May 2023

 May started very busy and emotional which would continue for the rest of the month.  CJ had her last show which was supposed to be the day before.  Emma, Millie, Mitch, and Jay could come to the show.  The rest of the Lister family could not and had to go home on Sunday when the show was canceled.  It was sad that they only got to see half the show.  During the show, Jonathon Campbell took off his shirt during his and CJ's scene.  His mom and I almost died laughing.  It was not part of the show and was so funny.  Jonathon did not tell anyone that he was going to do that except for CJ so that CJ was not thrown off.  After the show, Mr. Long did his senior recognition.  CJ's was so nice, but Jay was disappointed that he said he really did not get to know CJ until his year when he started to like her and found out she was interesting.  It was a sad day because this was CJ's last high school musical.  

Jay just saw somebody pull up in our driveway and put a sign in our yard. He got mad, stormed out of the house, went out to rip up the sign, and realized that it was a sweet gesture by the school. Mr. Fricks had come and put a graduation sign in our yard. We loved it.

On Thursday CJ took her AP test and that meant that she was done with that class.  She only had her choir class left.  After the concert, she will be all done with school.

On Saturday, CJ went with Millie to her Prom.  The two of them had talked about going to Senior prom together since 6th grade.  Millie had to go to her Prom with friends because of CJ's show and Connor saying that he was going to take CJ to his Prom which was the same night.  I am glad that CJ  took Millie to her Prom.  they had so much fun getting ready and going.  CJ and Millie did not get flowers for each other so CJ took the fake flowers off of her desk from the Mama Mia show and wrapped them around Millie's wrist. It was so funny (they took them off).  We then went downtown and took pictures.  They went to dinner, Prom, and then out to Frankie Fun Park with friends.  Jay and I went to dinner with Elinor and Sean.  She had a good time as well.  I could not believe that Jay did not want to go home right after dinner.  So we walked downtown and went for ice cream.  Jay said that he had a really good time.

On Wednesday we went and had to paint over CJ's parking spot.  It was the end of her parking time at Palmetto.  She looked forward to painting that spot for every and know her Senior parking time is done.  It was so sad.

Thursday CJ had her last Choirs concert, again so sad.  She had two solos and I was so proud.  When I got home I even saw on my Type 1: Mom and Dads Facebook page someone had posted asking if someone on the site had a daughter that sang.  They had spotted her Dexcom.  They also stated that she did a great job with her songs.  

CJ doing this song caused a riff with one of her friends.  After the concert, they did not talk anymore.  It was sad but we know that it was coming they just were growing apart this year.  On Saturday we decided to go for a family breakfast on the motorcycles.  It was our first family ride. It was fun to ride together.

Sunday was Mother's Day.  CJ got up early and made crapes for me.  She also left me a beautiful note and gifts then went back to bed.  It was so cute when I get up.

CJ did not have school this week.  She spent most of her days with Connor.  Connor got his orders that he would be leaving for basic training right after graduation.  So CJ wanted to spend as much time with him as she could.  Thursday, we went to see Millie's presentation of her Engineering project. While we were there I got to see one of my former students.  She was doing well and about to start at Greenville Tech in the fall.

Friday CJ had her awards day at school.  I was not able to be there because I had to work and was taking the following Friday off.  Jay had the day off because of the BBQ contest so he was able to go and support CJ.  She did not get any scholarships but did get a lot of cords for graduation.

On Friday and Saturday, we have the Williamston BBQ contest. Friday night we had a cook's dinner and it was nice to socialize with the other cooks.  Everything went smoothly with the cook but we did not do well.  We were middle of the pack.  I know that Jay has been disappointed that we have not won in a while.  But for me, it was ok because we just had a nice time as a family.  Millie even came on Saturday to help us with servicing.

Sunday we rested and cleaned up from the contest.  As Jay and I were in the yard we noticed baby owls in the tree outside.  It was so hard to see them but we had fun trying to get pictures of the babies and watching them try to flap their wings.

Monday we had the 5th grade field trip that I had to go to but left early to attend CJ's Career Center graduation.  She spent the morning with Connor and then went to graduation together.  I got there just as it was to start and picked on my principal who was already there for not saving me a seat.  I was glad that she had a good seat and took a great picture of CJ for me because I was in the very back and could not see well.

Wednesday night my mom flew in.  CJ and Connor went to the airport to pick her up. Everything went smoothly.  There were lots of hiccups with when she was going to come or if she was going to come but we figured it all out and everything worked out.

Friday was CJ's graduation.  She wanted to see Connor graduate so she left early because he was graduating at 10:00.  She then came home and we all met up to go to her graduation.  I took a picture so I could see her first day of school and her last.

 Jay's brother Ron drove down to see her graduation.  I was so happy that he was able to make it.  It was amazing to watch her sing the national anthem.  Elinor and Millie were running late to the graduation but came in just in time to see CJ sing the National Anthem.  Elinor started to cry.  I do not know why I was not able to cry my baby girl was becoming a high school graduate and an adult.  It was sad but exciting and happy all at the same time.

That evening CJ had dinner with us and then took off to go to Connor's graduation party.  They were having his party early because he would be leaving for BootCamp on Monday Morning.  

The next day, the play "Jagged Little Pill" was playing.  I told CJ that it would be nice to take her grandmother to the play.  She said that it was a rough night because my mom was very judgmental about what people were wearing and looked like.  This is not something that CJ is used to.  At home, we have taught CJ to respect people's differences and it is not our place to judge people. CJ has learned that if someone is saying something that you do not like do not respond.  CJ said that because she was quiet and not responding to her grandmother that my mom thought that CJ was mad at her.  At the end of the night, CJ ended up falling down the stairs at the Peace Center.  CJ just said that it was a bad night.

Sunday CJ went to a graduation party of one of Connor's friends.  Jay and I started to prep the meal for CJ's graduation party. Monday morning CJ went to breakfast with Connor and his family to say goodbye.  Jay and I packed the car with all of CJ's party stuff and finished cooking of the meal.  At about 9:30 we headed to the party to set up.  I did not get many pictures of the party because I was so busy with the food and keeping it stocked.  Everyone loved the food and I think the party went over well.  CJ thanked me and her dad for such a nice graduation party.  She was happy with everything.  I think that Millie was happy too.