saying goodbye again

It is so hard for me when the kids have to go back to school after being home all summer.  I joke about how ready I am for them to go back, but in reality, it is hard and I am going to miss them.  (I am really  happy about having a clean and neat house back though)
We started packing Erin's stuff today.  Most of my car and her car is packed full with her stuff.  Tyler moves in Saturday so I will have to do this all over again then!! But Erin has a lot more stuff than Tyler.  I think that is a girl thing!
I think college is a prep for parents when we send our kids off on their own.  Both of mine are traveling abroad this winter and will have internships next summer.  Oh my!  It is hard for me to believe that they are old enough to be adults to do this.  My stress level will be a 10+ this winter.
My prayers for them are for safety, wisdom, patience and calmness in their daily walks and activities.
These verses are for them but also for me and other parents sending off their kids to school.

Ephesians 6:10 "Finally be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power."
1 Corinthians 16:13, "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong."

Love to all,

growing older

Yes the title is growing older, not getting older.  Theres a difference.  I am not getting older because that would mean I get something out of it.  I don't get anything out of getting older other than feeling old and people calling me mam.  Growing older implies that I am maturing and becoming wiser.  I would hope that I am growing older by my definition. My birthday will soon be here (November- shhh), and I will be _________ years old!  It's getting here.  Isn't is funny how the older we get, the more we concentrate on the number of the years?? I find myself putting more attention on what my body can't do anymore than what I can do.  As I have gotten older, God has given the ability to can- to listen more than to always talk.  He has given me the knowledge to can pickles!  He has given me some ability to cook better (even though I don't like to cook!)  And I know this because my kids are now eating my dinners! But he has also opened me up to new ideas and more courage than I ever had when I was younger.  I have been given the ability to understand more and have more empathy to understand others.  Some may call this maturity.  Call it what you want, I think it is God growing me into the woman he wants me to be.
So as my birthday approaches, I will accept that I will be 50 years old.  I may feel older than this on some days, but on most days, I am smiling and thankful for those pangs and aches.  It just reminds me that I am alive! And I have 3 more months left to be the younger 49!
"Praise the Lord.  Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalm 106:1

Love to all,