Monday, April 7, 2008

Family changes

It has appeared that I have suddenly come upon a time in my life that I didn't see coming. Maybe it's just that I didn't want to see it coming. As many of you know, our oldest son Cameron is married. He lives in Utah and I have not seen him for about 10 months now. I miss him more than words can express. Moving to another state and leaving a child has to be one of the most difficult things I have ever done. I am sad that I don't even have a recent picture of him to include in this post. Now that Mark and Makenzie are 19, their lives are changing and I see that sooner than later, they, too will be leaving the nest. I think my problem with it may have something to do with the fact that they will both possibly be leaving about the same time. I don't know why I am so surprised by that fact as they have done everything about the same time their whole life. As Mark prepares to leave on a mission, I swallow the lump in my throat that comes at the prospect of not seeing him for 2 years. While I know what he will be doing will be wonderful and he is so excited about it, I will admit that I have momentary selfish thoughts about letting him go. (Who am I kidding with the "letting him go" part. He will do what he pleases at this age....right?) Makenzie will surely be announcing soon that she has found the man of her dreams.....all my lecturing about her waiting until she is 25 to get married has been for naught. (I think in the next life I would prefer ugly daughters.....haha!) She keeps telling me that she doesn't have plans to marry the boy she is currently dating, but I have a sneaking suspicion that she is trying to go easy on me. All of this is compounded with Ragan's recent comment, "It's going to be so LAME around here after Mark and Makenzie move out and all I have to hang out with at home is YOU two". It seems we have experienced another rite of passage...that of becoming the lame-o parents. Here's to aging, your children growing up, and finding joy in your life at whatever stage you are in. I think I am going to be Google-ing "lame-o parenting strategies".

3 comments:

Gail said...

WOW!!! The heartache and yet the joy of seeing how well you have done at raising your children. Ragan and Mackenzie are so beautiful and Mark...well what a handsom youngman he is. He looks so different without all the hair. I love it.

Some days I wish I was at the lame-o parent stage, but then my kids go to sleep and all is well..until the morning.

Good Luck to you in this new adventure.

familywithfivekids said...

You are such a awesome mom - lame-o parenting would never apply in your house! Always remember (and remind your kids) - you are the cool mom!

Anonymous said...

I am already the lame parent by trying to remind my kids of how cool I used to be!If you are not considered a cool mom then the rest of us have no hope ;-) Your kids are gorgeous and I am so excited for Mark to be going on a mission!!