Milestones

This week has presented us with a few milestones. After 15 years of getting up super early to either teach or to get kids out the door to seminary, WE ARE DONE!!! Thursday was Travis' last day of seminary. Then Friday Travis finished his years at high school. This is him just before he left to give his senior oral board presentation. What a good lookin' kid. He managed to keep straight A's all through high school, even taking extra challenging classes. Needless to say we are extremely proud of him. But even more because he's a really nice, respectful, fun person. (Lynn is dreading having to let him go away to college. There goes his sports buddy!)

Then last night Jaime's Ellie was baptized. That's another milestone - to have a great niece baptized. I do have Warnick great nieces who've been baptized, but because Evan and Lyn's kids grew up with ours, this feels particularly personal. There was Jaime last night in a beautiful purple dress, gorgeous and gracious, and HER DAUGHTER WAS GETTING BAPTIZED!! It really struck me, and I sat there during the baptism remembering all the fun times we had with Jaime, Scott, and Julie when THEY were little.
Wasn't it just yesterday when Jaime and TJ were busy playing hospital?

Wasn't it just yesterday when Scott was making cookies at my house with my kids, then selling his baggie of cookies to his sister (Niki) for $.25 and a Book of Mormon?!

Wasn't it just yesterday when Julie and Jena were modelling every chance they got? When they filled the stock barrell with water and dirt and took a mud bath (I don't think Auntie Lyn has forgiven me for that still)? When they got the video camera and did a long documentary all about themselves? What wouldn't I give to watch that now?!

It's a bitter-sweet thing to watch everyone growing up. It's so awesome to see these "kids" becoming amazing parents, capable professionals, and responsible leaders at church. It's so great to see how the gospel is blessing their lives, and how they are blessing the lives of all those around them. We sure love you guys! (Pass the tissues.)