Monday Musings

Hello again! I’m feeling the urge to re-introduce myself because it’s been so long since I was here. I did not plan to take such a long break. It just happened. To be honest, I haven’t really had anything to say, so rather than just create more “noise” in the world, I decided to wait until I was ready to write again. Today is the day!

These past few months have been full of change. We moved both of our daughters to college in August. Thankfully they had different move-in dates or I don’t know how we would have moved all of their stuff at the same time. Hope is now in her third year, so moving her was more about returning her to the life she has already established for herself at school.

Photobombed by her little sister while giving Dad one last hug

 Brianna is a freshman, so the whole process was a little more intense.

All packed and ready to go

Now my husband and I are “empty nesters.” I really don’t like that term because we are still living in the nest, so it isn’t completely empty. But it is a lot quieter around here. I have grown weary of all the well-intentioned people in my life who have been asking  if I’m “doing okay” or if I’m having “trouble adjusting.” I have been trying to focus on all of the positive aspects of my children leaving home, so the sad, depressed tone of voice used when asking these questions is pretty annoying. Plus, I don’t really know how to put into words all of the emotions that I’m experiencing.  I’m happy, excited, anxious, scared, relieved, numb, hopeful, sad…you name it, I’m there! One minute I look back over all that has happened in the last 21 years and I think, “Wow, I can’t believe we did all of that! It went by so fast!” Then the next minute I look back and I think, ”Yup, we sure did do all of that!” And I feel the full weight of it all- the highs and lows of each daughter’s childhood. Thankfully there are more highs than lows.

We have moved into a new season, as a family and as individuals. I’m spending a lot of time with these handsome guys.

Hiking, fishing, watching whatever we want on tv, going on lots of impromptu dates... I’m doing less housework and spending more time doing projects that I enjoy. When people ask me what I’m doing now, it brings me great pleasure to tell them, “Whatever I want!” 

So, without further ado, here are today’s musings:

Out in my yard today… lots and lots of beautiful colors.

Watching the trees letting go of their leaves reminds me to let go of my worries and trust God for everything.

I’m grateful for… good health, answered prayers, and really good coffee.

My first Peppermint White Mocha of the season

One of my favorite things… is this fun candy corn banner that I made to hang on the fireplace mantel. I love candy corn! Mix it with some peanuts and it is the perfect salty/sweet snack.

This week I’m reading… a couple of books about how to do life after the children are grown. When I was becoming a mother, I read lots of books about how to manage that season of life, so I think it’s only logical that I’m reading a lot now about how to manage this season of life.

I am also reading this book by Debbie Macomber in anticipation of Thanksgiving. She is one of my most favorite authors.

I’m looking forward to… voting tomorrow, more lovely fall weather, new Christmas movies on the Hallmark channel, and seeing my college girls on Saturday. We get to go to another home football game. Not only do we get to watch Hope perform with the marching band, but the football team is actually having a winning season! All of us long-suffering fans are so happy to see our Bengals winning for a change.

Simple life encouragement for the week… "Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul." ~Henry Ward Beecher This quote is on my November calendar page. What a great reminder to cultivate a thankful heart. Instead of keeping track of all that we don't have, let's choose to focus on all of the blessings that we do enjoy.