Comments on: Welcome to the anti-climax!

By: LindaB

LindaB — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 02:46:53 +0000

I’d be 16 again……..FOR FIVE BUCKS! And I’ll give you change!

By: Phyllis R

Phyllis R — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:43:24 +0000

I am glad that the day went well for her.

By: Barbara M. Lloyd

Barbara M. Lloyd — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:38:47 +0000

One thing I have noticed about your lurking posters, they know good music when they hear it…especially the terrific voice that sings it! I would be less than, er…hmmm…uh…a fan if I had not noticed this.

By: gracelynn

gracelynn — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:06:43 +0000

Tori you are an absolutely wonderful mother and you and Russ are fantastic parents. Believe me, I deal with parents every day that could care less whether their child passes the test that determines whether they graduate from high school. Literally. I actually managed to get 30 parents to show up for open house tonight. (That’s out of the approximately 120 kids I teach now BTW). I was just ecstatic to have that many come – usually I’m lucky to get 10 at best. And some were parents I ACTUALLY NEED TO SEE because I’ve taught their little monsters – um I mean angels LOL – the past two years and need to warn them about this major exam so I don’t get killed in 4 months after they take the test and don’t make a 150 to pass. (Yes they have to make a 150 or higher to pass this state exam – that’s why it is very stressful for me as a teacher) I’m sure Madi had a terrific day but the first day is stressful for the students and the teachers. (And the administration too for that matter) I hope the person she’s paired up with is a reliable partner. The pictures are perfect. I wish I had a camera on some of the faces of the kids I saw with their parents tonight. One practically fainted when his mom told him he had me again this year for computers LOL. Middle school drama naturally. We’d have gotten some great shots for the yearbook tonight LOL. And you talk about handholding – these kids get annoyed just knowing the parents are within 100 feet of them, walking them around to the rooms. LOL It’s hard to stand there at the door with a straight face at times.

And I’m with you – I would not be 16 again for all the money in the world! No thank you! LOL Been there, done that…and am very thankful that it is over and done with.

By: tori

tori — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:07:22 +0000

Phyllis R– Well…. I’m not getting a whole lot of details at this point! I did the usual Q and A in the car and she said that it was “a little better”. Said she got paired up with someone for a class project in photography who was nice and also said that another girl “talked to her some.”
She seems kind of low-key and quiet– not sad or depressed, just still getting her feet under her, I guess. Which is why I would not be 16 again for like, A BILLION DOLARS.

By: Phyllis R

Phyllis R — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:46:12 +0000

Ok, it is after school time…how did the day go for Madi? Just been thinking about her today.

By: tori

tori — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:38:06 +0000

auburn– I’m gonna hold you to that.
Momma Lloyd–She grudgingly said today was ,”A little better…” I think we’re ok! trishARKANSAS–WELCOME! Woo pig sooie! Yeah, they kinda frown on the handholding thing at this age… although Charlotte still lets me, God bless her!
BrownEyedGirl– “It’s always something!”

By: BrownEyedGirl

BrownEyedGirl — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:53:18 +0000

God sure did Bless me with curls , Tori. Having kids gave them to me. I can fluff it to “Rosanne Rosanadana” in a heartbeat!! LOL Remember her??

By: trishARKANSAS

trishARKANSAS — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:51:01 +0000

WOW! I have been viewing your BLOG and remeniscing about my children and going to camp, beaching at ST. Simon’s Island in Georgia, and first days at school. Now my girl’s are starting their junior year in high school and their freshman year in college and no they don’t want mommy holding their little hands as they walk into the school. That sure would boost their popularity but not in the way that they would like and my high school Junior could say farewell to being th Junior class president.

By: Barbara M. Lloyd

Barbara M. Lloyd — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:33:34 +0000

Oh my goodness, before a week is out, our Madi will be the bell of the ball in that photography class. She is beautiful, inside and out and has captivating charm. I just love her.
I remember those first-day-of-school days so well….and the going-off-to-college days. And then the weddings, too. Gracious, I am moved to tears thinking about them and would like to start all over again. All I can say to you girls is: enjoy every minute of these years; you’re making memories….for you and for them.

By: auburn60

auburn60 — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:13:13 +0000

I am going to repeat these phrases: ‘You will be fine’
‘It will be OK ‘ and then ‘She is so ready’ for the next two years, until Madi leaves for college.
I am going to point to myself and say ‘See, I survived–twice!’
I’m going to quote that great philosopher (Charlotte) and remind you of the circle of life.
You will not believe me. You will feel empty for a while.
Then you will be proud of how she survives and grows independent–until the day she tells you she’s moving 900 freakin’ miles away to somewhere like Boston.
But you will survive that,too.

By: tori

tori — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:55:47 +0000

BrownEyedGirl-I’m telling you, I am going to have to gear up for the leaving-for-college thing. I may have to be sedated. FYI– saw your cute picture and just wanted you to know that God was aiming at me with that gorgeous head of curly hair and obviously missed and it landed on you. I want it back.

meb– WELCOME! Seriously, I do the Happy Dance when someone de-lurks! Thank you for your kind words about “Farther On”- that is one of my favorite lyrics of all time.

belinda– Of course you think she is the sweetest thing, she text-messages you every day! (Madi loves her some belinda!)

Joset at Halushki–Bless you and everything you stand for.
(Ok, the rest of you blog neophytes may not know this, but we have been visited by blogging royalty– Joset is one of my favorites, bar none, I’m thrilled she commented. Check out her writing, she is incredible.)

Phyllis– Thank you, if I need a posse I want you to ride shotgun.

By: Phyllis

Phyllis — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:24:08 +0000

Oh my, how I remember the “first day jitters”. You go girl, you did good with the Mom stuff again. If those junior/senior weasels in photography class don’t treat our Madi right, just let us know and we will form a posse! Seriously, she is a lovely girl and if she is anything like her Dad she is precious as well. Haven’t met you in person yet Tori, but you seem sweet as well. So, I am sure she will be just fine. How sweet of you to hold back and not do the half-time speech. You have more self control than I would have. LOL

By: Jozet at Halushki

Jozet at Halushki — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:29:33 +0000

Good lord, but your girls are gorgeous!

And that Mom and Dad post? You knocked it out of the park.

I did receive “that call” nine years ago, and my dad was gone. My last memory is of him driving away from my house, me standing on the stoop. Our last conversation was about something mundanely ordinary. Now thinking back on it, it was the most love-filled conversation I ever had with him.

Home run on that post. Bittersweet and wonderful.

By: belinda

belinda — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:51:13 +0000

She is absolutely adorable and the sweetest thing! Hey, I remember being nervous on those first days of the school year, even though it was so very long time ago. I know she will be fine and go in there to that photography class and win all those upper classmen over. I love her nose stud! Of course I dont’ think it would look that cute on me, but it looks great on her. Love the pictures!

Tori, you and Russ are the best! You have done such a great job with the girls and it shows. Other parents could learn a lot from both of you.

meb – I listened to that song just this morning, it is a great song and blesses me every time I hear it. Actually I have had RT’s CD We Will Stand playing to and from work every day this week, what a great way to start and end a work day. Great CD and great way to get going in the morning.

By: meb

meb — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:38:03 +0000

Okay, I am one of those lurkers who has been reading what you write since your days on Music City Moms. I have to say, as an older mom (well older than most of her friends moms) of an 8 year old daughter, I can only imagine what I’ll be going through when she reaches the same age as your girls. At least I have somewhat of an idea of what to expect.

I also had to tell you, that on my blog I have a link to yours. And encourage people to visit yours and others. Not that I reach many people with mine, but it is there.

And to both you and Russ, you are an encouragement to a lot of people. Thank you. Not to get all mushy, but his song “Farther On” which I heard for the first time back in 1990, spoke to my heart and helped change my life. I’ve been a fan ever since.

I look forward to the next post.

By: BrownEyedGirl

BrownEyedGirl — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:37:33 +0000

Tori,
Your parenting method certainly works. I love your comment on trying your best not to screw them up. My methods are a bit different too. I always say that my kids are turning out pretty well despite having me for a mother. It will be interesting to see my kids parenting techniques.
Love the back to school pictures. I wonder if my son would be upset if I followed him to college to get pictures?? LOL
FYI regarding kids leaving for college – worst day of your life!! I feel like someone died. Geez, I’m crying again typing this. I was good until I watched him pull out of the driveway yesterday.
Anyway….. I hope that photography class went better than Madi hoped. I know she’ll fit right in!
I’m loving these blogs Tori!! :o)

Wendy

By: tori

tori — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:36:59 +0000

Oh rockin robyn, I am flying by the seat of my pants every day with the mothering thing! And it changes all the time. Sometimes I’m the cool mom, sometimes I’m the bedtime police, sometimes I’m the fun one, sometimes I’m the nag… God did bless us with extraordinary girls– I’m just trying my best not to screw ‘em up too badly. Or at least raise them to be productive citizens so they can get good jobs and pay for their own therapy!

By: rockin robyn

rockin robyn — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 04:03:20 +0000

I must compliment you on your parenting/relationship that – I as an outsider sees… I invision that you not only are a mother to your girls but that you are their best friend as well. That is mighty kewl and special and in these times, at these ages of teen-age rebellion, God has surely blessed you and Russ with some wonderful, special girls and they with some awesome parents.

…although that first picture kind of looks like she is saying ‘you had to advertise to the world {your blog} that we were bra shopping and now you want to take a picture….

Thank you Tori for sharing your family with us!