my son, the blogger...

Last fall, Camden shared with us that he had an opportunity to travel to South Africa for shark research, and we were excited, but wary. Does that still keep you on track to graduate in May? It seemed to be our repeated question, and I'm sure he grew weary of it! But the answer was always yes, and so we kept our hotel reservations and prayed for graduation success.

Occasionally we'd ask him for an update on how the funding for this research was going, and his answer was always let me check on that. It wasn't until we visited him after Thanksgiving that we realized that this was a big deal. He asked us to take a meeting for him {really?} because he had class... and we found ourselves sitting in the career center, not completely sure why we were there. Rebecca must have sensed our confusion, and then laid it all out for us. Camden had been named a Cornell Fellow and the research project, with funding, was a go. She continued on, sharing with us the rigorous process that he had navigated... and what would be expected during and after his travel. The minute she said Camden is required to write a weekly blog post I was all in and pretty darn excited.

Cam spent February and March at Oceans Research in Mossel Bay, South Africa... and it was more than a trip of a lifetime. He learned so much about the ocean, research, and...himself. I stalked social media and was thrilled every time I caught a glimpse of him. I stressed about the air travel (we were responsible for booking the tickets, and when you buy tickets in/for Africa you wonder... are they real?) and exhaled when he made it to where he was going. And when he sent a photo along with an exciting note about cage diving, I wrestled between excitement {for him} and worry... and I prayed.

He has many favorite moments from his trip... but my favorites were when I would click over to the Cornell Fellows website and see that he had another blog post up... {read them here!} I'm so thankful that he had this experience!

the graduate...

The second week in May we took our third trip to Iowa.
(Fourth, I suppose, if you count that first college visit.)

Honestly, I thought we'd visit more than three times over his four years at Cornell...but we've apparently raised a pretty independent young man. After the first time he moved out of his dorm, then back in again, all on his own, I stopped worrying about it. He figured it out, just like he has figured out a thousand other things before, and since. I am very thankful.

I can hardly believe the experience that Cornell College provided Camden. On top of his amazing education, earned 18 days at a time, he made lifelong friends, and experienced many once-in-a-lifetime adventures: swimming with sea lions, swimming with whale sharks, researching flying fox in Mauritius, and spending two months in South Africa researching sharks {yes, that DID include a cage dive and great white sharks...but he survived, so I forgave him.} I did not know that college had all of this to offer.

Is there anyone more proud than a Mom whose son graduates college on Mother's Day? It was an amazing gift - he'll probably not be able to top it! I was so excited for the weekend and the ceremony. Seeing him in his element, so grown, almost did me in. The ceremony was very personal, especially knowing that a friend he made on day one was giving the graduation speech {along with his first adviser}and it was FUN! I'm not sure I expected that, but it really was! We are so very proud of him and all he has accomplished so far.

There are a few more stories to tell about this epic week in May... so I'll dub this Graduation week!
More to come!

queen of hearts...

Could it be that hearts are my love language?
I am always on the lookout for heart-shaped beauty... and when I find it? I'm giddy.

The other night Eric called me out to the grill...

He loves me, he knows me.
Am I the only woman who would swoon over a heart-shaped burger?

When joy is a  habit, love is a reflex.

-Bob Goff

life lately...

Beginning again means that I have current stories to tell, and memories to share. Here's to last week...

1. Eric turned 50. How's that for a BIG deal?! 

We celebrated with red, white, & blue, and the man on the moon. 

His parents remember watching the moon landing while they were 

in the hospital with their newborn son!

2. A little corn-hole game between my son & I. He won. 

3. Cheers to saying YES! We really didn't have other plans anyway, 

so we drove MILES to the 5th (?) closest Cooper's Hawk for dinner and a wine tasting. 

4. Have you been to Nothing Bundt Cakes? 

They are delicious and we are hooked. 

5. Laughing is my favorite... and when it's with HIM, it's my extra favorite. 

6. I think I like a flight of ice cream better than a flight of wine... 

this was perfect for sharing!

7. This arrangement made me smile.

8. This young woman also made me smile.
She was in our first youth group way back when, and her kids are just about
the age ours were when we took that on. She made us a delicious lunch,
we visited with her family, and it was a beautiful couple of hours!

9. I've been seeking the summer sun...and have had some opportunity to bask in it!