Preparing for an empty nest! Miracle McCaughey septuplets celebrate they 18th birthdays this week - as they discuss plans for college and the Army

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Their births were an international sensation that made the McCaughey septuplets a fixture of the headlines after they were born on November 19, 1997. 

But as they prepare to turn 18 this week, the seven high school seniors are worried about the same things as the average American teen: college, prom, and saying goodbye to family.

And parents Bobbi and Kenny McCaughey are grappling with the fact that their once very full nest will soon to significantly more empty. 

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he McCaughey septuplets (with their parents,Kenny and Bobbi, center, and their big sister Milayla, back left) are turning 18 this week. They are seen here before their 16th birthday in 2013

The septuplets are preparing to leave the nest for college and, in brother Brandon's case, the Army. They are seen here with their parents and older sister Mikayla (second left) who is now 19

'It will be pretty drastic,' Bobbi told the Des Moines Register. 'Everyone gone all at once.' 

That 'everyone' is Brandon, Joel, Nathan, Kenny, Natalie, Alexis and Kelsey, who were the world's first septuplets to survive infancy. 

Brandon plans to go into the Army, a dream he has had since the age of three and Kenny will pursue construction when he begins his studies at the Des Moines Area Community College. 

The other five are likely to pursue a free education at Hannibal-LaGrange University in Missouri, an offer they all received at birth, with various plans to study music, computer science and education.

Bobbi and Kenny are quick to emphasize just how normal their family is. The kids have held part-time jobs, played in bands, joined high school sports teams and paid for their own phones. 

Bobbi McCaughey, pictured in 1998, used fertility treatment and had refused selective reduction when she found out she was pregnant with seven 

It's a stark contrast to the media frenzy that followed the family after the septuplets were born nine weeks prematurely in Des Moines. 

Bobbi and her husband Kenny had declined selective reduction after learning they were pregnant with seven children following fertility treatment, saying it was 'in God's hands'. 

The couple received a call of congratulations from then President Bill Clinton after the babies were born. 

They were invited on the Oprah Winfrey show, received free trips to Disneyland and Majorca and still live in the 4,833 sq ft home that was donated to them.

The family was also give a year's worth of Kraft's macaroni and cheese, two years of donated diapers to hold them through and a van that they still drive today, they told the TODAY show.

But as the press began to fade, Kenny, who works for a metal coating company, said he made sure to teach his children the importance of hard work and the reality that some of their lifestyle perks came from their personal story.

'My fear has always been that they see our jobs and think that's all they need for nice stuff,' he told the newspaper. 

Natalie, left in hospital and right today, hopes to become an elementary school teacher 

Brandon will join the Army - a dream he has had since the age of three 

Kelsey, who was the lightest baby at 2lb 5oz, is in the high school choir and wants to study music in college 

Kenny Jr. wants to pursue construction and will study at the Des Moines Area Community College

Alexis, who suffers from cerebral palsy, is co-captain of the cheer squad and wants to be a teacher 

Nathan, who also has cerebral palsy and taught himself how to walk, hopes for a career in science after school

Joel, who was the last to be born, plans to pursue computer science in college 

'I've given them the cold, hard truth slowly. No way could I afford this home on my salary. If you want something, you have to work for it.' 

And the couple have already seen that ambition in their children, including Alexis and Nathan, who were both born with forms of cerebral palsy.

Nathan taught himself how to walk and said he continues to practice every day. 

'I taught myself how to walk because I really wanted to learn,' he said. 'It's just been getting better and better.' 

Alexis still uses a walker but went on to become the co-captain of her high school cheerleading squad. She is also a member of the National Honor Society. 

Bobbi lies at Iowa Methodist Hospital Center in Des Moines in 1997 before giving birth

During the early months, the septuplets drank 42 bottles a day and went through 52 diapers

The family have been invited on the Oprah Winfrey show, received free trips to Disneyland and Majorca and still live in the 4,833 sq ft home that was donated to them when the septuplets were born

Now the couple, who also have a 19-year-old daughter named Mikayla, are preparing to say goodbye to the children's high school years. 

'Everything is a last,' said Bobbi. 'The last marching band performance. The last cross country meet. The last choir concert.' 

'It's sad to see things end, but there will be lots of firsts coming.' 

And Bobbi thinks her children are ready for the next step. 

And the siblings are too, even if they're getting sad about saying goodbye to the people with whom they once shared a whom. 

'I feel like I am starting my life,' said Kelsey. 'But they are my best friends. When you need someone to talk to, they are there to help you.' 

'What I'm not going to like is we won't be around each other,' said Kenny. 'I couldn't be where I am today without them.' 

But the septuplets are also excited to forge new paths and separate identities. Natalie said she won't mention her six siblings at first to her new college friends. 

'It's sort of going to be a new, fresh start.'   

The McCaughey septuplets (clockwise from left) Brandon, Alexis, Joel, Nathan, Kenny, Kelsey and Natalie - said they are going to miss being around each other every day

The septuplets have an older sister Mikayla, 19, who recently got married and is pictured here with sisters Natalie, Alexis and Kelsey among her bridesmaids (right)