"Empty" Nest? I don't think so.

Last week Ron and I had a little taste of our soon-to-be-empty nest. We found ourselves talking about what we might want to do with all the kids gone. Ron wants to do more weekend "road trips" like we used to do. He's rather impulsive and likes to just get in the car and head out. Once when we were first married we ended up way out there at the observatory in Texas (with no cash!) , found a little bed-and-breakfast which didn't take credit cards and convinced them to take a check so we could sleep somewhere besides the car (something I draw the line at). Road trips are usually one day and the only rule is - if you see anything that sounds like it might be interesting - we have to stop and check it out. Since the things Ron and I find "interesting" are often not of interest to the kids - this kind of trip hasn't happened in a while.

Then I threw him a curve. I said I'd like to try taking dance lessons together. Growing up as a good "church of christ-er" I never really learned to dance - since we weren't allowed to go to school dances. Needless to say, his initial response wasn't exactly eager. But I persevered. .. and I think I can actually get him to try. It should be good exercise, might be "romantic", and will definitely provide a lot of laughs (especially since neither of us is exactly "light-on-our-feet").
Then today - I saw an article in the newspaper about geo-caching (sp?). It might be a fun activity to add to our upcoming "road trips."

At least we know that there will be plenty to occupy us when the nest is empty.

Buffaloes!

I am now the proud owner of a water buffalo! Well, okay, I'm the owner of a 1/4 of a water buffalo...which I received as a birthday present. Of course, I didn't ACTUALLY get the water buffalo - just a picture of a one. My water buffalo has gone to live with a lovely foster family who will use him to till and fertilize their fields. But still, it is my 1/4 of a buffalo and since it was a birthday present I believe I should get to pick the quarter of the animal that I own. Therefore I am claiming the tail (but not what it is attached to!), the head (complete with horns), and the belly. I figure the foster family will want the legs and back (for tilling), and the buttocks (for, well, you know). They or one of the other 1/4 owners can claim the rest. I will even graciously allow them to have their own name for him. I will call him SaBu. All the veggie tale fans know why.

Anyway, I had a nice birthday.

NO MORE HIGH SCHOOL

As of last night - High School is officially over! Obviously I left it behind a great many years ago - but as of last night the baby of the family is also finished with it. And to make things even better - once August and the start of freshman orientation at Harding gets here - Ron and I will officially be empty nesters (assuming that Michelle gets her visas and leaves for Amsterdam as scheduled). Which means - we will be a "couple" again!

Maybe I'm a weird mom, but I am excited about all of this. I've been talking to and about some other parents I know who are all weepy and upset about their child leaving home. I love my kids (and step-kids, and grandkids, and foster kids) but children are supposed to grow up and leave home and parents are supposed to prepare them to do so. If I have done my job right they should want to become independent adults - making their own contributions to the world, finding their own sense of purpose, jobs, mates, etc. Of course I want to be a part of their lives and I want to know what they are doing, and I want to have time with them. And yes, I will probably tear up when Logan's car pulls away to head to college. But I actually like getting to see our relationships change. With adult children I get to be Mom still - but I also get to become friends too.

So to Logan and all the new graduates - Congratulations, and enjoy the next phase in your life. To the other parents of grads - Congratulations, you have done well - now let go.
To my husband - congrats! We did it!