Wednesday, December 22, 2010

" A Milestone "

When we woke up yesterday morning all of the snow and ice had finally melted. This was our chance. Katie might actually be able to do her road test at the DMV and get her drivers license!


Remember this photo? If not it was taken last year, Katie's very first drive with her dad in the church parking lot!
The week previous, after her sixteenth birthday, they wouldn't test her. Even though we had one perfect day where the roads were dry.
I was so disappointed for her. Probably more than she was. So when I called them yesterday morning to see if they were doing road tests and they said yes, Katie got ready to go even though she was sick!
I was a nervous wreak. Katie seemed a teeny, tiny bit nervous. She asked if she could do a quick run through of the coarse as they showed her where they would have to drive in drivers ed.
Of course I let her do it and then we went on ahead to the DMV, just a few blocks away. We were well prepared with all of the proper paper work and identification.
I was shaking, Katie told me that I needed to relax. Who's the mother here? We had to sit and wait to what seemed to be an eternity to me, about 10 minutes. Katie told me to calm down.
Then a nice young woman called her name as my stomach did a flip flop. Off Katie went to our car as I wished her good luck.
I made sure that all of the windows and mirrors were cleaned earlier that morning. The woman did a quick check of the car which I had previously warned Katie about so that she would be ready.
Then off they went. It seemed to me that they were gone for an hour but according to my phone, it was only about 15 minutes. 
I sat by the window when I saw the car pull back into the parking lot. 
There goes my stomach again. Flip, flop!
As they walked in, Katie came in first and had a horribly serious look on her face. I got out of my seat and approached her. I said "Well?"
then all of a sudden her horribly serious look on her face turned into a smile! She said "I passed !" .
She has a lot of her dad in her. She was trying to make me think that she failed. She almost had me believing her expression except for the fact that I knew what a good driver she was.
We walked over to where she would get her picture taken for her license. She signed her name and went on to get her photo taken. I leaned over the counter and asked the young woman who tested her "How did she do?". She replied " She got 100% !".
I was so very proud of Katie and happy for her. It took over a week after her birthday to get it but she finally got her drivers license! 

After getting her drivers license, Katie drove the three blocks home. I knew what was coming next and I had been dreading it for the past year. Her best friend was to spend the night here and she wanted to go pick her up.

Well what could I say? Yes I could have said no but I thought it would be best for both of us to just rip the band-aide off quickly so I said she could go.

After all of the motherly warnings and instructions I handed her my keys filled with anxiety! Katie has driven this route many times and it doesn't go through town. That is one thing that I told her. I wouldn't let her drive through town until after the New Year. It's just too crazy right now with holiday shoppers. I also told her to call me when she got to her friends house.



Of coarse I ran to get my camera and took this as she got to the end of the driveway!

And there she goes, all by herself, down the street....
O.K. I will admit that this is where I started to tear up! 

She made it home safely and then asked if she and her friend could run up to the local convenience store to get soda's.

It is just four blocks away so I let her.

Wow, what a day! No wonder I fell asleep at 8:30 last night!
I know for a fact that she will be asking me to drive somewhere again. I wouldn't be surprised if it's today. I must remain calm when the begging starts!
And that's it for me. The last child of mine is driving. No more drivers education lessons for me to give.

Thank God!!! 

24 comments:

jules said...

I remember those days when my children got their license. I was a wreck too and they seemed calm.

I'm sure Katie will be asking for those keys again soon. It's scary for us moms to let them go out into the world of "other" crazy drivers.

Anvilcloud said...

Yes, that is a milestone. Congratulations to Katie and thou.

Vicki said...

Di, your post recalled to me the day that I got my driver's license and the freedom it promised! How excited and new and thrilling it was to drive alone.
Thanks for stopping by to see me. I am glad that I was able to bring back some good memories for you with the Car Wash post!
I love your how you have decorated your blog for Christmas ...especially the sidebars with the wonderful photos!
I hope you and yours have a wonderful and Merry Christmas! Love you! Vicki

Rebecca said...

I can read SO much between the lines here, Di! Soon this will feel "old hat" to you... Can't help being thrilled for Katie :)

MErrY ChRiSTmAS!

Trisha said...

Congrats to Katie!!! I remember how nervous I was during my oldest's test a couple years ago! I was a wreck, my son teased me that it was a good thing I had another driver with me. ;)

Lynilu said...

I enjoyed this post. It was fun to reminisce about each of my kids' experiences and my own with learning to drive and getting the driver's license. I was always happy to have a licensed driver in the house that could send to the store for milk or something forgotten; it meant I didn't have to go! I miss that!!

Lena said...

I can still remember the day I got my driver's license... Cograts to Katie!!

Enjoy the Hols!! Tons of love! XXX

Bernie said...

It has been so long for me that I can hardly remember not driving but oh I remember when the kids got their drivers license....I was worried for them and they did great. Can't imagine being without a vehicle. Congratulations Katie, well done and well done mum and dad!......:-)Hugs

Erik's RV Blog said...

Boy things have changed haven't they! I remember going for my license.... actually not remembering the year, ok, it was more than 3 decades ago but they didn't care what the weather was like back then, heck I think they preffered bad weather!

I was using my Mom's 1972 VW Bug which was stick shift and the clutch was getting a bit loose, the person testing me made me go up the steepest hill he could find with a stop light on it and had me park inbetween two cars and then pull out to the light after it turned red, the proceed on green.

My knee was shaking so bad I thought I would stall it but the loose clutch actually helped me.

Anyway I'm glad Katie got to take her drivers test finally and passed. :)

Merry Christmas!

Erik

Eileen said...

Congratulations, Katie! So happy for her, Di!

I remember well your posts about Katie learning to drive, and I still laugh every time I think about your 'dream/nightmare' post about her in driving school, and how you would imagine chasing after the car in your slippers and robe!

Well, Di, now those fears are a thing of the past, and new ones replace them (there's always something to worry about when you are a mother!), and this wonderful day for Katie is a happy memory to be treasured!
Thanks so much for sharing this, Di.

These are the blogs and posts I love most, hearing about everyone's lives, their milestones big and small, and just following their everyday routines too. It's the thing that friendships are made of.

LOVE YOU!, E

Lois Evensen said...

Ah, yes, the Driver's License Rite of Passage. :) We all know our job as parents is to work ourselves out of a job by raising self-sufficient adults, but it sure is emotional when the time comes, isn't it!

Hugs,
Lois

Tranquility Speaks said...

The heartiest of congratulations to Katie and you for the drivers license and a merry Christmast to you :)

tattytiara said...

I actually failed my first test. due to one single but monumentally hair brained error. Went right back the next day and passed it. Yay Katie!

Barb said...

Hi Di, Just came by to wish you and your Family a Merry Christmas. What a great post - I'm so happy for Katie. She'll be a responsible driver. It's hard realizing that she's "almost" grown up, but wonderful to know you've both done a great job raising her. What a scamp to make you think she didn't pass! Have a great holiday, Di - I hope Jake is home with you.

Eddie Bluelights said...

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ~ Eddie x

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Congratulations to Katie!!! Just stopping by to give you my love, Di, and to wish you a wonderful Christmas...You are especially in my thoughts and prayers during this time!!! My heart is with you... Love you bunches!! Janine xoxo

Maria said...

*A blessed Christmas to you, Diana*
God bless you always,
Love,
~Maria

YADAV PATHOLOGY LAB said...

"Merry Christmas" Di...
to
YOU
and
YOUR FAMILY.

The Bookworm said...

Congrats to Katie. I can just imagine your worrying over her!
Happy Holidays :)
http://yarnchick.blogspot.com/

Amity said...

Mothers will always be like how you feel for Katie now my dear...maybe, someday soon, I would feel just the same...pray to God no harm will ever come her way as she drives on her own now...

But she's brave enough, admirable lady you've got in her!

Even my kids are like Katie sometimes...they pretend that something went wrong only to get me spooked na... :-) Funny kids though not in the beginning, only at the end...

Have a nice day dear.. :-)

Jackie said...

Hip Hip Hoooooray for Diana....er, I mean for Katie!!!
:))))
I am so glad that Katie did so well....excellent job!
I hug you both...
Love,
Jackie

Gutsy Living said...

This reminded me of my middle son taking his test and how nervous I was waiting at DMV for him. Well done Katie. Funny how she had to calm you down.

Terrie said...

Yay! Congrats Katie for getting 100% and way to go Di for biting the bullet and letting her take the car out twice in one day! Now you can bribe her with the keys every time you need an errand done and you don't feel like doing it yourself. Yeah, that will wear off real quick :)
Hugs to you
Terrie

Unknown said...

Interesting article,congrats to katie,it is always good to set a goal and achieve it. Happy New year in advance.