Seth is how old?

        Yesterday my youngest child celebrated his 16th birthday.   It seems very strange to me, that my baby is now this old.   He's grown from a chubby, grinning toddler with a head full of black curls to a handsome young man with so much to offer.  I am very proud of Seth, and (God willing) someday he is going to be a fantastic husband and father.   

        I've said many times that I don't consider myself the type of parent who will be lost when the kids leave home, and I stand by that statement.   I will admit that it's going to be weird, though.   In the last year or so, they've been going their own ways more and more, which has given me just a little taste of what the "empty nest" may feel like.   Most of the time I'm fine, but now and then the strangeness of it catches up to me.   In my head I don't feel that different from how I felt 20 years ago,  but my children  (and my body!) are pointed reminders that time has passed.

         All that aside, it gives Jon and I tremendous satisfaction to see our kids growing into adulthood.  They're all smart, loving, talented people, and I'm glad God gave us the chance to raise them.  And Seth?  Buddy, you got some swagger!!