Skip to main content

Back-to-school 2024

 

I've been avoiding writing again. If I write about back-to-school, I must admit how hard things have been.  My heart has been broken by the harsh reality that my children are grown up. Being a teacher during back-to-school is easy for me. I'm a pro at that. My ELA buddy teacher even told me I could do it in my sleep. But facing the challenges of parenting young adults making major life transitions pulls at my heartstrings. 

This school year, I only have two active students right now, and Bailey is in the works for a return to Texas Tech in the Spring semester. Lorelei started back first. She's a Senior! She had her first college visit at the beginning of August and most likely her last! She loved Texas State.  



This was followed by Senior pictures. 




We grabbed some sushi from our favorite restaurant after. 


Then it was Senior Sunrise and the first day of school for her. 



My first days back were great. I always enjoy reuniting with my team and Wernli peeps!






What a perfect job to get to work with all your besties!

During the first week of school, I had to take Friday off to move Jonas into the dorms. It was a successful move-in. He said all his goodbyes and we were off. Jonas and I were quick and he kept his room simple. 








His sisters came up in the afternoon to see the place and hang out. 







He was gracious enough to send me a first day of school photo.
 

Bailey and Lorelei came by school during the second week to help me start the work on our Literacy Lounge. This is what I'm doing with the grant money I won last year. 




Their favorite form of payment for help is always food out! 


Phase one is complete thanks to my kids and some Watch Dog Dads who helped finish building furniture. 

Jonas came home Labor Day weekend and we filled the weekend with a combination of rest, relaxation, and outings. 

We watched Brieley's water polo game. 


Grabbed some Starbies. 


Watched some football. 
 Got a haircut.
Went to the park.

Grabbed a burger.
Went for a hike. 

And brunch. 

Lorelei couldn't let Labor Day weekend go by without fulfilling the song by Tim McGraw.

It was Labor Day weekend and she's 17, so she bought a Coke and some gasoline! 
Funny girl!

My Longhorns hanging out.


And the best part...the two hours all four kids were home at the same time. 


Slowly my heart will adjust to this new normal around here. As long as these four always know how much I love and adore them. 
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Feeling a little salty...

  It may not look like I'm feeling a little salty in this picture, but  I was. It's June, and summer vacation had just started. All the chaos of May had me feeling a little tired, and I was experiencing what I thought was mild back pain from sciatica. I had noticed a few spots on my back and leg that looked like bug bites. Savannah was over, and we were about to head out to the pool when she noticed a crazy rash on my leg. She FaceTimed my mom, who said it looks like shingles?!?! John didn't agree and thought there was no way. Savannah insisted I go to urgent care. What do you know...I did have shingles. As soon as I mentioned how busy my month had been, that I was a teacher, had a Senior graduating, etc. The doctor said stress is one of the biggest causes of shingles. I was lucky this sweet girl of mine made me go get checked out. I was able to start meds and caught it early.  I did not have time for shingles! Hence the saltiness. That same week was Lorelei's high scho...
Post a Comment
Read more

Roaring 20s~Boyen Bunch Style!

Is it just me, or were your 20s the best time in your life? The things I did in my 20s were memorable, adventurous, and not too crazy, but life-changing.   Here's my 20's list of accomplishments: I graduated from college with a BAE and an M.Ed.  I got my first real job (and three more teaching jobs to follow). I got married. We had the best time exploring the world together.  I moved more times than I can count, from Florida to Denver, to Houston, to finally settling and buying our first house in San Antonio. I was active: biking, hiking, snowboarding, playing tennis, and more. I made so many meaningful friendships and connections. I had not one but two kids! I had both Bailey and Savannah in my 20s!  I sure squeezed a lot into that decade. Looking back now, I cherish those years. But you know what maybe even a little more fun? Reliving your 20s at 50+ with your young adult kids.  Savannah has been living it up! She got a job she loves, her own place, and many g...
Post a Comment
Read more

The days are long...

...but the years are short. I've always loved the saying. One of my favorite authors and podcasters, Gretchen Rubin, is credited as the original author of this quote. I always think about it when another year passes. This year was fast and furious, as I have found all the years to be since my kids became teenagers. It seems like every time I turn around, there's another graduation, major milestone, or life achievement by one of my kids. 2024 had a high school graduation, college graduation, three moves from home to college, from college back to town, from across town, back to home. And the dust hasn't completely settled yet. Gretchen Rubin has another saying now that her kids are grown. Instead of an empty nest, she calls it an "Open Door." I love that too. My door will always be open to my kids and their friends, as it seems like there's always an extra somebody at our house too. It's one of my favorite times.  Thanksgiving break brought some new friends ...
Post a Comment
Read more