Empty Nest:

Well, it is officially here...the Vail's empty nest.  And I must admit, I've done alot better than I expected.  I told Lindsay and Caleb right before leaving this past Saturday, "I am not going to cry.  I'm going to act like I'm dropping y'all off on a missions trip".  Well, that lasted until I hugged them and the tears poured.  But, that was the end of them.  Haven't shed one since.  I adore my kids, but I am loving the time with my man!  We came home Saturday night to a quiet house (after making a trip to Sweet Frogs for our favorite yogurt).  But it was a nice kind of quiet.  And then yesterday morning, I did the tiniest load of laundry.  WOW!  I guess it's the little things that still thrill me ;)  And our house is clean people.  I mean...CLEAN! 
God really answered a mighty big prayer too.  I prayed all last year that God would give Caleb a great roommate.  I've heard that can really make or break your first year.  Well, out of all the guys that could have roomed with Caleb, God gave him one that is also a competitive cheerleader.  I mean, I couldn't have hand-picked one more perfect.  God is so into every tiny detail!  Caleb isn't cheering at college but he is cheering here in Charlotte and traveling for one more year.  So nothing about cheering was even on his college application.  His roommate cheers for the gym in Greensboro so they will get to travel the states and compete, just on opposing teams.  They have their workout regimen all in place at the college fitness center to keep themselves in shape (something very important for my son).
My prayer now and has been that Caleb will be a leader at school.  That his roommate will know of Jesus, not only because Caleb will talk about Him, but he will also live it out!

The last leaves the nest! UNCG here we come...

This is how you see him....

This is how I see him....

Yes, I'll be fine with this empty nest thing.   Just don't ask me today :)

Here's a song that I love that pretty much sums it up:
There are watercolor ponies on my refrigerator door, and the shapes of something I don't really recognize.
Brushed with careful little fingers, and put proudly on display, a reminder to us all of how time flies.

Seems an endless mound of laundry, and a stairway laced with toys
Gives a blow by blow reminder of the war.
That we fight for their well-being for their greater understanding
To impart a holy reverance for the Lord.

But baby what will we do, when it comes back to me and you,
they look a little less like little boys everyday.
Oh the pleasure of watchin' our children growin', is mixed with a bitter cup,
of knowing the watercolor ponies will one day ride away.....

And summer comes to an end...

Hate the heat but absolutely LOVE summer!  I love when my family is all together.  And I LOVE family vacations.  We just returned from our annual Myrtle Beach vacation and once again, had THE BEST time.  Only this one will be a vacation we will never forget...and I'm sure our Lindsay will never forget it either.  Her boyfriend of 3+ years called Scott about a month ago and wanted to take him to breakfast.  We figured we knew what that conversation was going to be all about...and it was!  He was asking for our daughter's hand in marriage.  He had every detail planned and we kept it quite the secret...even from our family and closest friends (it was about to kill me)! 
So this past Saturday night, August 11th, we went out on the beach to take our traditional pictures but after it was all over, Brad knelt down and proposed.  It was a sweet moment and we're blessed that he wanted us to be a part.
After that, the remainder of the time was spent being lazy, resting, playing games, eating, and more of the same.  What a great end to our summer!