Writings on the Wall...or in this case, the dust ruffle

In making one my daughter's bed today after company left, I spotted this on the dust ruffle:

I found my mind traveling back 18 years...One of my best friends had disciplined her less-than-2-year-old for writing with markers all over their hallway wall.  That week, she lost her precious baby. She never cleaned the markings off the wall; and when she moved, her family carefully cut the sheetrock around the artistry, framed it, and displayed it prominently in their new home.  Sometimes, you just gotta see with a new perspective.

Now, I'm sure one of my grandaughters created this masterpiece..it doesn't really matter which one.  It sort of gives me this sense of their presence and comfort knowing that a part of them has been left with me in our home.

As a grandparent, I have a different perspective.  In fact, while I can smile at the thought of the secret that is hidden under a quilt, I can rest in the confidence that~~at some point~~each one of my granddaughters has left such masterpieces on some unorthodox canvas and probably were disciplined in a way that no longer left them with the desire to create further reminders of their presence.

I'm glad this happened before that time...because it sure does make my cup overflow!

Empty Nesting: Chapter 1. Revelation!

The day has finally arrived.  I am now an empty nester. My two youngest two daughters have left and are now settled in New Zealand...and I am left with a house full of quiet.

In case you are wondering, yes~~I am feeling the full effects of "empty nest syndrome."

During this first three months, however, I have discovered something:

In a house that has, at one time or another, boasted a 5:1 girl vs. boy ratio, our toilet paper consumption has decreased from 15 rolls a month to 3!  Now you might laugh at this; but until you have spent years with a houseful of females, you have NO idea!!!  (There was actually a point in time when Keith calculated that 3 sheets for #1 and 6 sheets for #2 were plenty per person per bathroom visit, but he couldn't figure how to enforce the new rule!  I. Am. Not. Kidding.) 

Add to that shampoo and other hair products, razor blades, baby lotion, cosmetics and~~BAM!!  We are meeting our budget for the first time in YEARS!

That is only the beginning...car insurance~~I can pay a whole year in one setting!...the grocery bill~~ohmygoodnessgraciousalive!~~we even have leftovers, and fruit and snacks don't disappear in one day!  Let's talk gasolin~~We filled up the truck the beginning of September and didn't return to the gas station until the middle of October...the fuel in the van lasts ALL week long!!!

BUT.

Dadgum, it's quiet.

And the space is huge whereve I walk.

And I discovered I don't know how to cook for just two.

And I realize that I actually ENJOY being chauffeured wherever I go and not have to actually drive myself. 

And there's no one with me to bribe into pumping gas.

There's no one to braid or updo my hair.

There's no one to look forward to walking through the door every night.

I walk into their rooms, and there is nobody there.

And that unchanging mountain of toilet paper in the bathroom basket...it looks like overkill.

Today, I came across Ecclesiastes 3:
   To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:

² A time to be born,
And a time to die;
A time to plant,
And a time to pluck what is planted;
³ A time to kill,
And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
And a time to build up;
⁴ A time to weep,
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance;

"A time to mourn...

and a time to dance."

W.O.A.H.

How can mourning and dancing possibly exist in the same sentence?! 

Reflection.

Revelation.

A smile. God knows how to bring us back to where we need to be...and in that one small verse, I am reminded~~it's okay to mourn, but it's always followed by dancing. 

Maybe I can grab a few yards of toilet paper and use it for a ribbon dance...!!

Thank you Yeshua, for filling my cup to overflowing!

Middle Earth to Middle Tennessee

awwww...February.

It buried itself beneath the winter ground and didn't emerge until March came shining past, bringing Hannah home and warming the chill of February~~opening the door to the last two seasons of my parenting days.

Our own household began to bustle at the reality of Hannah's return; and before we knew it, the day was here!
 
 

and we frantically tried to pull ourselves together into some semblence of sanity...

 

 

As we took over the waiting lounge, spreading out signs to be decorated and keeping warm with coffee and hot chocolate, everyone felt the electricity of exitement build with every tick of the clock!

 

 

Some badges are worth more than others!  Rubbing it in is another story!
 

 

The plane is on time and a new record was set for clean up time!

 

 

Hannah's first sight looked something like this!

 

Who was first to be tackled....?!

 

Second tackle missed on camera!

 

And yet another tackle missed by the camera!

 

Finally!  She stops long enought to compare tans...it's hannah for the win!

 

 

No welcome home is complete without the group photo!

 

Yes...she hugged each and every person with or without a sign!
 

 

 

 

 

Apparently, New Zealand has routines of their own...and there was a sit down party in the middle of the airport waiting lounge!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, that is Beks clinging to her sis!

A week later, our home was filled with the now college-age kids PLUS the high-school folks! 

 Pause. 

Reverse 5 years.  these same girls wore the very same outfits complete with artistic makeup. 

Fast Forward 5 years.  some things just don't change....!!!
 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  ...and the seniors just keep on doing what they do best...

 

 

but there's always room for Hannah...no matter how long she stays away!!
 

 

Welcome Home Goobie...just in time for Spring!

 

Right now my cup is running over so much that it's poured out all over my life!