Countdown to college or blessing my kids each night
I may be breaking my own little rule about not posting anything too personal, but I do want to share this one thing. Every single day of my life, lately, is a countdown to the day my kids will leave for college. I am sometimes stunned as a realize just how few weeks and months we have left to directly influence their development. Sometimes I panic as I go through my mental checklist of all the things I want for my kids and realize that I might be behind schedule on a couple of items: remember to clean up after themselves or cook a meal, know how to sew on a button, be strong enough to say no to a peer with a really bad idea, etc. Then I remind myself of the areas of personal development that I continued to work on into my 20’s or that I continue to work on today and I, once again, hand my child back to God in trust and faith.
Each night as I’m falling asleep, I suddenly wake up a little to ask myself if I said good night to my son and daughter. (I have a feeling that I will go through severe empty-nest syndrome when they do actually leave.) Each night, I want to be the last person they talk to - to say their blessing, to give them a hug and kiss and to pray with them. Last night was one of those nights. Erik was sleeping at a friend’s house and I wanted to say good night to him. I tried to instant message him on his cell phone (it was too late to make his phone ring, I thought), but he didn’t answer. Oh well!
I got up out of bed to see if Kris had fallen asleep yet. She was awake and I once again had the privilege of stroking her soft cheek and kissing her goodnight. Those of you who know me may already realize that I can make myself cry just by writing that last line. 
You’re a good mom! It’s hard to think of them leaving home when “they’re legal.” Although sometimes thinking of them leaving at age 14 isn’t quite so tough.
(Just kidding C.L.N.)
I think there is some truth to the fact that God gives us the turbulent teen years so it is easier to let them go. I have been less teary with Luke’s graduation and party and such than I thought–although he has been a pretty easy kid to raise. It’s the younger ones that are a challenge at this point. But I know I’ll be sad when the day comes where they actually move out. But I’m glad to see the independent young men and lady they are becoming too. But I know I won’t stop loving and praying for them till I die!