1. I finished home schooling my last child after home schooling for 17 years.
2. My oldest child was graduating from UGA
3. My baby was graduating high school and trying to figure out where to go to college.
4. My oldest child got a job at my old work place...thereby insuring I could not return there full time due to their nepotism policy
5. My "baby" wouldn't decide where to go to college....but "knew" he didn't want to go to Princeton even though they offered money (really?!!!)
6. My oldest announced she was getting married: outside, at home, during the Hottest month of the year
7. My dad, best friend, inspiration, buddy, went in for back surgery....three surgeries later, we learn he has
stage 4 lung cancer
8. Emory (more on that later), rehab, then Southwest Christian Hospice in a matter of two months...and Dad goes to his Lord and savior and leaves Mom and the rest of us in a state of shock
9. My son chooses Georgia Tech, thereby, insuring that my husband and I each get a child at our alma maters
10.A tornado comes and destroys our family retreat....a mountain home that my dad built.
11.We begin clearing, cleaning, rebuilding while planning a wedding....
12. I TURN 50 years old!!!!
Thus...the inspiration for Next Stages. I want to share with you all I have learned and continue to learn....from weddings, colleges, schooling, medical advice, helping aging parents...all the exciting things that make THIS stage and every stage of life worth the Living!!!! And I hope you will share your experiences, too.
