This might be the best phase

Catherine and Thomas were both here for the weekend.  Catherine arrived Friday even before I was home from work, and Andrew went to pick up Thomas.  Catherine also brought her new kitten with her.  I was afraid that was going to be a little crazy, and although it was, the little guy is also very entertaining, and he got along fairly well with our crew.

When Andrew and Thomas finally got back, we went to dinner at our favorite restaurant in town.  There is never a crowd and the food is very reasonably priced, and SO GOOD!  We laughed and enjoyed our meal.  We came home that evening and watched some of our favorite television shows.  It was a truly lovely evening.

Yesterday Andrew took both kids so they could do their early voting.  After the big OSU comeback in the 4th quarter against Penn State, we decided to do some work rearranging the sunroom so Catherine will have a place to be comfortable during the holidays since my mother-in-law will be here.  Thomas then picked up his girlfriend for dinner out, then they came home and did a craft and watched a movie before he took her home.  

This morning Andrew made a big breakfast and we watched church online before I went in to be the Sunday School volunteer.  After lunch, I hit the road with Thomas to take him back and Catherine also drove back to her apartment.

I told Andrew in some ways, this might be the best phase of our lives.  We have a blast with the kids, and since they are still in college, we are still their "permanent address" and still get to spend a decent amount of time with them.  At the same time, we get to enjoy lots of quiet time with just us and I sincerely appreciate that as well.  Our lives are an amazing blessing!

A truly lovely birthday

I'll be honest, I'm not sure I was really looking forward to my birthday today.  For the first time since I became.a mother I didn't get to see any of my kids on my birthday.  Last year we were all together because my father-in-law had passed away, and the year before Catherine's class schedule allowed her to come for dinner and spend the night.  This year, it was adorable that Thomas texted me right at Midnight, and when Catherine texted me this afternoon she wished me a happy "27th" birthday...so sweet!  Everyone at work was kind, and I was even serenaded by the middle school students on their ukes and kazoos!

This evening I had asked Andrew to take me to our favorite winery where we could not only have a glass of wine, but we could restock my wine fridge.  We wouldn't be gone long.  Since the kids are coming home tomorrow evening, I decided we would do my birthday dinner with them.  Tonight I wasn't really worried about what would be for dinner, and as we were driving home we decided to stop at Dairy Queen.  A blizzard for dinner with french fries?  Yes please!

Now that we are home, I'm in my jammies and looking forward to a quiet evening.  And tomorrow is Friday, which is always a good day!  I'm so very grateful for today!

A perfect fall afternoon

This afternoon has really been the kind of perfect fall afternoon I love.  A front came through overnight and dropped the temps by twenty degrees.  While my co-workers were bundled up for morning carline, I was delighting in my surroundings in just a long-sleeve t-shirt.  My co-workers are very patient with me though, as I am exuberant in my giddiness! 😁

Additionally, today is very overcast and even a bit drizzly.  Wednesday is the day that I only work in the mornings, and even with a haircut and running a quick errand, I was home a little after 12:30.  At that point, not only did I have hours of solitude ahead of me, I had absolutely nowhere that I needed to be.  I have lit a candle, and I've enjoyed having the three pets napping in the family room with me.  The woods behind our house has changed the colors, and even though the leaves are dropping, I've enjoyed the scenery.  This finally feels like "late October", and I know that means November and the holidays are just around the corner.  I can't be sad about that at all!  In addition to enjoying the view, I've been thrilled to get a bit of Christmas shopping done as well.  It's been a perfect fall afternoon!

The end of the month

Unlike previous Octobers, I truly feel like this month has absolutely crawled along.  In some ways, that isn't a bad thing as October is generally my favorite month of the year.  We've had amazing weather in many ways.  We had some chilly days, but we also had lots of days in the 70's.  While I don't always love it being that warm, especially in October, I do appreciate that we haven't had to use the heat much.  It's been truly lovely.  Today though, might have been the end of the 70's, and that is okay too.

A year ago today my father-in-law passed away.  I understand Andrew's feelings about the day.  The days of Fall bring back that year nine years ago when my dad passed away.  Andrew and I have enjoyed a quiet evening.  I'm grateful for these days.

As we head into the holidays this year, I'm feeling a little melancholy.  I still miss our large family Thanksgivings so very much.  We are hosting again this year, and my sister has already announced that she won't be coming because she doesn't want any "obligations" for that weekend.  Kind of a crappy way to see spending a holiday with your family.  I think it's more awful for my mom though, but I know Mom appreciates coming down here.  I just miss the big family gatherings and getting to see everyone.  I also very much miss having our kids at home, but I think it will help to make the days even more special!

Only a few days left in this month that is taking forever!

An unexpected and beautiful weekend

Last weekend, we had a brief conversation with Thomas that he might want to come home this weekend.  On Wednesday I had reached out, and he said he had no plans to come home.  Andrew and I decided it would be awesome to visit our favorite winery and enjoy our Friday evening.  And then of course, Thomas texted Friday morning and asked to come home.  I was pretty annoyed and wasn't going for it, but Andrew wanted to cave.  Ultimately, I agreed it was fine, as there was a death on campus and I just thought it would kind of be a depressing weekend there.  I also knew that at this time of year it would be a gorgeous drive, and of course it was.  We took our sweet pup with us, ordered pizza on the way home, and had a lovely evening with Thomas watching our new favorite show ("Ghosts").  It was a lovely beginning to our weekend.

Thomas was up early yesterday and spent the entire day with his girlfriend.  Andrew and I worked athletics, and then went to a gathering at a co-worker's house.  They have a farm on the top of a hill, and again, everything was absolutely gorgeous. 

This morning Andrew and I went to church while Thomas went back to have breakfast with his girlfriend.  I then took Thomas with me to do a quick shopping errand, then took him back to school.  The drive was especially gorgeous as I took rural Indiana roads, and it was so peaceful.

The leaves truly did make for a beautiful weekend.  This is peak color weekend in southwest Ohio, but it's not nearly as pretty as some years.  To say that it is dry is an understatement.  We've had mostly browns with some yellows, some occasional orange, and very rare reds.  It's still lovely though, and while I was a little annoyed at the last minute change of plans, it was a lovely weekend.

It's been ten years since we didn't have to attend

I found out last evening was a middle school and high school marching band concert.  I realized it had been ten years since we didn't attend this annual fall concert.  I'm not going to lie, it didn't make me sad.  I mentioned it to Andrew, and he commented that not only did we not have to attend, but he didn't even know about it.

I've really missed nothing about not being involved with band, except for not getting to know the kids.  To be honest, I didn't really realize how resentful I had begun to be about how much time and effort I was putting into it.  And to be honest, no one seems to care.  I'm incredibly grateful that awesome people have taken over and they don't need me, but even though it took three people to fill all my roles, the directors and other board members never expressed thanks or gratitude.  Many parents were always quick to do so, and although it's not why I did it (it's about the kids), the fact that I'm not particularly missed makes it even easier to just walk away.

I would love to attend the chili supper next month, but I have a meeting.  Hopefully I'll be able to attend the band concert at the holidays.  That one was always one of my favorites because it was one of the few I could attend and not have responsibilities.  But now, I get to enjoy any of them that I choose to attend!

A cozy Sunday evening of a weekend with a little bit of friends and a little bit of family

We are having a very cozy Sunday evening here.  I mentioned to Andrew that in many ways, Sunday evening is my favorite part of being empty nesters.  Sunday evenings are much more relaxing these days.  We only have he and I to think about schedules for the upcoming week, and it's a lot less daunting.  

Friday evening Andrew and I had a dinner out.  We've really been watching our budget, but Andrew did some extra class coverage last week so we enjoyed our Friday evening, and then came home and watched some favorite TV shows.  Yesterday we were able to sleep in and we had nowhere to be until late afternoon when we ventured north for a friend's birthday dinner.  We were able to so many very dear friends who we don't get to see nearly often enough.  The best part is that we were able to be home in time to see Tennessee knock off Alabama.  Woohoo!!!!  We finished our evening with the disappointing Notre Dame loss.

Today we had church this morning and then came home for a glorious afternoon of nothingness.  The weather has been lovely and I feel a little badly that I spent so much of it indoors this weekend, but it is what it is.  Both Andrew and I took a nap, which we really needed.  We then drove and met my mom half way for dinner.  It's been a long time since Andrew and I have been with my mom without any kids.  Mom is having some physical mobility issues, but I'm grateful she can still get around, even just as it is.

Overall, it was a fairly relaxing weekend, and I'm so very grateful.  I love my kiddos and of course I miss them, but generally this is the rest of our lives, and I'm grateful that Andrew and I are adjusting fairly well and enjoying our times together.

Fall sports season is coming to an end

I'll be honest, I'm not sad that the fall sports season is coming to an end.  Andrew has worked at least two nights each week, and many times three nights, and I've often worked at least one.  This is pretty much the end though, except for a JV football game he'll need to work next weekend.  I would love to say that it means we'll have so much more time together, although ironically I have two evening meetings next week.

Yesterday I made a trip to take some things to Thomas.  It was a beautiful drive with the leaves beginning changing, and of course it was awesome to give Thomas a hug.  He won't be home again for another two weeks, and I sure do miss having him around.  Catherine doesn't have any immediate plans for a visit either, and it sure does feel quiet around here.  It will be awesome to have everyone around at Thanksgiving.

Looking forward to a gorgeous fall weekend!

A long weekend that sure didn't feel long

The long weekend is coming to an end.  It didn't feel very long though.  Andrew was home from the football game Friday early enough for us to watch some TV and just hang out.  We caught up and laughed, and really enjoyed our evening.

Yesterday we both had to work at an athletic event, although I only had to work for about an hour taking tickets.  I made a quick trip to the grocery after being done, and then spent all day cleaning the house.  My dear friend was in town for the college Homecoming game and was coming for a visit.  He ended up not staying very long, and honestly that was fine.  Andrew and I spent the rest of the evening watching the Notre Dame victory.

Today we slept in, and honestly just sat around.  I wasn't really great, and I was somewhat productive in other ways with laundry and computer work, but really just sat.  While I feel a little guilty, Andrew pointed out that there was absolutely nothing we needed to get done...and we've been so busy lately that it's okay to take this day.  I'm grateful to Andrew for being so awesome.

The weather has been ideal this weekend.  I somewhat regret that we didn't go anyway today to see the changing leaves.  The temps were perfect as well.  It's going to be in the 70's for a few days, and then I suspect we will be mostly done with those temps as well.

Also, the kids are doing well.  Thomas had midterms coming up this week, and is preparing ahead.  Catherine has recovered from her latest set of incidents and both kids are doing their thing.  We are proud of them, but it does seem odd to not know the next time we will see them again.

It didn't feel like a three day weekend, but I'm grateful it was!

A fall Friday off work

Today is an absolutely gorgeous day.  Honestly, it is probably my ideal weather day, and I'm grateful to have the day off.  Although there is still a lot of green, the leaves are beginning to change.  As we were driving to PA last weekend I really noticed the brown in the fields.  It is absolutely October in the midwest, and I love it.

I ran some errands today, but I think I'm getting to old to be out in public.  In spite of the gorgeous environment around me, absolutely everything annoyed me.  I'm grateful that is finished, and right now I'm able to be home and with an awesome candle lit and just enjoy some quiet.  I'll be doing some cleaning as a dear friend from high school who lives out of town will be visiting tomorrow, but I'm just going to enjoy the beauty of the day!

Off work until Monday

No work tomorrow as our school is off.  Andrew has to work, and he'll be off next Friday.  I wish we could have the same day, but I'll appreciate my time, I'm sure.  Looking very forward to extra hours of sleep!!!!

Exhausted, but I wouldn't have traded any of it

We made a trip to visit Andrew's mother this weekend, and the kids came with us.  We left here just after 5:30 Friday and began our drive west because we needed to pick up Catherine.  We then finally went east so we could grab Thomas, and finally arrived at our destination at nearly Midnight.  Today we were on the road by Noon and made the trip in reverse, arriving home about 6:00.  It was a lot of time in the car, but I wouldn't have traded anything about it.  Yesterday was especially fun.  Andrew and his mom went to church, and the original plan was dinner.  But between church and the hurricane remnant rains, we decided to just bring dinner in instead...and that was the best decision ever.  We sat around the table and we shared awesome food and laughed so hard.  We bought Andrew's mom an assistant device for her birthday, and as Thomas put it together, we laughed some more.  The car rides were fun, and I really sat there and soaked up every moment as I enjoyed getting to know my children as adults.  Andrew and I have another really long week this week, although for me school is closed on Friday.  Regardless, I knew we would have a blast and I'm so, so glad we made this trip.  I may be exhausted physically, but my emotions were truly buoyed by this trip.