The Newest Cougar

Charlie and his CarAugust 16, 2008 was launch day to begin our drive to Pullman, WA to take Charlie to Washington State University where he was to become the newest and most eager Cougar. It was all of 1,025 miles from Chug through some mighty beautiful WY, MT and ID country! But regardless it is a LONG way from home especially for a kid who has never been away longer than 10 days in his 18 years of life.

We started out in both our van and Char's car so they fought over me a lot as I who I was to ride with. I loved it, of course.... Tearful moments leaving the ranch, Chug, passing Wheaterville and the home of Charlie's buddy Trav. We did see Travis's family on in Butte on their way home from the Regional Baselball Tourney... how wild! We even got to have Sunday morning breakfast with Melissa Berry and Dustin in Missoula which was a treat!

We arrived to WSU and moved Char into his 4 story home in 103 degree heat. I thought Dan might pass out putting up his bed it was so steamy! Pullman ranked right up there with Siloam Springs when we took Hannah those many years ago!!! I was acutally sweating too and that takes a lot for me.

Outside his Dorm with Dad

It was nice to move Char in early... we had to come early for orientation... most kids already did that earlier in the summer but we didn't want to make an extra trip seeing how far it is. But it worked.... gave him a time to transition into his room without his roomate there. His room is very small but he has his own space because these rooms are two small one, side by side rooms. His roomate Eric, the sophmore, takes the one with the sink and the full wall so Charlie's was a bit of a challenge to arrange but you can see him lying on his bed complete with the quilt Judy Gilmore made him with all his favorite high school tee shirts on it. This Mom made sure that he was fully settled before we left... bed made, clothes away, pictures up and tv, printer and internet all working. We felt good that the new nest was built....

Orientation... This isn't Kansas, Dorothy...

CMW: A Coug indeed! Pack 10 Here comes a great sports writer! His Room with Judy's Quilt

We thought that WSU did a good job of orienting all of us even though they never talked at all about any of the emotional aspects of what was happening within a family like they did so well at JBU. WSU has 18,000 students and so it is a lot more complicated than the small private schools. They were full days and Charlie also had to take a placement test so it was a lot of absorb all at once but was good. Finding our way around was one of the big challenges especially for CMW who is a bit "directionally challenged" anyway. One of the fun things was to go back to our hotel and watch the Olympics. We did see Michael P. take his last gold metal, saw all the Jamacians win their running races and saw Shawn Johnson (Char's new crush) get her gold on the beam. Great Fun!

The Real Deal!

God was faithful to Charlie in helping him get adjusted this last weekend! We had a really nice evening with IV staff workers, Mae and Alex. We met a Mom and her son in a resturant that I recognized as being a part of the orientation. Never one to be shy, I started talking to them and Char and Ryan kind of hit it off. For Dad's contribution, he told Char to go back after we had walked out and get his phone number. He did and they hung out all weekend with some other friends of Ryan's. Several IV friends, Ian and Vince also took Char out for sushi.... (can you imagine that?!?!) and then to church. Dan says Charlie had more friends in one weekend than he had in three months in Laramie. Char already has an idea for a sports opinion column... the journey has begun....

The Campus outside Char's Dorm

Then there was the saying goodbye... Dad had a good verse... Colossians 2:3 and hopes for Charlie to "have all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" that doesn't always come from worldly teaching but from the author of truth itself... Jesus Christ! We had prayer, of course a few last words from Mom, and then some very tearful goodbyes.... it about ripped out our hearts.... our littlest boy.... Yet we know that Charlie is doing what he should and pursuing the dream God has given him... that is a good thing! God bless you, Charlie the Barleyl Corn boy...

Dan and Charlie as we part

Mom has trouble letting go...

Charlie walks into his new life...