Eighteen

 All I can say is....HOW IN THE HECK DID THIS HAPPEN? Life is going too fast and I am screaming at it "STOP!  My kids are growing up too fast! I'm not ready! Please slow down!" Ever since the new announcement that graduated 18 year olds can serve a mission, the reality has hit that we are only down to a few more months before Brandon heads out into the world.  As we were cutting Brandon's cake Rob said "This could be Brandon's last birthday at home." We both looked at each other and it didn't seem possible.

I guess it is one of those things as a Mom you have to accept and learn how to let go and pray that you have taught them everything they need to know to face the challenges of life.  I am not sure how to let go.  I'm a control freak by nature and letting go isn't part of my DNA.  I want to freeze my family.

I will never forget the little old lady who approached me in church after Rob and I were first married and stated that these were the best years of my life.  At the time I wanted to cry.  Little kids were so hard and I couldn't imagine how things could get worse.  I remember older Moms telling me how they missed those days when they could just tuck their kids in at night. I didn't get it...until now.

Yes, letting go is hard.  Seeing your child become an adult is weird.  Knowing that one day soon I will have to say good-bye, quite frankly, takes a piece of my heart that will always belong to each of my children.  It belonged to that nine year old little boy who captured my heart the first day I met him with his cute grin and enthusiasm. Our little walking, talking, encyclopedia. The road wasn't exactly easy, and heavens knows we've had our battles along the way, but I'm proud of the young man that he has become and where he is headed.