When another door closes....

#proudparents!

Our last child at home is graduating from high school this week.  We have been very busy with all the things that come with graduation.  And most of them involve "last times",  We have had baccalaureate, athletic banquet and senior night for softball.  Those doors have closed and there is only one more step to bring this forgone academic journey to a positive end.

For most people, there is some sadness when the last child prepares to leave the nest.  It's not like this situation is unique to us.  But truly, we are feeling somewhat "different".  Of our six kids, Madison is the only child that had both parents full-time.  She is the "ours" of our Yours, Mine and Ours" family.  What a blessing it has been to raise a child with a full-time partner in crime.

Having been used to making decisions for our kids as a single parent, we both had to make some adjustments in our parenting style.  Of course, Madison never knew any different but I assure you, the rest of the kids did.  I like to think of our combined parenting style somewhat like the well-known parents (eventually) in "The Sound of Music".  While I may be the only parental singer in the Von French family, (you know how I am), I also like to laugh and have fun.  Don't get me wrong, Terry never used a whistle to get the kids attention, but push-ups were (and still are) popular when you need to make a point.

So we have this final door closing.  Another benefit of being married is that we both are closing the door together.  We have spent many hours over the almost 20 years sharing our thoughts, feelings and ideas on so many different things, including all six kids.  This is no different.  Yet it is.  My dad used to always tell us five kids, "you only have one mom and one dad".  But, you can never have too many people love you.  So, regardless of the love shared for all the kids, a step-mom/step-dad never take the place of original parents.  And that's okay - we all get to share our love for Madison together.

Last Athletic Banquet=three winners!!

So while this door is closing, we see many windows opening.  The new adventures of "Madison in College" and the equally exciting journeys of the Von French couple.  I see dancing lessons, travel abroad and couple's cooking classes in our future.  Full disclosure - Mr. French does NOT see the same things.

But what fun it will be to continue to share our ideas, thoughts and feelings (I am more the feelings person and Mr. French has many thoughts - we hope to meet in the Ideas category)

Until next time,
#karaokeanyone?
#blessbethetiesthatbind


Your pal,
Kari