For all of you who have been following my posts, I want to write a quick update for you regarding my son Mark and his college applications. We have submitted all the paperwork we were required to submit; FAFSA, applications to colleges and ACT and SAT scores. Now it is just a waiting game. I am positive Mark will receive the Hope Scholarship because of his great grades, but I am really chomping at the bit to find out what we will receive for financial aid.

I played hooky from work and the kids skipped school today as we took off over Blood Mountain to visit and tour North Georgia College and State University in Dahlonega. We first met with the youth pastor at the Baptist Collegiate Ministry and it was after talking with him I have decided I want to go back to college. The opportunities there are endless. Mark could get involved with the youth group and go all over the world on mission trips. They even offer an extreme sports mission to Russia! They spend time in Mexico, New York and Korea. What a way to see the world and help those in need.

After lunch at Mo’s, we took off on foot across the campus. The first and most important stop, according to Mark, was the weight room. The moment he walked into the gym, he went into a trance. His eyes glazed over and his mouth hung open. He said, “I am going to live in this room.” He was in heaven. Weights and machines everywhere, loud music, hot sweaty guys and the smell of testosterone filled that room. His sister Haley and I looked at each other and smiled, then shook Mark to bring him back into our world.

We dragged him out of there and we began our guided tour of the campus. What a beautiful place. Old brick buildings with huge white columns, trees everywhere and a beautiful mountain range framed the campus. It is small, only about 5,600 students. We all feel that this is the perfect school for Mark to begin his college career. We were told they received over 2,000 applications this fall and regrettably they were only able to reward 700 with acceptance letters. That made all of us a little nervous about whether or not he would be accepted. Mark’s SAT scores were above the school’s average scores, which gave us some hope.

The tour was great and our excitement was high. My little Mark is no longer that little boy who played with lizards. He is a grown man, 6 foot 2 to be exact, who is leaving home to begin his own life. Like I said before, bittersweet. Haley has already made plans to visit him on weekends.

We headed back over Blood Mountain and got home safely in less than an hour. We checked the mailbox and found a letter from the college we just visited. Mark tore open the envelope and began reading. I watched his face as his eyes scanned the letter. He shouted out loud with a huge smile on his face, “I have been accepted!!” Yes! Mark will be going to North Georgia College and State University. We also got his senior pictures and graduation announcements that day. It is final….my baby is graduating and going to college.

Friday was a stellar day. There are only ten more weeks of school left and I only have about six more months to have Mark with me every day. You better believe I am going to make the most of every one of those precious days!

I sat with my son Mark today and we began the process of filling out college applications.  I can’t believe my oldest child will be graduating this May and will soon be out of the house and on his own.  The feelings I have are bittersweet. I find myself missing him already and at the same time, I am so excited about his future.

Mark is an intelligent, handsome, great kid. He has a heart as big as the moon and a wonderful sense of humor. We have been very close all these years and I don’t know what I or his sister Haley will do when he is not here. I will miss the guitar playing late at night, the arguments about him getting a motorcycle, and the stories he comes home with after spending time with his friends. Outside I see a strong, confident, great looking young man, but I can still see the cute little boy on the inside who loved to play with lizards.

He is interested in Sports Medicine and wants to attend University of South Florida. That is so far away from north Georgia.  He won’t be able to hop in the car and come home anytime he wants.

I think of his future and see great things for him. He is determined to be successful and has everything going for him. I have no doubt he will fulfill his dream of taking care of the players of a pro football team.

His momma is going to miss him dearly!