The Night Before

What a feeling that is kind of eerie lingering in our home tonight. Kaitlyn is busy making some final preparations, Christian is hanging out in his room, and Brooklyn is working on some homework. We went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse tonight and everyone seemed in a good mood. We chatted some and laughed. We didn't linger and everyone seemed 'normal' so no worried as far as my Mom radar was working. But then we came home and there is just something different.

Brooklyn came downstairs and decided to take Kaitlyn's suitcase for a ride while Tyler was in the shower and couldn't see to get upset at her. Ha. The smiles on both of their faces and the laughter they both had will fill my heart and memory for some time. The suitcase is heavy and add on a 13 year old and Kaitlyn was struggling to push it...and it has wheels to boot!

We gathered the kids for our last final family prayer as a family of 5 for sometime. I don't know what happened as I watched the three of them come together and as I kneeled beside Tyler but the tears came and I couldn't control them. It was so hard. I have enjoyed our gathering each night for prayer together and knowing that this was our last one as a party of 5 was hard. 

After prayer was done Brooklyn headed up to shower and Christian did the same. The Miller family stopped by and dropped a bag that had some goodies in it as well as a handwritten letter from each of their sweet kiddos for Kaitlyn. They all gave Kaitlyn a hug and my tears started to fall some more. Kaitlyn has made such an impact on so many already. I know she will be an amazing missionary.

Akaela took the kiddos home and Jason stayed to assist Tyler in giving Kaitlyn a final blessing before she leaves to Boston. He shared some advice with her and then headed home. Kaitlyn and I spent some time chatting at the kitchen table about some of her concerns, her excitement, and what she anticipates tomorrow. Her biggest is simply that others who she will travel with won't have the same airport saavy that she does. And she worries that she will let them down if she takes charge or the lead. I love that she doesn't want to take over but knows she is totally capable to do so. 

Tyler helped Kaitlyn play a little Tetris on her suitcase and helped her get any sort of liquids into Ziplock bags so nothing got ruined. He shared some advice with her about when he was on a mission and I think just trying to help ease some of her anxiety and concerns. She admires him and trusts him. She knows he has only her best interest at heart and so she listens and learns. I love that about their relationship. 

Our morning tomorrow is an early one. We need to leave by 3:30am so we called it a night. Kaitlyn headed to shower, the other two are in bed, and Tyler and I are getting ourselves ready to call it a night too. I cannot believe this is the last night I have all 3 of my kids under the same roof. I don't know how to feel or even where to begin to think I can express feelings period. I guess I just hope to get some sleep so come morning I am not totally wrecked.

Tomorrow comes quickly,

Missionary Momma
 


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