Court update

So here's what I know. Had a pre-trial hearing today. Bad news:  my ex's attorney used all of my evidence to his advantage. The good news: we are going to trial next Wednesday, October 5. Bad news: Mon and Dad will still be travelling from Texas and won't be there. Good news: I have lots of friends who are going to support me.

At this point, I don't know if my ex will even show up for the trial next week. Also, I'm not an attorney, and have no idea how to proceed. I'm sure I will be fine once I get over my angst. I just need to breathe and pray. And remain calm. I guess that I need to prepare some statements.

On another note, Tori had an awesome first day of college! She loved her first class, and got to draw! Lots! She had a job interview this afternoon that didn't go too well. That just means that it was the wrong job. On Wednesday, she has a job interview at a daycare to work with toddlers. Anyone who knows her knows that she loves toddlers! She was the leader of the crawler/toddler room at church, and always had funny stories about what the kids would do.

So, pray for me for next Wednesday, and pray for Tori for this Wednesday. Wednesday prayer day!

The Week That Was

I had a long week. Got home Sunday night around 6:30. Then worked 50 hours this week. It was a rough week. Tori was my backup transportation for Kat whenever Mom is out of town. Well, Mom is in Texas right now, so I had to find alternate transportation for Kat. That has become a challenge. Luckily, I have a wonderful friend, Bobi, who has stepped up and offered her a ride whenever Mom is gone. But, this week was rough anyway.

Tori is adjusting to Portland just fine. She has toured Oregon City numerous times and found many cute shops. She has found a yarn shop (go figure), and goes to knitting group on Thursday evenings. She also found a hat shop, and is looking at crocheting hats to possibly sell. She has a job interview on Monday at a bar & grill to wait tables. Good luck to her. A job is just what she needs. She also starts classes on Monday. That will make it easier for her to make friends and get connected to people. My friend, Noel, has appointed herself "Auntie Noel" and is taking care of the girl. She brought her some furniture today, and will bring more next weekend. Tori also has a high school friend, Kyle Hamm, who attends the University of Portland, to lean on. She seems very happy and excited about this new adventure in her life. I miss her, but between Facebook and cell phone, it's like she is just down the street.

On Monday, I have a pre-trial hearing for the child support law suit. I think I am ready for this. Hopefully the judge will see my point. But, who knows. So feel free to pray at 10:30 MDT on Monday morning.

I will post an update on Monday. That is all for now.

Tori's Excellent Adventure

Just got home from Portland. Took Tori to college. Left my baby alone in a really big city. To fend for herself. I have been formulating this blog on the 11 hour drive home today. Now, the words escape me.

Let's start with a short recap of the weekend. We left Pocatello at around 4 pm on Thursday. Tears and sniffling as she said goodbye to Kirk, her boyfriend. Started out, and drove. And drove. And drove. Stopped in Boise to have dinner with Tori's former youth leader, Jessa. Then we drove. And drove. And drove. Finally petered out around midnight in Baker City. Found out on Friday that Baker City was exactly halfway. Headed out Friday morning, after finding Tori the worst mocha of her life. And drove. And drove. And drove.Took a wrong turn in The Dalles for our lunch stop, and ended up in Washington for a minute. But, Tori got nice pics of the bridge we crossed. Got into Portland around 2 pm. Headed straight to Marylhurst for a look-see. Got a tour from a nice lady named Laura. She said at one point, "Going to Marylhurst is like getting a big hug." Tori loved that statement. Beautiful campus. Checked on her financial aid, registration, text books, and got her student ID. She has new student orientation next Thursday. Oh, yeah, checked out the bookstore too. She got a good mocha, and I got a hoodie for me, one for Sammee, and a water bottle for Kat. Luckily, I can log onto the website and order more merchandise. Plus, I have a close friend who can get more stuff too.
 :-)

Next stop was her apartment. Very small, but actually Tori sized. The largest room is the kitchen. She signed the lease and we unloaded the Jeep. Her landlord is a nice, single dad. He seems to work out of his home, and seemed like he would protect her. Then a quick tour of Oregon City, which is like Pocatello in the middle of the Portland metro area. Quaint shops, cute restaurants, old houses. Finally went to the hotel to collapse for the night.

Saturday we started the day by going to Washington (this time on purpose) to visit my friend Noel. She has a loveseat for Tori, gave her some dishes and stuff, sheets, and has a full bedroom set. She will be visiting Tori later this week to deliver and help her set stuff up. Tori even left with a jar of homemade salsa, raspberry jam, and blackberry jam. Then we ran around town. We found a Goodwill Superstore (no, really) in downtown Portland, but got distracted by a Flea Market a few blocks down. We browsed! for a few, but had to meet a "co-worker" Ann for lunch at the Clackamas Mall, and were late. The following is the exchange of all parties involved:

Kat:  C'mon, Tori!
Tori: I'm coming
Old Scottish vendor with heavy brogue: Take your time, lassie! That'll piss 'em off! You're your own person!

We laughed about that all the way to the car. Tori loves the variety of people in downtown.

So, after getting lost numerous times, got the the mall, and had a lovely lunch with Ann from the payroll department of JH Kelly. Did I ever mention that I love that woman? And to meet her in person was awesome!

After lunch we did some thrift store shopping, went to Costco to print pictures for Tori, and wandered aimlessly. Sometimes getting lost is the only way to really experience a city. Then back to the apartment, unpacked, and collapsed. She won't have much furniture for about a week, but then she may have too much stuff for that little, cute space.

Kat and I hit the road at around 5 am today. We kept our stops short but frequent (my back really hates me right now), and got home around 6:30 tonight. Meanwhile, Tori went to church, got mistaken for a 12 year old, and toured the town. She went to a coffee shop and met a barista who attends Marylhurst. She found a yarn shop (I know, it could be bad) and the ladies who own it live across the street from Marylhurst. She is joining a Thursday night knitting group there. And she even hung out with a friend from high school, who goes to University of Portland, today.

So, long story short (I know, too late), Tori is fending for herself, and, surprisingly (not really), making friends. And connections. Just talked to her on the phone, and she sounded good. She is grown up. And, with her personality, she won't know what to do with all of the friends she makes. Added bonus. The boyfriend, Kirk, will be moving to Eugene, OR this week to attend the University of Oregon. Eugene is only 2 hours away. That helps.

So, Mom's okay. Kat's okay. Not sure about Sammee. Haven't talked to her much this weekend. I think Tori will be okay. God has placed her in the perfect area of Portland to live, at the perfect school, and with some perfect people surrounding her. She has even found a coffee shop that is "almost" as good as Co Ho. Life is good. And life goes on. Looking forward to hearing about Tori's Excellent Adventure.

APARTMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She has an apartment! *Breathing a heavy sigh of relief!* It is unfurnished, but we will make sure that she can at least have a bed before we leave Portland. Last step in the whole moving process: a job. I will take her job hunting while we are there, even though it will be a short time. It's all falling into place. In the immortal words of my dear friend, Bill McCready, "God is good. The rest are just details." Plus, I have had friends coming out of the woodwork offering to be Aunties and Uncles, getting her a home cooked meal, a ride in an emergency, or just a hug when she misses her mommy.

In other news, I have suddenly become emotional over this move. It hit me today at church. The only reason I can come up with is that it's the 10th anniversary of 9/11, and in general an emotional day. I just started thinking that it was her last Sunday at church here. And then it happened. I teared up. Over and over. I would stop and then start up again. Not a good thing. I know it sounds weird, but I feel like I have to be the strong one. I know, I'm the mom, and it's okay to cry. But, if I cry, everyone will cry. I'm crying just thinking about it. If I keep strong, then Tori will have an easier transition. If I break down, she will. I know that this is what is best for her and her future career, but my baby is moving so far away.

So enough of the boo-hoo mommy stuff. She is grown and she will come home to visit. She can fend for herself and, guess what? I did it. Moved 1000 miles away from my family. Went to college in Missouri. Then moved to Denver. Yes, I ended up back in Pocatello, but I will go elsewhere to pursue my career in a few years. After Kat graduates. But, that will be a different crying post.

I will keep you posted on our travels this week. Pray for safe travels, and a smooth transition for all of us.

SEPTEMBER!

So I thought my life couldn't get any busier. Summer was a whirlwind of birthdays, Mom and Dad popping in and out of town, Sammee popping in and out of town, girls moving, Driver's Ed, Sammee turning 21. So much stuff in 3 short months. Now, here's September. Sammee started her senior year of college. Kat started her sophomore year of high school. My job got extended until February-ish. And, now, in 9 short days, I will take Tori to Portland to start college. Back in May when she got accepted to Marylhurst, September seemed like it was so far away. Now, it's here. She quit her job at the Popcorn Shop, which she has had since she was 14. She is packing her stuff and apartment hunting in Portland.She had her final exhibit at the local Art Walk last Friday. I have a lunch date with the head of payroll for JH Kelly while we are in Portland. THIS IS REAL, PEOPLE! My baby girl is moving away. My oldest girl will move to NYC in a year.

Now, I can look at this a number of ways. My children are leaving me all alone (well, except for Kat). My babies don't need me anymore (totally false). Or, Wow! Look what I did! I have created 2 adults who are going out in the world to do something and be somebody! It's not about if they become famous (but that would be nice), it's about how many lives they touch in the process. And, my girls (all 3 of them) touch lives each and every day.

Just tonight, I was having coffee with my friend Bobi, and this guy came in. He said hi to me, with this look on his face like "I think I know her." Later, he came up to me and said, "I'm sorry, but how do I know you?" I said, "I'm Sammee's mom." "Oh, my Gosh! I just love Sammee! She makes me smile all the time!" What does that do to a mom? Makes my heart swell with pride!

So, if you forget my name, and only remember me as "Sammee, Tori, or Kat's Mom," that's okay. That's pretty much who I am. And that means that I have done something right as a parent. If you remember my girls and associate me with them (in a good way, I hope), that's all right with me.