godspeed

Lucas recently came home on leave for three weeks.    Having him home for a brief stay was such a treat.  He basically took up residence in his room, just as before.   He visited family and friends, he hiked, went fishing, went Frisbee golfing; and still managed to spend crazy amounts of time playing video games into the wee hours of the night.   I think he had a nice vacation from the military grind.

Earlier this week Greg and I drove him to Baltimore to catch a flight to England.    We stopped for lunch on the way, and our destination came up in conversation with our server.  She took the time to say a lovely, long, prayer for Lucas and for our family.   
I have heard about people just stopping everything to pray for strangers, but I have never been on the receiving end.  It was a lovely gift to my mama-heart to be reminded that God is covering us even in the midst of big life changes.   

I should have remembered the impactful message of her prayer over the next few days BUT

We were quickly dismissed at the airport as Lucas found his people- and it felt like leaving him for Basic Training, all over again.      That small sinking realization about how far away he'll actually be.
Not only the distance.... but more so all of the unanswered questions and concerns that I have as a parent:

Communication questions, transportation questions, housing questions.    One thought would snowball into another.      

Would I dare say that I was worrying?!  I am NOT a worrier!

Greg, who is a worrier by trade, has had to talk me down a few times.     I know everything will work out fine.  I know that God has big plans for Lucas.  I know that Lucas is a problem solver.  I know that he'll take it one day at a time and be a total rock star.

Lucas has been on base a few days, and he's figuring it out.   He will need to buy a car, rent a house, start a new job, and adjust to a new culture this month.  So much adulting!!   

And I'm over here with my hands tied.  Thank God that they are tied together in prayer.  That's really all I can do.

Please join me in praying for Lucas as he continues on this adventure.  

I'm one proud Mom.

I love you, Lucas!  Enjoy every minute! :)

November 3, 2022

Lucas, 20    Daniel, 22

My babies :)

flying

It was about a year ago, on a Saturday, that I asked Daniel to clean his room and reminded him that he was to start paying me $200/month for rent.    He boldly took out his wallet, handed me $200 in cash and told me he would be moving out on Monday.   

And.... just like that....  He flew the nest.

It's been a full year and I'm happy to say he's still making it on his own.   He and some friends live in a cute little house across the river.   He's working lots of hours, back at the pizza place where he started.   I haven't had to bail him out financially, or bail him out of jail----yet- so I'm very proud of him for the strides he has made this year.

Last February, which unbeknownst to us, would be Lucas' last full month of school, he came downstairs one evening and announced his decision to join the Air Force. He had put lots of thought into it and we were quite pleased with his reasoning.   Since he wasn't sure what he wanted to do with his life.... he knew it would be pointless to incur thousands of dollars of debt to attend college.    He weighed his options and knew that joining the service would give him valuable job training and great benefits while getting paid.  After his time in the military, he knows that he would be able to pursue college for free.  I think it's a win-win, with whatever he decides to do long term.    I was impressed that he came up with all of that on his own.... and of course I'm a very proud mama.

The summer passed and Lucas pursued every inch of what the AirForce had to offer stayed up all night playing video games, slept till 2pm every day, and went to work in the evenings.    This continued till his 18th birthday.  (who am I kidding....he's still asleep as I type this at 1:30pm.)
Anyway....

September rolled around and I reminded him that his 18th birthday was upon us.  He was to either contact a recruiter..... or start paying me rent.   

Low and behold.... he turned 18, contacted the recruiter and got the ball rolling.   He has spent the last two months meeting with the recruiter and gaining weight.    He took the ASVAB (entry test) several weeks ago and scored a 95%..... which I hear is outstanding.  (proud mom again).

November 10, 2020

And it's official!  Last week.... he was sworn into the Air Force.    He is currently sorting through job opportunities with his recruiter and I can assume he'll be shipping out to basic in a few months.

Lucas has been very vague when we ask him for details.   

I can only assume that one Saturday he will clean his room for the last first time and announce that he'll be leaving on Monday.

And... just like that.... the nest will be empty.