5 Fact Friday - Empty Nest eDition

taken with my iphone

Linking up with Reflection of You, 5 Fact Friday.... Won't you join us? 

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Oh my… I think it's been at least 2 weeks since I've shared 5 on Friday…… Round Trip was a kinda consuming... not much else happened in my world....during that time.... 'smile'….

I have to say it was worth it though....I'm so excited ….. there are many new Lightroom lovers amongst us.

Lightroom continues to rock my socks!! I honestly don't know what I did without it….. 

Burst…..

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Today I thought I do a little 5 fact summary of our recent empty nest situation…..

Fact #1. it's quiet. Very quiet…. Ben is missing the boys… especially Bryce…. they are really close… For about a week he would lay by the back door in the evening waiting for his brother…. and when the boys are here…and if Sam (Bryce's girlfriend is here)… Ben is all kinds of crazy excited.

Fact #2. It's kinda nice being able to lock the door early, because no one will be coming in late…. But on the other hand… I have to keep my iPhone on all night, just in case someone texts me in need. I wonder when that may change? I used to love when both boys were home in bed… I would turn my phone off and rest a little easier.

Fact #3. I've had the best visits with my boys. Bryce and I facetime often and talk everyday after he gets off work. I love it. Brett texts me with school updates…. his marks, fears, progress…. frustration… I hear it all. I also love picking them up for a dinner date and just hanging out …. as adults. Good stuff.

Fact #4. It's been such a long road … I'm so happy to see my boy doing well, finding his way…settling in…working hard..... good choices…all the things a mother wants for her child. It's a gift… my heart really truly is full of gratitude.

Fact #5. the house stays much cleaner, the sink isn't full of dirty dishes, and groceries are pretty simple to grab…veggies some chicken… yoghurt and berries…. 

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I could probably carry on… but I'm sure you've heard plenty…..  

I want to thank you for stopping by…. I truly appreciate each and every visitor…. My cup runneth over….

Have a beautifully inspired weekend…… 

xo,

p.s. I'm talking squares over at Shutter Sisters, come share yours. :)

Comments

[Robyn]

so glad everything is working out well for you and your boys! This parenting thing isn't easy, is it?! Who knew our hearts could be pulled so many ways?

[Beverly]

Love your photo title Kim, and the photo. It gives a gentle feeling and atmosphere to this space today. Yes, I remember the early days of "empty nest". So many changes to work through, adjustments to be made, lots of wondering...time always changes things, and feelings, and needs. I wish you much happiness, and an easy transition. You'll be needed, in different ways. So many exciting things to look foward to...enjoy the quiet, the clean sink, and easy grocery list...for now. :) xo

[Patrice]

I miss having my kids home all the time

[Dotti]

So happy to hear that your son is doing well! I know there were some dark days ... We've been empty nesters for a long time now and it's actually quite fun but it does take a while to get used to it! :-D Thanks for visiting me at Camper. I just realized I forgot the 5 Fact banner ... that kind of day! Sooo looking forward to meeting you at Oasis, too. Won't be long now.

xo

[Barb]

I remember all those things - it's a mixed bag, isn't it? So happy to hear that all is well!

[Sherri B.]

Kim, I completely relate to your Five Facts...being an empty nester is a huge adjustment. It took me about a year before I became comfortable with it. I still sleep with my iphone by my bed every night, just in case my daughter needs me...we had one emergency in her freshman year where we got the "middle of the night" phone call. For that reason, the iphone stays with me 24/7 - you never know! Gah...the worrying never stops, even when they're grown. Have a wonderful weekend - your photo is so lovely.

[Yvonne Michelle @Photecstasy]

LOVE the image & your 5 Facts! I'm looking forward to my turn at Round Trip & learning Lightroom! There's no point in owning the software if you don't use it, right? Can't wait! How you keep on top of everything, I'll never know! xxoo

[Deanna]

Oh good, all is well in Kim land. It is so difficult when your children are having difficulties because all you want for them is good things. So nice to hear that both are doing well. See you in just about a week at OASIS....can't wait!!

[Lynne]

A mother is always a mother! Although it's wonderful to have your children making their own way in life; at first, when they leave, there's such an empty space in your life that it takes a long time to get used to. I, too, have my phone by my bed at night just in case I my girls text or call me in the night! Congratulations on being such a good parent that your boys are able to function on their own.

[nancyjean]

hi Kim...I love your 5 facts friday. What a wonderful way to learn little bits of each others lives. I know what you are going thru when your children grow up and leave home. It is such a good feeling to know that they are being so independent but it is so hard on us...sigh. Also i want to thank you for all the time you gave us in the Lightroom class. Because of you ... I LOVE lightroom...thankyou!

[Sarah]

We are into year 2 of being empty nesters and I still keep my phone next to the bed and when I get up to go to the bathroom I always check to see if there are any texts from my daughter. Every once in a while there is, which just goes to prove that I need to keep it by my bed and keep checking it:) I doubt if that will stop until she is safely married and has a husband to watch over her and protect her.

[Olivia]

Oh, Kim! You did this mother's heart good! I am so glad you posted Fact #4 (Fact #4. It's been such a long road … I'm so happy to see my boy doing well, finding his way…settling in…working hard..... good choices…all the things a mother wants for her child. It's a gift… my heart really truly is full of gratitude.)! I could say the same thing about my own son. . . . At last, he's finding his way and is "home" at college, studying music education, of all things. I'm still not crazy about the tattoo, but I can choose it over losing him! Like you, my heart is grateful!

[Kate]

I am glad your cup is running over and not half empty, Kim. At the holidays and some other times of the year when both of my sons are home, there's just something about having them both under our roof that feels so good. The way it should be is them going forth into the world and making their own life, and it's wonderful that they're on that road. Sad for Ben, but he will get used to things ~

[Deborah]

while quiet now, your home will always be filled with love and laughter ...

[Maureen]

Mothers never stop being mothers, despite enjoying an empty nest. Having one child in a war zone, yet again, makes me almost long for the teenage years again. I could ground him, or try! ;)

[Marl1's Images]

Aah, how much I do relate to these facts... However, our son is procrastinating his final leaving the house... I think he needed a little push, which I did today: cleaned his old room, packed a bag full of clothes, underwear and stuff and emptied his bed. It doesn't sound nice but the stalling made me crazy! I hate to see him go, really do, but he can't keep living in both places.

Fact 2? .... Think it lasts forever... I know I will do exactly the same, and our door will be closed, but no key on the inside, so he can come in anytime he wants.
Its a very "double", mixed feeling...

Have a safe flight and nice stay in California.
Marleen

[Marl1's Images]

I'm coming back on this one. I read the other comments and gosh it feels so good to read that I'm not alone in this crazy worrying thing, that phone with me all the time (how did our parents manage without mobiles ??!). And although I was very brave, I think, yesterday with giving him that little push.... yesterday evening I broke down and cried my heart out... My husband was very kind and "understanding" but at the same time, he doesn't get why I cry, why that phone is so important... I guess he trusts the process better than I do..... Thank you all for sharing, and making me feel like a normal mom.

See you all soon! And looking forward to Kim's and some of your's Oasis stories!
Marleen

[Karen]

Oh my goodness, I just stumbled on this post. I completely missed it the week before and seriously apologize - I never would have used the same topic the following week! I guess we're experiencing some of the same mixed emotions these days. I can completely relate to all of your 5 facts, and your photo is lovely! - again, apologies for being a copycat.