From Six to Four

We've gone from having 6 children at home, to now only 4 children in less than a month.  I'm not going to lie, it is hard.  I woke up Sunday morning, just like any other day.  Except it wasn't.  My son was leaving that morning.  The busyness of getting the girls ready for departure kept my emotions at bay.  Seth was excited to start his life as a Marine recruit.

(I forgot to get an after picture)

We too quickly arrived at the station we were just at less than a month ago with Jordan.  Then my tears came.

Seth's friend arrived at the station to say good-bye, even though they spent the previous day together shooting big guns and playing video games.

Then it was our turn.

The Mom

 The Sisters

The Brother who has only known Life With Seth (noticed Jack's closed eyes?)

The Dad, praying for his son.

The female friend.

Then we left.  We went to church.  I cried when we walked through the door without him.  I cried when someone asked how I was doing.  I cleaned myself up and moved on.  Another person asked how I was doing, so I cried some more.  After a while I just gave up trying to look decent that morning.  Then I walked into the sanctuary and saw my son Jack sobbing.  He had held it all in so well.  That was all it took for me to lose it again.  I cried because he cried.  Jack had complained of a stomach ache all morning.  We now know it was just dread.  Dread of saying good bye to his best friend.

Despite the roller coaster life with Seth, we already miss him and are so proud of him.  He always seems to bring us much laughter and much turmoil combined.  I am so glad God gave us this tornado.  I often times wondered if God knew what He was doing by giving him to us.  Raising Seth has been my biggest accomplishment as well as my biggest defeat.  I have learned so much about myself along the way.  Please pray for my son, that he will be fully dependent upon God throughout his life.