It was an EARLY morning around here. Yanked Miss Evie right out of a happy dream.
All eight of us piled in the Suburban and headed to the airport. Everyone fought over helping Tucker with his suitcases.
Micah was mad his sock had a hole in it. Hyrum kept screaming he needed breakfast. All in all, nothing out of the ordinary.
Except for the son in the suit. I almost forgot that part.
Can one hug really last for two years? I hope so.
And off he goes. He's ready. So excited. So ready.
I don't know how I feel about all this yet. So good. So proud. So hard.
Awww Jen - that made me cry. Those last three pictures just destroyed me with the brave eyes full of tears. Really hon - it'll go fast. I know it doesn't seem like it now, but it will. He'll do great and make you all proud. And like I said - I'm in NYC in October. I can return and report if you like. In the meantime, stay busy, and once in awhile no one will blame you if you go in his room and hug his pillow or a shirt all by yourself. Gets you through.
ReplyDeleteThat picture of you hugging your boy made me cry, too. I have some just liked it of me with my sons.
ReplyDeleteI must admit that I'm crying just as hard in the coming home pictures, but I'm also laughing in those.
You said it all. So good. So proud. So hard.
Hugs.
=)
Stretching is just hard. It's just amazing seeing their potential starting to emerge in only a few days. The spirit you will feel in your home is like a warm blanket. His other parent(s) are in charge now - you just get to worry and be proud for the next two years. The hardest part is walking into their bedroom and seeing their "civilian" clothes still there. Best wishes!
ReplyDeletewow, jen, just ... wow. your words are exactly right - good, proud, hard - so many mixed feelings all at once. I'm thinking of you with extra hugs today ...
ReplyDeleteHe already looks bigger. All growed up and stuff. :) I love the one of him holding Evie. I think out of everything, he just might miss holding little kids the most.
ReplyDeleteI can't even imagine... He looks so handsome and grown up in his suit. The Agronomist always uses a term for these types of times. He refers to it as the new normal. But I have a feeling with out children it never feels normal to not have them close by. God Bless, keep busy. Skyping is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteDana
You summed that up really well.
ReplyDeleteI remember so clearly when my first son was set apart the night before he left on his mission. The stake president said something like, "You will be amazed at how quickly you will all be back in my office to have him released." I hung on those words because when he left it seemed like it would be forever. But he was so right.
Still, these days now are heart wrenching hard for a Mom....I feel for you :(
I wonder if he will be able to read your blog while on his mission? Things have changed so much since my 4 were missionaries, that I really don't know.
ReplyDeleteStrong Mama, strong son, strong family. All is right and good. Time goes fast for busy Mamas. Surely enjoyed our time in AZ. LOVE
ReplyDeleteWell, I've been thinking about your family all day. I finally looked on your blog and bawled my eyes out so hard Joseph asked me what was wrong. I can't imagine the mix of emotions you must be feeling, but know that a lot of people have you and Tuck in our thoughts and prayers. Love you, Sis.
ReplyDeleteI expected to feel sentimental when I checked your blog today, but I didn't expect to cry every stinking time I look at that picture of you and Tuck hugging goodbye. Even when I showed them to Jeff I cried. He thought I was odd. Maybe it's because I've always watched Tucker and anticipated Kiefer doing that same thing in a short time. Too short a time.
ReplyDeleteI loved your last line. You've become such a thoughtful writer, I love it. Thoughts and prayers to you today, my friend.
I had tears in my eyes just from the title, but know it's an all out cry. It will go by fast, and he is doing such a wonderful thing. He's able to go because you and your husband have done such a great job raising him. He's secure and ready to go. It will all be fine.
ReplyDeleteSo ready is right. He is such a good good person.
ReplyDeleteThat was me, not Karli :) You have really done well with that big son :)
ReplyDeleteok i feel so dumb sitting here tearing up. it just made my emotions go when you were hugging him!!!
ReplyDeleteStay strong mama Jen.
ReplyDeleteIt will be time for him to come home before you know it.
He leaves a boy and comes home a man.
The picture of you hugging him...
Awwww. Hard moments for a mamas heart.
And just like that, I'm crying again. I cry more reading your blog then anything else I can think of. You have such a special son. I'm so excited for his journey. Count on a big hug from me next time I see you.
ReplyDeleteWow. I'm bawling over here. I could totally not do two years! I love the picture of you hugging him...good luck to Tucker! I'm sure he'll make you proud!
ReplyDeleteJen your crying photo made me cry because I remember how hard that is!!
ReplyDeleteI know you know he will be an awesome missionary and the blessings your family will receive are so enormous.
Not gonna lie...the tears may still fall for awhile!
Congratulations!
Oh Jen. . . Hoping the next few days are full and busy to help you over this beginning.
ReplyDeleteThe pains of motherhood. . .so good, so hard
Yes. SO hard. SO proud. I cried.... and I don't even know him. But I do know how it feels to send my 3 brothers and one sister and my little man. So that is what I can relate it to :).
ReplyDeleteHe's gonna be great.! I only have my experience to go on...when I was a missionary. Those hugs go a long way. And mail....lots of it. Plus he has a whole lot of people praying for him. More than he knows!
ReplyDeleteJen you are so much better a woman than I - sending your Tucker off for two years - I have a scared feeling in my chest FOR you. I know he will be fine - he is doing the work of the Lord. It's just how the MOMS are supposed to survive??? I don't know if I could do it - even for the Lord - I guess I could if I had to.
ReplyDeleteI will pray for him and for you and your family!
You should be proud of what a terrific son you've raised!!!!
OK, I'm bawling!
ReplyDeleteThat's the hardest hug ever.
I flew home today and sat behind a missionary that was coming home after two years in Atlanta. I wondered what his family was going through....the anticipation of him coming home.
I thought about your son and wondered how you were holding up.
The pictures are priceless.
Hugs my friend.
What a handsome boy you have Jen. I can't begin to imagine what it's like to say goodbye to your child for two years...big lump in my throat over here looking at your pictures.
ReplyDeleteI am worried about dropping JDaniel off a preschool. Thinking about putting him on a plane has me teary already!
ReplyDeleteIn the short time I've been reading your blog I've watched your handsome son grow from a boy to a man. You've given him all the tools he needs for this next part of his life, but I can only imagine how hard it must be to say goodbye.
ReplyDeleteBlessings*
Just seeing those tears welled up in your eyes made me cry. Two years will go fast. I know you love him and will miss him too. Blessings!~Ames
ReplyDeleteOh gosh Jen... I feel for you. I would have had a really hard time letting go of that hug.
ReplyDeleteHe's ready, oh so ready! Can't tell you how wonderful it was to spend Tuesday morning with you and Tuck. He will be such a fantastic missionary, the people of New York are lucky. I'll miss that silly kid too, but man 2 years fly by.
ReplyDeleteOh that picture of you and him. Beautiful. I hope two years fly by. xo
ReplyDeleteok, I can't even read the whole post, because that would make it too real. My son is now 17 and we have two short years before he's in that spot. I send my love!
ReplyDeleteOh Jen...seeing those photos of you guys as you saw Tucker off on his mission made me tear up. Time will fly by fast and before you know it, he'll be home again. I'm sure that Tucker will be awesome where he goes because he has such an incredible family waiting for him at home. Just stay busy with the rest of the family and if you really need a hug, go visit Heidi so you can get some cuddle time with Ellie :)
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