Collegers going to college...

If you come across this post in the far future know that this week of my life was one of the most emotionally challenging weeks in my life.  I just swung from emotional high to emotional low moment to moment.  And I cried.  All good.

Wyatt decided he wanted to go to college this year.  

Dramatic pause.

Wyatt had been wondering what his next phase of life should be.  He quit his job at Pepperidge Farms way back in December.  He used his savings to be a full time dad to Oliver.  As spring warmed the air Wyatt knew he needed to make a decision about what to do with his life.  He debated going to work at another factory, enlisting in the Navy, or moving somewhere for school or an apprentice program.  He was leaning towards joining the Navy.  But he had his concerns as the world was heating up and terrible things are happening where military responses are the norm.  

When Wyatt was out in April I had a frank discussion with him.  I said: "Just go to college, you need to go to college." I assured him, he would get loads of financial aid as a single father.  He might get paid to go to college!  Wyatt looked into it and found out he could indeed get the maximum amount of financial aid and go to college for free.  He thought about enrolling for the summer term (I actually told him to do that) but he found out he would get more financial aid in the fall semester.  So he deferred.  He got in to Utah State for the summer term and deferred for fall.  

I held my breath all summer long.  I kept waiting for Wyatt to decide it wasn't worth it.  But he found out he got an additional stipend for child care on campus!  Miracle after miracle kept happening and before we knew it Wyatt was starting COLLEGE!?!?!

As luck would have it Wyatt and Clare's colleges started the exact same day (Monday August 26th).  It was important to me that I went out to Utah to help Wyatt get settled for college.  Even though he is set up in his apartment and doesn't need school supplies, it was important.  So I flew down and helped Wyatt for a couple of mid week days.

We went to DI and got Wyatt a desk and chair.  We got PVC and sheets at Home Depot and made Wyatt a room divider so he and Oliver could have some separation when Wyatt has to do homework.

 

We went out to dinner and played games with Oliver.  I got to take Oliver back up to Emma and meet Oliver's new sister (born in June) Elaine.

Wyatt let me take a picture of him on his "first day" it was actually an orientation day but it was first enough for me!  Look at this cutie: first day of kindergarten and first day of college!

Oliver and I dropped Wyatt off for his first day.  I got a little grandma time and took Oliver up to Preston, Idaho to be with his mom, Emma. 

I ended up having some extra time before my flight and met up with my life coach friend, Kolette!

And Clare Bear!  Clare started college at NAU at the same time!  Blessings and peace for Clare in her decisions about college.  She looked early for a college that didn't have standardized test requirements and had a dance team.  NAU fit the bill and had a rolling admission so she knew she was in a few weeks after she applied.  She spent her senior year having fun and feeling confident she had gotten into her dream college.  She skipped the BYU hot coal walk all of her church friends went through.  She knew who her roommate would be early and figured out her scholarship.  

Will and I went down with her move-in weekend.  The final three said their good byes and we flew to Phoenix.  We went to a Target right outside Phoenix and got almost everything Clare needed for her dorm.  Our rental car was a little too small but we fix everything!

We unloaded and met Clare's roommate and her family.  These two girls are super cute and already best friends.  I am so glad Clare has a good roommate!

Clare got her first day of school picture too.  We can saunter down memory lane for Clare too.  Here she is on her first day of kindergarten and first day of college!

Clare made her NAU letters with her fellow freshman and we got our last goodbyes in.

We stopped for lunch to meet up with one of my best friends, Debbie.  We did a home preschool share when Colter and Sofia were little!