Bama Bound

Andrea is Bama Bound. She left this morning with a bag and pillow and a little grumpy. She is not a morning person. Orientation is today and tomorrow for Andrea at the University of Alabama. She will learn about student life, academics, meal planning, and housing. Andrea will also get the opportunity to meet her dorm roommates.
Feelings: Last night, Andrea was getting nervous. You know how it is ...you want everything to work out, not get lost, everyone to like you. It kinda reminds me of when she started kindergarden. Except this is soooo much different and on a way bigger scale.
Joey wasn't really making things easier for her. He kept asking her " Are you sure you want to drive all the way over there by yourself?" I think he too was nervous. For those who don't know ... Andrea has driven to Tuscaloosa probably about 3 times now by herself to football games, tailgating and such. It is about one hour and 10 minutes away from where we live.
ME: I wanted to make sure she had everything packed that she needed. I haven't packed Andrea's things for her in a while now...but, I was asking lots of questions. This was my way of reminding her of things she may have forgotten. Plus, I really hadn't thought about how I would feel because I was so busy trying to keep Joey from driving Andrea bananas. LOL
This morning, Andrea has only been gone about an hour and I already miss her. The house seems so quiet. I am excited for Andrea and I know that she will prosper at Alabama. This is one of the things that we have prepared her for most of her life.
Let's back up to Preschool. I remember a conversation with Andrea ...this is how it went.
"Mom how many years of school do I have?" My answer: "Well, lets see...you have 2 years of preschool, 1 year of kindergarden, 6 years of elementary and middle, 2 years of junior high and 4 years of high school and 4 to 6 years of college. Then you will be through depending on what you want to be when you grow up." At this point. Andrea wanted to be a Wal-mart cashier. Boy, has that changed over the years. In first grade she wanted to be an Anstronaut, till she realized that I could not go with her to the moon. About 4th and 5th grade she wanted to study volanoes and earthqakes. When she realized that Alabama didn't have a lot of action in this; she started changing her mind. The next several years she wanted to be study cells and was very interested in the medical field. Started talking about becoming a doctor. In 8th grade she took a Career test..this helped the school know what classes to give you to help prepare you for your goals. She tested high in medical and science field. With this information, Andrea was set on going into the medical field. She decided she wanted to be a OB-Special delivery Doctor...that changed to Cardiovascolar Pediatric Surgeon (sp?) Now that has changed to Nurse Anesithis or(sp) nurse practictioner. My spelling is horrible. Because Andrea knew she had alot of college ahead of her ....she worked hard and took 6 college classes her senior year of high school. She only needs 3 classes to be a sophomore in college.
Joey and I have always encouraged Andrea to follow her dreams. We have always told her that she can be anything she wants to be ....to keep God the center of her life and do her best. We have repeated numerous time the scripture Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
We are now at a new chapter in Andrea's life. This chapter is going to be hard for us. In August, she will move into the dorm for serval months and only come home on weekends (hopefully). I am sure the weekends she comes home will be when Alabama football team is playing away. That's okay....as long as she calls and does come home some. I want Andrea to enjoy her college years, make new friends and study, be all that God wants her to be.
I think I got side tracked. LOL I think I was talking about how I was feeling. I have tears in my eyes .... Andrea is her Daddy's girl but, she is my world! I am so proud of the beautiful young lady that she has become. Laughing now. She just called and she left her directions to the Ferguson Center on her bed.. you can hear panic in her voice. I read them to her and she is now parked and whispered into the phone "MOM ...Alabama's gymanastics coach is walking beside me...I gotta go". I could hear excitment and joy in her voice .
God has a plan... today Andrea is showing independance, bravery, and courage.
I am relieved that she made it safe and found the place. Excited for her and thrilled that she called me and the way she said MOM just melted my heart all over again.

Okay, Moms .....give me some tips on how to keep it together when she calls and how to deal with her moving into the next phase of her life.