Flying away....

One final wave.....

testing his wings....

My boy is leaving Sunday.
He is going to Shanghai.
Going for 11 months teaching English.
Half way around the world.
Living in a communist country.

I am:

Sad
Anxious
Terrified
Happy
Thrilled
Excited

Isn't it amazing that we can experience all those emotions at the same time?

I have been asking myself these past few days, "How can this be? Wasn't I just feeding him a bottle and rocking him to sleep?"

But oh, what an opportunity for my child, who is ready to take the world by the tale. I am excited to see how his experiences this next year will continue to mold him into the man God wants him to be.

I love you Andrew Layne.
Child of my heart.
Godspeed and hurry home to us, who love you most.

He is keeping a blog while he is gone. It can be found here.

Christmas: a break from the fun

The day after Christmas found us taking Andrew and his girlfriend back up to college in Bellingham--about 2 hours from our house. We had a great time spending time with them and getting to know her even better. We stopped for a Starbucks on our way out of town and then for sub sandwiches along the way.




The weather was supposed to be turning to rain but, as you can tell from these pictures which I took from the car, certain areas we drove through did not seem to receive the rain memo! It was a bit harrowing in places, but my calm, cool, collected husband didn't even bat an eye at this. Can you tell he was born and bred in Minnesota! (me? not so calm)



After we dropped them off at their respective apartments and drove through the worst area of falling snow and slick roads...


...we were rewarded with this!

a birthday suit

How do you know your son has grown up?

He asks for a suit, his first one, for his birthday.

Happy Birthday #23, Andrew , oldest son of my heart!