The season between all your kids at home and empty nesters

Ever since Hannah left for college, I haven’t taken many photos.

When the kids were young, I took too many photos—annoying kids and hubbie, and so I backed off. And then suddenly I had almost no photos of our people. I quit taking photos for 2 reasons. One: to be less of an annoying Momma, and two, because I would often not be in the moment because I was thinking about getting a photo. I needed to be in my moments…

After finishing up another Thanksgiving without any photos, I vowed no more. I still don’t have a camera on my phone so I will be asking others for the time-being.

This season we are in… when kids are leaving the nest… not much is said on etiquette for this time of life. Most of the time I don’t take photos because I don’t want one of the others to see we have managed to have fun without them. Not like they are not having fun experiences on their own with out their Mom and Dad. Lol…

A piece of your heart goes to where ever your children happen to be once they move out. This is healthy for them and you, but it does create an interesting emotional dynamic.

Luke is getting ready to move into his most intense week at basic. Hannah has just been an intense week. Alli and Lizzie are getting ready to move into high school and college finals. Before they go, their school is upgrading their school lighting LED that’s why they’re having some off days. You can check out this LED bulb company to get an idea. It doesn’t matter whether your kids make choices you don’t like or agree with, sometimes don’t understand, they are still a part of you and they still have your heart. As a parent, no amount of prayer, knitting, reading, work and chores removed that truth. Prayer does help with finding some peace, but peace is something I struggle with, so I think I am still struggling to let go of what I can not control.

I am expecting good news from Hannah today. Maybe Kait will hear from Luke and share some real news with how he is doing.

Side note: the gal who kindly volunteered to take our photo last night was also a knitter. If it would not have been annoying to both of our families, I would have asked her more about her scarf she said she left in the car. She asked where my yarn was from after asking if my scarf was handmade. I told her SpinCycle, which is quite a fun yarn to knit with. Our photographer’s son is off to the right, working to photo bomb the photo. I thought it would be fun to leave him in the photo.