Presents and Plane Rides

Today was departure day for the kids who are on their way up to Alaska for Christmas.  I just got home after dropping them off in Las Vegas.  This is not one of the easiest days of the year for me and I sometimes would like to assume the fetal position and weep for a bit.  It is hard to send your kids off. I know it is important for them to be with their mom and I know that she probably misses them terribly and longs to have them with her for Christmas and the summer time. I realize that I have them for the majority of the year and I don't want to sound selfish but I don't like to see them go.  It is hard.  When I walked into my house just a few minutes ago I felt its emptiness and that isn't fun.  Anyway, it is what it is and I will make it through.  I have made it through just fine for the last few years. 

I wanted to have some semblance of Christmas morning with them so we opened presents this morning.  I don't have a lot of money so gifts were somewhat limited.  They still did pretty good and were excited with what they received.  It was wonderful to witness their excitement and though we were a few days early the magic that is Christmas was present.  We had a fun morning. 

We had a bit of an emotional time driving to the airport and then having some blessings in the parking garage.  Andy out of the blue started to cry in the car and talked about how much he is going to miss me.  Jack started to cry partly because he was going to miss me but also because we were listening to a fantastic talk by a Hank Smith fella who teaches seminary and presents at EFY and what not.  Sara let us borrow three talks for the drive.  We listened to the first two on the drive down. They were fantastic and powerful and it did our hearts and spirits good to listen to them.  Anyhow, emotions were running high.  In the parking garage I gave each of them blessings and we were on our way again.  Everyone did well at the gate and then Natty got quite emotional.  Let me just say again that this is a tough day for me and for the kids.  I realize it is just a couple of weeks but it is a hard thing to put your kids on a plane and send them away.  It will be good though and I am happy for them to spend time with their mom.

Anyhow, I am home, I miss the kids, they should land in the next hour or so, we will survive.