Some Feelings As An Empty Nester...

It's official... we are empty nesters.  Not that our kiddos have lived at home for the last 5+ years....  They haven't.  But I recently painted my daughter's old room... Lots of feelings going on during that.
Daughter's bedroom
Daughter's bedroom
Let me give you a quick background.... We moved into this house in 2009. My son was off to his first year in college and my daughter was a junior in high school. Both of my kiddos never really returned home after they went to college.  During their college years they came home for holiday and summer breaks. So, we've kinda been "empty nesters" for a while... During one of those college summer breaks my daughter came home and wanted to paint and decorate her room. 😍

I gave her full reign to do whatever she wanted. You can read all about it here.

So, fast forward 4 years... What?? 4 years? wow.

She is now a Mrs...
I just love this photo! Pure joy! You just can't help but smile!

I need to do a post with just wedding photos... They are all in and sooo gorgeous! That will be next. Promise!

The newlyweds will have another guest room with a larger bathroom. So, now I need her old bedroom to be a guest room, especially with Thanksgiving right around the corner. Having that room ready will give me valuable peace of mind. 😅 

I took the headboard off and have plans for that plywood (which I've already started👍 ).
Ready to paint
While painting this room, my heart was pondering all the feelings of being an empty nester... I mean I knew this day would come eventually, but the reality of it started to hit me. Not really sad feelings, just knowing that both of my children will most likely never return home to live under our roof.

This is what is supposed to happen.  As the baby bump grew, we couldn't wait to hold those little bundles of joy... then we loved on them, raised them, then sent them off into the world. Hoping and praying they will succeed in all they do while thanking The Lord for the blessings they have been in our lives.

Baby girl won't be returning to this room... she's all grown up now. I guess since she was my youngest, it's affecting me a bit more...
Cutting in
Mmmmm.... so many memories... from toddler all the way up to her wedding day...
baby girl
Daddy's girl... oh all the feels... 
Tearing up here...
my sweet girl
I always question myself... was I a good mom? 
Me and my son
Did I show them my love enough? Did I share how much Jesus means to me to them? Was I enough? I come back to the conclusion that I was the best I knew how to be... a MILLION mistakes, but love covers a multitude of sins... always praying they remember the best and let go of the rest.

I felt like I was closing a chapter of my life while I painted this wall.
Painting the wall
My baby girl is now a wife, one day she'll be a mother... and so it goes.

Don't get me wrong, hubby and I are most certainly enjoying the fun and freedom of being empty nesters!! 😍😍😍  And we are sooo happy to have a new son in law and to see how much in love they are... it's awesome!

It just all went by so fast. It didn't seem fast when we were in the middle of it. We were busy feeding, changing diapers, playing, reading, etc... Then before we knew it... we were running to piano lessons, dance classes, then volleyball practice, football practice and band practice. Running all over the place... busy, busy, busy.... Then graduation and off to college... now my son is focused on his career out of state and my baby girl is now a wife, also in another state.  Sigh...

The wall is painted.
Guest Bedroom
The room is finished.  At least for now.... There is so much more that I could do, but there is another room screaming for my attention. 😍
Guest Bedroom
I just wanted it to be more fitting for my son or another guest. My job is done in here for now.

But my job as mom is never finished.... a job I love. 💕

Blessings!!

5 comments

  1. One of my favorite posts yet. It's very well written and I love the parallels of the wall painting to you moving on with your own life.

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  2. Wow, Lori, I enjoyed ready your thoughts on empty nesting. My husband and I recently became empty nesters �� (2 months ago) our baby girl (23) decided that she needed to spread her wings while completing her college education.
    I love your perspective. We did the very best we could in preparing her for the life God has planned for her.
    (Why am I crying?) Still so new.
    Thank you and God bless you and your family.

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    Replies
    1. Awww, Theresa. Changes in seasons of life are difficult. But change ensures growth. I'm sure you and and your husband did a wonderful job raising your daughter! Welcome to a awesome season of life! We love being empty nesters!!

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