Family. . . .Kids growing up. . . .

So my nieces are now both in college, one in graduate school and one in undergrad.  I am very proud of them both, I know they are going to do great things.  My sister is now an empty nester.  I know the girls will come home some on the weekends, holidays, and maybe summer, but for the most part they have flown the coop.   I tell you all of this to unload my fears of my children leaving the nest.  I know I complain and poke fun about not getting any privacy or time to myself but, the truth is I love being a mom and I love having my kids around.  They do drive me nuts on most days but I wouldn't want it any other way.   I guess I am afraid of when they will no longer need me.  What then?   I am sure this is what all mothers go through, I may be going through it a little early since my kiddos are still in middle school.   I am never late to worry over things.  Dear hubby and I started our family later than most these days.  We were married six years before we had our first little one and we were not young when we married.   Some days I worry if we will have anything in common once our kids have flown the coop.  We do almost everything together right now with the kids and we both like sports.  I could be just worrying over nothing.  Maybe I am worrying about not knowing what to do with myself when my kids don't need me anymore.  I am so proud of them both though, they are strong boys and I think they are growing in their relationship with Christ.  We talk about that a lot so I hope it is becoming more a part of them.  Today was their first day of school and they both asked me to pray with them before they left, and that made me very happy.   I have spent these moments of quiet at home praying for all of those going back to school, young and old. Here is my picture they let me take grudgingly so.