Instant Mashed Potatoes

I have never bought a box of instant  mashed potatoes in my life.  Never.  My kids have only ever eaten "real" mashed potatoes.

The "button" called me and asked, "did you know that you get can get mashed potatoes from a box?"

"yes, you are not eating them are you?"

"No mom, one of the guys made them here.  They are terrible.  How do you make potatoes pancakes?  I cannot eat these potatoes.  These guys cannot believe that I have never eaten instant potatoes."

VICTORY.  I felt like Mother of the Year.  Whooooooooooooooooooo!  My kid learned had to go to college to learn about instant potatoes.

It is easy to feel like Mother of the Year when your kid is in summer camp but in college, bonus, I moved into the bonus round. 

So, I told him how to make tater cakes, a favorite with my kids, usually served Sunday morning with breakfast.

"Sorry I bothered you with something so trivial but I have never seen box  potatoes before."
If I had a nickel for every time I have called my mom or Mamaw with a cooking or baking question, I would be rich.

And later in life, I really didn't have a question, it was an excuse to call.  Maybe the "button" just needed an excuse in front of peeps.  I really don't think this is the case but it is nice to think so.

How is the "button" doing in college?  I don't know, really.

When I went to college, my mom wrote to me.  I called collect on Sundays.  That was pretty much it.

So during the days of texts, twitters, tweets and instagram, I haven't really hear from him.Apparently calling your speak  to your folks is not part of the curriculum at his school.  He hasn't asked to come home, he has only asked for money once, and he says he "loves it".  He does text us but really nothing.

He has said it is hard.  But it is worth it.  And, he has also said that his life "before" was harder so he will pick this one.

He likes his wrestling coach. 

He seems to making lots of friends. 

I have only sent one care package.  And it wasn't even a big one.

With Halloween coming, I thought about sending a box of Halloween decorations so he can show off in front of team Allysa but I don't know how he would respond to that care package.  Halloween is his favorite so I do feel the Dollar Store calling my name.

Is it different without him?  Yes.  Milk stays in the fridge longer.  I miss the laughter from the boys bedroom.  I miss him making some of the kids signature dishes.  And I miss him helping out. 

But, he is where he needs to be.

And he is much better off than he was a year ago.  WE are  much better off than we were a year ago. And we are making it. He is making it.  He is making it his way. 

My old friend told me the other day, "You give your kids life and it is their canvas to paint.  And paint.  You may have an idea of the painting you want them to paint.  But it is their canvas and they paint the picture they want."  Ok, I will go with that, as long as it is good enough to hang on the wall and not in the garage.

Hope.  Seeds of Greatness.  Walking forward. Forward Walking.  "It is never the mess that you make that matters, it is how you clean it up."  Have a Heart at Peace.  Believe.