Togetherness...and gone again.

I dropped Austin off at the greyhound bus

at 5:55 a.m. this morning.

He's off on another adventure.

It was really nice to have everyone together for the holiday.

There was a lot of

laughing

talking

game playing

wrestling

occasionally sitting around being bored

punching 

(I will never understand boys and their need to punch each other)

and me saying

"Don't break my house"

We had some extended family get-togethers

saw Christmas lights

went on a drive in the Canyon

took Austin 4-wheeling

ate out a lot

ate more vegetarian than usual

listened to Christmas music

made gingerbread houses

and just enjoyed being together.

It was great.

I've sent kids on missions,

off to college, 

and 

watched them drive away in on the Greyhound bus.

It never gets easier.

I'm always filled with a profound sadness when they leave.

I want them to grow up and move on with their lives.

I really do.

But it's like this empty space inside of me when they are gone.

I can honestly say I enjoy our time together more than ever

now that I know it won't last.

I just love this family of mine!