0 - 18 Lightening Fast

Next week will mark a milestone in our home. My beautiful baby boy turns 18! I can't believe it, of course what mom says "It feels like it's been 18 years or longer, it's about time!". He graduates in May, and his life is about to change in more ways than he can fathom. He, of course is still looking at short term, what's happening next week or next month, how to spend the summer, etc, but the long term is upon him. Life decisions are being made and the future is being planned. Not that plans can't be changed but he has to start somewhere. He's deciding which college to attend, how to pay for it and even where to live. At times he mentions moving out, I know he is ready (in his mind) to fly, but we aren't sure his wings are quite there yet! Even if they were he's not exactly financially able to support himself, but like his parents before him he might have to learn that the hard way.

It's hard not think back over the last 18 years and ponder the choices and mistakes we have made along the way. One of the biggest decisions we made for Hayden was to pull him out of government schools and home school. For our family it was the right decision, not an easy decision to be sure, but right. In the years that he's been home schooled his relationship with his family has done a 18o° about face, he's become one of us again. Right now as I am typing this he is sitting in the front room watching Jimmy Neutron with his little brother, it's so sweet how much attention he pays to Max, not always appropriate like taking most of his clothes off, putting Max on the trampoline with the sprinkler under it and soaking him to the bone, with an outside temp of 65°. I let them play anyway and warmed Max up quickly when he came in, he hasn't seemed to have any lasting negative effects from the cold, but the memory of Hayden playing with him like that will last forever! Hayden's personality has also come out in a way we never guessed it would. He is a definite individual, artsy, eccentric and emotional...all things that don't really fit the mold of the public school student. The two day a week program our kids attend seems to cater to artsy, different kids. They are each individuals and our administration and leadership encourages them to be who they are, to embrace God and to live for His glory...for us home schooling has been amazing!











As Tuesday April 17, approaches I am excited and sad all at the same time. Most of our days of raising this beautiful gift are behind us. His future is for him and his God. He will look to us for support but in a different way, it's more than I can imagine. I remember so vividly the day he was born, a full two weeks late! So had he been born on April 3, as he should have been, this post would be two weeks old. :0) I remember holding him in the hospital and thinking "someday he will be grown, he will turn 18 and I will be old". I couldn't imagine that sweet, little, wiggly bundle being a big boy, but I knew I wanted to enjoy and ponder the days I had because they would feel too short in the end...I was right! The years have flown by, time has moved more quickly every year, Hayden has grown and matured and has become a young man of whom I am terribly proud.


Last week, while Veldon was gone to a pastor's conference, Hayden stepped up to the plate. He helped me drive the girls to their various activities, watched Max, played with Max, called to let me know exactly where he was and to ask if I needed anything. He stayed home a couple of nights to be here in case I needed his help, he was a miniature model of his dad and I was so proud! He will be a great husband and father some day. He will love his wife the way his father loves me, he will be interested in his kids the way his dad is interested in him. He has absorbed some of the things his father and I have tried to teach him.













My grown son is on the right path. He makes mistakes and still needs direction, but he is becoming a man of integrity and character who loves God. What more could I ask for?


























(Sr. picture by One Girl Photography, used by permission)