Sawyer's 17th Birthday

My yearly lament on this here day, the birth of a child, as the reality of them growing up hits just a little harder each year.

Raising teens is exhausting and being around the same people who have "turned into their own person" 7 days a week, all day, is not easy!  They have each grown into their own personalities, their own skills, their own struggles, and this can present a lot of "clashing" as we live together, work together, learn together.  And what is hard for me is the increasing "loss" of control as they grown up and learn what it means to be mature, responsible people.  What does personal faith look like, what do relationships look like, how do you manage the "emotionalism" and "impulsivity" of being a teen, how do you show respect for and submit to your parents when you want to make adult decisions...it is a hard time.  There are days when I so look forward to rest and time to invest in something other then homeschooling and character training and teen activities.  BUT, I truly can't imagine my life without these people by my side everyday.  They have been my life's work and the thought of the time in my home ending is really quite anguishing!

But here we are, one year shy of Sawyer being a "legal" adult.  He has several years before he is ready to fly the nest (or so I hope), another year of school, and a recovery year to further work on math and writing and perhaps some vocational training.  Hopefully another year or even two after that where he can focus on job training, working, and saving money by living at home.  It is a dangerous and expensive world out there and we are happy with a slow transition!  I think too, this is such a tumultuous time in our country as it is breaking down, that digging in and finding our strength and refuge in one another, in family, and with likeminded people is going to be key as things continue to disintegrate.  And I am not entirely sure that we will be able to remain in Oregon or that there is a future for our children in this state. 






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