We are debating holding Christmas for him, although he says not to. I think his brother, who is here, wants to open his gifts on time, says he may not be able to be around later. I think I will hold off and probably his dad will too. I got over being sad, some what, when I got an email from a friend today whose son is in Iraq, put things into perspective for me. Thumper, I know what you mean about the ingredients being eaten, I have a separate shelf in the pantry for my son who is home, he can eat anything on that shelf, and he must check regarding the fridge stuff. Ebeeee, you are right it will make a good story someday, he did find a couple of other guys around the campus tonight and he made dinner for them so I am soooo glad he is not totally alone. Tomorrow will be a little tougher. But at least he is safe, We must look on the positive side and be grateful for what we do have. Merry Christmas to all.</p>
<p>srw, I’m just about to turn in after getting everything ready for Christmas morning. wanted to pop in on you and say Merry Christmas as I see you are also up late. best wishes for your family in the upcoming days.</p>
), he looks great. Let the “favorite meals feeding frenzy” begin . . .</p>