Where has the Summer Gone?

So, I know there are still quite a few weeks left of summer (officially), but the time of our family's summer has gone by way too fast. I say this as Joshua leaves for school tomorrow- he is going early to study for a week then flies to England for the Thomas More College Oxford Program for three weeks

Joshua's official
application photo

 on an internship he was awarded along with 5 fellow students. While he and I were talking the other day, he made the comment that time had felt really quick this summer, but he thought there were just enough breaks to make it okay. He spent the last few months working at Fordyce Farms (with me and Mary) as well as filling out his application for seminary in the Archdiocese of Portland. As this will be his senior year at school, we are praying a lot about just what the future will hold for our oldest son.

David and some of his SCF students at his going away party

David is also getting ready to head off to the east coast for school. He, along with Mary and I, will be leaving in just a few weeks for his first year at Christendom College in Front Royal, Virginia. After struggling with the thought of starting something new (which is really nothing new for our second son who has always wanted to know what each day's schedule would be- from the time he was tiny), he is finally almost ready to leave for this adventure.
Mary and I are looking forward to getting to take him to school, not to mention the vacation we'll be having as we visit Washington D.C., the Shenandoah Valley and Baltimore!
I remember when the kids were younger, older moms would say to me, "enjoy them now because the time will fly by, and sooner than you think they'll be gone." I would usually smile and thank them, not often taking their words to heart.
Now that our summer is just about gone, I hope my kids think we did take the time to do some fun stuff over the last few months. We did get a camping trip in as well as fireworks on 4th of July. We made it to the beach and had one fire pit time in the yard. There were many nights of laughter and music and good food and beverages. The annual Feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist was held as were birthday and going away parties. Yes, the time flew by quickly, but memories were made. Hopefully, they will be something to last through the next 4 1/2 months while the boys are at school before we are all together again at Christmas. Be sure to hug your spouse and your kids today and enjoy each moment with them as it happens, no matter how much more summer you may have.