College

Speaking of being braver than I was before, we dropped our firstborn child off at college.

 

Lizzy and Caleb helped him move into the dorm with us (Ada had to work).

There was an unexpectedly large amount of tears on all sides.  Jason and I reminded each other in the following days that he hadn’t died, but there was still very real and valid grief.  Our household, which felt so blessedly complete when Caleb came along, has entered its shrinking phase.  We knew we had 18 short years of childhood in which to raise each one of them as best we could, and now, completed or not, that particular window has closed with Jeddy.

And speaking of large amounts of tears, I gathered my courage to face this two days later:

I forgot to take an after picture.

(Note to self: take pictures of more things that aren’t causes of hypertension.)

At least the first day of school picture is peaceful and charming, though sadly lacking in my complete set of offspring.

Buck practically bounced off the walls when we started school, he was so excited to be let out again in his old hopping grounds.

He also carefully reported on ancient Egypt.

How glad I am that we live in the days of texting rather than landline phone calls. Jeddy even indulged me when I begged for a first day of school picture.  He’s getting along with his roommate, he’s satisfied with his classes, he’s figured out how to obtain food.  And we were thrilled when he offhandedly mentioned that he’s already joined the worship team for RUF [Reformed University Fellowship]…which means he’s found a good group of friends and committed to fellowship with God’s people. And what more could we want for him?