and then there was one. . .

It's time to write again and I'm sorry I've been away so long. This last year has been amazing and extremely hard all at the same time. Funny how life can do that to you.

Last fall we moved our oldest son (#3) into the dorms at college. To say it was a rough transition for him would be an understatement. He came pretty close to crashing and burning. But then 2nd semester he decided to not be a victim and pulled the plane out of a nose dive. We are extremely proud of him and deeply impressed that he completely turned the ship around.

This is where parenting gets really hard. You are watching this young person make decisions that you know have huge ramifications on their lives. When they were little and wanted to jump from the top of the stairs you just said no and picked them up. Done! But that doesn't work with college freshmen. You gotta let them jump! It requires a different kind of faith to let go of their hand and simply grab the hand of Jesus. Sometimes I feel like I am covering my eyes because I can't always watch.

But take courage faint heart! Jesus is always watching. Even if they are wandering or don't want to talk to Him, He is still there. He has your back mom and dad.

"Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." Prv 22:6

This is not a promise mom and dad. It is wisdom. We are raising people. They make choices just like us. Some choices are good and some are bad, just like us.

We do not have a guarantee as to how our kids will turn out or what roads they will take. The only thing I know for sure as a mom is my heart will forever be linked to there hearts and some days I love that and other days it is extremely painful. That is what I signed up for when I became a mom. So did you.

So this week my oldest son is headed back to school, much wiser for the task. He is getting an apartment with some of his frat brothers. (Not something I thought I would ever say.) We are truly releasing #3. We all know he won't be home again next summer. He is eager to fly and make a life for himself. That was always the plan, but sometimes I have to remind myself of that truth. Once again we are so proud and a little freaked out all at the same time. Welcome to parenting!

But he like his sister's is "Another Homeschool Success Story" even though he currently believes homeschooling was the worst! But I will ask him again down the road when little children start coming into his home. My guess is he will smile and hug me and say, "Yeah, you were right mom."