Sort of a wake up call...

How did these 2 precious little men become these two grown up handsome men???
(notice the rock in Caleb's hand...and his mischievous grin??  I think he was ready to let it loose on someone at any minute... so typical of this ball/sports loving kid!!)

Yesterday was a slight wake up call for me... in a good way...

The 2 oldest boys of the house ventured out on their own on vacation... Off to visit dear family friends and youth friends in Oklahoma...

Strangely, I was excited for them yet, there was a part of me that just wanted to yell... COME BACK!!!  YOU ARE TOO YOUNG TO GO!  :):)

Honestly, I know everyone says it... But how did this happen?   How did they go and grow up on me so quickly?   It is all happening WAY TOO fast for me:)  

I know this is all part of God's perfect plan for their lives to grow up and follow Him where ever He may lead...

(Daddy dropping them off at the airport this morning!)

With one having potential aspirations of overseas missions... this was sort of a wake up call to me...

  The time will come in the not too distant future to have to let them go bit by bit more and more.  I can't even imagine one of them leaving and getting on a plane for the other side of the world... for more than a short term trip... But God may call them to that and then call us to let them go...

(Whenever Louis leaves... he has to get a pic with all the kids)

As much as I treasure EVERY SINGLE one of my kids... As much as I love homeschooling them and getting to share so much of daily life and learning with them... I know I need to let go of the crazy expectations that I have at times and treasure who the Lord is growing them into each day!  

We all have our challenges and weaknesses, but God in His graciousness has blessed me with great young men to share my days with and I don't want to waste any of the precious time we have left together... 

It has me reflecting too on all that I want them to KNOW, experience, and care about before we set them free... How are we doing on all that?   It is a good refocusing time for me on what are the most important things we want to instill in them... 

It is frustrating sometimes... All the little daily grind things that can get in the way of what really matters... 

I am so thankful that they have this time away as brothers...

I am so thankful that they get to share special time with dear friends and make special memories...

I am so thankful that they are God's great gift to us... 

But I do miss them:):)