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So here we are. There are eleven weeks before graduation weekend.
Our senior in high school continues to recognize more and more “last events” before graduating and moving on. Last youth rally, last year to be a camper at church camp, last few months to be a part of the church youth group. Tuesday is his very last basketball practice. This weekend is his last basketball tournament, thus his very last games.
I get teary-eyed when I think about it. I am so excited for whatever is to come for Asa! But tears come anyway – a mixture of “I am so proud of that kid,” “I am so gonna miss having that kid around,” and “Wow, it’s going to be fun to see what God is going to do with this him!”
It occurred to Asa recently when he and his brothers were divvying up chore responsibilities for the week: “I’m not going to have to scrub these toilets many more times!” So true. Oh, but the toilets that are to come… Son, there will always be toilets. <— surely the wisest words I’ve ever spoken.
So many lasts. And now the start of many more firsts. A dear friend just wrote in an email to me, “I know it’s hard to believe, but parenting a young adult gets even better.” Mmm, I believe it. There is so much to look forward to.
For today, I am treasuring each moment. I’ve cut out many outside commitments this year – partly because life with so many teenagers is very busy and it’s important that I devote most of my time to keeping up with life. But mostly – I just don’t want to miss a moment. We’re just about to close a chapter and begin a new one. The last few pages of this chapter are sweet and joy-filled. I don’t want to miss any of it.
So here’s to the lasts. And here’s to the firsts. And praise God for being who He is yesterday, today, and forever.
What about you? What are you thankful for this Gratituesday?
Though it is a busy month for us (http://www.theengagedhome.com/engaged-home-news/) , I am thankful that my pregnancy is progressing well and that we have the option for a homebirth. I know many states do have heavy restrictions on home birth and birth centers. I am also thankful for a loving and caring midwife and her students. We are in good hands and that brings us peace. :)
Oh, I so get that. I’m about to launch my 4th child this year. And this one needed a lot of cooking this year to get him ready and I do see much fruit. Parenting adults (weird term but it fits for a while) *is* as rich as the early years but boy is there transition.
This week, I’ve reflected on a prayer my little boy made and How the body of Christ is more than our little {or big} church. http://lisaappelo.com/how-body-of-christ-more-than-your-church/
Well, Laura, I guess what I’m thankful for today is that you reminded me of the sweetness of these lasts. I’m a little farther down the road than you, and have already experienced many “firsts”… having married children as friends, seeing them be successful in life, and the joyous moments when my 10 grandchildren have entered the world! But you really got to me today… you see, I’m experiencing the lasts of the last. Doggone it, now I’m tearing up! Seeing your photos of Asa reminded me, as we are also in our last week of basketball, last tournament next week, and graduation coming up in a few short weeks! Yikes, where did the time go? The last of the six children God blessed us with is completing the last of many things. Up till today, I’ve been plodding along, looking forward to the day when this 26+ journey of homeschooling would be over! Thank you for reminding me to treasure these “lasts”. And now, I think I’ll go cry a bit.
Hi Laura, enjoy reading your posts. I am thankful for vacation this week!!! My husband and I are child free (thanks to my mom) celebrating our ten year anniversary in the mountains. :)
Laura this post really made me cry! Even though all my boys are under the age of 4 right now, I know in the blink of an eye they’ll be graduating also!
So today I’m thankful for a fun game of Monopoly Jr with my twins and warm snuggles from my baby! I’m just soaking it all up and thanking God for each precious day we have together!
Been there too…with 2 kids and it is heartbreaking….but we survived…..but it still didn’t end…..now you have grandkids to worry about, etc…..just think Laura Asa may not ever have to clean another toilet…I know a lot of men that doesn’t and some that has never cleaned them……ever watch SHARK TANK ? Mark owns a football team, a Jet and so on,Robert also is a millionaire, and soon will appear on Dancing With The Stars, and the other guy, sorry forgot this name, he is a clothes designer and also a millionaire and you can bet none of these guys clean toilets……..just sayin……:) Asa could become a basketball star and like so many of them , rich and he wouldn’t ever have to clean toilets :) you can hope ……..I have cleaned many in my life and still cleaning them…..my own that is…..and it is not a pretty job, but someone has to do it and since I can’t afford a maid, I must do it myself……can’t stand a dirty toilet…..
This made me a bit teary eyed. Although our 2 boys are all grown and one is even a grandparent. Hard to believe too. I am truly thankful for the memories and that GOD has kept them safe.
Laura, I am thankful for the stories you share about your boys and more importantly, the teenage years. So many people talk about the teenage years with dread and “Oh, just you wait…” type of attitude. But you give hope that the teenage years can be full of so many blessings! I’m still a ways off, but I know if I blink a few times my oldest will go from 8 to 13, but I am looking forward to the special times my girls and I will share. I know there will be many challenges, and lessons to be learned by all, but I’m praying that God will bless my hubby and I with an abundance of treasured memories as our daughters grow.
Thank you for. I Hope that you’ll continue to share, and even more on maybe specific challenges but how God uses those. Or ways that God has help(ed) you raise teenagers… {not sure if that made any sense ;-) }
also, I’m thankful that I still have friends that are still having babies. Today I got to hold a little one that is less than 2 weeks old. So precious!!!
Laura,
Can you please explain in further detail how your cleaning process works? How do your children divvy up chores, what is the process, how often, and how is the outcome? Peaceful? What is on the list, and what do you and your husband solely do or are you included on the divvying up? I’d love to know more.
Thank you!
I ordered the LAST yearbook for oldest son. Also realized that the next dental appt for my youngest will be after the oldest has left for college. WOW! That’s not very far away. Ready for him to leave but also holding on tight. Thanks for the post.
Laura, when I first discovered your blog (years ago!), your kids were pretty young… and I was a brand new mom with a toddler and baby.
It’s hard to believe that the years have slipped by so quickly! My oldest daughter is 11 now, and my baby (#5) will be 2 in a few weeks.
Reading your post reminded me to keep cherishing the moments… they go by so quickly!
Thanks for this post Laura! Now the tears are flowing as my baby (of 3) is a senior this year. I too look forward to what God is going to do in his life it’s just so hard as he has become so cynical and even after going to a Christian school he says “none of it matters” as in Jesus and salvation. It’s super sad and sobering but I must stay on my knees and not give up hope. At one time he professed Christ so I have to believe he is just a prodigal! Anyway, sorry for the downer. But thanks for the reminder to cherish each moment!
I’m giving thanks for our family pets – little gifts from God.
http://thethankfulonion.com/2015/02/thankful-thursday-champ-kodi/