Lauren's first week of college.

Trials come and go, but sometimes they stay awhile. On move in day at SEMO, we showed up at 6 am and got a front row parking spot to unload. Lauren had pulled up and I followed to drop off Lee, Emily and Lawrence. I proceeded to continue on to a parking spot further out, this was the required procedure. By the time I got to Lauren's car; Lee, Lawrence and Emily had disappeared with an armload and Lauren was talking to a student helper. Alas, we had not gone to the correct check in site and Lauren needed to proceed there and get her room key, etc.

She left and I waited for the crew to show back up. Upon seeing Lee & Lawrence, I filled them in. To my surprise they stated they had already been in her room and dropped a load of stuff. Evidently the rooms were all open! So we waited, and waited, and waited. By now, the cars and their loads were growing denser. Finally, we see Lauren's car weaving up to get in the long line, to wait for a spot to unload! We finished up and then headed back to the hotel where we had stayed the previous night, and had a free hot breakfast waiting. After eating; Lee, Lawrence and Emily opted for an early nap before check out time. Lauren and I headed back to settle the dust in her room and let me do the mom thing; like make the bed, put clothes in the drawers, arrange the bathroom.................uggg..........mothers!

We all met up later for lunch and then a quick tour for the big brother........he wanted to give his stamp of approval..........I think he was impressed.

With only wet eyes we said our goodbyes and were off for the trip I previously wrote about. By the following Monday I had received a text message from Lauren stating she COULD NOT continue in the Acting class. It would be too involved and she would be snowed under with her other "major" classes of Eng. Lit, Spanish, Psychology and anthropology. The acting/theatre were to be her minor. She had also gotten a parking ticket, overdrawn her checking account and wasn't eating because it all tasted like "school" food! She had dealt with her car radio falling out and roomies that "want to follow me everywhere I go!" And do you know that the college does not provide toilet paper!!! Whoever heard of such a thing? I asked her if she were PMSing? That was not the thing to ask.

So I listened and made suggestions and told her to pray as I was praying for her as well.

Tuesday was not much better. She had gotten another ticket...........she wasn't parking in the right lot! Still wasn't sure what to do about the acting class and had to call a company about some drafts they had made on her checking account. She also had to buy 2 more books, which, as many know, are VERY expensive. Praise the Lord, her first books were covered by a scholarship.

By Wednesday; she finally got the correct parking lot figured out, appealed the first ticket and they voided the second one. I put money in her account, which humiliated, humbled and gratified her. She spoke with her advisor (whom she likes) and got out of acting and is taking sign language. She went to a job fair, and hopes for future income are promising. The roommate and suite mates are acclimating to campus and giving her some breathing room and she has a smile in her voice again. Oh, she also got the radio fixed...........Best Buy's mistake. And she's finally found a couple of decent spots on campus to eat, so her diet does not consist of cereal only, anymore.

Tonight (Friday) she is going out for supper with her suite mates and looking forward to a quiet weekend, has her homework done and thinks college is going to be a good/fun experience! SHEWWWWWWWW.............I thought I might just have to go get her and bring her home! Oh, no, that was just the mommy in me. I'm enjoying seeing those wings stretch and strengthen so that she can make her migrating flight.