The Empty Nest: 4 Months In, but Who’s Counting?

~ aporter106
Remember how I mentioned in the previous post that I’m so excited about this new journey? Well, I know deep down I am, but this sadness…..this mourning I experienced in the beginning was FOR REAL. For at least the first month, I was constantly battling the urge to call Tyler every hour just to see what he was doing. (like, “what are you doing now?, how about now? and what are you doing next?”) I do remember feeling that urge initially with Averee, but as time went on, I realized she was doing okay! AND that it was okay that I didn’t know every second of their every day. I worried so much that my kids couldn’t take care of themselves without me. How did I ever believe that lie? I mean, they were both pretty independent very early on in their beautiful lives.

Honestly, Tyler is doing so much better on his own. And, truthfully, I’m just not sure how I feel about that. On one hand, I know we taught them well. And we want them to thrive. I just thought maybe he’d still need me a little more. What Tyler NEEDED was a change of scenery and a chance. His battle with loneliness here was just getting to be too big of a battle. However, that battle he fought here prepared him well to be deliberate at building his community. He has set goals for himself, and just about every decision he makes is working towards meeting those goals. I guess I could learn a few things from my kids!

And maybe we have. Trae and I are quickly settling in to our new world! We just got back from a little Dallas getaway to see The Chicks and Patty Griffin. That concert was truly a dream come true event!~

The Chicks and Patty Griffin- definitely a bucket list concert!

Also, super cool to get to see Lloyd Maines on stage (Natalie Maines of the Chicks dad). He was so kind to record some steel for my upcoming album!

Shortly after this little getaway, we took off to a wedding in Arkansas and then on to Kentucky!

I hope to write more about that trip later, but for now, here are some pictures!

We learned so much about the history of bourbon, saw some beautiful places, and had such a great time. It was our first RV voyage, and we definitely ate, drank, and celebrated our new phase!

So, at now four months in to this new phase, we are more than surviving. Thanksgiving and Christmas were so much sweeter having just a tiny bit of time together. (More on all that later!)

If you’re approaching the empty nest phase, just know, it does not only get easier, it gets to be pretty fun! We even find ourselves appreciating our quiet house once the kids all go on about their lives outside of Mockingbird Lane.

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