Roots & Wings

Well, it is official....I only have 4 children left at home! Sunday was a very emotional day around here. It made it more tearful, yet meaningful that it was Testimony meeting. I did alot of self talk all morning as I was getting ready saying.."this is not a big deal...this is not a big deal..." and yet when I sat down and looked up at the Sacrament table and saw Alex, the tears started flowing. Then I thought I had it together and the Bishop gave me a sympathetic wink and a smile and it started again. Luckily I had packed a few small packages of kleenex in my bag.

Alex bore an amazing testimony and then many of the priest quorum followed suit and the spirit was so strong.... Abram bore his testimony for his first time. He was so nervous. It was very sweet. It was just a great meeting. We have some incredible youth and their Priest Quorum is especially close.

Well, we came home and later had Alex's favorite dinner (chicken enchiladas..Martinsen style). A few of his closest friends showed up during dinner and hung out for dessert. Lane and Trent's dad both gave them father's blessings and then we loaded up the car and went to the airport. The little girls stayed home with Alex's girlfriend Cate.

I had a good cry on the phone with my mom who picked them up from the airport. I am so thankful to her for picking them up and driving them up to BYU Idaho today and getting them all "tucked in" as I keep saying (it is driving Lane nuts!) He thinks Alex and Trent should have just had to rough it and figure everything out on their own like HE did. I have had to tell him several times that it was different for him. He was 23 years old for one, and had already lived on his own for a few years and he had a car to get around!
Anyway, I am feeling so happy and relieved tonight now that I know they are all settled in and even have matching sheets and towels (thanks mom!)
My mom had some funny stories to tell about the boys buying the groceries and putting their beds together etc...
I am so happy that she was there for them. Pretty lucky to have Martha Stewart helping you get organized!
Mariah started right in on Alex's room today, cleaning and de-junking it as part of some service hours she needed for YW. It looks like he died or something. It has never been so clean before!
Well, when we gathered for FHE tonight, Lane actually said, "wait! who is missing?" It was kinda funny. That's a dad for ya.
I had many tears yesterday, but today I have actually thought of a few positive things about this:
1.we don't have to eat in the dining room for dinner..we can all fit at the kitchen table now
2. There will at least be one room in the house that will STAY clean!
3. I will have ALOT less laundry to do (Alex showers at least twice a day)
4. We won't go through as much food
5. I don't have to wait up for him anymore
6. He is going to have the time of his life and I am so excited for him!!!

A song that has been running through my mind lately is called "Roots & Wings". IT is about your children growing up and it says..."just give them Roots to grasp and Wings to fly"
He definately has strong roots to grasp, thanks to the many examples he has had all of his life between family and church leaders....and now he has spread his wings and flown away. My heart has a hole in it....I love you so much ALex.