Cameron had to do a science fair project for school. We tested magnets to see if they work better when frozen, room temperature, or heated. It was a good project that ended up winning him 3rd place and $15. We did this while Shane put Shiplap up on the island, and it looks so good.
Shandee and Robbie (Brent's wife Lisa's kids) invited us up to their cabin for New Years Eve. The kids sledded and we played games and sang karaoke. It was a beautiful winter wonderland.
Braxton left for Texas on January 5th, 2022, so technically not in this year, but all the preparations were done at the end of the year. This was his going away party that we had for a few people to say their goodbyes. Becky wanted a picture of the three boys together so we took these ones.
To say that my oldest boy leaving home was heart wrenching is an understatement. It was like my brain turned off and I couldn't really focus on anything else. I knew in my heart it was and is the right thing for him to grow and become who he wants to be, but it was dang hard to let go. He is in Floresville, Texas 1400 miles away. When Juan asked him to move there with them I was shocked that he said yes so quickly. He only took an hour on his motorcycle to talk to God to decide he was going. I stayed up late and talked to him about it and he was excited. Nervous but excited. I made him go to each of his grandparents homes and tell them by himself and the preparations began. Dentist appointments, eye doctor appointments, cleaning out of the bedroom and getting the luggage packed. We only had two weeks to prepare and get him on an airplane. He put in his two weeks at work, finished some things around the house and he was off! Any my heart was broken. I cried a lot in those two weeks, mostly trying to enjoy the lasts that come when your oldest leaves the nest, and I spent a lot of time talking to God. What a blessing those two weeks became in my life.
He is thriving and I am sleeping much better knowing he isn't struggling like he was at home the past 6 or 8 months since graduating high school. The wirlwind that our home had become of constant ins and outs at all hours of the day has stopped, and somehow a piece of me misses even that a little bit.
Brax spends all week on a horse ranch, being one of the only ones that speaks English. He seems happy when I talk to him, bought a car, and is hoping to soon buy a horse. We have no idea when he will come home, and that is OK. He can come home when he is ready and we will welcome him with open arms, or he can stay and that is OK too.
Things I miss: not having the whole family together for dinner, his amazing smile, those little tiny compliments he gave me often without knowing he was being nice, breakfast--oh that was my favorite time of the day with Braxton he really opened up and we connected at breakfast. I miss his heart, it is so good and kind when he wants to be. His help, he helped me so much and I miss having someone to ask and he would just do it. Mostly I miss feeling like a complete family, it is what is supposed to happen in life, but learning and growing is sometimes hard for me, good for growth--hard for the heart.
