Sadly, it's been five months since my first and only blog post. I had fully intended to write something at least monthly, if not more. But here we are almost half a year later and I'm finally getting around to post number two! Much has happened in our little nest in the past few months. Michael and I have become more comfortable in our role as "empty nesters" and we have enjoyed the transition from full-time parents to part-time parents and part-time grandparents. That's not to say that we aren't always going to be our children's greatest supporters and loudest cheerleaders. We are! It's just a different kind of parenting with a more subtle approach.
Here's an example: Two weeks ago we helped pack, load, and move Todd and Christine into their first real home. They had spent the summer in Alaska working and had been there since right after they got married. They rented a room from another couple and shared their kitchen and bathroom. Not the best environment for staring your own nest! After four months of crazy and wonderful adventures, and a lot of long hours and hard work, they finally had a home of their own. Every other time we had moved one of our kids to Rexburg we spent all day helping them unpack and get settled. We went to the grocery store and loaded up their cupboards and refrigerator. We loved helping them get ready to tackle another semester of college and it was our way of gently pushing them out of the nest. Who knows, maybe they just tolerated this routine and actually wished we would just let them be. They were always gracious and acted like they wanted us there. This time, Todd and Christine didn't need us. That's not to say they didn't want us, they just didn't need us. I felt it as soon as the trailer was unloaded. This was their nest and they were nesting!! We quickly said goodbye and left them to it. There was no sadness, just a lot of joy and happiness that they had each other and that they were excited and anxious to make this little bit of space their home.
Another event that took place during the past little while was the birth of our sixth grandchild, Haakon. What a little bundle of joy!! Our little Squawkin' Haakon! He was born on June 1st and is truly a wonderful addition to our family. When we went to the hospital to meet him, I was so filled with joy walking into that room and feeling like I was walking straight into heaven. Seeing our sweet daughter-in-law just glowing and looking so beautiful and watching Coren and Risa act like they had known their little brother for ages already was very tender. The thing that caught me offguard was watching our son, Chad. I remember seeing him with Coren for the first time and recognizing the look on his face because it was the same look that Michael had on his face when Ciara was born almost 30 years ago - "Am I really a Dad? Is this for real? What do I do now?" This time Chad looked so calm and so sure of himself. I was overwhelmed that my son was a Dad!!! I know, it's his third child, but it hit me differently this time for some reason. This is nothing like seeing your children become parents and there's nothing to prepare you each time you add another precious little one to your nest. That's what I mean when I say that your nest is never empty. And your heart just grows bigger and bigger and bigger with enough room for all the little birdies that fill your nest. And you know that there will be more to come and that your heart will continue to grow right along with the numbers. It's miraculous, really!!
In about an hour my baby girl, Summer will celebrate her 21st birthday. Happy Birthday, Summy!! How is that possible? She is so special and my arms ache to hold her close. Listening to her stories about her work as a nurse in labor and delivery just boggle my mind. I have to see her in it - actually SEE her doing it. It's hard to picture. Her life with Christopher is full and happy and we are blessed to know that he is keeping her safe and making her life so wonderful. Thank you, Chris!!
And then there's our firstborn, Ciara. She is turning 30 in two days. She is scared out of her mind. I don't know why. Maybe it's because I didn't feel that way when I turned 30. I felt that way when they wheeled me to the front door of the hospital and let us get in a car and drive away without any instructions or advise on what to do when we got home. But that fear soon left and we began our journey as parents. What a ride it has been. Ciara, you are a capable and strong woman who has made us more proud than there are words to express. You and Brandon make quite a team!! We love you like the dickens!!!
So, here we are back where we started, just the two of us. Michael is the glue that holds us all together and the love of my life. Our family would be nothing without him. My life would be nothing without him. We are blessed......and we are grateful!!
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
The Nest is Never Empty!
I've never been super interested in starting a blog until recently. I talked my daughter, Summer, into starting one and I keep up with several others. I thought it might be fun to do one of my own, just to dabble and experiment with this new form of communication. I'm pretty sure it'll just be family who read these posts and maybe they won't even be interested. But I do have a lot to say. I've always enjoyed writing, especially poems, and this will give me one more way to express my thoughts and "musings" in a way that could be fun. We shall see.......
My husband, Michael, and I have recently become "true" empty nesters. We have four children; Ciara, Chad, Todd, and Summer. They range in age from 20 - 29 years old. Our youngest left for college three years ago and I considered myself an "almost" emply nester then. Our last child to get married was Todd. He married his sweetheart, Christine, three weeks ago. I now consider myself a "true" empty nester. But I have discovered something interesting since then, and that is......."the nest is never empty"! Michael and I were a little worried that not having children at home would be difficult. What would we talk about? What would we do with our time? How would we deal with life after kids? Well, guess what? The nest is never empty! Two of our children live fairly close and visit often. Between the two of them, we have 5 (almost 6) amazing grandchildren. Our home is filled with people most of the time, and it's not always family.
Our nest continues to grow and get bigger. Our nest hasn't gotten smaller like we thought it would. Our nest has become cozier and warmer and more comfortable as time goes by. We keep adding the twigs and mud and feathers to make it cozy and warm and comfortable for all the little birdies who want to cuddle up and rest for a while. That makes me happy.
An interesting thing happened to us last year. A little newlywed couple of swallows decided that the quarter inch wide ledge at the top of our front door would make a lovely nest for their soon to be arriving baby birdies. Michael wasn't thrilled with the idea. They made a hideous mess on our porch. Mud, twigs, feathers, and most disturbing, POOP, was a daily vision for all to see. I talked him into letting them stay. Our grandchildren loved watching the progress of the nest, and then waiting for the eggs to hatch and the babies to show their darling little faces. We all loved watching the dedicated parents spend all their waking moments tending to their newborn family. The process didn't last long. It wasn't more than a matter of weeks that the babies were literally being pushed out of the nest and learned to fly. Wow!! It was awesome to watch. Soon the nest was empty and the little family disappeared. I was a bit sad, to be honest.
We were told that the birds would return this spring. We were secretly (well, maybe not so secretly) hoping they wouldn't come back and we'd be spared the mess and the hassle. THEY'RE BACK!! We noticed two birds hanging around the porch and soon realized that they were beginning to build another nest. Michael was determined to stop the process from the start. He blasted the first notice of mud with the hose and hoped that would put an end to the nest. But, no.........they kept coming back. Every day for a week or more. Michael continued to blast off the mud time after time. After about 10 attempts to stop the birds from building their nest, he gave up. I was happy that the nest would again by filled with a family of birds, and didn't hide my pleasure from my hubby. He isn't thrilled about the mess that will continue to be made on our porch but I think he's excited to relive the experience and watch the miracle of the swallows happen right outside our door again.
So, to put an end to a lengthy post, the nest is never empty. Our family continues to grow and just because our children don't live under our roof, the nest is always ready and waiting for them to return. And when they return, they bring with them their own little babies. I cannot express in words the joy my family brings. To watch my little "birdies" leave the nest and start nests of their own is incredible. To then see them as parents is priceless. No one could have told me what being a grandparent feels like. I know now because I am one. I am reaping the rewards of providing a nest for my babies and helping them to become strong and responsible men and women who are ready to fly on their own. I love you, Ciara and Brandon, Chad and Charity, Todd and Christine, and Summer and Chris. I can't wait to add oodles of grandbabies to the five I already have - Alexa, Noah, Annie, Coren, and Risa. Thank goodness the nest is never empty!!!!
My husband, Michael, and I have recently become "true" empty nesters. We have four children; Ciara, Chad, Todd, and Summer. They range in age from 20 - 29 years old. Our youngest left for college three years ago and I considered myself an "almost" emply nester then. Our last child to get married was Todd. He married his sweetheart, Christine, three weeks ago. I now consider myself a "true" empty nester. But I have discovered something interesting since then, and that is......."the nest is never empty"! Michael and I were a little worried that not having children at home would be difficult. What would we talk about? What would we do with our time? How would we deal with life after kids? Well, guess what? The nest is never empty! Two of our children live fairly close and visit often. Between the two of them, we have 5 (almost 6) amazing grandchildren. Our home is filled with people most of the time, and it's not always family.
Our nest continues to grow and get bigger. Our nest hasn't gotten smaller like we thought it would. Our nest has become cozier and warmer and more comfortable as time goes by. We keep adding the twigs and mud and feathers to make it cozy and warm and comfortable for all the little birdies who want to cuddle up and rest for a while. That makes me happy.
An interesting thing happened to us last year. A little newlywed couple of swallows decided that the quarter inch wide ledge at the top of our front door would make a lovely nest for their soon to be arriving baby birdies. Michael wasn't thrilled with the idea. They made a hideous mess on our porch. Mud, twigs, feathers, and most disturbing, POOP, was a daily vision for all to see. I talked him into letting them stay. Our grandchildren loved watching the progress of the nest, and then waiting for the eggs to hatch and the babies to show their darling little faces. We all loved watching the dedicated parents spend all their waking moments tending to their newborn family. The process didn't last long. It wasn't more than a matter of weeks that the babies were literally being pushed out of the nest and learned to fly. Wow!! It was awesome to watch. Soon the nest was empty and the little family disappeared. I was a bit sad, to be honest.
So, to put an end to a lengthy post, the nest is never empty. Our family continues to grow and just because our children don't live under our roof, the nest is always ready and waiting for them to return. And when they return, they bring with them their own little babies. I cannot express in words the joy my family brings. To watch my little "birdies" leave the nest and start nests of their own is incredible. To then see them as parents is priceless. No one could have told me what being a grandparent feels like. I know now because I am one. I am reaping the rewards of providing a nest for my babies and helping them to become strong and responsible men and women who are ready to fly on their own. I love you, Ciara and Brandon, Chad and Charity, Todd and Christine, and Summer and Chris. I can't wait to add oodles of grandbabies to the five I already have - Alexa, Noah, Annie, Coren, and Risa. Thank goodness the nest is never empty!!!!
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