Life without the Goats

Some of you may know that Gordon and I have let our "goats" wander this summer.  (Goats = kids = children)  Son is at Philmont Ranch in New Mexico slinging root beer at the Ponil site.  Oldest daughter is in Alaska, nannying for my baby sister and seeing how she'll do 5,000 miles away from home.  My two youngest are in Oregon - having been apprenticed to my mom for the summer to learn the domestic arts of gardening, canning, child care and maybe sewing. 

THEY are having the times of their lives!  Hiking, meeting new people, fishing, trekking, meeting up with cousins.  I think they may be working some in there but not sure. 

People have asked, "How is it to not have any children at home?"  Welllllll, it has it's ups and downs.  Of course, the slave labor has disappeared so that means we have to pick up the slack.  I've had to learn how to cook again.  It is interesting to figure out whose turn it is to pray.  We are not getting through the Book of Mormon as quickly.  And we are still as busy as when they are here. 

We miss them for other reasons other than the slave labor.  The laughter doesn't ring throughout the house as much.  (Gordon is funny, but he can't keep me in stitches 24-7.)  I'm grateful for phones.  I can call three of them at almost any time and talk to them even with the time differences.  I'm grateful for computers - I try to email them daily (got to get my daily lecture in somehow). 

The positives are:  Gordon and I are just being together.  We have to depend on each other more.  WE ARE IT!  We can attend the temple more often.  We are trying to do some genealogy work.  This is an experience we haven't really had in 19 years and then he was a busy college student and I was trying to help him be a busy college student. 

Family IS important.  I'm grateful to know that I will be with my husband and children for eternity.  They give me purpose. 

I wish I had words of wisdom to share about our experience this summer.  The wisdom happened prior to this summer though.  I remember as younger mother, Sis. Bradfield in Tooele said, "Enjoy your children for they grow up fast."  I was fortunate (and still fortunate) that I got to spend almost 24-7 with my children as they were growing up.  They did not grow up fast to me.  They grew as they were suppose to - into strong, independent, bright, wonderful human beings one day at a time.  Being with them daily, almost constantly, I was able to be there to share in their life experiences - the great, the good, the bad and the very ugly.  We worked through them all together.  Now, they are old enough to be let go.  My youngest is a little younger than we have let the others go for this length of time, but she is with her sister.  They are doing great!  I'm happy for the experiences they are having.

And I'm happy to know they will come home, at least for a time.  My son will be leaving for his mission to Jackson, Mississippi in October.  My oldest daughter will return to Alaska after Christmas to continue as a nanny.  My middle daughter is all ready talking about returning to Oregon.  They have had the time they needed at home to develop their characters and to then take on their worlds. 

It's because of the gospel of Jesus Christ that I know I can let them go.  I know we are together for eternity.  They have been taught correct principles at home and at church.  And once again, gratitude for modern technology:  they are a phone call, a text, an email, a Facebook post away.  And gratitude to God that He is in charge and will watch over them.  They are His children and He is letting me learn through them.

May God grant all of you time and wonderful experiences with your children.