How is all turned out... How I visioned my July 4th vacation was not was I got. Nope, my dear son had other ideas. Back in May, the manager at the Burger King gave him a job knowing that he would only be there until the first of July. His words to Matt when he hired him went something like this, note this is coming second hand from Matt... "Matt, I'm hiring you knowing that you will only be here for approximatley 2 months. I'm hiring you because (1) you are graduating from one of the best high schools around. Not only did I too graduate from AHS, but my mom is a teacher there. (2) but most importantly, you have made a very brave decision to serve our great country and I know that the Marines don't take no junk. I know that you're a very disciplined young man." So with that, Matt got a job flipping hamburgers... So with that, Matt had to work all weekend before the week of the 4th and that was the end of his hamburger flipping days. For some strange odd reason, Matt doesn't want to stay at home. He wants to have some of his last hoorahs on the weekend. I'm okay with that. I'm thinking that he will spend the week at home piddling around the house and spend time with momma. WRONG..... oh was I ever so WRONG!!! He did spend most of the day Monday with me. I attempted to lay around the pool but that didn't happen either. Every time I'd get really good and comfy on my float here I'd go flipping over. Yup, Matt would swim under me and tip me over. I would get back on my float and here we would go again. "Matt, would you PLEASE leave me alone, I'm trying to relax" "Mom, in about 3 weeks you'll be wishing that I was here to pick on you." "Well, right now I'm trying to get some sun... go pick on someone else and I don't mean your sister either." Here I'd go again, flipped off the float. The entire time Matt is giggling like a 4 year old. Yes, he is right. I know that I will be wanting him to pick on me again. I know that I will be wanting him to come up behind me, putting his arms around me and giving me a big ole' bear hug. I know that I will be wanting him to come over to the couch where I am sitting, bend over, pinch me on both cheeks and give me a big sloppy wet kiss on my forehead all the time telling me how much he loves me. Ahhhh yes, Matt will tell me that he loves me often. It doesn't matter who is around. He has NEVER been afraid of saying those three little words to me. Even in those awkard years when I'd drop him off at school or anywhere for that matter, would kiss me, hug me and tell me he loved me. Also on Monday, we got news that he will head out to Parris Island as a Private First Class. Not only did he get one of his classmates to join he got another young man to join that will leave with him also. So there will be three young men leaving from this area on July 23. He will get to graduate with a stripe on his arm ... I'm very proud of him for this accomplishment. That being said, he leaves me alone for about an hour and goes to pick the other kid to spend the night. Now I have not only Matt picking on me but Adrian as well ... But you know these boys are excited about leaving. The both told me that they are ready to go but also admit that they are scared and nervous. I finally have had enough of being flipped off my float, get out of the pool, go inside to start supper. I've got a hungry family to feed. Yes, I did remeber how to cook. Monday nights supper was one of Matt's favorite meals ... meatloaf, stir-fry veggies, fresh garden tomatos and sweet tea. Nothing was left ... I believe that was the best meatloaf I have ever made. So that was Monday ... not much happened. We did have a few mother/son conversations that were very special to me. I missed all y'all so terribly much. One lesson that I did learn was NEVER TO GO WITHOUT COMMUNICATING WITH MY BLOGGER FRIENDS FOR OVER A WEEK AGAIN! So there you have it... my word.. I'll NEVER do it again. SMOOCHES!