From Merry to Mournful

I often find it difficult to maintain uplifted spirits after the holidays. I am surprised tonight that I am not yet mournful...after our last day with Caleb. Please pray the LORD can be my strength over the next several days. Pray for Casie and her mother as well.

It was a sweet sight to see Caleb on the couch when I got up this morning. Ellie knew she would be spending her last day with him, and she stayed almost underneath him for while.




Whitney had to head back to Savannah today. She starts a new job tomorrow. PRAISE THE LORD! And, she will begin classes next week. When she got ready to leave, it was her turn to have her photo with her "baby" brother.







Then the little girls felt left out, so they sort of piled on him.

Then, before we left for the airport, Caleb and Brandon spent some quality time playing "Sorry" with the girls.

Grandma and Grandpa came over to see Caleb before he left...and let the girls go home with them so they wouldn't have to drive the 1 1/2 hour one way trip to the airport.



And, a last photo with the baby sisters.


Brandon drove with Caleb as his shotgun. Casie's mom and sister rode with us. We had a good drive down, a lot of talk and catching up with one another.

Once, at the airport, I had to take a few more "last" photos. I think these are some of the best photos I've ever had taken with Caleb.



I often find it difficult to maintain uplifted spirits after the holidays. I am surprised tonight that I am not yet mournful...after our last day with Caleb. Please pray the LORD can be my strength over the next several days. Pray for Casie and her mother as well.

And, when I was so pleased with the first photo of Caleb, Casie, and me, I should have expected something was up when Brandon insisted on one more.


The good-byes were the least painful I've had since Caleb first left home. Casie, however, was having a difficult time leaving her family again. Please say an extra prayer for her.

I told her mom I had plenty to keep me busy when we got back home. I have a mountain of adoption paperwork to complete. I suggested she might should adopt, too, to fill the void in her heart and in her time. She did NOT readily accept that idea. ;)

We just received a text from Caleb. He and Casie are safely on the ground back where he is stationed. Keep up the prayers for us and for all of those military families who were not able to see their beloved family members this Christmas.