Pardon me as I turn a phrase on its ear. It is so true for us however. Colin has been gone for the better part of 7 months now.  We no longer forget and set his place at the dinner table. His sister has claimed his seat in the van. We have gotten so accustomed to his change of address, in fact, we were completely unprepared for the tears that flowed freely from Kieran when we dropped Colin at his dorm on our last night in AZ.Kieran couldn’t be persuaded to even say good-bye.  I think tears flowed all around at that point actually. If not then certainly upon pulling away from the curb while Colin sat watching us drive off. : /

Jane Austin wrote that "Children of the same family, the same blood, with the same first associations and habits, have some means of enjoyment in their power, which no subsequent connections can supply." – Mansfield Park 1814. As an only child myself I can only watch them with awe and a bit of envy.

I remember some years ago when we were challenged about our decision to allow our family to grow. One neighbor, who could only be described as aghast, asked,"Don’t want to give GOOD things to your kids???" My response today is the same as it was then: I believe the best things we have given our children have been brothers and sisters. After all, the only things we are taking with us to heaven are each other.

Here are some pics of the kids together at the campground, the zoo, and on campus with Colin. We miss you C!