Have you ever noticed that the more you try to slow things down and savor every moment, the faster things seem to move? That’s how this past week seemed to go. Actually, to be honest,that’s how the past few years have seemed. But this past week especially – I felt as if I was grasping at every precious moment with my family, trying to save each memory, each laugh, to pull it out later when I am, inevitably, missing them and feeling melancholy. 

   
    
    
   
Sadly, my attempts at slowing time down failed. We moved Paige into her dorm in Tallahassee last week and it wasn’t as awful as I thought it would be. We arrived bright and early Thursday morning and I think we must have beat most of the crowds (who apparently, according to Paige, arrived en masse over the weekend). Paige really likes her roommate and her suite mate – which is good, because their room is teeny tiny! We got everything all set up, and bleached the heck out of the disgusting, moldy shower (I’m not even kidding. It was gross.) and cleaned and organized. I took Paige and one of her childhood friends out for a last lunch, and then…said goodbye. 

I did NOT cry. 

Much. 

Anyway, she’s been meeting up with friends and attending convocation and seeing movies on campus, and yesterday started her first day of classes. So far, she likes them. It helps to know that she’s happy and settling in nicely to her new home. 

   
    
  
    
    
 
   
 
Clay has been busy too. He’s been working, and today he is speaking about his research project at orientation for the incoming class of freshmen at Flagler. He starts classes on Thursday. He has found time to attend a Jacksonville Armada soccer game and to go back to camp for a day to do some life guarding. And, of course, to do a bit of fishing! 😉

   
 
He also surprised me on my birthday with his new “tattoo.”

  
Thankfully, (and luckily for him😏) it was the kind that washes off! Whew!

Finally, I’ll share an image from Paige on her impression of our state’s capitol…