{Summer Camp ~ Away}

My daughter left me today for a WHOLE WEEK!!



I know right...How dare she even think about growing up enough to just take off for a whole week of summer fun...without ME!!!


Ok so we have officially hit that stage in life where things have become more than just about hanging out with the family. Friends are EVERYTHING and being able to do things with friends without having to deal with a little brother and a little sister hanging around 24/7 is a double bonus!


Bry set off on her first summer camp adventure today. I can’t even begin to describe the level of excitement that radiated from every pore on her body. She had her entire camp list checked off (twice) last weekend. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched and listened (from a distance of course) to her and her friend as they sat in the bedroom and picked out different outfits and talked about all of the things they were going to try.


While we were getting ready to tackle our day, two things happened that made me extremely proud of the 3 children Jason and I have raised. They fight and we battle. They have days when they get to know themselves very well while inside their own “bubbles” and when time-outs seem to be their only buddies but, then there are little moments when I realize that they really do like each other and they really do want to make each other smile.


Bryanna wanted to do something special for Kalyssa and Travin so she made them each their own set of coupons that they could redeem this week while she is away. The favorite coupon was good for one good night’s rest in “Bed ala Bryanna” Can it get any better than sleeping in Sissy’s big bed?!?! Maybe only if she was in it too =)


Kalyssa and Trav decided that they wanted to take Sissy out to lunch before she left. They were both a little sad that she was leaving. So sad in fact that they actually let her choose the restaurant!!


Definitely a moment to hold onto!!!


We loaded up the car, ran one last errand, and then headed out to our “Have Fun at Camp Celebration” luncheon. While we were eating, my phone rang. Guess who got to have a few private words with one AMAZING daddy before she headed off to summer camp???

Bry was so excited to be able to talk to Jason before she headed off for the week. That one phone call turned her BIG day into a pretty spectacular day. Daddy has a way of making our ordinary days into magical days!!


We made our way over to the church, got ourselves situated, and then checked-in. Before too long the room was filled with anxious kids ready to hit the road for summer camp. We said a final prayer as a group and then the kids darted out of the room before any of the parents knew what was happening.


By the time I reached the bus Bryanna was ready to pick out her seat. I managed to get to her and her two best friends before I couldn’t see them anymore. She thought for a split second that she was going to get on that bus without a final goodbye to her mom. HAHA she should have known better. =)

I won’t mention that I had a few tears in my eyes as I walked away from the big charter bus that was whisking my daughter away for a WHOLE WEEK.


I won’t mention that I felt a little lost when we got home because after all when Jason left, she became my “wing girl”.


I won’t mention that as I sit here tonight, I actually miss her face peeking around the corner just so she can update me on what is going on every time she finishes a chapter in her book.


I will mention that I won’t make it the whole week. The 3 of us already made plans to meet up with Bryanna on Wednesday for dinner and the worship service. DON’T LAUGH!!! It’s a 40 minute drive for a reason!! =)

~ Going Away To Camp Card ~